April is a great time of year to travel. The beginning of spring brings festivals and beautiful flowers all over the United States. What’s better than warm spring weather and off-season travel rates? The best places to visit in April in the USA, spring break destinations like Florida, are experiencing high season but it’s still a great time to go before it gets too hot! The USA is also one of the best countries to visit in April because there are so many fun things to do for vacation! From cherry blossoms in DC, bucket list hikes in Utah, beach destinations in California, and on the east coast, April has something for everyone. Get ready to pack your bags for the best holidays in April!
1. Washington D.C.
Average temperatures and rain: High 67F (19C) / Low 44F (7C); 8 rainy days
Washington DC is definitely one of the best places to visit in April in the USA. The city is at its prettiest, filled with pink blooms during the National Cherry Blossom Festival that takes place in late March and early April. Also in April is the Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival with performances, food, and Japanese crafts. Spring is the perfect time for a walking tour of the city and a DC food tour. Visit Georgetown – Washington’s oldest neighborhood. Walk along the Potomac River waterfront lined with cherry blossom trees. History buffs will love the memorials and monuments on the National Mall. Don’t forget to step into a few of the many great museums. HOTEL: Eaton DC (9.1) or The Line Hotel DC (8.7)
2. San Diego, California
Average temperatures and rain: High 69F (21C) / Low 56F (13C); 2 rainy days
April is a beautiful month to visit San Diego is one of the best states to visit in April. The weather is just getting beachy and most days are sunny because June gloom, the heavy marine layer that sits on the California coast at the beginning of summer, hasn’t started yet. It’s the perfect USA spring break destination. The wildly colorful Carlsbad Flower Fields will be in peak bloom for the month of April. If you are visiting with kids, Legoland is right nearby and with some exciting new openings happening this spring. Another fun thing that starts up in April is the beginning of baseball season for a Padres game. Earth Day in Balboa Park is also a fun event at the end of April. Since the beach and Pacific Ocean reign supreme, bring an inflatable kayak to tour the coast of La Jolla or take an organized kayak tour to explore sea caves with a guide. Windansea Beach, one of the prettiest beaches in Southern California, has amazing sunsets.
3. Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
Average temperatures and rain: High 73F (23C) / Low 42F (6C); 3 rainy days
The town of Moab is a spring break hot spot. The weather in April is perfect for an unbelievable number of fun activities! Do a half-day Colorado River rafting trip, bike the Slickrock Trail, the 4×4 on the Hells Revenge Guided Tour, and get sunset views of Dead Horse Point State Park. and spend time exploring two amazing National parks. Arches National Park is a stunning natural wonder that has over 2,000 natural arches and bridges, as well as a variety of other geological features to discover. Drive the 18-mile scenic loop road and make sure to stop at Double Arch, Windows Arch, and Turret Arch. You should also hike to Delicate Arch for sunset. Canyonlands National Park is made up of three districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. Each offers its own unique landscape and set of activities to keep you entertained. So, whether you’re into hiking, camping, biking, or simply sightseeing, you’ll have plenty to do. HOTEL: Moab Springs Ranch (9.7), Under Canvas Moab (8.8), or Hyatt Place Moab (8.8)
4. Palm Desert, California
Average temperatures and rain: High 86F (30C) / Low 59F (15C); 0 rainy days
With 350+ days of sunshine each year, paying a visit to Palm Springs is always a good idea. If you are a fan of music, plan your adventure in April when some of the biggest festivals in the country take place one after the other – Coachella Music Festival, Stagecoach Music Festival, and the White Party Palm Springs. Spring is an excellent time to discover Palm Springs because it’s one of the hot destinations in April that’s dry and pleasant, and not humid. Lay by the pool and get some rays, hike the Tahquitz Canyon Loop trail, or do a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Another fun thing to do is take the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway to the top where you might find snow. HOTEL: Dive Palm Springs (9.4), ARRIVE Palm Springs (9), or Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel (8.9)
5. Bend, Oregon
Average temperatures and rain: High 57F (14C) / Low 30F (-1C); 3 rainy days
Most people think of Bend, Oregon as a winter or summer destination but spring is an amazing time to visit. The spring skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor are thought to be some of the best in the country. Mt. Bachelor hosts RendezVan, a 5-day event in April, for RVers and Vanlifers with skiing all day, live music each night, and tons of activities. Smith Rock State Park is often too hot in summer but April will be just right. Rock climbers come from all over to scale these mountains. Even if you’re not a climber, you won’t be able to take your eyes off all the exciting action. Plus, the hikes are awesome. Bend is the perfect place to use an inflatable kayak or inflatable SUP in multiple lakes and on the Deschutes River float right through the center of town. Other fun activities include visiting Tumalo Falls, shopping Downtown, and a day trip to Sisters and the Blue Pool. The Bend Marathon takes place in April.
6. Antelope Valley, California
Average temperatures and rain: High 73F (23C) / Low 45F (7C); 1 rainy day
The Antelope Valley is a desert valley in the eastern part of Los Angeles County, California. It’s home to one of the most beautiful natural phenomena on earth-the Super Bloom! The Super bloom occurs when the yearly rainfall exceeds 14 inches in just one year and all of the plants start blooming at once. It becomes an explosion of color with some areas having more than 100 species flowering at any given time! People come from all over the world to see this spectacle because it only lasts for 2 weeks. There are 8 miles of trails from which to enjoy the incredible display of color. While Antelope Valley might be the most well-known, wild poppies can also be found in Anza-Borrego State Park, near Lake Elsinore. Both of these spots make great day tours when visiting Southern California in April.
7. Kanab, Utah
Average temperatures and rain: High 68F (20C) / Low 36F (2C); 3 rainy days
For the world’s best spring break trip, visit Kanab Utah in April. In addition to being the main jumping-off point for the hike to the Wave (shown above), it’s also perfectly positioned near the border to see a plethora of cool places from both your Utah bucket list and your Arizona Bucket List. Go to massive slot canyons like Buckskin Gulch, weird rock formations at the Toadstool Hoodoos, and the best national parks to visit in April right nearby like Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon. You can also day trip to Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona. In April, one of the most exciting events is the Kanab Red Rock ATV Jamboree from 4/20-23 where ATV enthusiasts can go on daily rides to Island in the Sky, Peekaboo Slot Canyon, and other incredible red rock spots. HOTEL: Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile (9.5)