Travel Here for a Springtime Fling

We reveal the best cities to visit in the spring, including Amsterdam for a spectacular tulip festival and New Orleans for a well-renowned jazz festival.

By: Krystyna Barnard

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Amsterdam

Best known for its Red Light District, historic buildings and museums, Amsterdam has a lot to offer visitors, especially during the spring. At the end of April, visitors can celebrate King’s Day (formerly Queen’s Day) -- the largest festival in the Netherlands. Also, just a short distance from the city, Keukenhof is home to the world’s largest flower garden, which is best known for its annual flower festival and beautiful spring tulips.

Charleston

With its rich history and Southern charm, Charleston is a perfect getaway for spring. Visitors can explore the city’s historic sites, shop on King Street, and enjoy authentic lowcountry cuisine while sipping sweet tea. Home to beautiful, waterfront Southern mansions, as well as American and Civil War history, Battery Park (pictured above) is a must-see while visiting one of the most romantic cities in America.

Washington, DC

Its abundance of museums, monuments and attractions are not the only reason people visit the nation’s capital this time of year. Each year, in March and April, millions of people flock to Washington to experience the beauty of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Visitors can enjoy beautiful weather and scenery as they stroll hand-in-hand under blooming cherry blossom trees lining the Tidal Basin.

Tuscany, Italy

Home to some of the most exquisite art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance, Florence -- the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany -- is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. The spring, when the weather begins to warm up and the flowers begin to bloom, is the best time to travel here -- and to avoid the summer tourists. Visitors can enjoy beautiful weather as they explore historic churches and monuments, get a taste of authentic Italian cuisine, or hop on a Vespa for a romantic ride through the Tuscan countryside, where they can tour some of Italy’s best wineries.

St. Lucia

For travelers seeking a tropical and exotic getaway, a spring visit to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia is a must. For a spring fling, visit the most romantic spot on the island -- Soufriere Bay. Its landscape views of white sand beaches and Pitons provides visitors with some of the Caribbean’s most stunning views. In early May, visitors can experience the St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival -- a 12-day festival that showcases the island’s history and culture.

Tokyo

As the largest city in the world, Tokyo is chock-full of museums, monuments and attractions for visitors looking to experience the Japanese culture. In the spring, visitors can explore the 140 acres of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden or experience the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park. Located at the cultural center of Tokyo, Ueno Park has more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees and is the top destination for Hanami -- the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the blossoming of flowers. Between March and May, locals and tourists alike flock to Ueno Park to celebrate the blossoming with parties and romantic picnics.

San Diego

With its beautiful beaches, San Diego is the perfect springtime destination for travelers wanting to experience the laidback California lifestyle without having to worry about bad weather. During the day, visitors can catch some sun (or some waves) at the city’s two most popular beaches -- Mission Beach and La Jolla, or tour the USS Midway aircraft carrier -- the most-visited naval ship museum in the country. Located downtown, the Gaslamp District is full of great restaurants and nightlife, and sports fanatics can attend a Padres game at Petco Park.

Miami

The warm sun, beautiful beaches and popular nightlife make Miami a top vacation destination no matter what time of year. In the spring, when the beaches and attractions are less crowded than in the summer, travelers can indulge their taste buds at VeritageMiami (formerly the Miami Wine and Food Festival), or participate in the Miami Beach Pride, a weeklong celebration filled with special events.

Paris

Everyone dreams of spring in Paris. Each year, millions of visitors travel to the City of Light (and Love) to witness the spring blooms and elaborate gardens that grace some of the city’s most historic landmarks this time of year. Travelers can experience the beauty and romance of the city atop the Eiffel Tower, as well as during a stroll along the River Seine or through the Jardin du Luxembourg at Luxembourg Palace.

New York

As the largest city in America, it’s no secret that NYC has a lot going on throughout the year. However, in the spring when the freezing winter temperatures begin to heat up, more and more people travel to the city to experience the blossoming trees at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a 52-acre garden in the heart of Brooklyn. Other big draws include Opening Day for the Yankees and the Mets, and the annual Tribeca Film Festival.

Puerto Rico

Americans can explore the beauty and history of Puerto Rico without having to travel too long. A few hours from Miami, Puerto Rico’s capital of San Juan is chock-full of historic landmarks such as Fort San Cristobal and El Morro, exquisite beaches and various cultural experiences for springtime visitors. For foodies looking to experience authentic cuisine from the island’s best restaurants, the Saborea Culinary Festival in April is a must-do.

New Orleans

From the French Quarter to the Garden District, the historic city of New Orleans is full of charm and soul year-round. While Mardi Gras is the city’s most well-known festival, the parties don’t stop there. In April and May, before the sticky summer temperatures set in, thousands of people flock to the Big Easy to experience other festivals, such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, where they can get a taste of the city’s authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine.

San Antonio

Best known for the Alamo, San Antonio welcomes visitors year-round, especially during the spring months when they can enjoy the attractions before the summer heat and humidity set in. In April, Fiesta San Antonio -- one of the country’s oldest festivals -- celebrates the heroes of the Alamo with a variety of parades and free entertainment. Located a short distance from the Alamo, the River Walk is lined with restaurants, shops and entertainment, and is a great place for couples to experience the city’s history and culture.

Austin, TX

A popular destination for music fans, movie buffs and techies, Austin provides a variety of springtime activities and attractions that appeal to visitors of all ages and interests. Each March, the city hosts South by Southwest (SXSW) -- a multi-day music and film festival with more than 2,000 performers set up on stages across the city. For travelers more interested in gourmet food and wine, the Austin Food and Wine Festival takes place in April, and features top chef talent and winemakers from the local area and around the nation.

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Travel Here for a Springtime Fling

Related To:

Shop This Look

Amsterdam

Charleston

Washington, DC

Tuscany, Italy

St. Lucia

Tokyo

San Diego

Miami

Paris

New York

Puerto Rico

New Orleans

San Antonio

Austin, TX