Kiwi Curated
4 Best Cities to See Spring Blooms
by Joy PecknoldIt’s finally bloomin’ spring, and nothing instills hope that winter is gone and summer is on its way like the the darling buds of April and May. Chart a course for one of these cities to see the most spectacular springtime displays by Mother Nature (with some help from humans).
Just as Holland is synonymous with tulips, Japan is cherry blossom central. From the end of March to early May, they bloom across the country, but Ueno Park is one of the most popular spots, with its more than 1,000 trees that get lit up in the evening (bring some sake to toast with). There’s also Shinjuku Gyoen Park. Spring also bursts with festivals in Tokyo, so there’s no shortage of other things to do.
Where to stay: Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Bluebonnet, the state’s official flower, can be found along highways, fields and farms in April. Discover the Hill Country starting at the beginning of the Bluebonnet Trail, which weaves through small communities, then dip into another kind blue at the Hamilton Pool Preserve, an historic natural swimming hole and grotto.
Where to stay: Four Seasons Hotel Austin
Every June, the Portland Rose Festival rolls out with a month of events, including a city fair, concerts and two parades, one of which is the second biggest floral parade in the U.S. There’s also The Annual Spring Rose Show, which is the largest, longest-running rose show in the country, with some 4,000 blooms. Like Amsterdam, Portland is a fantastic city for exploring on a bike, cycling from one craft brewery to the next.
Where to stay: Hotel deLuxe
One might not associate darling buds with Arizona’s dry climate, but they’ve got blooms all their own. Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden boasts more than 4,000 desert plant species. On a self-guided tour see flowering cacti, poppies and yellow evening primroses, which all begin blooming in April. A hot air balloon ride is another way to take in the landscape.
Where to stay: Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain