Best destinations to visit in April in North America
Best destinations to visit in April in North America
April marks the shift from winter into spring across most of North America, though the pace of that change varies a lot by region.
Washington and a handful of other cities hold cherry blossom festivals early in the month, drawing crowds for a bloom that only lasts a couple of weeks. Ski resorts at higher elevations hold onto the last of their season, even as lower slopes start to close for the year. The Caribbean and Mexico stay warm and dry, popular with travelers looking to beat the crowds of the busier winter months. Baseball season also gets underway across the continent this month, giving sports fans another reason to plan a spring trip. National parks further south start to see steadier visitor numbers too, once the coldest weather has passed.
The destinations on our list for North America reflect that same shift, from lingering snow to the first real days of spring.
Lists by region
City in United States
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
Manhattan is a narrow island about 13 miles long, so parks and neighbourhoods are easy to link on foot. In April cherry trees bloom around the Central Park Reservoir and at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Tulips line Park Avenue. Highs reach the low 60s Fahrenheit.
State/Prefecture in United States
Texas
Vast Landscapes and Deep Culture
The state legislature named the bluebonnet the state flower in 1901. Bloom peaks in April along roads near Ennis and across the Hill Country. San Antonio holds Fiesta in late April, a 10 day party that began in 1891. Big Bend is warm and quiet before summer heat.
City in United States
Philadelphia
History, art and cheesesteaks collide
Locals argue over cheesesteaks at Pat's and Geno's, two rival stands across the street from each other in South Philly. In April cherry trees bloom around the Shofuso Japanese House in Fairmount Park. Independence Hall is open for tours. Highs reach the mid 60s Fahrenheit.
City in United States
San Diego
California's perfect weather playground
Think early summer without the heat. Highs sit near 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Balboa Park has 17 museums and gardens in bloom. Grey whales swim north along the coast in spring. Boat trips from Point Loma often spot them. La Jolla Cove has sea lions barking on the rocks.
City in United States
Austin
Live music, lakes and local flavor
The Republic of Texas chose this spot for its capital in 1839. In April bluebonnets cover roadsides in the nearby Hill Country. Barton Springs Pool stays near 70 degrees Fahrenheit and is open for swimming. Bats gather under the Congress Avenue Bridge and fly out at dusk.
City in United States
Washington, D.C.
Capital of History and Culture
Japan sent 3,000 cherry trees as a gift in 1912. Peak bloom around the Tidal Basin often falls in late March or early April. The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs into mid April with parades and a kite festival. Pink petals cover the water's edge like a cloud.
City in United States
New Orleans
Jazz, Creole Flavors and Mardi Gras Vibes
Brass bands play on street corners while crawfish boil in huge pots. French Quarter Festival fills the neighbourhood with free live music in April. Jazz Fest begins at the Fair Grounds in late April. Beignets at Cafe du Monde come with a heavy dusting of powdered sugar.
City in Canada
Ottawa
Canada's green and cultural capital
Maple sap runs in March and April. Sugar shacks near the city serve pancakes with fresh syrup. The Rideau Canal thaws and the paths beside it fill with walkers. April highs reach about 12 degrees Celsius. Indoor museums such as the National Gallery fill the cooler days.
City in Canada
Vancouver
Where mountains, ocean and city life meet
Pink petals drift across pavements when the cherry trees bloom in April. More than 40,000 of them line streets and parks across the city. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival runs through the month. Mountains rise behind the harbour. The Stanley Park seawall is a 9 kilometre path along the water.
City in United States
Charleston (South Carolina)
Southern Charm, History and Coastline
April brings blooming azaleas and highs in the mid 70s Fahrenheit. Rainbow Row, a line of pastel houses on East Bay Street, looks lovely in soft spring light. Spring tours open private homes and gardens. Local restaurants serve shrimp and grits all day. Cobbled streets like Chalmers Street are good for walks.
National Park in United States
Zion National Park
Red rocks, epic hikes and nature's beauty
Visitors ride a free shuttle bus through the main canyon. Private cars are not allowed there from spring through autumn. Angels Landing needs a permit won through a lottery. Spring snowmelt can make the Virgin River too high for the Narrows hike. April highs reach the mid 70s Fahrenheit.
City in Canada
Victoria
Garden city by the Pacific
The city sits at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The Olympic Mountains block much of the rain, so it is drier than Vancouver. Butchart Gardens fills with tulips and other spring bulbs in April. Afternoon tea is served at the Fairmont Empress, which opened in 1908.
City in United States
Sedona
Red Rocks, Vortexes and Starry Skies
Cathedral Rock glows deep red at sunset above Oak Creek. April highs reach the low 70s Fahrenheit, which suits hiking. Cottonwoods leaf out along the creek. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, built in 1956, is set into a red rock cliff. Parking at popular trailheads fills early, so shuttles help.
National Park in United States
Bryce Canyon National Park
Hoodoo Wonderland and Starry Nights
The rim sits at about 8,000 feet, so April days stay cool and snow often dusts the orange hoodoos. Nights drop below freezing. Sunrise Point is quiet at first light. Crowds are smaller than in summer. Queens Garden Trail drops among the rock towers. The park is known for dark skies.
Town in United States
Joshua Tree
Desert oasis with starry night skies
Keys View, at 5,185 feet, looks over the Coachella Valley and the line of the San Andreas Fault. April days reach the 80s Fahrenheit. Spring wildflowers bloom among the Joshua trees. Hidden Valley Nature Trail is a one mile loop among boulders. Nights are clear because the park is an International Dark Sky Park.
City in United States
Moab
Red rock canyons echo adventure seekers' dreams
Nearby Arches National Park became a national monument in 1929 and a national park in 1971. It has more than 2,000 stone arches. April highs reach the low 70s Fahrenheit, which suits hiking. Mountain bikers ride Slickrock Trail. Rafting trips on the Colorado River start in spring.
National Park in United States
Death Valley National Park
Otherworldly Extremes and Silent Beauty
Rangers advise hikers to start at sunrise because April highs reach the 90s Fahrenheit. Carry at least a gallon of water per person each day. Badwater Basin sits 282 feet below sea level. Wildflowers can still bloom at higher elevations. Dante's View gives wide sunset views.
Country
Belize
Tropical paradise with diverse ecosystems
Warm turquoise water and salty air greet divers along the barrier reef. April is dry with calm seas. Whale sharks gather at Gladden Spit around the full moon from March to June. The Great Blue Hole is a sinkhole about 125 metres deep. Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a short boat ride from San Pedro.
Region in United States
Antelope Valley
Desert poppies and high skies
The California Poppy Reserve has rolling hills covered in orange poppies. Trails of about 8 miles wind through the bloom. Peak flowers usually come between mid March and early May. Winter rain decides how big the show is. The petals close on cloudy days and in the cool of early morning.
Town in United States
Fredericksburg (Texas)
Historic charm meets vibrant wine culture
This town looks like a small German village dropped into the Texas Hill Country. German settlers founded it in 1846. In April bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush cover nearby fields. Wildseed Farms sells seeds from a huge wildflower field. More than 50 wineries lie within a short drive.
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