by Chris Muras
When April rolls around we start to think about the warm days of summer. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Spring can be one of the best times to travel. If you are looking for Spring Break travel destinations or a special place to enjoy blooming cherry blossoms with a refreshing spring breeze, we have some incredible places to explore. Because the best places to visit in the U.S. in April all have one thing in common. They give us something to look forward to and share with those we love.
Best Places to Visit in The USA In April
The best April vacations in the US can be warm tropical destinations or surprising locations you hadn’t even thought about before. Let’s take a look at a few places you should put on your travel bucket list.
Welcome to a tropical paradise in the US! The Florida Keys are a chain of islands between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The main group of islands are Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, the Lower Keys, and Key West. Since it has the third-largest barrier reefs in the world it is a hot spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. In fact, there are a number of shipwrecks to explore – and maybe find buried treasure! Even if you aren’t that lucky, this island getaway is truly spectacular with pristine beaches and a cool island vibe.
Say hello to the dogwoods in April – these beautiful flowering trees line many Atlanta streets and add to the charm of this downright cool city that has been named “The City in the Forest.” In fact, the dogwood trees are so special that residents have celebrated the Atlanta Dogwood Festival each year since 1936. It is a music and arts festival held in Piedmont Park in mid-April. That isn’t the only festival you’ll find in April – check out the Atlanta Film Festival, the Georgia Bird Fest, and the SweetWater 420 Festival, a two-day music festival in Centennial Olympic Park around the third week in April.
The April calendar in Monterey is pretty full with lots of activities from spotting humpback whales launch themselves out of the ocean to events at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Course. If you are an avid cycler you might want to partake in, or at least watch, the Sea Otter Classic (there is a pretty big bike expo around that time too). The Big Sur International Marathon is also in town at the end of April. Or, if you are really competitive you could sign up for the Santa Cruz Ducky Derby – a deluge of more than 12,000 rubber duckies over a man-made waterway. The beautiful thing about Monterey is the laid-back vibe, so if you don’t want to fill your time with event after event you can simply enjoy the beautiful beaches with a big smile on your face.
Best Attractions To Visit In The USA In April To Avoid Crowds
There are plenty of incredible travel destinations in the US, but many of them get overwhelmed by tourists when spring rolls around. Not these next few travel ideas. You’ll enjoy a relaxing vacation that you don’t need a vacation from when you return.
The Finger Lakes of New York is a bountiful region of natural beauty, lush vineyards, and plentiful farmland. For this reason, it is a wonderful place to discover stunning waterfalls, awe-inspiring hiking trails, farm-to-table restaurants, and of course, water sports activities on each of the 11 lakes. The scenic drives around Cayuga, Seneca, and Canandaigua Lake make for a wonderful peaceful journey as well.
In Northwest Washington, you’ll find this fertile valley that is not only filled with tulips in the spring but contains a number of lovely small towns that are all worth visiting for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation. These welcoming communities are a joy to walk around when the weather warms up in April. Explore cute waterfront shops or take a scenic drive between vibrant tulip fields. If you are looking for a little more adventure, try a hike on Oyster Dome Trail, or to the Sauk Mountain summit with views of the Skagit River valley and Mount Vernon.
Philadelphia in the spring comes alive with cherry blossoms! The history of the city’s cherry trees dates back to 1926 when the Japanese government donated 1,600 trees to Philadelphia in honor of the Sesquicentennial of American Independence. In Japanese culture, the cherry tree represents a symbol of friendship. Nearly one hundred years later these trees are a beautiful reminder of that gesture. West Fairmount Park is one of the best places in the city to enjoy these spring blossoms. Even at Independence Hall, the iconic building where the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were signed, you can find these beautiful trees that stand as a fitting tribute to the birthplace of America.
Best Places To Visit In The US In April For Outdoor Adventure
Wondering where to visit in April in the USA for a little fun in the sun? Get some much-needed physical activity at one of the most beautiful national parks in the country and discover a little hidden gem in Wisconsin that may not be on your radar but should be. Both of these spots are great for outdoor adventures.
Door County, Wisconsin is a beautiful area with incredible hiking opportunities, 11 historic lighthouses to explore, and delicious tart cherries. If you are looking for outdoor adventures, start out with a walk along the beaches of Lake Michigan, then you can progress to Peninsula State Park for a bike ride or walk on the limestone trails. Another fun hike in the park is Eagle Trail with lots of stone steps and tree roots to scramble over. For incredible nighttime views head to Newport State Park, a designated Dark Sky Park, with the Lynd Point trail taking you along the shoreline in an enchanted forest.
Yosemite National Park is an incredible spot for outdoor lovers. Any time of year is beautiful, but spring is really special. Keep in mind that two of the major routes through Yosemite will be closed until May or even June – Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road. In April, wildflowers in the valley start to peek through the last few inches of snow to find the sun. A particularly nice area for wildflower spotting is in the west Merced River canyon. Wildlife also comes out of its winter slumber, so keep an eye out for black bears, foxes, coyotes, mule deer, bobcats, and big horn sheep to name but a few of the 90-plus species of mammals in the park.
Best Places To Visit In April For Events
For many states, April is when spring starts to feel like spring. So it is no surprise that there are a number of festivals and events celebrating warmer weather and blooming spring flowers. Here are a couple of fun destinations to enjoy in April.
Washington D.C. in the spring is truly magical with cherry blossom-lined streets and temps crawling toward the mild and much-appreciated 60s. While the iconic Cherry Blossom Festival is Washington D.C.’s signature event in the spring that isn’t the only way to celebrate the changing of the seasons. The Japanese Street Fair happens in early April with music and dance honoring Japanese culture. And the Petalpalooza blossoms in mid-April at the Yards Park. If all of that is just too flowery for you – how about celebrating International Pillow Fight Day on the National Mall with what could be the biggest pillow fight in the country – yes it’s really a thing.
Fredericksburg, Texas is a charming small town with a rich German heritage and a penchant for a little vino. It is the epicenter of the Texas Wine Country with over 60 wineries in the county, 10 of those right around its walkable Main Street. The beautiful Texas Hill Country as it is called, wakes up in the spring with temps in the upper 70s to low 80s, making it pretty much perfect for outdoor activities and wine tours. If you are looking for one of the best cities to visit in April in the USA for wine tours right here in Texas, Fredericksburg is the obvious choice.
Best Hidden Gems to Visit in the US in April
You know us at OnlyInYourState, we love finding hidden gems, and these destinations are some we have found to be fun and adventurous. If you are looking for the best places to travel in April in the USA that hasn’t been talked about in every travel guide, give these a try.
If you ask people why you’d want to visit Roanoke, Virginia you’ll get all sorts of answers from the iconic giant light-up star atop Mill Mountain to the beautiful hazy outline of the Blue Ridge Mountains that stand proudly behind the city’s skyline. Some might even tell you about the famous Roanoke Weiner Stand that has been creating happy tummies since 1916! Or, maybe you talk to one of those outdoorsy people (yes, we’re guilty of that too) who tell you how great mountain biking is or how exceptional kayaking on Carvins Cove surrounded by mountain views can be on a quiet morning with the haunting sound of a loon echoing off the crystalline water. Then again, relaxing with a pint at one of the many breweries on Virginia’s Blue Ridge Cheers Trail could be a favorite for some. Really, we can’t think of many reasons why you’d want to visit Roanoke, Virginia – because we sure would like to keep this hidden gem a secret for a little bit longer.
The Great Salt Plains State Park in Oklahoma is a unique part of the state that is like stepping into the salt flats in Utah. It is a wide-open dry ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times, now it looks like an otherworldly barren landscape covered in salt crystals. But that isn’t all that you’ll find here. There is still a saltwater lake where you can swim and fish, hiking trails to explore, horse trails and camping, kayaking, and bird-watching – all in an area that used to be completely underwater. If you are looking for unique places to go in April in the USA this is definitely it.
Another interesting salt basin can be found in Texas around the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It is part of the Chihuahuan Desert in western Texas. This beautiful dry desert has surprising pockets of life as you climb to the highest point in Texas – Guadalupe Peak. When you reach the summit you’ll be able to see El Capitan to the south. At its base, you’ll find tall coniferous forests with fantastic hiking trails like the 25-mile-long McKittrick Canyon Trail. If you haven’t spent much time here, or this is the first you’ve ever heard about it, you’ll definitely want to add it to your outdoor adventure bucket list.
After a long Montana winter Missoula starts to show signs of new life in April. And with that new life, the city celebrates with music. Each night you can expect to hear live music from your favorite restaurant, bar, nightclub, or even brewery. Chalk it up to a spillover from the University of Montana, or simply admit Missoula knows how to have fun. Either way, this is a fun town to visit. If you enjoy the outdoors, you have a wide oasis of outdoor adventures from paddle boarding on the Clark Fork River, hiking to the top of Mount Sentinel, or river rafting on the Alberton Gorge – in the spring it can get pretty fierce. Or, try your hand at surfing. Surfing in Montana? Yup, Brennan’s Wave is a man-made surf spot right here in downtown Missoula.
You may not realize it, but Omaha is a fun family-friendly place to visit. In April, look forward to Easter Egg hunts, Earth Day festivities, science festivals, and Arbor Day events. You may want to head to the Lauritzen Gardens for the beautiful blooming daffodils and tulips or go on a wild safari at the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park. For history buffs or train enthusiasts try checking out the Durham Museum which is located in an old train station. If you enjoy a little hiking, lace up your boots and head to the Fontenelle forest – a 2,000-acre forest with lots of hiking trails, wildflowers to identify, and wildlife to encounter.
We all talk about going on more vacations, but it can be hard to actually follow through and make plans. Hopefully, now you have a few places that inspire you to go on a much-needed spring vacation. When you think about the best places to visit in the U.S. in April what vacation memories come to mind? Share a few ideas with us in the comments.
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