I love the spring time, also as much as I like Fall. The weather is warmer and the flowers start to peak out of the ground. There are many blossoms all around the world to enjoy. Here are the top places to catch the best spring blooms around the world.
New Hampshire, USA
Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, might be one of the most photogenic small towns in New England. There’s not much to see here — rolling hills, churches, the occasional farm — but it’s all laid out so beautifully. In the spring, however, Sugar Hill turns pink and purple as the hills explode with lupines in full bloom!
Granite Staters celebrate with the Sugar Hill Lupine Festival, taking place in mid-June. Photographers from around the world come to photograph the blooms. And the main attraction is the open-air market. Featuring all kinds of New Hampshire-made products.
People think that fall is the most magical time of year in the White Mountains. But they’ve never seen Sugar Hill in mid-June.
For accommodation, I love the Kinsman Lodge Bed & Breakfast just down the road in Franconia. Sue is the sweetest innkeeper and cooks dynamite breakfasts! If you want to splurge, the Sugar Hill Inn is the best B&B in the state with a superb restaurant. Be sure to book way ahead for the lupine festival.
For food, you must go to Polly’s Pancake Parlor! They do a wide variety of pancakes, even pancake flights if you can’t decide (I love the cornmeal coconut pancakes). Nearby in Bethlehem, Rek-Lis Brewing Company serves up craft beer, poutine, and delicious burgers in a convivial atmosphere.
Recommended by: Kate at New Hampshire Way
New York, USA
One of the best places to see spring flowers is the Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival). Located at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in New York City. The botanical garden has plenty of beautiful spring flowers. But is most famous for the large collection of flowering cherry trees.
There are dozens of trees scattered around a lake and throughout the gardens; but the famous blossoms are a dramatic avenue formed by two rows of bright pink Kanzan cherry trees. You can wander through the trees. Or sit under them and have a hanami (Japanese for ‘picnic under cherry trees’), and enjoy the festival entertainment.
The festival celebrates Japanese culture, and in addition to enjoying the stunning floral display. There are live performances of various Japanese arts including Kodo drumming. Stalls selling Japanese food, and workshop in Japanese crafts such as origami (paper folding). Some people dress up in Japanese traditional clothing or as anime characters, though this is certainly not required. It’s a fun day out for the whole family.
The festival is held over two days in late April or early May. You can view a map online that tracks the progress of all the flowering cherries in the garden. So you can see when they are peak blossom. The festival is timed to coincide with the peak flowering of the Kanzan trees. Though nature is hard to predict, so sometimes the flowers peak a little before or after the festival. You can, of course, also visit the botanical garden any time in spring to see the blooms at their best.
Recommended by: James at Hudson Valley Discovered
Pennsylvania, USA
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society held its first Philadelphia Flower Show in 1829. Making it the U.S.’s oldest celebration of all things that bloom. The PHS as typically helps the show around Easter, indoors at the city’s convention center. But in 2021 the pandemic moved the show outdoors to FDR park and to early June. The show will return to the park in June in 2022.
Being outdoors has given the Flower Show a lot of room to grow. And it’s much more than the beds of pretty buds. There were large scale outdoor art installations made of flowers, plants and trees. Fantastic sculptures including a kangaroo and Ent-like fellow made of organic material. And displays of creative small outdoor spaces that incorporate plants and flowers. As a city dweller with a tiny yard I appreciated the latter displays. (Though I could never pull any of them off).
There were opportunities to speak to horticulture experts. And to buy all sorts of items to help you in your gardening. We also saw jewelry, soap, shoulder bags and other items that incorporated botanicals or featured floral designs. And there were some collections of flowers, too, especially in the green house.
It’s easy to spend a good part of the day here. Epecially if you take advantage of dining opportunities like the small beer garden and the purveyors of fresh doughnuts and lemonade and handmade chocolate. But Philly can be hot and sunny in June; Remember your sunscreen, sun hat and water bottle.
Philadelphia has plenty to do and eat, especially in and around the Historic District. So you can easily use the flower show as the starting point for a fun city weekend getaway.
Recommended by: Eileen Gunn at FamiliesGo!
DC, USA
The cherry blossom festival is prime time for visiting DC and arguably the prettiest time to visit. But between the fantastic weather and the gorgeous flowers, comes huge amounts of crowds! I have the best tips on the best times to visit the cherry blossoms and avoid the crowds!
Peak time can be anywhere from late March to the end of April. I always use the Cherry Blossom Watch website, it will tell give you the predicted peak time for that year as well as the dates for the Cherry Blossom Festival. The best way to avoid the crowds is early in the morning and during the week! We made the mistake of going on a Saturday and at one point we couldn’t even walk because there were so many people!
The main mode of transportation in DC is the Metro. It is very easy to use and cheap on the weekends/non-peak hours. (Our cost was around $6 with return on Saturday). The closest Metro stop would be Smithsonian or the Federal Triangle (a little farther from the blossoms).
Here are just a few of my favorite spots to enjoy the blossoms! (Great for Instagram photos too)!
On the steps of the Thomas Jefferson: Enjoy a panoramic view of the Tidal Basin from the steps of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. You can snatch a seat on the step or tangle your feet over the water. Either way, it has some great views!
Texas Hill Country Bluebonnets
In Spring the rolling fields of Texas are blanketed blue with the official state flower, the bluebonnet. Flowers can begin to bloom in late March but are at their most breathtaking throughout April. You can find these flowers all over the Lone Star State and the bluebonnet fields are without a doubt the most scenic places in Texas.
The Texas Hill Country, in particular, is the best place to see bluebonnets in spring. This is the stretch of land between Austin and San Antonio and in it are a number of charming towns to visit with wineries, bed and breakfasts, and historic dance halls.
In Spicewood, an hour from Austin, the Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area features 10 miles of hiking and bike trails where you can walk among the flowers. This is a unique opportunity as most spots are fields along the highways.
The Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail is another excellent route to see some of the most beautiful fields. It’s a loop that includes four highways and I recommend using the town of Fredericksburg as your base. Fredericksburg is home to Texas wine regions and you’ll have plenty of wineries to choose from such as Becker and Pedernales. Stay at a cozy bed and breakfast like the Hoffman House and make sure to try authentic German fare while you’re here. This area was settled by German immigrants and after a dinner at The Auslander, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re actually in a German Biergarten.
Recommended by: Erin at Sol Salute
Washington, USA
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in NW Washington is one of the most popular flower festivals in the United States. Each April, over 400,000 people come to view the flowers. Located an hour north of Seattle, the tulip fields are the perfect day trip, although many people fly in from all around the country to see them.
With two main display gardens, Roozengaarde and Tulip Town, visitors are able to view a large variety of tulips in plenty of colors. Each garden has around a million bulbs planted, ready to bloom throughout the spring. There are also many other flower varieties such as daffodils and irises.
Visitors of the display gardens are also able to walk out to the tulip fields, although these can be quite muddy, so good mud boots are a good idea. For those wanting to enjoy the tulips without getting out of the car, maps are available to show the best routes to drive to see the many different tulip fields.
The Skagit Valley area has many other outdoor attractions that make it a popular place to spend the day or even a weekend. The town of Mt. Vernon hosts a street fair the third weekend of every April that features many local vendors, food, and music.
Nearby hotels are usually full during April, so you’ll want to book early. Burlington is a good location to stay since it has several hotels such as Fairfield Inn & Suites. Burlington also has many restaurants to choose from and is only 15 minutes from the tulip fields.
Recommended by: Karee at Our Woven Journey
California, USA
If you love colorful flowers and would like to walk through rows and rows of them, then a trip to The Flower Fields at Carlsbad will be heaven for you.
Most of the flowers are ranunculus bulbs and the flowers have been cultivated since the 1920s. Each Spring the fields are washed with vivid colors of the ranunculus that invite people to visit the farm. There are other activities on site such as tractor wagon rides, visiting greenhouses full of poinsettia and orchids, strolling through gardens, and buying plant supplies at the Armstrong Garden Center.
The flowers are in bloom for a couple of months per year so make sure to make time to visit from March to May. There are designated areas where people can walk and take pictures. And the time can easily be spent taking photos! Just change the angle or turn around and there is something else to shoot. Cut flowers are sold in the shop so visitors are advised to not pick any of the flowers in the fields.
The fields are located just outside San Diego. It can be seen from the 5 highway and it is next to an outlet mall. Legoland is also a couple of minutes away. So a visit can easily become a stop on a day trip to Legoland or Oceanside.
Recommended by: Bernadette at Live A Relaxed Life
Mexico City, Mexico
Though there are so many things to do in Mexico City that it’s a year-round destination, one of the best times to visit is during jacaranda season.
While not many know this, there are thousands of purple jacaranda trees all over Mexico City, and when in bloom, they make such a beautiful bonus for travelers who visit during jacaranda season.
To see the jacaranda trees in bloom in Mexico City, you’ll have to visit in the springtime. As this is a natural phenomenon, the dates can vary, but the flowers often bloom from about March to April.
Some neighborhoods have more jacaranda trees than others, and among the best, there are the Reforma, Roma, Condesa and Polanco neighborhoods. These areas all have great places to stay in Mexico City, and if you can rent a hotel room on a high floor, you’ll have a spectacular bird’s eye view of the trees.
There are trees all along Avenida Reforma, one of the city’s main streets, which will take you right into Chapultepec Park, where you’ll also find many purple jacaranda trees. You can also find some great taco shops on Reforma Ave., like Taquería El Califa, and cute cafes, like Tierra Garat.
Recommended by: Shelley at Travel Mexico Solo
Queensland, Australia
Are you chasing some spring blooms in Australia, then you can’t pass up visiting the city of Toowoomba in South East Queensland? In September each year, the Carnival of Flowers Festival is held, which draws crowds from all over the country.
This is a month-long festival to view a massive variety of flowers, along with a weekend of entertainment, the Parade, and garden contest winners. See anything from Roses, Daisy’s, Tulips, Cherry Blossoms, and Orchids – just to name a few.
The flowers displays are situated all over town from public gardens, private houses, and throughout the city. Driving your own vehicle will be a big plus in getting around in your time, with the option to see particular displays. Alternatively, large bus and private tours can be purchased, which takes the hassle of finding your own way around.
If you would like to stay away from the crowds, visiting anytime throughout the month will still be great. The Public Gardens are heavily maintained during this time, and you’ll still have plenty to see.
If you need to find a place the stay, then Toowoomba has you covered. Anything from Camping spots, hostels, motels, and 5-star luxury. You’re sure to find something that suits your style or budget. If you stay for the major weekend, then locating yourself near the centre of town will definitely be convenient. Not only for the Parade and parking but also for plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby.
Recommended by: Chris at The Aquarius Traveller
Kalbarri – Western Australia
Ask anyone in Australia where you should go to see wildflowers and their unanimous answer is Western Australia. From as early as July through to November, the bottom third of this large state is the best place to see carpets and splashes of wildflower colour. The small coastal town of Kalbarri, 570 kilometres north of Perth, is one of the best locations in Western Australia for a wildflower experience.
Kalbarri National Park is only minutes from the centre of Kalbarri. It is home to over 1100 wildflower species including many types of Grevilleas, Sturt Desert Pea, Kangaroo Paws, bright pink Parakeelyas, the beautiful Murchison Rose and the rare Spider Orchid. The variety of plants here is due to the diverse landscape. Kalbarri National Park has everything from rugged wind swept coastal cliff tops to stunning gorges and semi-arid bushland.
Some of the best wildflower vantage points are the 1.2 kilometre coastal Bigurda Boardwalk and the inland walks and lookouts at Z Bend, Nature’s Window and The Loop. If it’s safe, by simply pulling off the side of the road and walking through the scrub you’ll spot splashes of wildflower colour.
Kalbarri is a small coastal holiday town; most visitors stay in the local caravan parks which have a range of accommodation options. The best way to get to Kalbarri is by car from Perth. Ideally you will have a car to get around the National Park, otherwise you can book wildflower tours leaving from both Perth and Kalbarri.
Recommended by: Natalie & Steve at Curious Campers
Sydney, Australia
Every spring season, Sydney rains purple. All the streets and gardens are covered with purple carpet. The city celebrates and cherishes the Jacaranda season. The season starts from the end of October and lasts till December. Sydney has a very interesting story as to how Jacarandas became so special. Many years ago, a hospital in Sydney distributed Jacaranda seedlings to the new mothers encouraging them to plant, so they could watch their child grow along with the plant. It takes about seven to fourteen years for Jacaranda flowers to bloom.
There are many places around Sydney where one can see and photograph the Jacarandas. One of the most famous places to find Jacarandas in Sydney is the MCDougall street in Kirribilli suburb. The street is a hot spot during the Jacaranda season and is very crowded. Another place to see these beautiful trees is the Royal Botanical Garden. It is the place where Sydney’s first Jacaranda tree was planted around the 1850s. Sydney loves its Jacaranda trees so much that the city celebrates an annual festival dedicated to the trees by the end of November.
The city of Sydney has plenty of accommodations, catering for budgeted backpackers to luxury travellers. The Four Seasons hotel in the city is a perfect stay with breathtaking views of the harbour. For budget travellers, there are a range of hostels, including the Youth Hostel Association. The city also is great for food lovers. There are food courts, cafes and restaurants that serve all kinds of cuisine.
Recommended by: Raksha at Solo Passport
Kyoto, Japan
If you’re looking for the best places to experience the cherry blossoms, look no further than Kyoto.
The ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto is one of the top travel destinations in the entire country, regardless of the season. Famous for its trail of red arches at the Fushimi Inari shrine, bamboo forests of Arashiyama, breathtaking views from the Kiyomizu-Dera temple, and traditional architecture of the Gion District, there are many incredible things to do in Kyoto.
But if you’re visiting Kyoto in the spring, you have to add the cherry blossoms to your Kyoto itinerary. And if you’re desperately hoping to witness the cherry blossoms at their peak, you have to time your trip well (you can tell from my pictures that I was a tad late!). The cherry blossoms typically bloom between March 20th and April 14th, with the average peak occurring on April 1st.
While there are many beautiful cherry blossom spots around Kyoto, the top locations include the Keage Incline, Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Arashiyama, and the Kamo River area.
While you’re in Kyoto, there are many great places to stay, from budget hostels to traditional ryokans and luxury hotels. For an incredible experience (and delicious food), I recommend staying at the Tawaraya Ryokan. And while mouthwatering food is easy to find in Kyoto, I personally recommend Azuma Sushi, Kikkoya, Oagari, and Ramen Muraji.
Recommended by: Mia at Walk a While with Me
Gyeongji, South Korea
The city of Gyeongju is one of South Korea’s most historic destinations. Capital of the ancient empire of Silla, it is home to countless tumuli, or hilly mounds that serve as tombs to members of the long-gone royal family. This coastal city in the southeastern part of the country has a number of historical treasures protected as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, and should be on any South Korean itinerary.
Its Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the top festivals in South Korea, with much of the activity centered around Bomun Lake, a highlight of any visit here. At sunset, romantic couples gather along its edges to take selfies with the blossoms as background.
Gyeongju is also the site of one of South Korea’s most beautiful races, the Gyeongju Marathon, which takes place in early April, right in the middle of cherry blossom season.
Gyeongju, by the way, is known for having some of the best beef in Korea, and you shouldn’t miss trying some barbecued beef short ribs while you’re there.
While it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact time the blossoms bloom, you can usually count on an early April start, lasting until the middle of the month. The season has been known to start earlier or later but there are plenty of predictions online that try to narrow it down as the season approaches.
Recommended by: Leyla Giray Alyanak at Women on the Road
Abra, Philippines
In the Philippines there are only two seasons – dry and wet. The rainy season lasts from June to November and one of the signs that the rainy season is coming to an end is the flowering of the reeds. The creamy white flowers fill the landscape like a Monet painting creating a wonderful scene for your eyes to feast on.
In Abra, a province in the North Philippines,everywhere you look you can see these flowering reeds when the reeds on the Abra River floodplains and its tributaries bloom. Nature rolls on year after year regardless.
A wonderful way to spend an afternoon is to find your way down to the river and walk among the reeds listening to their music as they blow gently in the wind.It’s really magical.
The reeds are known by the local name tambo.The reed stands flower in November, and the blooms are harvested and bundled into whisk brooms called “walis”. The name of household brooms is “Walis Tambo”.
The flowering period is around six weeks from November to December and a good place to stay is Escala Homestay in La Paz. Sitting high on a hill overlooking the floodplains Escala Homestay provides an excellent viewpoint to observe this once a year occurrence.
When in Abra you should also try the local dish of Abra Miki, a simple but tasty bowl of homemade noodles, egg spring onions, and pork.
Recommended by: Dave at Silverbackpacker
Kinnaur, India
Kinnaur is a high altitude district of the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Ranging in altitude from 2,320 to 6,816 metres above sea level, this region is home to a varied landscape from lush green valleys to naked, barren mountains and hanging cliffs. The areas that lie in the Sutlej river valley are known for their beautiful pine and deodar forests, snowcapped peaks and apple, plum and apricot orchards.
Come spring, these orchards turn into a riot of colours. With pink, red and white blossoms taking over the entire region, it is truly a sight to behold. Apricots bear a bright pink blossom, the plum trees have beautiful white flowers and though apple blossoms are usually the last to arrive, their deep pink, almost red hues are just as beautiful. Villages like Sangla, Kalpa and Batseri are usually the top spots to witness these blossoms in all their glory.
The best time to witness this phenomenon is usually from late February to early April. During the month of March, Sangla village also celebrates the Hindu festival of Holi with great fanfare, something that can be combined while on a visit to experience the blossoms in Kinnaur.
Recommended by: Avantika Chaturvedi at Wayward Wayfarer
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1 Comment
Dave
November 19, 2021 at 8:39 pmThis is a great collection of Spring Blooms around the world. Thankyou for including Abra in the Philippines too 🙂