Positioned in the middle of spring, April is an excellent time to travel because you’re usually past the busy Spring Break travel and before the rush of summer travel. April travel typically means fewer crowds and better prices on airfare and accommodations.
April is peak flower season in some areas; in others, there is still snow to extend your winter adventures. Whether you’re looking for the cold or the warm, you’ll be able to find it in the United States in April. Here is a list of the 11 best places to visit in April in the U.S.
Washington D.C.
April in Washington D.C. means one thing: cherry blossoms. The capital city is the cherry blossom epicenter, and it celebrates with a weeks-long event called the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Aside from just looking at the beautiful blooms, the event packs in a kite festival, a pink tie party, a parade, fireworks, and more. The festival is family-friendly and most of it is free!
With average temperatures in the mid-60s during the day, it can be a bit chilly in the morning, so be sure to pack a light jacket. If the day gets too cold to be outside, you can always duck into one of the Smithsonian Museums. The National Air and Space Museum is always a favorite of mine, with tons of interactive exhibits and one-of-a-kind aviation displays like the original Wright brothers’ plane.
Fairbanks, Alaska
If your bucket list includes seeing the Northern Lights, a trip to Alaska in April is your best bet. The Northern Lights are typically aglow the most between September and April, referred to as the “Aurora Season.” And Fairbanks is located within the “Auroral Oval,” which is the best place to view the lights. Visiting Fairbanks is best at the beginning of April.
In early April, there may still be enough snow to get some skiing or snowboarding in and all the shops and restaurants are still open. However, toward the end of the month, the busy season ends, so some shops close for a few weeks.
April is also the best time to hike what’s called the “crust.” Crust is created when the afternoon sun melts the snow, but then it freezes again overnight, thus creating “crust” in the morning. This firm surface is good for hiking, biking, and even skate skiing.
With average temperatures in the 40s in April, you may want to take a quick day trip to warm up in Chena Hot Springs, which is located about an hour from Fairbanks. The natural mineral water feeding into the hot springs is a steady 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The area was discovered during the Alaskan Gold Rush and is the most popular hot spring in the state today. If you’re lucky, you can even see the Northern Lights while soaking in the outdoor wading pool. There is also an indoor pool, plus a museum made up of 1,000 tons of ice.
Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, is full of culture and adventure. It’s the most populous city in Oregon and is home to airy food halls, breweries, and gorgeous spring weather (an average of 61 degrees in April).
Portland may be best known for its proximity to the state’s tallest waterfall, Multnomah Falls. The Multnomah Falls are one of the tallest waterfalls in the entire United States! April is an excellent time to visit because the snow is melting in the warmer temperatures and feeding right into the falls, making them even more magnificent. You can hike to the top or simply take in the view from the bottom. The falls are the most crowded in the summer, so visiting in April means the experience won’t be as hectic.
Other day trips from Portland are easy. Head south for about 40 minutes to the town of Woodburn, known for its massive tulip displays. Its annual Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is in full swing by April and has activities for the entire family. Or head west to the Oregon Coast for whale watching. April is when gray whales start their annual migration south and will pass right by Oregon. Head east 30 minutes to the state’s tallest waterfall, Multnomah
St. Louis, Missouri
Sports come alive in St. Louis in the spring. The St. Louis Cardinals baseball team is back playing at historic Busch Stadium. The addition of Ballpark Village outside the stadium makes the area a huge draw for all sports fans. You can also score tickets to other sporting events, like NHL, MLS, and UFL in April too.
Getting outdoors in April is something you will want to do since the full humidity of the summer has not yet set in. You can paddle down the Mississippi or enjoy a leisurely skyline cruise on the river. Inside, head to the Missouri History Museum to see the new 1904 World’s Fair Exhibit or learn about world chess champions at the World Chess Hall of Fame.
Williamsburg, Virginia
This historic town gets super busy in the summer and fall, so visiting in the spring means fewer crowds. Once the capital of Virginia, Williamsburg is now the epicenter of Colonial times in America and is the largest U.S. living history museum in the world. Spend the day on a walking tour to learn about the town’s rich history, or take a ghost tour at night.
Drive or bike along the Colonial Parkway to visit the nearby historical towns of Jamestown and Yorktown. The 23-mile National Scenic Byway offers historical pull-offs, biking trails, and scenic views of the area. Jamestown is known for being the first English settlement in the New World, and Yorktown was the site of the last battle of the American Revolution.
For a break from history, seek out some thrills at Busch Gardens. The theme park holds a few events in April, including an Earth Day festival, which promotes conservation efforts, and the start of the Food and Wine Festival, which features 18 themed food and beverage areas.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Visiting Nantucket in April means you’ll avoid the summer rush of tourists. Rates are typically lower during this time, and you won’t have to fight crowds to get into restaurants and shops. It’s a little chilly, with average temperatures in the 60s, so swimming in the water may not happen, but it’s still warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities with a light jacket.
