By Nicole Kliest Entertainment 01.01.2023

Where to See Iconic Spring Blooms in the States

And where to stay right next to them.

Perhaps more than any other seasonal shift in the year, the transition to spring is replete with symbolism. Fresh starts, blank slates, and new beginnings accompany the start of spring, and one of the clearest indicators of this optimistic tone are flower blooms.

Aromatic, colourful, and mesmerisingly beautiful, spring flowers epitomise everything we love about this season. And while a stroll around the neighbourhood or nearby park might satiate your love for a beautiful bouquet for now, why not plan a weekend trip around spotting iconic blooms right here in the states?

Ahead, discover five of the best itineraries for immersing yourself in spring’s cheeriest flowers. From the rolling hillsides of the south (perfect for a road trip) to a sprawling valley full of tulips, there’s plenty to stir up floral-induced wanderlust for the weeks and months ahead.

Texas Hill Country

Flower: Bluebonnets

Named after pioneer-era head coverings, bluebonnets are the Texas state flower, luring visitors each year to catch glimpses of this beautiful bloom that can grow up to around one foot tall. The flower is a radiant purplish blue hue and blooms begin in March, typically peaking in mid-April. Though you can find these delicate flowers in other parts of the states such as Florida or Louisiana, it’s Texas that has the most than any other place in the world. If you’re keen to spot these exquisite bluebonnets, plan a road trip through the Texas Hill Country located in the central and south region of the state (scenic pit stops include Fredericksburg, Ennis, and Burnet).

Where to Stay: Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, Texas. It’s located on 289 acres and features 41 guest rooms, stone bathtubs, lovely antiques, and heritage buildings.

Washington D.C.

Flower: Cherry Blossoms

Arguably the most popular flower to travel for (and take a photo of), cherry blossoms are especially abundant in the nation’s capital. In D.C., there is a cherry blossom festival that runs from March 20 through April 16 and visitors can spot cheery clusters of these pretty pink flowers in trees around the National Mall, northwest of the Lincoln Memorial, and around the Washington Monument. These tree plantings were a gift from the people of Japan to the United States back in 1912 and continue to be among the most visited flower blooms in all of the country.

Where to Stay: Riggs Washington D.C. for its historic building (it was once the Riggs National Bank) and each of its 181 guest rooms and suites designed to mimic a private safety deposit box.

Antelope Valley

Flower: Poppies

Awash in a magnificent yellow-gold hue, California’s Antelope Valley poppy preserve is a sight to behold each spring. It’s situated in the northeast region of Los Angeles county in the quiet hills west of Lancaster, meaning getting there requires a bit of a trek—but rest assured it’s worth it. The bloom of California’s state flower is later this year and will likely continue well into May, meaning there’s still plenty of time to plan a weekend trip to soak in these colourful blooms peppered across rolling hillsides. It’s also worth noting that the preserve is connected by miles of trails, so dress for the occasion and make a day of it.

Where to Stay: The Langham, Huntington in Pasadena, California. Since the poppy preserve is in a remote area, book a room a one-and-a-half-hour drive away in the lovely town of Pasadena. This property dates over 100 years old and is a relaxing, luxurious retreat for a long weekend.

Skagit Valley

Flowers: Tulips

A big flower with an even bigger personality, tulips are blooms worth traveling for. If you’re near the Pacific Northwest, head for Mount Vernon in Washington state’s Skagit Valley to witness these beautiful spring blooms. Each year the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival greets visitors for 30 days to see millions of radiant tulips. These fields are scattered throughout the valley so plan to stay a night or two to fully enjoy all the region has to offer, including wine tastings, gallery tours, and more.

Where to Stay: Mt Baker Cabin Airbnb in Deming, Washington. This lovely rental is less than an hour drive from Mount Vernon and has an outdoor hot tub with panoramic nature views of Mt. Baker National Forest.

Portland

Flower: Roses

Roses—we all know and love them, but you haven’t really experienced the wonders of this delicate flower until you’ve wandered through Portland’s annual rose festival, a tradition for over 100 years. Though the festival features several events like parades and races, we especially love the International Rose Test Garden where more than 10,000 individual rose bushes bloom from late May all the way through October. The primary function of the garden is to test new rose varieties (there are over 610 here), which began during World War I when hybridizes sent roses from around the world to Portland’s garden to be tested.

Where to Stay: The Hoxton in Portland, Oregon thanks to its historic old town location and design with mid-century details like walnut paneling and expertly-curated artwork.

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