Spring is in the air! Not only is it starting to warm up, but flowers are beginning to bud and bloom. Spring is the best season to enjoy the beauty of nature, and if you’re planning on hitting the road this spring, consider stopping along the way to smell the flowers.
There are several spots in the United States that are known for their spectacular spring blooms. If you want to see bountiful flowers, then you’ll want to visit one of these destinations.
1. Washington DC
No place does cherry blossoms quite like Washington DC does. The plentiful cherry trees in our nation’s capital were a gift of friendship from Japan to the United States. Peak blooms usually occur in March and last until mid April, and coincide with the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
2. Portland, Oregon
Portland Oregon is well known for many things, including their roses! Between May and June the hip city is transformed for the Portland Rose Festival. There are three major parades on different weekends where you can experience the city in a brand new way by watching marching bands and quirky parade floats go by. The fun doesn’t stop there though – Portland hosts a City Fair complete with carnival games, rides, and deep-fried rose petals.
Portland’s Spring Rose Show is the largest rose show in the nation, and is a great way to admire the beautiful flowers. Of course, you can’t miss the crowning of the Queen of Rosaria or a trip to the International Rose Test Garden.
3. Antelope County, California
Most of us have heard of the super blooms that occur in Antelope County, California, but it’s a rare treat to experience it in person. Poppy blooms line the hills for as far as the eye can see during this spectacular event. The timing of the blooms is dependent on the rainy season, but you can expect to see countless flowers a mere 90-minutes from Los Angeles in early March or as late as May.
4. Jackson County, North Carolina
Jackson County, North Carolina is nestled right up against the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway, which is home to 12,000 species of plants. You won’t need to look hard to find beautiful flowers along mountainous hiking trails or scenic byways. Jackson County is also famous for their rhododendrons.
5. The Hill Country, Texas
The bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas, and if you visit the Hill Country this spring then you’ll understand why. Bluebonnets are wildly abundant in the Texas region known for wine making, and can be spotted alongside other wildflowers like paintbrushes and poppies.
Ennis is the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas, and is a great spot to stop during your bluebonnet tour. Another prime Hill Country destination is Fredericksburg, which is home to the largest wildflower farm in the country, Wildseed Farms. Of course, don’t forget to schedule a vineyard tour and wine tasting while you admire the beautiful blooms!
6. Monterey County, California
Monterey County, California is already a picture-perfect destination, but during spring it really shows off! Whether you’re walking along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail or visiting Garrapata State Park, you’ll be sure to see countless poppies, irises, and calla lilies.
7. Macon, Georgia
Our nation’s capital isn’t the only place with a Cherry Blossom Festival; there’s one in Macon Georgia as well! Macon is a charming little town that explodes with life during the festival, with concerts, parades, and more. The popular Pink Provisions Trail is a stunning spot to view the blooms while enjoying artisan foods and crafts from local vendors.
8. Albany, New York
Albany, New York hosts a Tulip Festival in May during Mother’s Day, where you can immerse yourself in over 100,000 tulips. The festival is a great way to admire the flowers while also learning about Albany’s robust Dutch heritage.
9. Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is already a stunning destination, but the plentiful lupines and other wildflowers present during spring elevate it to another level. These tall purple flowers only bloom for a few weeks towards the end of June or early July, so you’ll need to be ready to hit the road when the first flowers appear.
10. Mackinac Island, Michigan
Located on Lake Huron near the Canadian border, Mackinac Island is a destination like no other. The quaint town is home to historic forts and world-famous fudge, but what really sets it apart are the prominent modes of transportation; the town banned cars in 1896 and hasn’t allowed them since, relying instead on horse-drawn carriages, bikes, and plain old walking. In June, the island showcases its plentiful lilacs during the Annual Mackinac Island Lilac Festival. The 10-day festival includes daily lilac walking tours, the crowning of the Lilac Festival Queen, concerts in the park, movies in the fort, cornhole tournaments, and more!