There’s something special about the turn of the spring season, as new green growth appears on trees, and fragrant flowers push forth their onslaught of color and sweet aroma. Birds are chirping, and the sun is shining — it all sounds nice, albeit quite distant considering Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow earlier this month.
Whether the extra six weeks of winter hold true or not, the arrival of spring is always a highly anticipated moment. And what better way to celebrate than witnessing flowers bloom to life in front of you? If you’re in need of a pick-me-up from the winter blues or love the idea of spring, come discover some destinations ripe with gardens and displays of budding flowers.
Lisse, Netherlands and Holland, Michigan for Tulips
It would be a botanical crime not to include the garden almost every traveler associates with spring. Keukenhof in Lisse, Netherlands (about 40 minutes from Amsterdam), is home to more than seven million flower bulbs, covering 800 different varieties. While the grounds are famously known for their tulips, visitors will also find hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, roses, carnations and irises here. The garden is open from March 20 to May 11, though travelers thinking about visiting should buy tickets early. It’s an extremely popular event for both locals and international travelers alike, with nearly 1.4 million people visiting in 2023, according to the park’s website.
For a closer U.S. option — though also quite popular — the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan, is a great alternative. The window to visit is considerably shorter, running only from May 2 to 11, but it offers equally stunning floral arrangements. Tulips are planted in various locations around downtown Holland, with six million bulbs throughout the city and area attractions. Some well-known places to see the flowers include Nelis’ Dutch Village, Windmill Island Gardens and Veldheer Tulip Gardens. Visitors should be sure to check the growth status of the tulips with the city’s tracker to ensure they get the best sights.
Hot Tip: Both Keukenhof and Holland, Michigan, are extremely popular spots to see tulips, so for two underrated options, consider the Istanbul Tulip Festival in the month of April or the Albany Tulip Festival in May.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington for Wildflowers
Wildflowers are usually not anyone’s first choice, but seeing their variety of colors glow under the sun at Mount Rainier National Park will likely have travelers changing their opinion. The National Park Service estimates the peak bloom to land around mid-July through early August. Ranging from purple lupines, white avalanche lilies, yellow cinquefoils, red paintbrush and pink penstemons, there’s no color of the rainbow left out of this vibrant and natural display. As these flowers are located in a national park, there are a handful of trails that wander through the bloom zone, including Naches Peak Loop, Skyline Trail and Emmons Moraine Trail. For a leisurely and family-friendly option, Nisqually Vista Trail is the perfect choice.
Washington, DC and Japan for Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossom season is a quintessential part of spring, and naturally, the best places to see them are also the most well-known.
Given to Washington, D.C. in 1912 from the people of Japan as a sign of friendship, the cherry blossoms blooming in front of some of the nation’s most iconic landmarks is an unbeatable sight. Travelers who want to witness the transformation of the city as it’s swathed in pink should aim for the last week of March through the first week of April, when 70% of the blossoms are open. Environmental factors such as extreme weather temps and rainfall can impact their opening, but travelers can stay up to date with the city’s latest cherry blossom forecast. When in D.C., the Tidal Basin offers breathtaking photo opportunities of the blossoms near the Jefferson Memorial and MLK memorial, among others. Clusters of trees are also located along the National Mall and around the Washington Monument.
The origins of the cherry blossom may be widely debated, but there’s no denying that Japan is one of the best international destinations to see them. Since there are 10 wild species native to the country, the trees grow in abundance with plenty of opportunities to see them. The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is one way to celebrate, with events running from late April through early May. The Takada Castle Cherry Blossom Festival is another option, this one occurring late March through mid-April. With more than 4,000 cherry blossoms and 3,000 lanterns lighting up the park at night, it’s easy to see why over a million visitors come annually to the Takada festival.
Charleston, South Carolina for Magnolias
A native flower to South Carolina, the Southern magnolia’s white petals overtake the city from April to June. While plenty of other flower species are popping up around this time as well, the magnolia in particular exudes a light, floral scent that makes it a staple in homemade candles and fragrances at local stores in the area. Magnolia Plantation is a highly recommended stop for visitors to see the flower in all its glory, as the park allows a variety of species to grow untouched by human hands — the splash of color throughout the grounds is entirely natural.
Travelers who visit in February should keep their eyes peeled for early sightings of the Chinese magnolia. Instead of the all-white appearance of the Southern magnolia, this flower is bathed in baby pink and purple hues, giving it a classic spring-like vibe. No matter the type of magnolia visitors wish to see, Hampton Park is one of the best spots in Charleston to witness these flowers flourish.
Carlsbad, California for Ranunculi
Closely resembling a rose in its appearance, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch boasts nearly 55 acres of the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus. These double-petaled blooms spread as far as the eye can see on the ranch, appearing in shades of white, yellow, pink, red and orange. A truly breathtaking sight, the Flower Fields is open to visitors for six to eight weeks, beginning March 1 and usually closing around early May. For a more immersive experience, be sure to jump on the tractor ride to idle through the fields and take in the expansive property.
Portland, Oregon and Bulgaria for Roses
The universal flower symbolic of love and romance, the rose is near and dear to many travelers’ hearts. Luckily, the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon, isn’t too far out of reach. The garden, one of the oldest testing grounds for roses in the country, houses more than 10,000 bushes each year and showcases 10 to 20 new varieties. Roses typically bloom from late May to October, though May to September is the recommended time to visit. Admission into the garden is free, and it’s also wheelchair and stroller accessible, making it the ideal location for all types of visitors.
A destination not so close to home for U.S. travelers but equally as beautiful, the Valley of Roses in Bulgaria is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While roses may not be native to the country, Bulgaria is one of the largest producers of rose oil, the flower now an important part of the local culture and heritage. The Valley of Roses, which includes a handful of small towns and villages that cultivate the flower, has its annual Rose Festival in Kazanlak the first weekend of June. The Valley itself is open May and June, though visitors who come during the festival are privy to parades, a folklore concert and, of course, rose picking.
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