April showers bring May flowers, but who wants to wait until May to take a vacation? Despite the saying's implication, the month of April is a great time of year to take a trip. All the spring break madness calms down but the summer heat isn't quite here yet. This means that the weather will be great for exploring national parks, visiting northern U.S. cities, or taking a road trip. So if you've been itching for any of those getaways, then check out our travel guide on the best places to visit in April.
The Best Places to Travel in April
The Northeast
Boston, Massachusetts
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Visiting this historical city in April means you'll have plenty of major events to attend, tours and cruises to take, and food and wine to try. April brings the Boston Marathon, reenactment plays of the Revolutionary War on Patriots Day, and the start of Red Sox season. But it also brings opportunities to take the most beautiful sunset harbor cruises or food and wine tours. If you're planning to visit Boston and looking for a place to stay, check out our list of Airbnbs.
Washington, D.C.
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Visiting our nation's capital doesn't always have to be centered around exploring all the historical landmarks. But while you check off your list of all the museums you might be planning to visit, keep in mind that Washington, D.C. is an amazing place to travel to in April because of the beautiful cherry blossoms. The National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from March 20th to April 17th, and the weather will be perfectly comfortable to walk around the city. You don't have to go all the way to Japan to see these beautiful spring flowers in full bloom.
New York City, New York
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One of the best times to visit New York City is from April to June, when the weather starts to finally get warmer and the crowds aren't too overwhelming. The city comes to life again with all its colors coming back; the green is restored at Central Park, the cherry blossom exhibit at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is active all month, the New York Botanical Garden presents the Orchid's Show, and the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is happening on April 17th. And while those are just a few vibrant places to check out while in NYC,
The South
Miami, Florida
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Spring is shoulder season for Miami, meaning you'll avoid the crowds (especially the spring break ones) by visiting this lively city in April. The summer's humidity will not have hit yet, so the weather will bring sunny days and mild temperatures- perfect for the digging your feet into South Beach's white sand. With fewer crowds to navigate through, you can comfortably enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking, boating, and more. If Miami is calling your name, check out our list of the most vibrant Airbnbs to stay in while visiting.
The West
Seattle, Washington
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Although the best time to visit Seattle is from June to mid-October, April showers actually start decreasing during this month. But April showers do bring May flowers, just a month earlier. Instead of traveling all the way to Amsterdam in Europe, you'll be able to see tulips in full bloom during this time. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is held all month, and you can walk down gorgeous rows of different colored tulips. And although it's still going to be pretty chilly, you'll have a chance to cross off whale watching on your bucket list because spring season is the best time to do that in this Washington state city.
Palm Springs, California
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On April 15th-17th and 22nd-24th, the popular Coachella Music & Arts Festival is happening in Indio, California. If you're a lover of live music and music festivals, then Palm Springs is the place to be during this month. California weather is known for being great all year-round, so you can imagine how wonderful it is during the spring. If you're planning to attend the event, check out our list of Airbnbs that you should rent during your stay.
Honolulu, Hawaii
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April is an ideal time to skirt winter crowds on the Hawaiian Islands, as December, January, and February are high season in Hawaii. There are plenty of surf contests drawing people from around the world to the North Shore of Oahu. Many of these travelers have left by April, which means less traffic and more time to do the things you love such as snorkeling, boating, fishing, hunting, sightseeing, and more. While there's no wrong time to visit this beautiful island state, April makes for an excellent travel month for those looking to hop on an airplane.
Desert/Mountain Cities
Denver, Colorado
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Denver is chock-full of springtime activities and things to do. While the city provides opportunities for shopping, dining, concerts, and more, it's also not far from plenty of beautiful state parks and other scenic recreational areas. During April, the weather in Denver begins to warm up for those interested in biking and hiking trails, but at higher elevations, there are still chances to go snowboarding and skiing.
Las Vegas, Nevada
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The Las Vegas Strip is ideal to walk during spring and fall, which is why the city gets crowded during these seasons and it's more expensive. But shoulder season for Sin City is actually in April and September, which makes these months the perfect time to enjoy the Strip in great weather for much cheaper. And while the Strip is great for those feeling lucky, those who are looking for outdoor activities can head to the gorgeous Red Rock National Conservation Area just outside the city. To help you prepare for your trip to Vegas, check out our list of Airbnbs to stay in while you're there!
Grand Canyon, Arizona
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Because April is one of the best months of the year to visit Grand Canyon National Park, it's understood that it probably gets pretty crowded. But because exploring this popular desert Southwest attraction in those amazing temperatures is worth it, maybe avoid visiting during the first week of April due to the last of the spring break crowds. After that, the Grand Canyon seems to be far less crowded until school lets out in June.
Moab, Utah
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If you're looking for a great road trip to take in April, then head to Utah. There you'll find the "Mighty 5" national parks- Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park- where you can hike, camp, and explore these magnificently breathtaking areas. If you need some help figuring out how to plan a trip through five different national parks, check out our Utah itinerary that hits those and more.
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