Plan your next trip around some of these incredible plant-lover travel destinations!
Saying the words “tourist attractions” usually brings up visions of inflated prices, long lines, and artificial marvels.
But, for those who prefer to take a little walk on the wild side, Must See Places is here to tell you that some of the best vacation spots in our nation come from Mother Nature.
The US’ vast and varied ecosystems are home to numerous natural wonders you can encounter along drives, hikes, or strolls through our beautiful country.
So let’s not waste any more time. Check out these 9 incredible plant-lover travel destinations that everyone should put on their bucket list.
Fall is the perfect time for leaf peeping in New England
The precious spot between the dog days of summer and the imminent chill of winter is a time to be cherished. One where coziness is of the utmost importance, and there’s a certain change in the air.
And one of the most beautiful marks of autumn is the sight of leaves shifting from summery green to a riot of red, orange, and gold. So, this season, take the time to appreciate the radiant fall foliage by “leaf-peeping.”
But the US is big! So where should you go? Well, gawking at the breathtaking colors of the fall leaves in this plant-lover travel destination is one of the most popular ways to see the foliage on scenic drives and hiking.
In spring, we visit the Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC
These trees are the stars of the show when it comes to springtime in DC. If you choose to visit the district during this time, you’ll find the nation’s capital is dressed in pink for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. So, how did all these trees get here?
In 1912, the mayor of Tokyo gave the US 3,000 cherry trees as a present, and thousands of people still journey to this plant-lover travel destination to see the descendants of these flowering trees each spring.
Peak bloom tends to happen at the beginning of April and is celebrated with a huge festival.
Summers are for Crested Butte, Colorado’s wildflowers
What comes with snowy storms, watery springs, and sun-soaked summers? An display of wildflowers covering Crested Butte’s hills like no other place in the US.
With the official title of the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado,” this plant-lover travel destination is worth a visit to experience this phenomenon that happens each summer.
This winter ski destination transforms into a summer heaven as dreamy wildflowers cascade down the hilly paths. There’s even a week-long Wildflower Festival in July that treats tourists to group tours, hikes, and art workshops.
Experience the Appalachian’s splash of Rhododendrons along the Blue Ridge Parkway
The high-elevation forest of this plant-lover travel destination is a unique ecosystem that supports the survival of many common and unusual species, including the Catawba rhododendron.
A native of the eastern part of the US, this evergreen shrub grows above 3,000 feet on exposed, rocky ridges. The bright blooms signal the beginning of summer in the Appalachian Mountains.
This flowering shrub has become a staple of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 470-mile picturesque road that links Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This plant-lover travel destination also features other incredible beauties like flame azalea shrubs with brilliant orange flowers.
Surround yourself with the Bluebonnets of Brenham, Texas
Bluebonnets are the state’s most famous flower, and dazzling sightings can be found in the fields and pastures of Brenham. This plant-lover travel destination even has a website that keeps a wildflower watch so future visitors know when the flowers bloom.
But spoiler alert, you can usually peep them in early April. Even though bluebonnets can be found all over the Lone Star State, the open fields and rolling hills of Brenham provide an especially gorgeous backdrop for these dynamic blue flowers.
Besides the bluebonnets, Brenham and the surrounding regions are home to numerous other wildflowers, as well!
Witness air plants in the Florida Everglades
These unusual plants, native to this plant-lover travel destination, grow non-parasitically on other trees and don’t have to root in soil because they can absorb nutrients and water directly through their leaves.
Properly known as bromeliads, they’re part of the pineapple family. Air plants are highly specialized for living under overcrowded conditions. And, in fact, over 2,000 species of plants compete for space, water, and sun in southern Florida.
The epiphytes have acclimated to the problem of space by growing on other plants. So even though their roots absorb some minerals and water, they’re primarily anchors.
Living in an atmosphere between humidity and drought, they’ve developed quite a few water-conserving tricks.
Wild Venus Flytraps in North Carolina
It sure does have the coolest name in the plant kingdom: the Venus flytrap! But it’s not just the name. It actually LOOKS cool, too. After all, we’re talking about a plant that has teeth, is a predator, and eats flesh!
The Venus flytrap is one of the most fabled and famous plants in the world, originating from the subtropical wetlands of this plant-lover travel destination. And sadly the Green Swamp Preserve of North Carolina is home to some of the last surviving wild Venus flytraps.
If you decide to visit, you can spot the endangered carnivorous plant along the area’s hiking trails of this plant-lover travel destination.
Experience something new at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Established in 1952, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is widely acknowledged worldwide as an ideal institution for innovative presentation and interpretation of native animals and plants featured in ecological exhibits.
Situated near Tucson, this 98-acre zoo, botanic garden, and museum celebrates the special habitat of the Sonoran Desert.
The acclaimed plant-lover travel destination features two miles of walking paths and 1,200 types of native plants, including the blooming prickly pear cactus.
But more than just an attraction, the museum’s research and conservation programs are providing vital information to help conserve the Sonoran Desert region.
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook when you see the Joshua Trees in California
The spiky, twisty Joshua trees will probably remind you of something out of a Dr. Suess book, but you can spot thousands in real life at this national park in southeastern California.
It’s located at the intersection of the two impressive desert ecosystems, resulting in a unique mix of wildlife and plants. So even though these trees are a lasting symbol of the Mojave Desert, they’re certainly far from the only thing to see at this plant-lover travel destination.
Many trails are open to biking, hiking, and horseback riding, and the stony landscape makes it one of our country’s rock climbing meccas. So don’t for get to pack some comfy shoes if you visit! Spring even brings a carpet of beautiful wildflowers.
And the clear desert night sky makes the park an oasis for stargazing. Bonus: Check out this guide for the Best Easy Day Hikes at Joshua Tree National Park
Have you ever been to any of these plant-lover travel destination? If so, please share your experiences with us and our readers in the comments section below.
And if you enjoyed this article, don’t leave yet! Must See Places has many more like it. For instance we highly recommend you also read: 6 Beautiful and Low-Cost Destinations for Road Trips
