The 7 best places to travel in the US this spring

Spring is a great time to travel: Nature is beginning to awaken from its winter slumber, many cities are becoming more walkable as the weather improves, and for many destinations, spring is still shoulder season, so you’ll be winning over the summer vacation crowds. Here is a list of the best places to travel in the US this spring:

Superbloom in the Anza-Borrego Desert, California

It’s very likely that last year’s wild weather in California will produce some amazing results in the form of a major desert bloom. Unfortunately, predicting the exact dates when they might occur is trickier than you think, so you need to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. We were lucky enough to experience one of these rare occurrences in 2019, while on a spontaneous road trip with our two dogs.

© Andy Mills

If you go, you will find the desert floor carpeted with small, colorful flowers.

Plan to arrive early, as crowds are inevitable and parking can get difficult as the day wears on. Heat is another factor, being in the desert, so arriving early can provide more comfortable temperatures, especially if you want to enjoy one of the great hikes in this stunning state park.

How to visit responsibly: It’s tempting to take away a souvenir, but please don’t pick the flowers. Stick to paths and avoid trampling plants just to get a great selfie. As you can see in the photo above, several poppies had been trampled before we got there (we only walked along the edges and where trampling actually happened, for the safety of the poppies and our dogs).

Don’t miss this: If you’re driving to Anza-Borrego from northern points, like Los Angeles, be sure to plan a stop near Lake Elsinore, where there’s likely to be a gorgeous poppy bloom, too! Just please be respectful of domains when getting social media posts.

for more information: California State Parks website

Cumberland Falls, Kentucky: MOONBOW game in the Western Hemisphere

You read that right. It’s a moonlit rainbow, and the only place you’ll see this phenomenon in the Western Hemisphere is Cumberland Falls in Kentucky. The catch is that you need a clear night, and it only happens for two days before and after the full moon. So check Lunar calendar Before planning this trip!

Image from photography Rafik Wahba on unsplash

While in the Bluegrass State, you can also visit the magnificent Mammoth Cave National Park, which has the longest known cave system in the world. And if you fancy a taste, Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail is a great way to get a taste of the history of this beautiful country.

Don’t miss this: We discovered one of our favorite snacks while in Kentucky: fried banana and pepper rings! If you’re in the Lexington area, give it a try with your lunch at Windy Corner Market.

San Juan Island, Washington

In recent years, we’ve come to the conclusion that the Pacific Northwest coast is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Nowhere is this more true than in Washington’s San Juan Islands. A fun ferry ride from Anacortes, less than two hours from Seattle, will bring you to the main island: San Juan Island. Here you can enjoy picnics along the rocky shore, waves crashing on the shore beside you, or hiking in the woods. Keep your eyes peeled for foxes and bald eagles.

Image from photography Lydia Finnegon on unsplash

Do you enjoy water sports? You’ll find orcas off the Washington coast year-round. But salmon, their main food source, are most active from May to September, so late spring is the perfect time for kayaking with “killer whales.”

If your speed is higher than cycling, then Scenic San Juan Islands surrounds the island. The smooth trail is an easy ride, so even the least athletic of us can enjoy a few miles of touring.

After you’ve satiated your appetite, enjoy local seafood at one of the island’s many restaurants. You can even see the oyster farmers on the beach! Then spend the rest of your day in the city’s galleries and shops.

Holland, Michigan does proudly bear his name

Holland, Michigan was founded by Dutch settlers in the 1800s and, like its namesake, attracts thousands of tulip lovers each spring. The floral frenzy peaks at the annual Tulip Time Festival, which takes place in early May.

Image from photography Hana To on unsplash

The festival includes sales of tulips, an immersion garden, and performances by local and national artists. More information can be found at The official website of the festival.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Spring is the perfect time to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico. Not only is it one of the greatest food cities in the United States, but it has also been ranked as the UNESCO City of Creativity. Whether you’re interested in art, history, wellness, or cuisine, The City Different has something for everyone.

Image from photography Gabriel Tovar on unsplash

Travel at the beginning of the month to enjoy one of the first Fridays of the Arts in downtown Santa Fe. Held every month on the first Friday, art galleries and museums open their doors to enthusiasts and the curious alike.

Want to learn more about the cultures of the first people? Eight of New Mexico’s 19 pueblos are located north of Santa Fe, and the first week of May includes two Holidays you may be able to celebrate and/or participate in.

What to pack: Bring up the layers. Spring in Santa Fe can mean comfortable, balmy days – anything from the 50s to the low 70s, depending on when you go – but temperatures can drop to freezing at night in March and April.

Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Don’t miss this: Collective art wolf meow Imaginative and immersive art installations have been created in major cities in the western United States. As home, Santa Fe is the site of one of four permanent structures: the House of Eternal Return. According to their website, the show takes participants through a story that “A mysterious Victorian home shattering time and space, creating a winding maze of secret passages that lead to cosmic vistas, and unexpected immersive environments.”

Sun Valley, Idaho: For those of you who aren’t ready to give up on winter

Idaho is home to some of the best spring skiing in the United States. You’ll be surprised to find out how uncrowded the Bald Mountain ski area is. With short wait times and long flights, blue skies and bright sun, springtime skiing (or snowboarding) in this scenic paradise is as good as it gets.

If you can splurge, we recommend staying at The Veteran Hotel Sun Valley Lodgewhich has hosted celebrities from Ernest Hemingway and Louis Armstrong to Garth Brooks and Tom Hanks. Then dine in town at Sun Valley’s oldest restaurant, Ram.

important point: Check out the Sun Valley Mountain Safety website before and during your visit. We recently saw a warning about mountain lion activity in the area!

Cherry blossoms aren’t just in Washington, DC

It is special to catch the peak of the Japanese cherry blossom season. Can’t make it to Tokyo this year? Lucky for us in the United States, there are many places where you can see cherry blossoms, from Oregon to Pennsylvania! In fact, there are so many options, we have a whole article dedicated to different sites. Click here to see which US cities have cherry blossoms – You might be surprised to find one near you!

Photo by Arno named on Unsplash

Please remember to practice leaving no trace

It is up to all of us to preserve the places we visit, be it cities or nature. By following the seven principles of Leave No Trace, we can protect destinations from the effects of litter, overuse and threats to wildlife:

1. Plan and prepare
2. Traveling and camping on sturdy surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly*
4. Leave what you find
5. Reduce the effects of a campfire
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of others

It’s always so frustrating when we’re enjoying a beautiful beach or national park (or even a city street) and sipping on someone’s cup of coffee or snack bag just lying on the landscape. Cigarette butts are also rubbish when not disposed of properly. Even leftovers can be a problem. Yes, they may be biodegradable, but if they contain seeds of a fruit or vegetable that aren’t endemic somewhere, they may be growing where they shouldn’t be and become invasive. Or if an animal picked it up, it could be toxic or unhealthy for them. Please take everything you bring back with you.

For more information about Leave NoTrace, visit the official website at https://lnt.org/.