Spring only lasts a few months—but if you time it right, it’s hands-down one of the best seasons to travel. These U.S. destinations hit that sweet spot between way-too-chilly winter temps and swelteringly unbearable summer heat.
In short, spring is your window of opportunity to explore these places while the weather actually works in your favor.
What makes these cities truly shine this time of year? It’s not just the near-perfect weather… it’s the seasonal events. Think cherry blossom season in full swing, world-class food and drink festivals, outdoor concerts, and cultural celebrations you won’t find any other time.
From the desert magic of Antelope Canyon to foodie-filled weekends in Raleigh and tulip-lined streets in Holland, MI, these are the spring trips worth planning around.
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Table of Contents
Chicago, IL
Chicago in the spring is a total game-changer—especially after months of icy wind, gray skies, and everyone power-walking with their heads down. As soon as the temps hit that sweet spot, the city thaws out and becomes worth visiting again!
The city’s iconic river cruises start running again, baseball fans head to Wrigley and Guaranteed Rate Fields, and you can even watch the Chicago River turn green during the St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Spring is also prime time for getting outside without sweating through your shirt. Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk, hop on an open-air architecture river boat tour, or rent bikes and cruise the 19-mile Lakefront Trail with skyline and lake views the entire way.
If you’re into flowers, Garfield Park Conservatory’s spring flower show and the cherry blossoms in Jackson Park’s Japanese garden are musts. And for some offbeat entertainment, grab tickets to Drunk Shakespeare or hop on the Gangsters & Crime Bus Tour for a look into Chicago’s mobster past.
Chicago: Noteworthy Springtime Events To Plan Your Trip Around
March
- St. Patrick’s Day: The history of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago goes back more than 175 years. Now a longstanding tradition, experience Chicago’s Irish parade and the dyeing of the Chicago River, two of Chicago’s most famous events.
April
- C2E2: The largest pop culture convention in the Midwest! Expect a celebration of comic books, cosplay, video games, anime, TV shows, movies, books, and more.
- Chicago Humanities Festival: This celebration of ideas features the most interesting thinkers, artists, and creators from all over the world.
May
- Sueños Music Festival: Chicago’s electrifying reggaeton fest is taking over Grant Park with a lineup of Latin hitmakers.
- Lincoln Park Mayfest: Kick off summer in the heart of historic Lincoln Park, with live music from local bands, drinks, an art show, and local vendors.
- Windy City Hot Dog Fest: Celebrate one of Chicago’s most iconic bites at this annual festival in Portage Park, which will award the local hot dog stand with the best frankfurter.
New York City, NY
NYC in the summer? Ew, no thanks! This is precisely why my parents moved us to California decades ago — to escape the East Coast summers (and winters). The summers in NYC are brutally hot and humid. Spring, though? Near perfect.
Spring in New York City is a full-on mood shift—the gray, freezing days of winter finally give way to sunshine, blooming trees, and people who actually look happy to be outside again.
After months of huddling indoors, New Yorkers burst back onto the streets, swapping parkas for picnic blankets and hitting every outdoor space they can. It’s the sweet spot before the sweltering, sticky summer heat sets in, and the city truly feels alive.
You can catch hanami season at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in April, where hundreds of cherry trees put on a show that rivals anything in Japan. Baseball returns to Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, and the city’s sidewalks come alive with events like the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival in mid-May—a decades-old favorite packed with global eats in Hell’s Kitchen.
Over Memorial Day weekend, Fleet Week brings a parade of ships and a celebratory buzz, while the New York International Auto Show, the oldest auto show in North America, revs up at the Javits Center.
The best part? The weather is just right for hitting up major NYC attractions—whether that’s cruising along NYC’s waterways, catching a Broadway show, riding bikes through Central Park, or vibing out at one of the city’s top rooftop bars.
NYC: Noteworthy Springtime Events To Plan Your Trip Around
March
- Big East Tournament: Top college basketball teams battle it out at Madison Square Garden for a shot at the NCAA Tournament.
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade: The city’s oldest and largest parade takes over Fifth Avenue in a massive celebration of Irish heritage and culture.
- Macy’s Flower Show: Macy’s Herald Square transforms into a blooming indoor garden with themed floral displays and rare plant species.
April
- Yankees and Mets Season Openers: MLB season kicks off with games in the Bronx and Queens—ideal for catching an early spring ballgame.
- Cherry Blossoms at Brooklyn Botanic Garden: More than 200 cherry trees bloom across the garden, creating a pink canopy perfect for a springtime walk.
- New York International Auto Show: The oldest auto show in North America showcases futuristic vehicles and innovations at the Javits Center.
May
- Bronx Week: A borough-wide celebration with parades, festivals, music, food, and the Bronx Walk of Fame induction ceremony.
- Ninth Avenue International Food Festival: A massive street food fest in Hell’s Kitchen with eats from dozens of local restaurants and global vendors.
- Fleet Week: Sailors flood the city during Memorial Day weekend with ship tours, demonstrations, and patriotic celebrations at city piers.
Washington, DC
Spring is basically your last chance to enjoy Washington, DC before the mosquitoes take over. Once those temps hold above 70°F, they swarm fast and hard—so take advantage of this sweet spot while it lasts.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the crown jewel of DC spring, with parades, kite flying, fireworks at Petalpalooza, and peak bloom views around the Tidal Basin. But that’s just the start.
Free embassy tours during Passport DC, car-free adventures during the DC Bike Ride, and kayaking along the Potomac make the city feel like an urban playground.
Baseball fans can catch a Nationals game at the open-air ballpark (with surprisingly good food options), while cocktail enthusiasts can hit up the once-again buzzing rooftop bars, especially around Penn Quarter and U Street.
There’s a lot to love about DC in the spring, so make the most of the city’s best season before summer’s humidity settles in!
Washington DC: Noteworthy Springtime Events To Plan Your Trip Around
March
- National Cherry Blossom Festival: The city’s biggest seasonal celebration includes cultural performances, family-friendly events, and blossom-themed everything. Peak bloom usually hits late March or early April.
- Blossom Kite Festival: Held on the grounds of the Washington Monument—watch hundreds of kites fill the sky, or bring your own and join in.
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Classic DC parade with Irish dancers, bagpipes, and lots of green along Constitution Avenue.
May
- Passport DC: A one-day event where more than 50 embassies open their doors for free cultural experiences, food tastings, and performances.
- DC Bike Ride: 20-mile, closed-road bike ride through iconic parts of the city—totally family-friendly and car-free.
- WorldPride: Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of DC’s Capital Pride, this event will bring together millions globally to honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community through various events, parades and cultural festivities.
Holland, MI
When it comes to the ‘best time’ to visit Holland, Michigan, there is no competition. During spring, this small culture-rich town becomes the epicenter of one of the most iconic flower festivals in the country.
Tulip Time, held each year in early May, draws hundreds of thousands to see millions of tulips in bloom across parks, gardens, and city streets. It’s world-famous and 100% worth seeing, having been named “Best Flower Festival” by USA Today, included in Fodor’s list of “America’s Best Spring Flower Festivals,” and awarded “Tulip Festival of the Year” by the World Tulip Summit.
Despite Holland’s small size and population, it’s packed with Dutch heritage and American history. Start at Windmill Island Gardens, where you’ll find an authentic working windmill, manicured gardens, a hand-painted Dutch carousel, and other heritage-rich attractions.
For a dose of history, head to the Holland Museum and Cappon House Museum to learn how the city was founded and how it’s evolved. Downtown Holland is also walkable and charming, boasting over 100 locally owned shops and numerous great spots to eat and drink.
Holland: Noteworthy Springtime Events To Plan Your Trip Around
May
Tulip Time Festival: In addition to tulips galore, thousands of spectators line the streets to watch amazing floats, marching bands, and Dutch Dancers in over two miles of pure celebration.
Raleigh, NC
If you’re the type who travels for good eats, live music, and local flavor, spring is when Raleigh really shows off. This season brings a packed lineup of food and drink festivals, headlined by Brewgaloo (late April)—North Carolina’s largest craft beer festival with 100+ local breweries, food trucks, and live music spread across downtown.
You’ll also find a rotating calendar of smaller, hyper-local food events like the Tacos ‘N Taps Festival, the ‘Cuegrass Festival, and even a Pimento Cheese Festival—yes, really!
The lively energy in town isn’t just about food—sports fans are in for high energy, too. The Carolina Hurricanes often enter playoff season by late April, and tailgating at PNC Arena becomes a citywide tradition.
Need a break from the action? Raleigh’s 10,000+ acres of parkland mean you can step into nature without leaving the city. Hike a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from Wilkerson Nature Preserve to Falls Lake Dam or check out the new Beech Bluff County Park for quieter trails and a community garden.
And if music’s more your scene, free spring concert series like Live@Lake Raleigh and Midtown Beach Music Series make it easy to enjoy Raleigh’s springtime energy without spending a dime.
Raleigh: Noteworthy Springtime Events To Plan Your Trip Around
March
Art in Bloom: A spring tradition at the North Carolina Museum of Art—floral designers transform the galleries with 50+ flower installations inspired by works in the collection. Tickets go fast!
March Madness: March Madness (NCAA Men’s Basketball) is a must for college hoops fans!
April
Pimento Cheese Festival: A uniquely Southern celebration featuring food trucks, trivia, pimento cheese sculpting, and plenty of quirky charm.
Brewgaloo: North Carolina’s largest craft beer fest takes over downtown Raleigh, featuring 100+ breweries, 50+ food trucks, and lots of live music.
Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival: More than 170 local artists set up in Bond Park to showcase everything from paintings and jewelry to sculpture and woodwork.
May
Got to Be NC Festival: Held at the State Fairgrounds, this event showcases North Carolina-made food and drink, local music, antique tractors, and carnival rides.
Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival: A major downtown arts celebration featuring 180+ artists and a weekend-long lineup of live music. Family-friendly, walkable, and free!
Animazement: A massive anime and Japanese culture con, complete with cosplay contests, panels, and fan meetups.
Antelope Canyon, AZ
If you’re dreaming of sunbeams slicing through orange-y red canyon walls like something out of another world, spring is *the* time to visit Antelope Canyon.
The midday light during the spring months is just right, the sandstone glows in purples and reds, and—most importantly—you won’t be melting into the desert floor.
I’ve done an Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend road trip in summer. Between the heat, the crowds, and the lack of shade, it was brutal. Do not recommend. Spring offers the same surreal beauty without the baked-in-an-oven experience!
Since this is a good ol’ American road trip, pair your canyon adventure with a nearby city.
Flagstaff (2 hours away) makes a great base—especially if you’re in town for Arizona Spring Training. Las Vegas (4.5 hours away) offers a complete 180; you’ll get to trade hiking boots for flip-flops and sandals as you celebrate the start of pool party season.
Phoenix (4.5 hours away) is another good option, perfect for a warm spring getaway with desert vibes, excellent food, and even more baseball.
Yosemite National Park, CA
Spring is the time to chase waterfalls in and around Yosemite National Park. Thanks to the fresh snowmelt, the falls aren’t just photogenic—they’re practically launching water at you!
Hike up to spots like Yosemite Falls or Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, and you’ll feel the mist hit your face before you even see the falls. It’s one of the coolest natural phenomena to experience, but pro tip: you’ll want to have your waterproof jacket ready because the spray is no joke (and it’s icy cold)!
If you’re more about adrenaline than gentle mist, spring also kicks off whitewater rafting season on the Tuolumne River. Outfitters in the area offer Class IV and V rapids—perfect for adventurers.
Not all spring fun here is wild, though. There’s also a ton of history to explore in the area that makes up Tuolumne County. Wander through Columbia State Historic Park during one of its spring events like the Cinco de Mayo celebration (which actually originated here), or hop on a vintage train ride at Railtown 1897 starting in April.
Ways To Save On Travel This Season
Everything feels more expensive right now, from groceries to gas to travel. We feel it too!
But that doesn’t mean you have to sit out this travel season. Here are a few solid ways to save money on your next trip without sacrificing on the fun:
Book hotels on Groupon. Yes, Groupon still exists—and it’s come a long way since its early days! It can actually be a goldmine for discounted hotel stays, especially in big cities or resort areas.
Snag your activities and tours on Groupon, too. Beyond hotels, we love Groupon for finding steep savings on local tours, classes, and experiences. Just make sure to check blackout dates before purchasing!
Leverage city attraction passes. Heading to a major city? Look into all-inclusive attraction passes like CityPASS and Go City. These bundles can save you 30–50% compared to buying individual tickets.
Fly on weekdays instead of weekends. Airfare is almost always cheaper on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and early morning flights tend to be the least expensive. If your schedule is flexible, shifting your trip by just a day or two can cut hundreds off your total flight cost.
Skip the rental car; use public transit or walk! In walkable cities or destinations with solid public transit (i.e. NYC, Chicago, DC), you can skip the rental car and avoid pricey parking / gas. In smaller towns, check if your hotel offers free shuttles or bike rentals!
Here are some other places we love visiting in the spring season:
- 4 Days In Chicago: Itinerary For An Epic Long Weekend
- The Perfect 5-Day Arizona Road Trip: Phoenix, Sedona, and Antelope Canyon
- 24 Romantic Things To Do In Sedona For Couples
- 13 Best Things To Do Between San Francisco And Yosemite NP
- 3 Days In Los Angeles: Your Ultimate LA Itinerary
- 3 Days In New Orleans: The Perfect Long Weekend Itinerary
- Fuji Shibazakura Festival: Your Guide To This Spring Event In Kawaguchiko
