Spring is when the country’s best gardens hit their stride. After a quiet winter, paths reopen, bulbs push through the soil, and landscapes designed for walking slowly come back to life. Across the U.S., historic estates, public gardens, and destination-worthy landscapes offer a reason to plan a trip around timing rather than temperature. Visit too early, and the blooms haven’t peaked. Too late and heat or summer crowds take over. Spring is the sweet spot.
In 2026, the United States marks its 250th year, and many historic landscapes are highlighting their horticultural roots alongside broader programming. You don’t need to be a history buff to appreciate these places. They are simply gardens that have been evolving for generations, and spring is when they feel most alive.
Here are nine U.S. garden destinations where spring isn’t just a pleasant time to visit. It’s the main event.
Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania
Longwood Gardens delivers one of the country’s most ambitious spring displays. Thousands of tulips bloom across carefully planned beds, flowering trees frame long walking paths, and fountains begin running again after winter. The scale is impressive, but the layout encourages lingering rather than rushing. You can easily spend half a day moving between conservatories, formal gardens, and open lawns.
Located in Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley, Longwood works well as the anchor for a long weekend. Nearby towns like Kennett Square and West Chester offer inns, classic restaurants, and an easygoing pace. Plan to build in time for lunch or dinner at 1906, the on-site restaurant overlooking the main fountain garden, which focuses on seasonal ingredients and regional sourcing.
Mount Vernon, Virginia
The formal gardens at Mount Vernon begin to bloom in spring, offering a quieter way to explore the historic estate along the Potomac River.
(Shutterstock)
Mount Vernon is often framed as a historic estate, but the gardens are central to understanding the property. George Washington took an active interest in planting and agricultural experimentation, and the grounds still reflect that balance between ornamental beds, orchards, and working plots. In spring, flowering trees open along the Potomac, tulips line the formal garden, and the kitchen garden begins to show early growth.
This is one of the most comfortable seasons to visit, before Virginia’s humidity sets in. Many travelers pair Mount Vernon with a night in nearby Alexandria. Old Town’s walkable streets, waterfront paths, and restaurant-lined King Street make it easy to turn a garden visit into a relaxed overnight. The Alexandrian is a convenient place to stay, within walking distance of everything.
Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina
The gardens at Biltmore are as much a draw as the house itself. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the grounds move from formal terraces near the mansion into rolling lawns and wooded paths that echo the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Spring brings waves of tulips and azaleas, along with temperatures that make it far easier to explore on foot than during the humid summer months.
Asheville adds depth to the trip, with a walkable downtown and a strong dining scene. Many visitors stay on the estate to maximize time in the gardens, though the city’s historic hotels and smaller inns provide appealing alternatives. Spring also lines up with ideal conditions for scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, making this an easy destination to stretch into a multi-day mountain getaway.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, South Carolina
A red bridge crosses one of the reflective ponds at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens near Charleston, where spring blooms and Spanish moss create one of the South’s most atmospheric garden settings.
(Holly Carroll via Getty Images)
Magnolia Plantation is one of the oldest public gardens in the U.S., and spring is when it feels most atmospheric. Azaleas and camellias bloom around ponds, wooden bridges, and winding paths that feel intentionally unmanicured. The setting just outside Charleston provides a quieter counterpoint to the city’s historic district and busy restaurant scene.
Spring temperatures are comfortable, and crowds are manageable, especially earlier in the day. Magnolia pairs naturally with a Charleston stay. Book The Spectator Hotel for a polished base in the historic district and plan dinner at Husk or along the waterfront. The combination of gardens and city makes this one of the easiest spring garden trips to turn into a long weekend.
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
In Williamsburg, gardens are woven into the town’s structure rather than contained within a single attraction. Kitchen gardens, orchards, and ornamental plots sit alongside restored buildings, offering a glimpse into how early communities relied on the land for both beauty and daily use. Spring plantings bring color back to the streets and make walking between sites especially pleasant.
The Williamsburg Inn remains the classic place to stay within steps of the historic district. Dining at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern adds atmosphere without feeling overproduced. Jamestown and Yorktown are both close enough to include in the same trip, making coastal Virginia an easy spring itinerary built around outdoor exploration.
Dallas Arboretum, Texas
Set along White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum delivers one of the country’s most dramatic spring flower displays. Large-scale tulip plantings and densely layered beds create a sense of color designed for wandering and photography. Visit in March or early April for peak blooms before Texas heat sets in.
The arboretum pairs well with Dallas’s museums and dining scene, making it easy to build a city trip around a visit to the garden. Hotel Crescent Court offers a comfortable base with quick access to both downtown and the lake. After a day outside, dinner at The Mansion Restaurant keeps the tone polished but relaxed.
Callaway Gardens, Georgia
Bright pink azaleas reflect in a quiet pond at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, where spring brings some of the South’s most vibrant blooms.
(ANCHASA MITCHELL via Getty Images)
Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain is built for immersion. Miles of paths wind through flowering displays, lakes, and wooded sections designed for walking at an easy pace. Spring brings azaleas and fresh greenery, along with temperatures that let you spend hours outdoors without feeling rushed.
Staying at Callaway Resort & Gardens keeps the visit unhurried, allowing early and late access to the grounds when they’re quietest. The experience leans more toward retreat than sightseeing checklist, making it a good fit for travelers who want a slower spring reset.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York
For travelers who want a garden trip without leaving a major city, Brooklyn Botanic Garden delivers one of the most anticipated spring bloom calendars in the country. Cherry blossoms draw the biggest crowds, but magnolias, tulips, and early perennials keep the grounds colorful for weeks. Timing matters here. Late April often brings peak cherry blossom viewing, though the exact window shifts each year.
The garden pairs easily with a New York weekend. Prospect Park sits next door, and neighborhoods like Park Slope and Williamsburg offer restaurants and hotels within a short subway ride. Visiting early in the morning helps avoid peak crowds and gives the grounds a calmer feel.
The Huntington Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California
The Chinese Garden at The Huntington in San Marino, California blends traditional architecture, water features, and spring plantings across one of the West Coast’s most expansive botanical landscapes.
(Shutterstock)
Spring arrives early in Southern California, and The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino (near Pasadena) take full advantage of the season. Spread across more than 100 acres, the gardens move from desert landscapes to rose collections and lush subtropical plantings. The 12-acre Chinese garden here is done in classical style and is one of the largest outside China. March through May brings fresh blooms across multiple zones, along with mild temperatures that make it easy to spend hours outside without summer heat.
Pair the visit with time in Pasadena, which comes alive in spring with outdoor dining and walkable neighborhoods. The Langham Huntington offers a classic place to stay nearby, while smaller boutique hotels in Old Pasadena provide a more casual base. For travelers looking for a West Coast garden trip that blends architecture, art, and seasonal blooms, this is one of the most rewarding spring stops.
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest continuously operating botanical gardens in the U.S., and spring highlights its range. Japanese gardens, formal beds, and seasonal plantings create distinct zones that feel distinct as you move through the property. Flowering trees and bulbs begin blooming in waves starting in March, with April and May offering the most color.
St. Louis makes an easy long-weekend destination, with walkable neighborhoods, museums, and a growing food scene. Staying near Forest Park or the Central West End keeps you close to the garden while still within reach of the city’s main attractions. The combination of historic design and seasonal planting makes this one of the most rewarding spring garden stops in the Midwest.
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