18 Destinations to See Beautiful Spring Blooms in the U.S.
By: Tajiya Holland
Are you planning a road trip this spring? Don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers! Spring blooms occur only once a year, so take advantage of the amazing nature near you.
This season is a beautiful time of year when the world awakens from its winter slumber with vibrant blooms and colors. The United States is home to some of the most stunning displays of spring blooms, from daffodils and tulips to magnolias and cherry blossoms. In this article, we’ll explore 18 of the best destinations to see these beautiful spring blooms in the U.S.
Best Places to See Daffodils
As the first sighting of these trumpet-shaped flowers, we acknowledge spring has arrived. Daffodils are known for their cheerful yellow color, bringing sunshine to a cloudy day. They also bloom in shades of white, orange, and peach.
Pro-tip: If you love daffodils, purchase several bulbs for your garden bed or a pot. They are easy to grow and multiply quickly, blooming year after year.
Ball Ground, Georgia
Over 20 million daffodils cover the hillsides and valleys of Gibbs Gardens. Give yourself one to two hours to walk and fully immerse yourself in a surreal spring experience.
Photo: Gibbs Garden
Gloucester, Virginia
Gloucester has a history of daffodil cultivation and preservation dating back to 1900.
Take the city’s daffodil tour to stop at flower-covered forest locations around town.
Photo: Kate Forrest
Newport, Rhode Island
There are blooms all over this city by the sea. Dunlap-Wheeler Park and Cliff Walk are stunning locations to see where the sky and sea of daffodils meet.
The city’s daffodil celebrations overlap with their restaurant week, allowing food and flower lovers to revel.
Photo: Jessica Latimer
Best Places to See Tulips
Tulips are spring’s most colorful flower, blooming in nearly every color except blue. They’re also edible—perfect for garnishing cocktails and cakes!
Pro-tip: Harvest tulips when the entire bud is colored but closed. If pulled too early, they are not fully grown and will have a short vase life.
Mount Vernon, Washington
Take in hundreds of acres of tulips in Washington’s Skagit Valley by foot, bicycle, tour bus, or seaplane.
Along the way, indulge in the wildlife with a stroll or hike at Padilla Bay, Lookout Mountain, or Deception Pass. Explore restaurants, pubs, and breweries around the valley while you’re at it.
Photo: Skagit Valley
Holland, Michigan
Residents of Holland, Michigan collectively plant over five million tulip bulbs to come to life each springtime.
The tradition started in 1929 to draw in visitors from all over the country to celebrate nature and Dutch heritage. Attendees enjoy artisan markets, traditional dancing, carnivals, and of course, tulips.
Photo: Windmill Island Gardens
Cream Ridge, New Jersey
Visit Holland Ridge Farms’ U-Pick Tulips event where there are over eight million tulips to choose from across three-hundred acres of land.
Savor delicious treats and food from local eateries as you pick your selection of tulips to bring home.
Photo: Holland Ridge Farms
Best Places to See Magnolias
Magnolias are the earliest known flowering plant, existing well before bees. They range in size, shape, and colors from pink, magenta, and white. The trees start as small shrubs but can grow to 80 feet and beyond.
Pro-Tip: Magnolia blooms are short-lived, so plan to visit a nearby garden sooner rather than later.
Washington, D.C.
The Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden hosts a well-manicured explosion of saucer magnolias.
The garden resides next to a castle, making it a dreamy location for photographers and botanical lovers alike.
Photo: Enid A. Haupt Garden
Norfolk, Virginia
Analyze a variety of magnolias such as Star, Saucer, Grandiflora, and Sweetbay at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
You can learn how to photograph, paint, and grow magnolias and explore sixty other botanical displays around the garden.
Photo: Noshin
San Fransisco, California
Home to more than two-hundred magnolias, the San Fransisco Botanical Garden is home to 63 magnolia species cultivated from the Himalayas to Central America.
This garden is a must-visit spot to see stunning species of magnolias that you may never see elsewhere.
Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms
The cherry blossom is Japan’s national flower. After cherry blossom trees were sent to the U.S. by Japan in 1915, they came to symbolize friendship and goodwill. The flowers are recognized for their distinct gradient from white to deep pink.
Pro-Tip: Cherry trees are delicate, so touching petals and shaking branches are prohibited. The best photo opportunity is while the wind blows and petals fall gracefully around you.
Washington, D.C.
Cherry blossom season in Washington D.C. is quite the event!
More than 1.5 million people visit the nation’s capital every year to admire the three-thousand pink trees. The city’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival hosts local businesses and showcases Japanese culture to raise money for charity.
Photo: DC City Girl
New York, New York
Central Park is the perfect place to escape cityscape views and get lost in abundant greenery and colorful flowers.
The east and west sides of the Reservoir are hot spots for cherry blossoms in the park. Don’t forget to look up to see the deep pink hues reflected in the water.
Photo: Cherry blossoms at Central Park Reservoir
Boston, Massachusetts
Beautiful cherry blossoms line the Charles River Esplanade in Boston. You can walk along the river or kayak for a closer look at the trees’ reflection in the water as the sun sets.
Photo: Boston Seascape
Best Places to See Bluebonnets
The state flower of Texas, bluebonnets blanket roadsides, pastures, and meadows each spring across the Lone Star State. As their name suggests, they’re blue flowers, but can also be found in shades of white or maroon.
Pro-Tip: Take notice of the other wildflowers growing with bluebonnets, such as Indian paintbrushes, Winecups, Gaillardias, and Coreopsis.
Ennis, Texas
Over 40 miles of Ennis Bluebonnet Trails await to awaken your senses.
Visit Ennis to see fields of blue around the lake, hear the wind blow between each flower, and smell their sweet aroma.
Photo: Victoria Mata
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Stunning spots of view grow thickly along Big Bend‘s paved roads.
If it’s a super-bloom season, expect hillsides to turn blue too! As you enjoy the wildflowers, don’t forget to take in the dazzling rivers, deserts, and mountain ranges.
Photo: Kenneth LeRose
Brenham, Texas
An hour away from Houston is the small town of Brenham, which draws in traffic each spring thanks to its number of bluebonnets.
Old Baylor Park is a great spot to find shady oak trees and indigo fields of bluebonnets.
Photo: Shane Ware
Best Places to See Poppies
Poppies are cup-shaped flowers that stand out due to their vibrancy and production of tasty seeds for our bagels. Pro-Tip: Head out to the fields mid-morning as each poppy flower slowly blooms in the first rays of sunlight. You’ll have plenty of time to admire the fields before visitors pour in.
San Carlos, Arizona
On the San Carlos Apache Reservation sits a dormant volcano where the green gemstone peridot is.
Hike the 1,000-acre trails at Peridot Mesa to observe a landscape that looks like a movie scene.
Photo: Peridot Mesa
Lancaster, California
Enjoy eight miles of vivid color through the rolling hills of Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.
Relax to the sounds of wildlife, such as birds, lizards, and snakes, or set up your camera to capture a picturesque landscape.
Photo: Mark Hamilton
Corona, California
A thrilling adventure awaits at Skull Canyon. Zip-line across the mountain terrain overlooking Corona Lake and Cleveland National Forest to enjoy a bird’s eye view.
Photo: Skull Canyon Zipliners
Springtime in the U.S. is a magical time when nature comes alive with vibrant colors and fragrant blooms. Whether you’re a nature lover or simply seeking a picturesque getaway, these 18 destinations offer some of the most beautiful displays of spring blooms in the country.
From the sunny fields of Texas bluebonnets to the iconic cherry blossoms of Washington D.C., there’s no shortage of stunning sights to behold this spring. Plan your trip now and experience the beauty of springtime in America.
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