Spring is officially here, and with it, ideal travel conditions. Spring is an extremely popular time of year to travel. The snow has mostly melted away, but the peak season has yet to begin in many places. So if you’re itching to get out and go somewhere new, we have some popular spring vacation ideas, whether you’re planning a long weekend away, a spring break getaway, or something more.
The Florida Keys
If you want to go somewhere warm but not too warm, the Florida Keys are an excellent spring travel destination. Whether you visit one island or several, you’ll get your fill of palm trees and gorgeous beaches while enjoying the warm spring weather (before the temperatures get too hot and muggy).
Spend some time snorkeling, boating, camping beachside, and more at Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key. The park offers just about any outdoor activity you can think of. In addition, Key Largo features swimming with dolphins at Dolphins Plus Bayside and the undersea John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where you can boat, scuba, or snorkel along 70 nautical square miles of protected marine life and tropical vegetation.
Last but not least, Key West boasts famous key lime pie and great nightlife entertainment, with streets full of open bars and live music. During the day, you can visit several attractions, like the Southernmost Point and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where you can tour the property and try to spot the descendants of the famed author’s cats still living there. The island is tiny at just 2 miles by 4 miles, so you can easily explore all of Key West in a day and get your steps in.
Phoenix, AZ
Spring in Phoenix means wildflower season, and you can spot beautiful blooming cacti and flowers in the Sonoran Desert. Take photos with iconic saguaro cacti, native only to Arizona, Sonora, Mexico, and some parts of California. If you don’t want to traverse the desert, you can still see plenty of the local flora at several locations, like the Phoenician Cactus Garden or the Desert Botanical Garden. You can even spot a saguaro cactus in downtown Phoenix—affectionately named Prickles—while out and about shopping or dining.
Speaking of dining, spring is also the season for food and drink festivals in Phoenix. Actually, it’s the season for festivals in general, with several held throughout March, April, and May. Sample the local dishes at events like the Nirvana Food and Wine Festival or Arizona Restaurant Week. In addition, the restaurant scene is big on outdoor dining, with many local eateries featuring nice patio setups.
You also can’t miss out on one of Arizona’s most well-known attractions—golf! The state’s dry, sunny climate means the perfect weather for golfing year-round. There are over 200 courses to choose from in Phoenix alone, so you can get plenty of practice swings in. Some of the most popular include Troon North, Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, and Papago Course, one of the region’s top municipal golf courses.
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Nothing says spring like baby animals, and the wildlife at Yellowstone becomes full of them as the snow starts to melt. This is the perfect time to visit, as you’ll have the opportunity to spot bison calves and grizzly and black bear cubs from April through May and elk calves and wolf pups from May through June. In addition, some of the lower elevation trails open up for hiking or biking in April, just after some animals have come out of hibernation, with the rest opening by mid-May.
Late May is also the start of fly-fishing season, and Yellowstone National Park offers some of the best in the world. Enjoy scenic views, camping or cabin-lodging, and of course, visits to the many geysers, waterfalls, and hot springs the park is known for. Just be sure to pack warm clothes, as the weather can still be pretty cool, and some good boots in case the trails are muddy.
If you don’t want to hike, there’s also the option to drive. Like the trails, the roads to Madison, Mammoth, Old Faithful, Norris, and Canyon open in mid-April, with the rest on the east side of the park opening in May. This is the best way to take in the scenery in less time and capture beautiful photos.
Hill Country, TX
Hill Country makes for the perfect spring road trip destination, and not just because of its relation to Leatherface and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Instead, this strip of land between Austin and San Antonio, TX, offers picturesque views and bluebonnets in bloom as far as the eye can see from March through April. Explore scenic trails, find hidden swimming holes, and visit iconic landmarks like Enchanted Rock.
After seeing the views, check out one of the local Texas BBQ joints, like The Salt Lick in Driftwood or City Market in Luling. You’ll find some of the oldest barbecue institutions about 15 miles north in Luling. Then, hop across the many vineyards and eclectic breweries in the area. Some of the most known can be found in Dripping Springs. For example, Jester King Brewery features a 165-acre ranch with farm tours, a nature trail, goat yoga, outdoor movie screenings, several bars, and homemade pizza.
Next, satisfy your sweet tooth at the Texas Pie Company in Kyle, which has earned the town the nickname “Pie Capital of Texas.” Then, immerse yourself in local art, music, and food at the Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet. You can also stroll the 70-acre botanic garden at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.
Tokyo, Japan
If you have the budget for an international trip, Tokyo, Japan, is a wonderful country to visit come spring. This is largely in part due to the thousands of iconic cherry blossom trees, which generally bloom from late March to early April in the Tokyo region.
One of Japan’s most popular pastimes is hanami, or flower-viewing parties, often in the form of a picnic under the trees. Friends, families, and coworkers gather at nearby parks (sometimes early to reserve the best spots) to enjoy seasonal bentos and welcome the change of season. The most picturesque locations include Chidorigafuchi in Kitanomaru Park and Ueno Park in Shinjuku Gyoen. Some parts of Tokyo also host cherry blossom festivals where the blooming trees are illuminated at night.
Aside from the beautiful cherry blossoms, Tokyo is also host to several spring festivals, like the Yabusame Festival in April, where you can enjoy an Edo-period costume parade and horseback archery shows. The clean spring air also offers some of the best views of Mount Fuji, which can be seen most clearly from Tokyo Tower’s Special Observatory.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Everyone has seen photos and paintings of the colorful tulip fields among the windmills. This spring travel idea lets you see them in person during their peak season when you visit The Netherlands in mid-April! While most tulip farms are private property, the Keukenhof Gardens are open to visitors and feature millions of the vibrant flowers.
In addition, the last Saturday of the month is also the annual Koningsdag, or King’s Day—a festival in celebration of the monarch. This event is full of street parties, flea markets, food, and lots and lots of orange clothing (the national color).
If the weather during your stay doesn’t favor outdoor activities, there’s still plenty to do indoors. Amsterdam is home to several famous museums, including the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum (State Museum), and the Anne Frank House. There’s also shopping galore on Little Nine Streets. Plus, guided bike rides, local food tours, and canal cruises if the weather isn’t a concern.
Planning a spring getaway? Renting out your home on Airbnb is one way to help fund it. No matter how long you intend to travel, this is an option. And Prime can help you make your space a getaway for someone else with convenient home storage options.
We have several locations nationwide where you can store household items, like extra furniture, bedding, and even your vehicle. Find a Prime Storage near you to store your extra or important belongings out of the way so that you can enjoy your spring holiday with peace of mind.
