Photo by Sean Pavone at Shutterstock
Spring is finally in the air, beckoning us to explore the beauty that awaits throughout the US. If you’re searching for a small escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, look no further.
Must See Places has carefully curated a list of the most charming spring getaways across the nation that are sure to rejuvenate your spirit and captivate your heart.
From picturesque small towns to quaint villages bursting with blooming flowers, each place offers a unique appeal and warmth that will leave you charmed.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast craving picturesque hikes or a history buff eager to stroll through cobblestone streets, these charming spring getaways offer something for everyone.
So pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and embark on a memorable journey to the hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
…Let’s dive into our list of 6 Charming Spring Getaways You MUST Visit in the US!
When this Netherland-type town is in full spring bloom, you’d never guess it was located a mere hour away from Des Moines. But with its 10,360 residents and Dutchified slogans, it has the charming Euro heritage thing down pat.
In fact, the town was established in 1847 by 800 Dutch immigrants fleeing religious persecution and famine across the Atlantic. At the heart of the town is the charming Vermeer Windmill, the tallest working windmill in North America.
It was built by Lukas Verbij in the Netherlands, taken apart, shipped to the US, and reassembled in this charming spring getaway.
You can head up to the 5th floor, which boasts a beautiful view of the Elysian town below, and keep an ear open for the Klokkenspel, a carillon clock with 147 chimes that rings out a few times each day.
But the biggest reason to make the journey to Pella in springtime is the annual Tulip Time Festival, scheduled for May.
A burst of rainbow-bright tulip gardens is complemented by quilt and flower shows, parades, Dutch organ recitals, historical village tours, a Dutch craft market, a tractor rodeo, and dances complete with wooden shoes.
To get in the middle of the action, visit Molengracht Plaza, a 100,000-square-foot Dutch-style square with a man-made canal. From there, it’s a short stroll to the Cellar Peanut Pub, a lovely bar with over 50 craft beers on tap.
And don’t forget to try the goodies at the family-run Jaarsma Bakery, which specializes in Dutch sweets like stroopwafels and speculaas bars.
It’s not Japan or Washington, DC, but this place is known as the cherry blossom capital of the world! With 350,000 cherry trees blossoming every year at the end of March, Macon truly is the best place to see these beauties in full bloom.
The third or fourth week of March is peak time to visit because that’s when the International Cherry Blossom Festival takes place.
It’s known as the “pinkest party of the year!” This charming spring getaway is full of history and is also encircled by beautiful state parks for visitors who are looking to get in tune with nature.
Stillwater sits on the border of Wisconsin, about half an hour away from the Twin Cities. Even though it has some sprawling sections with fast-food chains and standard strip malls, the old logging town’s Main Street is one of the quaintest in the state.
We get why everyone calls this adorable mid-1800s town the “birthplace of Minnesota!” it’s quite a charming spring getaway.
We recommend staying at the Lora, a stylish boutique hotel with lovely views of the scenic St. Croix River, a house bar, and an ambitious restaurant, Feller, on its bottom floor… the wild boar with glaze and fried cornbread dumpling is a MUST try.
Within walking distance from here, you can hunt your way through a bundle of multi-dealer antique shops, including Stillwater Antiques Mall, Midtown Antique Mall, and Staples Mill Antiques.
Comb through the stacks for rare first editions at Black Letter Books, shop for Troentorp clogs and Swedish dish towels at Scandinavian North, or try out a macaron baking class at the Stillwater outpost Cooks of Crocus Hill.
To enjoy that fresh spring air, take a stroll down Pine Street and admire the Queen Anne homes with pink turrets and fish-scale shingles. You can also go for a bike ride along the St. Croix Loop Trail.
Time your visit to the annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour in May, and you’ll also get a glimpse of established ceramicists throwing open their studio doors for complimentary self-guided tours.
There are 5 main entrances to Yellowstone National Park, but the one to the east, about 50 miles from Cody, has the most scenic drive.
Depending on the weather, it will open in April or May, but this is a magnificent time to go if you want to avoid the summer tourist rush. The park aside, Cody makes for a charming spring getaway. It’s a small town with a big personality.
The wide Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which houses the Plains Indian Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum, and the Cody Firearms Museum, is the main attraction.
At the Cody Nite Rodeo, you can watch bucks gone wild and junior barrel racing at the world’s longest-running nightly rodeo. While here, be sure to try the Fat Racks BBQ for a finger-licking-good meal like Texas-style brisket, ribs, and pulled pork.
And in the evening, tap your reserve of Oregon Trail nostalgia by sleeping in an authentic sheepherder’s wagon from 1897 at the K3 Guest Ranch Bed and Breakfast! But don’t worry! Modern-day upgrades like running water and air-conditioning ARE available.
The interior looks much as it did 100 years ago. The family-run dude ranch is the ideal base for exploring downtown Cody or excursions further away, like hiking in Shoshone National Forest or watching the mustangs of McCullough Peaks run free.
Named after: you guessed it…Holland, this sweet Midwestern gem copies its namesake by keeping the tulip tradition alive and well every spring with its Tulip Festival. It happens each May and has been around since 1929 when the town mostly included Dutch immigrants.
The area has a 250-year-old Dutch windmill that’s a MUST-SEE if you visit. Being only 30 minutes away from Grand Rapids, you can make this charming spring getaway a stop on a family road trip or your main destination.
You can even go on a 6-7-hour guided tour through Holland’s most exciting historical highlights. Either way, it’s sure to charm you if you’ve never been!
Established in 1565, St. Augustine is our nation’s oldest continuously occupied city, with the Spanish colonial architecture to confirm it.
Begin your visit at the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, an outstanding stone-walled fortress with drawbridges, then stop by the Old Jail, which reimagines life for hardened criminals serving between 1891 and 1953.
The mid-19th-century St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum is mega-photogenic from a distance, so don’t forget your camera. And the platform at the top offers rolling views of the northern Florida coastline.
Stop by the Lightner Museum, housed in the original Alcazar Hotel. It includes massive malachite urns, rare Tiffany glass, human hair art, antique Underwood typewriters, and over 5,000 salt and pepper shakers.
But why stop there? The even more eclectic Villa Zorayda Museum is a former antique-stocked millionaire’s residence, built to a 10th scale of a segment of the Alhambra.
A self-guided audio tour on this charming spring getaway will cover 135 years of the house’s eccentric history, including its less-than-savory turns as a speakeasy and casino.
You’ll have many souvenir shopping opportunities on the palm tree–lined walking corridor of St. George Street. Plus, there are loads of other attractions to keep yourself entertained. St. Augustine’s Pirate and Treasure Museum are especially popular with the kiddos!
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is an exclusive location where you can see every species of crocodilian, plus pythons, lemurs, and exotic birds.
Or you can try the 1,600-acre Anastasia State Park, a protected wildlife sanctuary with many miles of beautiful sandy beach. Here, you can rent a kayak or bicycle and explore the Salt Run, which is an estuarine tidal marsh.
Due to the fact that parking in Old St. Augustine can be a a bit of a challenge, booking a stay somewhere walkable to the historic district is recommended.
Be sure to let us know in the comments if you can think of any other charming spring getaways and you’d like our readers to know about them.
And if you’re looking for some more ideas for your springtime travel bucket list, Must See Places has got you covered. Check out: 10 Luxurious US Hot Springs Resorts You Definitely Have to Visit
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Reminiscing about my visits to your “7 Small Towns”. I’ve been to all of them except Holland Michigan. My FAVS? Cody, WY and Pella, IA. To others reading this make sure you get to the tulip festival at Pella and be sure to take in a rodeo & shopping at Cody, WY.