Places to Go in the Spring in April
Searching for the best places to travel in April? Well, you are in the right place! Ready for a fun, off-season getaway? I recommend traveling in April in the United States and many places around the world because the weather is pleasantly mild, airfares are cheap and hotels are less crowded, making it perfect for exploring without extreme heat or cold. (Easter weekend is a totally different story and for that I recommend picking a spot close to home so that you can drive and avoid the airports.)
April’s also an ideal time to avoid peak summer crowds while still enjoying beautiful scenery and seasonal events I found during my four weeks of road tripping this month. Here are some of my favorite places to visit that I think you’ll enjoy a lot.
1. Pomona
I thought this charming Southern California college town was the perfect spring retreat with sunny 75°F afternoons, fragrant citrus blossoms perfuming the air, and the San Gabriel Mountains rising in the distance. I found Pomona to be a slower, quieter alternative to Los Angeles’ urban buzz.
- Average April temperature: 50.4 °F – 73 °F (10.2 °C – 22.8 °C)
- Location Map
A quick drive from Ontario International Airport had me strolling through Pomona’s historic districts in no time. Staying at the 3-star DoubleTree by Hilton Pomona (around $304/night) was very comfortable and our room for two days had a lovely view of the city. I spent my days exploring the galleries in the Pomona Arts Colony, sipping craft brews at Ironbark Ciderworks, and browsing quirky vintage shops along Antique Row.
What I loved best:
My evenings were for farm-to-table dining on Garey Avenue and catching live music in intimate venues.
2. Dunedin
I found this laid-back Gulf Coast gem to be an ideal spring escape with golden 80°F afternoons, a soft gulf breeze, and sugar-white beaches where pelicans skimmed the shoreline. It felt unhurried and welcoming, without the crowds you’d expect in nearby Clearwater or Tampa.
I planned my trip around the annual Dunedin Highland Games & Festival, adding a fun, local energy.
After flying into Tampa International Airport, I was just a 30-minute drive from being barefoot in the sand and there my days blended between cycling along the scenic Pinellas Trail, spotting dolphins off Honeymoon Island, kayaking through Caladesi Island’s mangroves, and lingering over seafood and craft beer in Dunedin’s walkable, mural-lined downtown.
- Average April temperature: 67.6°F – 77.9°F (19.8°C – 25.5°C)
- Location Map
What I loved best:
Checking into our charming room with two Queen Beds at Fenway Hotel (around $444/night) for two days, a 1920s jazz-era landmark reimagined with modern boutique style. I loved the rooftop bar with sweeping sunset views over St. Joseph Sound, the crisp coastal design touches, and the feeling of stepping into both history and luxury at once.
3. Richmond, California
I was surprised by how this Bay Area waterfront city made for a refreshing spring break with clear 70°F afternoons, salty breezes rolling off San Francisco Bay, and panoramic views that stretched from the Golden Gate Bridge to Mount Tamalpais. It felt open and breezy, with a mix of history and modern edge, far removed from San Francisco’s constant rush.
- Average April temperature: 47.8 °F – 64.9 °F (8.8 °C – 18.3 °C)
- Location Map
I timed my visit with the annual Rosie Rally, a spirited celebration of the city’s World War II “Rosie the Riveter” legacy, 1940s music and dancing, great food, and costume contests!
After flying into Oakland International Airport, I was less than a half-hour's drive from the shoreline trails and restored shipyards that define Richmond’s character. My days flowed between biking along the Bay Trail with its endless waterfront views, exploring the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, paddling out on the calm waters of Marina Bay, and checking out colorful public murals that capture the city’s vibrant, evolving culture.
What I loved best:
Staying in our stylish San Francisco Room with a view of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge at East Brother Light Station Bed & Breakfast, a working lighthouse perched on a tiny island for two days, was incredible! We found that waking up to seabirds, sipping coffee while the fog lifted off the bay, and falling asleep to the sweep of the lighthouse beam felt both adventurous and deeply restorative.
4. Longview, Texas
No discussion of the best places to visit in April would be complete without mentioning Texas where you can get your summer started early with warm temperatures, wonderful scenery and blubonnets blooming everywhere! I found this East Texas city to be a surprisingly warm and welcoming spring getaway with balmy 78°F afternoons, pine-scented breezes, and wide-open skies that made everything feel calm and expansive. Longview, Texas had a friendly, small-town energy, with just enough bustle to keep things lively without overwhelming.
- Average April temperature: 53.7°F – 77.0°F (12.1°C – 25.0°C)
- Location Map
Flying into East Texas Regional Airport meant I was just minutes from downtown Longview, where historic red-brick buildings meet a thriving arts scene. My days were filled with strolling through the Longview Museum of Fine Arts, exploring nature along Caddo Lake, sampling smoky barbecue at local favorites, and browsing unique shops and antique stores. Evenings were for live music, craft brews, and watching the sunset glow stretch across the Texas landscape. We stayed at Tru by Hilton Longview two days which was modern and affordable (around $57).
5. Athens, TN
This small Appalachian town turned out to be an unexpectedly perfect spring stopover — crisp 72°F days, rolling hills just starting to green, and a relaxed pace that made it easy to slow down and breathe. Nestled between Knoxville and Chattanooga, it offered a quiet charm without the tourist crush of bigger cities.
- Average April temperature: 48.9 °F – 69.4 °F (9.4 °C – 20.8 °C)
A quick drive from McGhee Tyson Airport had me wandering brick-lined streets, framed by old storefronts and shaded by dogwoods in bloom. Days here unfolded with hiking at nearby Starr Mountain, drifting along the Hiwassee River in a kayak, and exploring Mayfield Dairy Farms for a sweet taste of local tradition. We stayed in a Standard Room with 2 Queen Beds at 3-star Holiday Inn Express Athens for two comfortable days.
What I loved best:
Dinner at The Social on Depot Hill was a highlight where my son had a great pizza, while my husband and I enjoyed live music!
6. New York City
When we lived in NYC for 10 years, spring was always my favorite season with tulips blooming everywhere and days getting longer, although I have to say that some years it rained a lot so it's best to be ready for that! Still, mild 70°F afternoons, cherry blossoms drifting through Central Park, and an endless buzz of energy that makes every street corner feel alive was exhilarating, offering both iconic sights and hidden corners that felt like my own discoveries, and that's why I think that NYC is one of the best places to visit in April!
- Average April temperature: 55°F – 66°F (13°C – 19°C)
Flying into JFK, we took a cab into Manhattan and enjoyed seeing all the lights turning on in the evening before arriving at 4-star Arlo NoMad (around $343) where our Kind guest room for two days had incredible city views.
In the city, my days unfolded with museum-hopping between the Met and MoMA, walking along the Hudson River Greenway, and wandering through the High Line gardens. Evenings were a mix of Broadway shows, candlelit dinners in tucked-away West Village bistros like Boucherie West Village and Mino Brasserie where we had amazing beef bourguignon.
What I loved best:
Waking up to city views and falling asleep to the hum of New York below felt like being inside the heartbeat of the world.
7. Panama
If you want a cool international trip in April, I found Panama to be an incredible spring escape — warm 82°F days, tropical breezes, and a landscape where modern skylines meet lush rainforests and turquoise seas. It felt vibrant and full of contrasts, offering both cosmopolitan energy and untouched natural beauty in one trip.
- Average April temperature: 75°F – 87°F (24°C – 31°C)
I timed my visit with the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, where lively performances filled the streets, and also caught the colorful Holy Week processions that brought tradition to life across the country.
Once we landed at Tocumen International Airport, I was quickly immersed in in the pulse of Panama City — from strolling the colonial streets of Casco Viejo to marveling at ships passing through the iconic Panama Canal. My days took me island-hoping in the San Blas archipelago, hiking trails in Soberanía National Park where howler monkeys echoed through the canopy, and savoring fresh ceviche at the bustling Mercado de Mariscos. Evenings were for rooftop cocktails overlooking the glittering skyline and slow walks along the Cinta Costera as the city lit up.
Later that day, I took a boat along the Panama Canal near Gamboa.
8. New Castle, PA
I discovered this historic riverfront town to be a delightful spring getaway — mild 70°F days, breezes drifting off the Delaware River, and cobblestone streets lined with colonial architecture that made every stroll feel like stepping back in time. It was tranquil and storybook-like, worlds away from the pace of nearby Wilmington or Philadelphia.
- Average April temperature: 39.2 °F – 58.6 °F (4 °C – 14.8 °C)
Flying into Philadelphia International Airport, it was just a quick 30-minute drive before I was wandering past stately 18th-century homes and leafy riverfront parks. I filled my days with visits to the Amstel and Dutch Houses, biking the scenic Battery Park trail, browsing antiques in the Market Square, and savoring cozy tavern meals paired with local craft brews.
You can stay at BellaDonna Inn for a romantic trip.
9. Elmira, NY
I found this Finger Lakes city to be a surprisingly inspiring spring retreat — gentle 70°F afternoons, blossoming hillsides, and the quiet flow of the Chemung River that made everything feel peaceful and restorative. It carried a sense of literary history and small-town charm, without the bustle of nearby Ithaca or Corning.
- Average April temperature: 35.2 °F – 53.6 °F (1.8 °C – 12 °C)
I planned my visit around the annual Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, and also caught a local performance at the Clemens Center, a beloved regional theater that brings big-stage energy to this small city.
Flying into Elmira Corning Regional Airport meant I was minutes from charming downtown streets and rolling countryside. I based myself at Hampton Inn Elmira/Horseheads. My days blended between touring the Mark Twain Study and Woodlawn Cemetery (where Twain is buried), sipping rieslings at boutique Finger Lakes wineries, exploring the soaring Harris Hill glider museum, and hiking nearby trails lined with waterfalls.
Conclusion
There was something subtle about each of these places, as if April had just opened the window and let a little more light in.
If you’re ready to go somewhere that feels like a beginning, not flashy, but full, these are the towns I’d return to in a heartbeat.
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, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
