Destination: Springtime

For those itching to get the RV out of hibernation, springtime offers the perfect chance to shake off those winter blues and head for places filled with colorful blossoms and frost-free temperatures. Whether you’re in search of some much-needed sunshine or craving epic hikes, a family- or dog-friendly getaway, or an artistic retreat, there’s something for every type of traveler to enjoy in these dynamic destinations.

Photo Credit: Getty

St. Simons Island, Georgia

Looking for idyllic beaches, world-class golfing, fishing excursions, luxurious spas, and delightful dining options? St. Simons Island has it all! Located just off the coast of Southern Georgia, this endlessly charming hamlet boasts picturesque oak trees dripping with Spanish moss and quiet walkways past quaint boutiques, striking sculptures, and a historic lighthouse. The island was recently named “America’s Favorite Romantic Town,” and it’s easy to find plenty to love about this warm-weather destination. Stroll the waterfront, then search for the town’s unique Tree Spirits, which you’ll discover carved within the trunks and branches of the area’s majestic Southern live oaks.

Terlingua, Texas

Big Bend National Park offers more than 150 miles of desert and mountain trails to explore. The park encompasses the entire Chisos mountain range and a large stretch of the Chihuahuan Desert, and it’s often referred to as “three parks in one” due to the multiple ecosystems within its boundaries. During your visit, you can trek along the Rio Grande River, dip in hot springs, search for pictographs, and even boat across the border into Mexico, where you can hitch a donkey ride into the village of Boquillas.

Just outside of Big Bend’s west entrance is the former ghost town of Terlingua, which offers a rich mining past and serves as the perfect home base for exploring the equally intriguing slot canyons and mountain-biking trails at nearby Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Photo Credit: Palm Springs Ariel Tram

Coachella Valley, California

The Coachella Valley is situated between the posh, artsy city of Palm Springs and the quiet beauty of Joshua Tree National Park. Here you’ll find endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Discover hidden waterfalls, surround yourself with palm oases, and scale towering rock and boulder formations. Spring is the perfect time to explore the diverse plant life in the region, including the namesake Joshua Tree, on hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.

Or take it all in from above on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Choose a remote campsite in this alluring desert escape, far from the city lights, and enjoy some truly breathtaking Dark Sky stargazing come nightfall.

Festival Tip: The over-the-top Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, along with its country music counterpart, the Stagecoach Festival, offers an electric reason to visit this April. Music fans visiting in May can check out the eclectic and family-friendly Joshua Tree Music Festival May 18–21 this year.

Photo Credit: Amanda Adlar

Miami, Florida

Miami is renowned for its stunning beaches, electric nightlife, and world-class dining, but the city’s art scene is equally famous. Whether you’re wanting to browse the galleries and showrooms in the Miami Design District, take in an opera or Broadway-caliber production at one of the city’s vibrant performing arts venues, or gaze at groundbreaking street art in the Wynwood Arts District, you can’t travel far in this lively destination without bumping into an evocative, eye-catching artistic display.

Stroll through the Art Deco Historic District in Miami Beach to view the nation’s largest collection of Art Deco architecture, then head to Little Havana’s Calle Ocho, the center of Cuban culture, for a salsa dancing lesson before heading out on the Little Havana Art Walk, which takes place on the second Friday of each month.

Festival Tip: While crowds flock to Miami in December for the International Art Basel Miami Beach art fair, a visit in spring allows you to enjoy a unique, more subdued offering: the O, Miami Poetry Festival. This month-long celebration spans all of April, showcasing works by local poets throughout the city.

Photo Credit: Kate Russell

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe has long been home to many talented artists, with contemporary, native, and historical art coexisting in this cultural mecca brimming with more than 250 galleries and institutions. The city’s Canyon Road is teeming with artist studios, and the nearby Museum Hill offers boundless options for examining historically significant, cultural art, as well as popular collections from the legendary Georgia O’Keeffe.

But while the city is well known for showcasing turquoise jewelry, Western paintings, and bronze sculptures, it’s also home to the eclectic Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return. At this immersive art installation, a journey through a washing machine transports you to another realm. It’s a trippy, hands-on experience where nothing is what it seems.

Photo Credit: Amanda Adlar

Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah

An RV trip to Utah likely includes a visit to the “Mighty 5.” While the state’s popular national parks make for a truly memorable experience, the options for exploring these locations with your dog are limited. However, at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, you’ll find 1.9 million acres of rugged and remote trails, most of which are dog-friendly, offering grand Utah adventures that the whole family can enjoy together. If you can make time for a longer visit, be sure to also check out the nearby Goblin Valley State Park, where humans and dogs can frolic together through a unique, otherworldly landscape of goblin-like hoodoos.

Anaheim, California

California’s Disneyland Resort recently kicked off its epic 100 Years of Wonder celebration that commemorates a century of Disney storytelling. All year, visitors will discover limited-time offerings, new attractions and entertainment, special food and beverage items, platinum-infused decor, and more.

Festival Tip: Just down the road from Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm hosts its popular annual Boysenberry Festival March 10–April 16 this year.

Festival Season is in Bloom

Many places welcome spring with events to honor the season.

National Cherry Blossom Festival: Washington, D.C. – March 20–April 16

The nation’s capital is home to more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees. While the exact timing of peak bloom varies each year, the city hosts a multi-week festival to commemorate the occasion.

La Jolla Concours d’Elegance: La Jolla Cove, California – April 21–23

Earning a reputation as one of the finest internationally renowned classic automobile showcases in the US, the La Jolla Concours attracts discerning car enthusiasts from around the globe for a weekend of prestigious events. View more than 150 one-of-a-kind vehicles on display along the Pacific Coast while enjoying live music and champagne.

Tulip Time Festival: Holland, Michigan – May 6–14

Charming Holland is home to several windmills and themed attractions that pay homage to the area’s Dutch heritage. A visit during Tulip Time is a visual treat, with more than 6 million tulips in bloom and a lineup of events for all ages.

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