The Best Places to See Spring Flowers in the United States

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and all across the United States colorful flowers herald the arrival of spring. From the iconic cherry blossoms in Washington DC, to bluebonnets deep in the heart of Texas, and rows of brightly color tulips in the Pacific Northwest beautiful blooms are on display. As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer make sure to get out and discover some of the best places to see spring flowers in the USA.

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Cherry Blossoms – Washington DC

One of my favorite cities, I try to get to Washington DC as often as I can but I always try to plan a springtime trip to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. The cherry blossoms in Washington DC were a gift of friendship from Japan to the American people in 1912 and today the burst of pinks and whites accentuate the beauty of the American capital making spring one of the best times to plan a visit to Washington DC. Peak bloom varies greatly from year to year but can occur any time from mid-March to mid April.

Brianna- The Casual Travelist

Bluebonnets in Big Bend National Park, Texas

Do you imagine huge, dry open roads and the sandy paths of Big Bend National Park when you think of Texas? Well, come around about mid-March, a splash of color pops up in the park when bluebonnet season kicks in. The gray roads are lined with purple Lupinus texensis standing out from the red-toned hills and blue skies, and since the temperature is cool, it’s the perfect time of year for a West Texas road trip*. The season is over quite quickly when the purple turns to yellow at the end of May. Dates are not exact as the growth of the bluebonnet depends on the previous season. If you prefer a carpet of bluebonnets, head to Ennis for the Bluebonnet Trail and festival or call the Texas Department of Transportation Wildflower Hotline for up-to-date flower spotting tips! 

Gemma – Two Scots Abroad

Arizona Poppies in Phoenix, Arizona

People are always surprised by just how much plant life there is in Arizona. The desert is a vibrant place, and if you visit the botanical gardens in Phoenix or Tucson you will see the myriad of plants that actually survive and thrive in the Sonoran desert. There are also plenty of opportunities to see wildflower in Arizona. Given the weather, this is usually happening in the spring (you’ll get some blooms making their appearance later in the mountains around Flagstaff or Coconino Forest, and of course the famous prickly pear which arrives in the summer). The most common wildflower you will see in the spring is the Arizona poppy which is also known as the summer poppy. However, in my 2 years living in Phoenix, they showed up in March and April! And while the temperatures we experience in those 2 months might be summerlike in other parts of the US, these 2 months are the last of the “cooler” months before we begin to boil!

One of the best places to see these golden-orange-and-yellow flowers is at Picacho Peak State Park. This state park makes a great day trip from either Phoenix or Tucson as it is almost halfway in-between the two cities. It has several trails that are dusted with fields of Arizona poppies. You can spend a couple of hours wandering around or hiking, or stay at the campground and enjoy the poppies for sunrise and sunset as well. It is a beautiful sight!

Andi Fisher – Misadventures with Andi

Magnolias in Mobile, Alabama

Magnolias are among USA’s most popular and beautiful spring blossoms and there are over 200 varieties of magnolia trees and plants to explore all around the southern United States. The Southern Magnolia tree can reach 100 feet in height and 40 feet in crown diameter and witnessing magnolias in bloom is one of the most memorable and best things to do in Mobile Alabama. 
Mobile’s fascination with magnolias is evident in names such as the historic old Magnolia Cemetery, The Hotel Magnolia, and Magnolia Cafe at Bellingrath Gardens. The first half of May is a prime time to visit Mobile Alabama and see the region’s brilliance magnified by magnolias and other spring blossoms. In addition to magnolias all around town, the Avenue of the Oaks at Spring Hill College is one of the prettiest settings in the world when the azaleas are in full bloom (usually graduation week in mid-May).

Charles McCool- McCool Travel

Mountain Laurel in Shenandoah National Park

In late spring, the woods and mountainsides of Shenandoah National Park are beautifully dotted with mountain laurel blossoms. Ranging from white to deep pink, the blooms add incredible beauty to trails and forests throughout the park. Mountain Laurel blooms usually begin in late May and peak by mid-June. This is also a great time to see wild columbine, trillium, and other spring wildflowers in the park.

One of the best places to see mountain laurel blossoms is in Shenandoah Park’s Central District. For example, the easy, wheelchair-accessible Limberlost Trail is absolutely packed with blooms and there are benches along the trail where you can stop and take in the spring beauty. You’ll also see stands of mountain laurel on longer hikes to popular overlooks like Stony Man and Mary’s Rock. Finally, there are many blossoms bordering Skyline Drive, so you don’t even have to leave your car to enjoy the show. Late spring is a gorgeous time to visit Shenandoah, much less busy than fall foliage season, but equally beautiful.

Julie McCool-Fun in Fairfax

California Poppy – Antelope Valley, California

Spring bloom starts early in the Golden State, end of January in some places. There are lots of flower fields in California but it is most famous for California Poppies, which is an official state flower. California poppy is a small orange flower like a little drop of orange paint on the grass, not too remarkable on its own but during the spring bloom millions of poppy flowers cover California grasslands and they turn into gorgeous orange carpets. One of the best places to see California poppy galore is in Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve near Lancaster. The best bloom (or “superbloom”) happens after very wet winter and it peaks between mid-March and mid-April. If you want to see this nature phenomena I suggest coming first thing in the morning because parking at the reserve is limited and the roads may be jammed approaching the reserve – it is very popular with tourists.

Tatiana – Family Road Trip Guru

Dahlia – Hood River, Oregon

One of the best places to see spring flowers in the US is in Hood River, Oregon. Hood River valley is known for its “fruit loop” which is a collection of farms, wineries, and fruit stands all throughout the valley near the town of Hood River. Besides growing fruits and vegetables, the farms in this area are also known for their lavender fields as well as dahlia fields. On most of the farms, you can participate in ‘pick your own flowers’ where you can go out and make your own bouquet of flowers. The view doesn’t really get any better with Mt. Hood as a spectacular backdrop for the gorgeous flower fields. The lavender fields start to bloom in May and typically last until September and the dahlia fields like warmer weather so they start to bloom in late June or July and last until early fall.  

Jessica – Unearth the Voyage

Daffodils in Newport, Rhode Island

If you love the cheery trumpets of daffodils that herald the arrival of spring, then Newport, Rhode Island, is the place for you. The city hosts “Daffodil Days” to welcome visitors to this popular island destination best known for the magnificent Newport Mansions but in April boast over 1.2 million daffodil blooms. Besides seeing daffodils throughout this city by the sea, you’ll find seven incredible daffodil fields, each bursting with 25,000 or more flowers in bloom. Some of the best places to see the daffodils en mass include the Rotary at JT Connell highway, along the Cliff Walk at Salve Regina College, and across from Easton’s Beach on Memorial Boulevard. Daffodil Days mark the beginning of spring tourism in Newport. Of course, any time of year is a great time to visit Newport, but visiting in April beats the summer crowds.

Jackie Gately – Enjoy Travel Life

Indian Paintbrush – Oklahoma

The Indian Paintbrush is one of the most beautiful and vivid flowers that blooms in Oklahoma. To see these native Oklahoma wildflowers takes a bit of luck and the right weather. This vibrant red flower, also known as “prairie-fire” prefers sunny, grassy fields with medium-dry soil. Too much or too little rain in the fall or a lack of host plants, like wild grasses, and the fields where this flower is sown will be sadly bare in spring. 

The climate in Oklahoma is somewhat ideal for this delicate, yet still somehow hardy drought tolerant wildflower with its clusters of blooms that resemble a paintbrush dipped in red-orange paint. Throughout central Oklahoma, and even within the metro capital of Oklahoma City, you’ll find this native wildflower blooming in undeveloped fields and pasture land in late spring and early summer. As visually striking as the fields are when painted red with flowers, the Indian Paintbrush is also slightly unpredictable. So as mentioned, you may need luck on your side. Some years the brightly colored flowers will bloom in countless meadows across the state, while in other years, those same meadows will be muted and lack any color at all. But if you are fortunate enough to see this wildflower when it is thriving, you won’t forget its beauty.

Melissa – Parenthood and Passports

Azaleas – Savannah, GA

Mid-March is typically the best time to visit Savannah to see beautiful spring color, but if you’re lucky you can find azaleas blooming anytime from late February to early April. Make sure to book your accommodations early, since hotels and home rentals often fill up months in advance! Bonaventure Cemetery is the best place to spot the highest concentration of azaleas in one place. At times, the cemetery is covered in bright pink blooms as far as the eye can see! It’s incredibly beautiful. Forsyth Park is another good place to see the azaleas. Row after row of pink and white azalea bushes line the park and surround the famous Forsyth fountain. The dogwood trees bloom at the same time, so that area gets very colorful during the springtime! Make sure to take a stroll through the Historic District, where you’ll spot azaleas in many of Savannah’s squares. They line the streets in front of some of the city’s most beautiful historic homes, as well. A stroll down Jones Street in the early evening hours is particularly beautiful when the azaleas are in bloom. 

Erin -Savannah First-Timer’s Guide

Tulips – La Connor, Washington

Just an hour north of Seattle, Washington lies the adorable town of La Conner. Every spring the town fills up with people who have come for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival! If there is warm spring weather you can expect buds as soon as late March. Cold spring weather could delay tulips from blooming until mid-April. As soon as the tulips begin to bloom you can expect two full weeks of a field filled with color. The tulip festival is a collection of several fields scattered around La Conner planted with different varieties. They all bloom at different times making for a month-long celebration full of concerts, wine tastings and art shows. With the Cascade mountains as a backdrop this is one spring flower festival you won’t want to miss!

Samantha – Have Seat Will Travel

Lilacs- Macinac Island, Michigan

One of the best spring flower displays to see in the United States is the lilac bloom on Mackinac Island in Michigan. The bloom is weather dependent, but typically starts in May. It lasts for about two weeks and this tiny island that is between the upper and lower peninsulas in Michigan, becomes ever so fragrant. Mackinac Island is one of the best weekend getaways in the Midwest; this is the most beautiful time to visit Mackinac Island and a top bucket list destination for many. Plan to book well in advance as the island is only about eight miles around and books up very quickly with people eager to witness their beauty.

Nicole- Bucket List Lists

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