11 Best Locations to Visit in the United States this April
Looking for the perfect place to vacation in the United States this April? There are plenty of options, depending on your budget and distance you are willing to travel. In this article, Amy Sward shares some of her favorite locations to experience in the United States this April.
Last updated: April 18, 2024
8 min read
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Positioned in the middle of spring, April is an excellent time to travel because you’re past the busy Spring Break travel and before the rush of summer travel. April travel typically means fewer crowds and better prices on airfare and accommodations.
April is peak flower season in some areas; in others there is still snow to extend your winter adventures. Whether you’re looking for cold or warm, you will be able to find it in the United States in April. Here is a list of the 11 best places to visit in April in the U.S.
Washington D.C.
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Activities
White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial
Weather
April in Washington D.C. means cherry blossoms. The capital city is the cherry blossom epicenter, and it celebrates with a weeks-long event called the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Aside from just looking at the beautiful blooms, the event packs in a kite festival, a pink tie party, a parade, fireworks, and more. The festival is family-friendly and most of it is free!
With average temperatures in the mid 60s during the day, it can be a bit chilly in the morning, so be sure to pack a light jacket. If the day gets too cold to be outside, you can always duck into one of the Smithsonian Museums. The National Air and Space Museum is always a favorite of mine with tons of interactive exhibits and one-of-a-kind aviation displays like the original Wright brothers’ plane.
Fairbanks, Alaska
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Activities
Alaska Pipeline Viewpoint, Pioneer Park, University of Alaska Museum of the North
Weather
If your bucket list includes seeing the Northern Lights, a trip to Alaska in April is your best bet. The Northern Lights are typically aglow the most between September and April, referred to as the “Aurora Season.” And Fairbanks is located within the “Auroral Oval,” which is the best place to view the lights. Visiting Fairbanks is best in the beginning of April.
In early April, there may still be enough snow to get some skiing or snowboarding in and all the shops and restaurants are still open. (Toward the end of the month, the busy season is ending, so some shops close for a few weeks.)
April is also the best time to hike what’s called the “crust.” Crust is created when the afternoon sun melts the snow, but then it freezes again overnight, thus creating “crust” in the morning. This firm surface is good for hiking, biking, and even skate skiing.
With average temperatures in the 40s in April, you may want to take a quick day trip to warm up in Chena Hot Springs, which is located about an hour from Fairbanks. The natural mineral water feeding into the hot springs is a steady 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The area was discovered during the Alaskan Gold Rush and is the most popular hot spring in the state today. If you’re lucky, you can even see the Northern Lights while soaking in the outdoor wading pool. There is also an indoor pool, plus a museum made up of 1,000 tons of ice.
Portland, Oregon
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Activities
International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Powell’s City of Books, Forest Park
Weather
Portland, Oregon is full of culture and adventure. It’s the most populous city in Oregon and is home to airy food halls, breweries, and gorgeous spring weather (average of 61 in April).
Portland may be best known for its proximity to the state’s tallest waterfall, Multnomah Falls. The Multnomah Falls are one of the tallest waterfalls in the entire United States! April is an excellent time to visit because the snow is melting in the warmer temperatures and feeding right into the falls, making them even more magnificent. You can hike to the top or simply take in the view from the bottom. The falls are the most crowded in the summer, so visiting in April means the experience won’t be as hectic.
Other day trips from Portland are easy. Head south about 40 minutes to the town of Woodburn, known for its massive tulip displays. Its annual Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is in full swing by April and has activities for the entire family. Or head west to the Oregon coast for whale watching. April is when gray whales start their annual migration south and will pass right by Oregon. Head east 30 minutes to the state’s tallest waterfall, Multnomah
St. Louis, Missouri
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Activities
Gateway Arch, Forest Park, City Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour
Weather
Sports come alive in St. Louis in the spring. The most popular are the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team playing at historic Busch Stadium. The addition of Ballpark Village outside the stadium makes the area a huge draw for all sports fans. You can also score tickets to other sporting events, like NHL, MLS, and UFL in April too.
Getting outdoors in April is something you will want to do since the full humidity of the summer has not yet set in. You can paddle down the Mississippi or enjoy a leisurely skyline cruise on the river. Inside, head to the Missouri History Museum to see the new 1904 World’s Fair Exhibit or learn about world chess champions at the World Chess Hall of Fame.
Williamsburg, Virginia
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Activities
Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Weather
This historic town gets super busy in the summer and fall, so visiting in the spring means fewer crowds. Once the capital of Virginia, Williamsburg is now the epicenter of Colonial times in America and is the largest U.S. living history museum in the world. Spend the day on a walking tour to learn about the town’s rich history or take a ghost tour at night.
Drive, or bike, along the Colonial Parkway to visit nearby historical towns of Jamestown and Yorktown. The 23-mile National Scenic Byway offers historical pull offs, biking trails, and scenic views of the area. Jamestown is known for being the first English settlement in the New World and Yorktown was the site of the last battle of the American Revolution.
For a break from history, seek out some thrills at Busch Gardens. The theme park holds a few events in April, including an Earth Day festival, which promotes conservation efforts, and the start of the Food and Wine Festival, which features 18 themed food and beverage areas.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
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Activities
Nantucket Historic District, Brant Point Lighthouse, Whaling Museum, Cisco Brewers
Weather
Visiting Nantucket in April means you’ll avoid the summer rush of tourists. Rates are typically lower during this time, and you won’t have to fight crowds to get into restaurants and shops. It’s a little chilly, with average temperatures in the 60s, so swimming in the water may not happen, but it’s still warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities with a light jacket.
The last weekend of April, Nantucket really comes alive with its annual Daffodil Festival. Starting in 1975 with just a few daffodils, the island now boasts some two million daffodils, and the festival is the official kickoff to spring. Aside from the stunning flowers, the festival also has an antique car show, a hat pageant, a children’s bike parade, a dog parade, and more.
Oahu, Hawaii
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Activities
Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head State Monument, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Iolani Palace
Weather
Hotels
Love spam? Then head to the island of Oahu, Hawaii in April for its annual Waikiki Spam Jam; a festival entirely devoted to the beloved spam. You will see people dressed up as spam, spam samples, and there will be spam specials in local restaurants.
April is an amazing month to visit Oahu mainly because of its low crowds. It’s technically “shoulder season,” meaning it’s in between two highly touristy times (winter and summer). Shoulder season means you will find cheaper rates on hotels and flights. Plus, with fewer people and sunny weather all month long, you will feel like you have some of the top beaches in the entire United States all to yourself!
Atlanta, Georgia
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Activities
Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta History Center
Weather
There is so much to do in Atlanta and doing them in April means you will beat the intense summer heat and humidity. Explore Centennial Olympic Park; a homage to the city’s 1996 Summer Olympics. Or eat your way through town at the annual Wing Fest.
Marvel at Dogwood trees at the annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival in mid-April. It features live music, local artists, and a mimosa 5k. Toward the end of the month, the famed Atlanta Film Festival begins and runs through the beginning of May. For the past 60 years, this Academy-Award qualifying festival screens educational, inspiring, and thought-provoking movies. It’s one of the largest and long-running festivals in the region.
If you do want to venture inside, I personally loved the World of Coca-Cola Museum. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the drink and for a bonus, you get to try different flavors at the end of your tour. You can taste past concoctions and even have a say in future Coke flavors!
Skagit Valley, Washington
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Activities
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Roozengaarde Display Garden, Tulip Town, Skagit Wildlife Area
Weather
Tulips are the main reason to visit Skagit Valley, Washington in the spring. April is peak tulip season in the United States and this area finds that cause to celebrate.
The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, the largest tulip festival in the United States, takes place in April and is a literal explosion of color. There are rows of beautiful tulips to walk through and admire. Even if you can’t make it to the festival, you will see tulips just driving around the area.
One of the most magnificent sights to see in the Skagit Valley are the orca whales. Whale watching is at its peak here from February to November. Take a tour to see these massive creatures in their natural habitat. You may also see Humpback whales and Gray whales.
Austin, Texas
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Activities
Texas State Capitol, Lady Bird Lake, Barton Springs Pool, South Congress Avenue (SoCo)
Weather
Temperatures in Austin, Texas start really warming up starting in April, making it a great place to visit to get rid of those winter blues. It’s also the start of festival season in the city. The Moontower Comedy festival brings in some of the top comics in the country over the multi-day event.
Enjoy the outdoors while taking in views of the Austin skyline along the Ann and Roy Butler hike and Bike Trail. The 10-mile trail is at Lady Bird Lake and offers outdoor play close to the city. If you don’t feel like exercising, take an open-air tour of the city. There are tours on bikes, pedicabs, and buses and each will teach you about the history of Texas’ capital city.
Park City, Utah
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Activities
Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Main Street Historic District, Utah Olympic Park
Weather
Since it’s technically in between “peak seasons,” April may be the most cost-effective time to visit Park City, Utah. If you’re a skier or snowboarder, you may still be able to get in some turns early in the month, depending on the snowfall for the year.
If you go later in the month, you’ll run into what’s called “mud season,” where all the snow runoff turns the dirt to mud. While some restaurants and shops take time off toward the second half of the month, the ones that are open typically offer deals. You can even find restaurants offering 2-for-1 meals, or discounts at shops trying to move the end of season’s inventory. Plus, with fewer people visiting, it’s a peaceful time of year to visit what’s normally a very bustling mountain town.
Take in some Olympic history at the Utah Olympic Park. You can take a self-guided tour through the history of the Olympics (the outfit display alone is worth the trip!) or pay $20 for a guided tour of the facility. Utah Olympic Park is a working training facility, so you may be able to see some Olympic hopefuls training!
For an easy day trip, head down the mountain about 30 minutes to nearby Salt Lake City. The capital city boasts a rich history, with museums, gardens, and a zoo. To experience the Great Salt Lake, head to Antelope Island State Park, just west of the city center. It costs $15 per car, and you can walk to the Great Salt Lake to swim or maybe try a taste!
You can also drive around the island to see wild bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife or get out of your car to hike or bike the rugged terrain. In April, Antelope Island State Park hosts an annual “Shed Antler Hunt.” This one-day event allows shed hunters to come to the island to hopefully find antlers shed by the native deer.
