10 Places to Go in the Spring in April
I've always loved traveling in April and early May because of mild temperatures and affordable prices. Just a heads up that Easter weekend is a totally different story and that's why I covered it in a separate article. Here are some of my favorite places to visit in April that I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
Pomona
Need a quick spring re-set close to LA? We've enjoyed Pomona in April, especially since the newly opened Metro A Line extension became available in 2025 and getting there is now super easy. It will take you just about an hour to reach which, for me, is ideal for an easy day trip in Southern California.
You can head downtown first, enjoy walking around the Pomona Arts Colony, and stopping for coffee between gallery stops.
Pomona College campus is another cool stop in the spring, with heaps of flowers everywhere. For lunch, go for the Ahi Poke Stack at Eureka! Claremont.
Dunedin
Visiting Florida in April is a great vacation idea because of temperatures in the 80s and great beaches everywhere. Chris, our son and I absolutely love Dunedin, and have been many times. My favorite are the white-sand beaches (of course!). You'll find Dunedin on Florida's Gulf Coast. I also love that it's so unhurried here compared to the crowds you usually see in nearby Clearwater or Tampa.
We planned our trip around the annual Dunedin Highland Games & Festival in April. If you enjoy Scottish heritage, I highly recommend it. It's a fun way to greet spring and tickets are affordable starting at just $20. However, I have to warn you that hotel prices spike higher during the festival weekend.
Even if you don't visit during the festival, you'll get a chance to learn about Dunedin’s Scottish roots from locals. In fact, joining a tour with a local guide will give you just that.
- Average April temperature: 67.6°F – 77.9°F (19.8°C – 25.5°C)
Getting to Dunedin was easy. After flying into Tampa International Airport, it was just a 30-minute drive. We checked into an Airbnb and spent a week relaxing on sandy beaches.
Richmond, California
If you live in San Francisco or if you want a spring trip to NorCal, one of my favorite stops is Richmond in the Bay Area. It made for a refreshing spring break this month with clear 70°F afternoons, and salty breezes off of San Francisco Bay.
Now, first things first, I loved the trip itself because getting to Richmond is so easy from San Francisco. I suggest taking BART to Richmond Station, which typically takes around 40 minutes depending on your starting point. Another great option in April is the San Francisco–Richmond ferry ($4.90 per person). We loved the scenic ride which is much less crowded than in peak summer. It drops you right near the waterfront.
I think that the waterfront is especially enjoyable in spring. You can stroll around, visit the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, and have lunch outdoors.
In fact, Richmond's April weather is perfect for dining outside. Go for the Calamari at Lara's Fine Dining right on the water. Burn off the calories by walking along the Bay Trail after. The views of the San Francisco skyline are unforgettable and you can take lots of photos.
Longview, Texas
No discussion of places that are the best to visit in April would be complete without mentioning Texas where we live. You can get your summer started early here with scenic drives, and Texas bluebonnets blooming everywhere.
Locals told me that Longview is nicknamed the "Hub of East Texas". It made sense. Why? Because not only is the city en economic hub, it also attracts visitors with special events like the Great Texas Balloon Race a little later in June.
- Average April temperature: 53.7°F – 77.0°F (12.1°C – 25.0°C)
You can visit the Longview Museum of Fine Arts, enjoy exploring nature along Caddo Lake, and sampling smoky barbecue at local restaurants. Evenings were for live music, craft brews, and sunsets.
New Castle, PA
With average daily highs in the 50s and 60s in April, this is a cooler sprint getaway. So you'll need to pack warmer clothes for a trip to New Castle, PA. You'll find it about an hour from Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania.
We discovered this hidden gem 15 years ago when friends told us we had to visit Cascade Park . I instantly had to agree that is' one of the most beautiful places with waterfalls (like in this photo) and nature starting to bloom.
Elmira, NY
This Finger Lakes city quickly became on of my favorite April getaway when we moved to New York. It's totally off-the-beaten path which we loved best.
- Average April temperature: 35.2 °F – 53.6 °F (1.8 °C – 12 °C)
I planned our visit around the annual Elmira Maple Syrup Festival in April. It was an affordable trip that our son really enjoyed. After parking ($5 cash), we had pancakes ($5 each) and Sausages ($2 each). Our son dragged us to watch the Maple Taffy Demonstration which was so fun (Taffy sticks are $2.00 each while supplies last).
Boulder City and Hoover Dam
Looking for another warm-weather idea like SoCal and Texas? Check out Boulder City, Nevada which is best known as home to the famous Hoover Dam (Google Maps pin ). You'll find Boulder City just 35 minutes from Las Vegas so it's an easy day trip. For me, it’s unusual because it’s one of the few towns in Nevada without casinos.
Boulder City is a small town of about 15,000 residents that was initially built in the 1930s to house workers constructing the Hoover Dam. You can start by walking down the historic streets of Boulder City, visit vintage shops, art galleries, and affordable cafés like The Coffee Cup Cafe and Dam Roast House & Browder Bookstore.
The absolute best part of visiting, though, is being so close to the spectacular Hoover Dam. Because, trust me, standing on top of this massive engineering wonder is an unforgettable experience! I especially loved seeing the unusual Art Deco designs built into the famous dam.
You can also visit the Hoover Dam Museum in downtown Boulder City, which gave us a deeper look into the stories of the workers who built the dam in the 1930s.
Berea, KY
For a nature lover, this Appalachian region gem has so much to offer. With temperatures in the 60s and low-70s, Berea, KY is a lovely April getaway. This artsy college town is home to Berea College. Berea, KY is known as Kentucky’s “Folk Arts & Crafts Capital” because of its thriving community of working studio artists. I learned that since around the 1890s, Berea College has taught skills in weaving, woodcraft, and ceramics in a traditional Appalachian way.
From Lexington, we drove about 45 minutes south to this town of around 15,000 residents. First, explore the Old Town Artisan Village, where studios sell handmade items, then tour the Kentucky Artisan Center (free entry), a showcase for 800+ local artists. We stayed right at Historic Boone Tavern Hotel ($165), listed on on the National Register of Historic Places.
What I loved best:
Shopping for handmade goods in Old Town Berea was my favorite highlight.
Panama
If you want a cool international trip to the tropics in April, check out Panama. You'll find warm 80-degree days, rainforests and plenty of places to relax with ocean view. Yes, Panama is bordered by two oceans. I love that due to its narrow layout, you can visit both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean in one day if you like!
We timed our visit with the Seabreeze Jazz Festival. It's such a cool festival for music lovers at the end of April.
You can also watch ships passing through the Panama Canal, enjoy island-hoping in the San Blas archipelago, and hike in Soberanía National Park. My favorite? You can people watch and pick up interesting eats in Mercado de Mariscos (Panama City’s Seafood Market).
Vienna and Hotel Daniel
In the mood for a spring trip to Europe? Even a 5-day trip across the pond can be incredibly refreshing. We've always enjoyed Vienna in the spring because the city is so beautiful with blooming flowers and heaps of things to see. We've found some incredibly affordable airplane tickets this month too.
Need a cool place to stay? Check out Hotel Daniel, a real standout. You'll find it just steps from Belvedere Palace and close to the city center.
What I loved best:
For me, Vienna of one of the best places in April to visit.
You can explore imperial history by visiting Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg Palace, and Belvedere Palace. Art lovers should see the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Albertina Museum. Attending the Vienna State Opera or a classical concert is a must.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
