Spring offers some of the most beautiful foliage of the year. From bright pink tulips to vibrant orange poppies, many individuals are on a hunt to find out where to see the best spring foliage in the country. If you fall into that category, satisfy your need for rich, vibrant floral scenery by booking a bus trip to one of these five locations.
1. Austin, Texas
While Austin, TX, is known for its carefree attitude and lively music scene, the city’s Texas Hill Country location makes it an ideal stop on any spring foliage tour. One of the most mesmerizing locations is Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The site houses more than 900 species of plants on 284 acres, but during spring, visitors come from across the country to bask in the beauty of the bluebonnet blooms. Arrive in the morning to catch one of the daily guided tours of the center’s gardens and trails, and then enjoy lunch at the on-site Wildflower Cafe.
While the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is the official state botanic garden, it’s not the only Austin location that comes alive in spring. The Zilker Botanical Garden offers 26 acres of themed gardens, including Japanese and rose exhibits, and admission is only $3 for adults. If you’re on a tight budget, be sure to add Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve to your itinerary. Offering free admission, the location hosts gardens and ponds near the historical cottage, along with 21 acres of preserved land full of trails and wildlife.
2. Lancaster, California
For travelers that prefer orange to blue, Lancaster, CA, is the site for you. The city is next door to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. The seven miles of trails are surrounded by hills covered in blooming poppies from March to the beginning of May. Lancaster even hosts a Poppy Festival in late April with plenty of spring-themed activities and events.
When visiting the reserve, stop by the visitor center upon arrival to find out which areas of the park currently offer the most blooms. Guests can also request a free guided tour or utilize the park’s smartphone notification feature for educational information during your trek.
3. Mount Vernon, Washington
If you want to know where to see spring foliage in the Pacific Northwest, book bus tickets to Mt. Vernon, WA. Spring in the area is all about the tulips with the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival held through the entire month of April. The Skagit Valley Bulb Farm’s Tulip Town is open daily throughout the festival to guests, offering field tours and an indoor flower show. Travelers can also visit the tulip fields at RoozenGaarde for total spring bloom immersion.
4. Nantucket, Massachusetts
While tulips steal the show in Washington, daffodils reign supreme on the east coast. Nantucket, MA, is home to a weekend-long Daffodil Festival at the end of April. The event features parades, exhibits, and a community flower show. Even if your trip doesn’t line up with the festival dates, Bartlett’s Farm is open to the public six days a week. The working farm is home to its very own Garden Center filled with a variety of fresh blooms, which are grown on-site. The location also houses an open market with food demos, and The Farm Kitchen restaurant has freshly made dishes.
5. Rochester, New York
Rochester, NY, offers a breathtaking landscape year-round, but in spring, visitors flood the city for the annual Lilac Festival. The event includes a parade, craft beer expo, and flower show. During the festival, the Ellwanger Garden also opens up to public visitors on the weekends free of charge. While you’re in town, be sure to stop by Maplewood Park to peruse Rochester’s beloved Rose Garden before hitting up the Genesee Riverway Trail to take in the natural spring foliage of the area.
If you still haven’t hit your spring foliage threshold, buy a bus ticket to Canandaigua, NY. The 30-minute trip will bring you the Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park. Covering 50 acres, the park features a historic mansion, pristine gardens, and a wine center with an accompanying tasting room. Sign up for a tour of the grounds to get up close and personal with the location’s violets, hyacinths, daffodils, buttercups, lilacs, and many more flower species that bloom on the site during spring.
Find Affordable Spring Bus Tickets
Now you know where to see the best spring foliage, what are you waiting for? Booking bus travel at BusTickets.com is fast and affordable. Simply choose your destination, compare ticket prices, and pick the best option for your budget. Want to make it a group trip? Utilize our convenient charter bus quote service. Your adventure awaits — buy your bus tickets today.
