Three Great Destinations for Spectacular Spring Flowers
While every season has its benefits as far as travel, spring can be one of the best times for bargains and spectacular weather that can bring beautiful, brilliant flowers. Here is a look at three of the best travel destinations for spring flowers.
Washington, D.C.
The weather in the nation's capital is the best in mid-to-late spring, and that's when you'll find the beautiful blossoming cherry trees. Although it's also the busiest time of year, it's a sight that one should really see in a lifetime.
2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and a spectacular celebration will take place from March 20 through April 27. If you haven't been before, this would be the year to go. The opening ceremony will take place on March 25, with local and national entertainment and the famous parade will take place on April 14.
Of course in between all of the festivities you can visit the many museums that the capital is famous for, including one of my favorites, the National Museum of American History, the home to the legendary ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," among many other priceless treasures.
San Diego, California
San Diego boasts beautiful weather year round, but springtime is one of the best times to visit. Balboa Park offers garden tours and the landscape becomes filled with brilliant colors just before the start of the season. Don't miss the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, displaying approximately 2,500 roses of nearly 200 varieties.
Visit the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park , just east of San Diego in Borrego Springs, between February and April and you'll be rewarded with a spectacular display of colorful wildflowers that cover the sun-scorched desert landscape, making for a magnificent site.
If you're there over the weekend of April 21-22, you can attend the Coronado Flower Show. It's one of the largest flower shows in the nation. In addition to beautiful landscape displays and floral competitions, there'll be live entertainment as well as plants and gorgeous bouquets available to purchase.
Skagit Valley, Washington
People come from all over the world to visit Skagit Valley in Washington state to view millions of tulips turning the land into one of the most brilliant sights of color you'll ever see. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is held during the entire month of April. There are hundreds and hundreds of acres of tulips scattered throughout the valley, with much of the festival designed as a driving tour.
Every year in April you'll find art shows with both local and international artists, entertainment, farm tours, boat tours, historic home tours and more. In between, you can visit local wineries, a 1926 restored theater in Mount Vernon, museums and enjoy lots of fresh seafood as well as the wonderful organic fruits and vegetables that are grown right in the valley.
K.C. Dermody is a freelance writer and a Featured Contributor for Yahoo!Travel. She has traveled to nearly all 50 states, and many countries worldwide, and has a passion for imparting what she has learned from her experiences to others.
More from this contributor:
Five Fascinating Western Ghost Towns to Visit
Five Exotic and Romantic International Destinations for Valentine's or Anytime
Three of the Best International Destinations for Winter Sun
Beyond the Ordinary: Three Unique Romantic European Adventures
Washington, D.C.
The weather in the nation's capital is the best in mid-to-late spring, and that's when you'll find the beautiful blossoming cherry trees. Although it's also the busiest time of year, it's a sight that one should really see in a lifetime.
2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and a spectacular celebration will take place from March 20 through April 27. If you haven't been before, this would be the year to go. The opening ceremony will take place on March 25, with local and national entertainment and the famous parade will take place on April 14.
Of course in between all of the festivities you can visit the many museums that the capital is famous for, including one of my favorites, the National Museum of American History, the home to the legendary ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," among many other priceless treasures.
San Diego, California
San Diego boasts beautiful weather year round, but springtime is one of the best times to visit. Balboa Park offers garden tours and the landscape becomes filled with brilliant colors just before the start of the season. Don't miss the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, displaying approximately 2,500 roses of nearly 200 varieties.
Visit the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park , just east of San Diego in Borrego Springs, between February and April and you'll be rewarded with a spectacular display of colorful wildflowers that cover the sun-scorched desert landscape, making for a magnificent site.
If you're there over the weekend of April 21-22, you can attend the Coronado Flower Show. It's one of the largest flower shows in the nation. In addition to beautiful landscape displays and floral competitions, there'll be live entertainment as well as plants and gorgeous bouquets available to purchase.
Skagit Valley, Washington
People come from all over the world to visit Skagit Valley in Washington state to view millions of tulips turning the land into one of the most brilliant sights of color you'll ever see. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is held during the entire month of April. There are hundreds and hundreds of acres of tulips scattered throughout the valley, with much of the festival designed as a driving tour.
Every year in April you'll find art shows with both local and international artists, entertainment, farm tours, boat tours, historic home tours and more. In between, you can visit local wineries, a 1926 restored theater in Mount Vernon, museums and enjoy lots of fresh seafood as well as the wonderful organic fruits and vegetables that are grown right in the valley.
K.C. Dermody is a freelance writer and a Featured Contributor for Yahoo!Travel. She has traveled to nearly all 50 states, and many countries worldwide, and has a passion for imparting what she has learned from her experiences to others.
More from this contributor:
Five Fascinating Western Ghost Towns to Visit
Five Exotic and Romantic International Destinations for Valentine's or Anytime
Three of the Best International Destinations for Winter Sun
Beyond the Ordinary: Three Unique Romantic European Adventures
Published by K.C. Dermody - Featured Contributor in Travel
K.C. Dermody is a freelance writer, writing for YCN, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Sports, and OMG! Yahoo as well as other web content projects, and working on a historical fiction novel based in ancient Ireland. She... View profile
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