12 Best Places to Travel in April 2023

Spring is here, with flowers, warm weather, and festivals celebrating food, art, and music. You can enjoy springtime blossoms, visit tropical locales, and even find some late-season snow before bidding goodbye to skis and snowboards. One of the best reasons to take a trip in April is that you can get ahead of the summer crowds and even save money in what is considered “shoulder season” in most destinations. Here are 12 of the best places to travel in April in the United States and around the world.

Related: The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023

Dallas, Texas

Spring arrives with warm temperatures in the 70s — and maybe a few April showers — along with lots of sunshine and plenty of action in Dallas. Dallas Arts Month celebrates the work of local artists throughout April, and the Dallas Museum of Arts recognizes its 120th anniversary with special exhibits. The Dallas International Film Festival runs from April 28-May 4, and the Dallas Arts Fair happens from April 20-23. Other spring events include Origines/Origins at the Latino Cultural Center and Dallas Black Dance Theater’s Encore! Rising Excellence. Continue the theme with a stay at HALL Arts Hotel in the Arts District and enjoy its art-filled spaces and Ellie’s Restaurant & Lounge. Also consider The Adolphus, a Beaux-Arts hotel in the historic downtown, or The Statler, Dallas. Arrive in style and comfort on JSX, the convenient hop-on jet service with new Dallas routes.

Lexington, Kentucky

April is the perfect time to tour one of Lexington’s horse farms, and at Mill Ridge Farm, visitors can see beautiful horses and learn about how they’re bred. Thoroughbred racing returns to Keeneland for the Spring Meet from April 7-28. Bourbon is another local specialty, and in Lexington, you can explore distilleries or chat with the experts at Justins’ House of Bourbon while you sip a favorite at their tiny bar. In the Distillery District, tour and sample spirits at James E. Pepper Distillery, browse the boutiques, and enjoy an al fresco lunch or a craft brew. Watch for the upcoming opening of the nearby Manchester Hotel, bound to be the place to stay in the growing Distillery District. In the meantime, stay at the Origin Hotel or downtown at 21c Museum Hotel.

Tampa, Florida

Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa features a lively downtown and scenic Riverwalk along the Hillsborough River, packed with museums, restaurants, and entertainment. With temperatures warming into the 80s in April, a day at the beach is also a possibility. The inaugural Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival from April 12-15 is another reason to visit. Tour Tampa’s historic Ybor City on a walking tour to see vintage homes and landmarks, with fascinating stories of the area’s time as the cigar center of the world. Stay in the boutique Hotel Haya, with mid-century style in Ybor City. Downtown, the J.W. Marriott Water Street and Tampa EDITION offer luxurious accommodations with river views. 

Maldives

This nation in the Indian Ocean consists of more than 1,000 islands, and April is one of the best months to visit with warm temperatures and little rain. Coral reefs, clear seas, and abundant marine life make this a favorite snorkeling and diving destination. Pick from luxe resorts like One&Only Reethi Rah, which features the distinctive patterns of famed designer Missoni in the resort spaces and at its exclusive Beach Club. JOALI BEING, traditionally an adults-only wellness retreat, is opening up its private island to children with the “Joy of Being Retreat” from March 24-May 10. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, JOALI Maldives, Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, and St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort are other options for a vacation in paradise.

Adirondack Mountains, New York

Catch the end of ski season or the beginning of spring in upstate New York’s Adirondacks. Perhaps the best-known of the many small towns is Lake Placid, where the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics were held. Winter sports also include backcountry and cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice skating. Nearby towns like Saranac Lake, Speculator, Lake George, and Saratoga Springs also provide plenty to do. Whiteface Mountain features nearly 300 acres of skiable terrain, 86 trails, and 11 lifts, with skiing through the month of April. The elegant Grand Adirondack Hotel, in the shadow of Whiteface Mountain, is the ideal home base, and Eastwind Lake Placid features cabins and suites.

Vancouver, Canada

More than 40,000 cherry trees announce spring’s arrival with white and pink flowers, celebrated during the Cherry Blossom Festival from April 1-23. Free guided walks take visitors to see Vancouver’s neighborhoods, the colorful blossoms, and other trees that line the city’s streets. For more spring flowers, visit VanDusen Botanical Garden. April is peak whale watching season in Vancouver, and boat tours spot humpbacks, gray whales, and killer whales. Ski season continues into May in Whistler, less than 80 miles away, and for a unique experience, Uncharted Society offers a fully guided ice-fishing and Ski-Doo adventure (April is an ideal time for this outdoor adventure, with plenty of thick powder for Ski-Doo fun and fish just waking up for spring).

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Located about 400 miles north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai was founded in the late 13th century, and its Old City’s ancient walls surround historical temples, shops, and more. The city is known for handmade crafts, and a visit to Warorot Market should be on every visitor’s itinerary. Inthanon and Doi Suthep-Pui National Parks offer wildlife, waterfalls, and forested areas. April is generally rain-free, hot, and humid, perfect weather for the annual Thai New Year Songkran Festival (April 13-15). Celebrants spray one another with water in what is also known as the “Water Splashing Festival,” a tradition that symbolizes cleansing and blessings for the new year. In the heart of the Old City, the new InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping features the handiwork of local artisans. The newly opened five-star Aleenta Chiang Mai, in the nearby foothills, offers suites, pool villas, and a four-bedroom residence with a private pool.

Moab, Utah

From Salt Lake City, a scenic drive of about four hours — or more if you stop at some of the gorgeous places along the way, like Canyonlands National Park, Thanksgiving Point, or the dinosaur exhibits at Moab Giants — takes you to beautiful Moab. The weather warms up to nearly 70 degrees in April, perfect for hiking among wildflowers and taking in stunning views. In the small town of Moab, restaurants, boutiques, bars, and a museum welcome visitors. Lodging ranges from camping to hotels, and the elevated glamping experience from the new Under Canvas brand, ULUM, debuts with its inaugural season from March 30-Oct. 23. All-suite, safari-inspired tents (with the amenities of a luxury hotel) offer upscale dining, wellness programming, stargazing, evening s’mores by terraced firepits, and more.

New Orleans, Louisiana

In addition to perfect weather in the 70s, April in New Orleans features lively festivals, including the famous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival from April 28-May 7, with 14 stages, food vendors, and popular performers. There’s more music at the French Quarter Festival from April 13-16, and every day, visitors can find live music from Bourbon Street to Frenchmen Street, in jazz clubs and on street corners. Between shows, indulge in local specialties like po’boys and beignets. Stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans or One11 on the banks of the Mississippi. For an over-the-top stay, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans features The Residence, a two-bedroom penthouse suite with a full dining room and kitchen, outdoor terrace, and Club Level access.

Venice, Italy

Spring’s longer days and warming temperatures make April a great time to visit Italy. Easter (April 9) is a special day there, and many families attend mass, go out for brunch, and exchange chocolate Easter eggs (but note that many attractions and restaurants may close for the public holiday). Take a vaporetto (water bus) along the Grand Canal to the beach at Lido or the island of Murano. In the Dorsoduro district, stay at the five-star Sina Centurion Palace with views of the Grand Canal or at the Sina Palazzo Sant’Angelo, a short walk to the Rialto Bridge. The St. Regis Venice is another five-star option. If there’s time for a side trip, head to Lake Como for the start of the season; Grand Hotel Tremezzo reopens on March 26 with new suites including two penthouses.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana boasts warm, dry weather in April — perfect for snorkeling, surfing, fishing, parasailing, and relaxing on the 30 miles of beaches. Home to a wide variety of all-inclusive resorts, Punta Cana now offers the new all-suites, all-inclusive Falcon’s Resort by Meliá. The $350 million entertainment destination will also feature Katmandu Park, opening March 15, with rides, attractions, and interactive storytelling based on the Falcon’s Beyond original franchise, The Hidden Realms of Katmandu. Future plans include Falcon’s Central Punta Cana, a retail, dining, and entertainment district.

Los Cabos, Mexico

Perfect weather, whale watching, gorgeous resorts, and fabulous culinary experiences await in Los Cabos in April. At the legendary One&Only Palmilla, the Culinary Art Series pays homage to Mexico’s culture with a culinary journey hosted by celebrated emerging Mexican chefs, with pop-ups held at the resort’s cliffside restaurant Agua. The series continues through 2023 with future guest chefs including Chef Luis Palmeros of Restaurant El Cuarto Blanco of Veracruz in March and Chef Jesús Escalera of Restaurant La Postrería of Guadalajara in April. At the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, guests can travel through Mexico without leaving the resort with TRAVESÍA at Su Cocina, a nine-course menu featuring tacos that represent the flavors of Mexico’s distinct cuisines. The Agave Study at Peacock Alley explores the ancient traditions of agave spirits with tastings of Jalisco’s tequila and Oaxaca’s mezcal.