Time to shake off those winter chills and start planning your spring and summer travels! Travel does not have to be daunting and is always worth it. Take a road trip, a train trip, or just jump on a plane — it’s easy and important to make time to getaway, to unplug and to get out of your routine and comfort zone. I enlisted the help of some fabulous female travel bloggers and writers to share why their favorite city makes a great spring escape!
Spring in Chicago
I have to start with my favorite city of course! The crocuses and daffodils are already coming up here in Chicago. Chicago comes alive in spring as the birds start singing and sidewalk patios start opening up.
As the weather gets warmer, be sure to check out all our cool rooftop bars and outdoor spaces. Jump on a divvy bike and explore the Lakefront trail or city side streets. One of my favorite things to do is wander around the local neighborhoods to get the real flavor of the city and try all our fabulous ethnic food. And don’t miss a touristy, yet beautiful stroll down Michigan Avenue were the sidewalk planters will be bursting with gorgeous tulips and spring flowers.
Spring in Brooklyn
Thinking of a getaway to Manhattan this spring? Fuhgeddaboudit! Real New Yorkers know that Brooklyn is the borough you want to be in when the snow finally melts. Start your visit at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a gorgeous 52-acre garden in the heart of Brooklyn. Its renowned Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival is April 28-29 this year, but the flowering cherries bloom through mid-May.
If the beach is what you fancy, Coney Island’s Luna Park (which features classic rides like the Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster and an assortment of carnival games) is open on weekends starting on March 24. Beat the crowds by visiting in the spring instead of the dog days of summer, when the beach is packed to the brim with inflatable flamingo tubes and umbrella lounge chairs.
Of course, no trip here would be complete without experiencing its mouthwatering Brooklyn food and drinks scene. Don’t miss the mafaldine pasta at Lilia or cocktails at Fresh Kills Bar and Maison Premiere. On the casual side, Red Hook’s Hometown Bar-B-Que features arguably the best BBQ in the city. And who can forget about Brooklyn’s outstanding pizza joints, like Roberta’s and Juliana’s!
If you’ve still got time after all of that pizza, head to the “David Bowie Is” exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, on display until July 15. The exhibition features unprecedented access to Bowie’s personal archive and is a must for all “Ziggy Stardust” fans.
From Julianne at www.itsfivehere.com. Follow her on Facebook.
Spring in San Diego
Spring break in San Diego… but the ocean is too cold to swim! That might be true, but there are still amazing things to see (and eat) all over the city without having to fight beach crowds.
How about seeing baby seals in La Jolla and followed by street tacos at Puesto and rock your world gelato at Bobboi Natural Gelato for dessert? If you don’t believe us, ask the 1121 Yelpers who rated it 5-stars!
A little further down the coast, the streets of Pacific Beach are lined with purple flowering jacaranda trees. As you stroll down Garnet Avenue, stop in for the city’s best wings at Bub’s.
Spring brings king tides to the Cabrillo tide pools. Make sure you stop by Ocean Beach’s iconic Wonderland Pub for a killer happy hour and watch the sunset on the Ocean Beach Pier.
Head downtown to the Gaslamp District and the waterfront. Spring is whale watching season as they migrate north from their Baja birthing lagoons. This is the perfect spot to jump on a boat to catch this tour.
If it’s Saturday, visit the Little Italy Farmer’s Market to snack on some delicious Cravory Cookies (they’re a game changer!).
Make sure you don’t forget Old Town and the fresh tortillas at Coyote Cafe. From the Flower Fields in Carlsbad to the border crossing in San Ysidro, don’t overlook spring break in San Diego.
From Ed and Jen at colemanconcierge.com. Follow them on Instagram.
Spring in Washington, DC
When people think of Washington DC, monuments, museums, and government buildings typically come to mind. However, what many visitors don’t know is that there are many unconventional things to do in Washington DC, especially in the springtime.
Most notably, in March and April, the city fills up with its annual pastel pink cherry blossoms. One of the most famous places to see these iconic blooms is in the Tidal Basin, but there are flowery, picturesque streets all over the city. While here, check out some of the fascinating art exhibits in the city at Blind Whino, Artechouse, and Dupont Underground. Or, eat at some of the various international restaurants scattered around the neighborhoods (Compass Rose is one of my personal favorites!). Alternatively, if you prefer to enjoy the spring weather outdoors, rent a city bike or on one of the many walking trails through DC’s green spaces, like Rock Creek Park. Between its outdoor activities, eclectic neighborhoods and streets, and delicious food, there’s no shortage of things to do in the springtime in the US capital city.
From Kay Rodriguez at Jetfarer.com. Follow her on Instagram.
Spring in Nashville
Nashville is a fantastic spring destination – the flowers are blooming, the days are longer and the air is getting warmer. Nashville is full of outdoor patios and rooftops that can be quite chilling in the winter and a bit stifling in the summer so spring is just perfect for enjoying all that Nashville has to offer.
Some of the best things to do in the Spring in Nashville include Cheekwood in Bloom (Cheekwood is a well-loved estate and every spring you can visit to see 150,000 colorful blooms filling the gardens), checking out some of the best restaurants with patios in the city, taking a hike in one of the nearby parks (my favorites being Radnor Lake or the Warner Parks), checking out the Cherry Blossom Festival, or catching a Nashville Sounds minor-league baseball game.
From Ashley Hubbard at A Southern Gypsy. Follow her on Instagram.
Spring in Boston
Spring is when Boston locals come out of their long winter hibernation, and tourists from around the world start arriving in droves to experience all that “the Hub” has to offer. As a 10-year resident, I recommend checking off the historical sites along the 2.5-mile long Freedom Trail, cheering on the Red Sox at Fenway Park – the nation’s oldest ballpark – and taking a leisurely stroll through the Impeccably landscaped Public Garden. If you’re a foodie, head to SoWa in the South End, where you’ll find 10 of the city’s most popular food trucks and a farmer’s market with regional vendors. My favorite thing to do when the weather is warm is get out on the water – hop on one of the Boston Harbor Cruise’s sightseeing tours to learn about the Waterfront and Harbor Islands, or rent a kayak at Community Boating to get some exercise on the Charles River.
From Brianne Miers at A Traveling Life. Follow her on Instagram.
Spring in Phoenix
If Phoenix is on your U.S. bucket list, there’s no better time to visit than spring! Phoenix offers so many things to do (check out our favorites for families here) and spring brings a few bonuses: gorgeous weather, blooming succulents and even baseball spring training. Some of the best things to do in Phoenix, whether visiting the Desert Botanical Garden or hiking Camelback mountain, are too hot to enjoy from May to October, but will be perfect in the coming months when the normally-barren landscape transforms after the winter rains. Having visited in every season over in the years, springtime in the desert is truly my favorite!
From Melissa at The Family Voyage. Follow her on Instagram.
Spring in Seattle
The best Spring getaway in the Pacific Northwest is the daffodil and tulip blooming time in Skagit Valley, WA. This agricultural valley is just one hour north of Seattle and two hours south of Vancouver. March and April are the best times to visit.
By mid-March there are usually several fields full of blooming daffodils and you can enjoy the activities of the La Conner Daffodil Festival. March is also one of the best times to see the migrating birds – tens of thousands of Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans spend their time grazing in the fields.
The big show happens in April when the Tulips start to bloom and the month long annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival takes place. Two tulip growers have show gardens with blooming tulips of every color possible.
From Lisa at TheHotFlashPacker. Follow her on Instagram.
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Destination Spotlight: Napa Valley
Great list! It’s such a great time of year thanks to all the flowers.
US is my dream destination to explore.
A trip to USA is all I ever need this year. I’m thinking of filing a leave, but I remembered that I don’t have anyone to be with me on that trip.