Don’t be a fool and wait to make plans—think of April 1 as the starting gun for spring and a good excuse to slough off the doldrums of winter and start exploring again. Why not try to squeeze in an extra trip this month before the summer rush, making the most of still-affordable shoulder season rates in many destinations?
Whether you want to crank up the tunes and cruise down a newly reopened, much-missed California highway, enjoy some Scottish games in an unlikely location, or even immerse yourself in the darkest of night skies, these are the 10 best places to travel in April.
Big Sur, California
Big Sur’s Highway 1 is back open following a three-year partial closure caused by winter storms, erosion, and landslides.
Photo by George Cox/Unsplash
April is great for: uninterrupted road tripping.
It was worth the wait. Three years after a series of mudslides and landslides ravaged a stretch of California’s scenic Highway 1, the route has just reopened to traffic, unlocking this stunning section of coastline for visitors once again. Paul’s Slide caused an 18-month closure, while Regent’s Slide closed a 6.8-mile segment for two years. Now, both are in the clear.
The scenic route between Carmel and Cambria ranks among California’s most spectacular road trips, so rev up that convertible, queue up some Beach Boys classics, and hit the road. En route, soak in hot springs at Esalen, a nonprofit center where the natural thermal baths are built into oceanside cliffs.
Where to stay: Alila Ventana Big Sur
- Book now: ventanabigsur.com
Hide out at this 160-acre, 54-room adults-only property on Highway 1. The full-board rate covers all meals, as well as activities like yoga and guided hikes.
Insider tip
Alila’s general manager Matt Skaletsky calls April “a sweet spot” in the Big Sur calendar. “Midweek visits to places like Pfeiffer Beach offer fewer crowds and dramatic light as spring storms clear the air,” he says.
Have breakfast at Highway 1 institution, Deetjen’s Inn. “Ask for a table in the back room by the fireplace,” says Skaletsky. He also recommends ordering the chilaquiles.
Related: Big Sur, We Missed You. How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in California’s Coastal Paradise
Buffalo National River, Arkansas
Pair stargazing with mountain bike adventures in the Ozark Mountains.
Photo by Gunnar Rathbun/Shutterstock
April is great for: making the most of the late nights.
Celebrate International Dark Sky week this month (April 13 to 20) with a trip to the 135-mile Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas, designated an International Dark Sky Park six years ago. Light has been carefully mitigated and audited to keep the skies inky black above the waterway, so you can participate in park-run stargazing programs and watch meteor showers in pristine darkness.
During the daytime, detour to the privately owned adventure park next door, a 4,000-acre swathe of the Ozark Mountains primed for off-road action. Rent ATVs or mountain bikes to explore, and keep an eye out for the resident herd of American bison.
Where to stay: OZK Cabins
- Book now: ozkcabins.com
Gather for a family sleepover at these cozy wooden cabins that sleep up to 13 people in total across 8 buildings. For maximum solitude, book the Fly Away cabin, which is nestled in the heart of the woods and has a hot tub on its secluded deck.
Insider tip
Head a half-hour drive from Ozk Cabins to Harrison for dinner at 1929 Hotel Seville. The grill restaurant has one unmissable dish for any visitor, according to OZK Cabins founder Hansen Doolittle. “They have these awesome pork cracklins that come out piping hot,” he says, “Be sure to ask that they toss them in their Everything Seasoning for an extra pop.”
Santiago, Chile
The Maipo Valley, an hour from Santiago, is known as the “Bordeaux of South America” for its cabernet sauvignon and carmenere.
Photo by lhmfoto/Shutterstock
April is great for: winetasting at the source.
If you’re partial to a glass of Chilean cabernet sauvignon, why not make a pilgrimage to see it made? The Fiesta de la Vendimia del Valle del Maipo is held annually in a valley about 50-minutes’ drive south of Santiago and is a celebration of the vendimia or grape harvest.
This year, festivities run from April 25 to 27. Expect everything from tastings—not just classic cabernet sauvignon, but also typical Chilean varietals like carmenère—as well as folk performances and, of course, grape stomping. April is low season in Chile, so travelers can find attractive deals on flights and hotels.
Where to stay: The Singular Santiago
- Book now: thesingular.com
Base yourself in Santiago proper at this 62-room city center hotel in the historic, bohemian Lastarria district.
Insider tip
Enjoy dinner at one of the wineries, says concierge Martin Torres. The Viu Manentnull is a couple of hours’ drive from the city, but the trip is worth it. The vineyard has been family-owned for almost a century. At its restaurant, Rayuela, “the wine-marinated beef is a must-try.”
Saba, the Caribbean
The tiny Dutch Caribbean island of Saba promises craggy cliffs, coral reefs, and charming villages.
Photo by Rocio Arrieta
April is great for: cultural—and nautical—immersion.
Saba, an under-the-radar Caribbean island of five square miles in the Lesser Antilles, welcomes fewer than 10,000 visitors each year. The island is a 12-minute flight from Sint Maarten, but don’t come here for fly-and-flop trips—there are no white-sand beaches. Instead, the island’s appeal lies almost entirely underwater, with world-class diving and chances to spot tiger sharks and hawksbill turtles.
Visits in April also align with Art Fest, a month-long celebration of Saba culture which launched two years ago and is already a calendar fixture. This year’s full schedule will be updated on the tourism bureau’s website closer to the start, but expect workshops, exhibits, and mural projects intended to involve the whole community.
Where to stay: Scenery Hotel
- Book now: sceneryhotelsaba.com
The newest addition on Saba, and the fifth hotel on the whole island, is luxury boutique offering Scenery Hotel, which is due to open in early March. Located at the foot of the 2,190-foot Mount Scenery, it will have 30 bungalow-style rooms with open-air terraces, as well as an infinity pool.
Insider tip
Saba lace dates back to the 1800s and is a remarkable island souvenir. “Saba’s own Mary Gertrude Hassell Johnson was sent to study at a convent in Venezuela and was taught the craft. She came back to Saba, teaching the women of the island, and they turned it into a mail-order business,” says Mark Johnson, who owns and runs another of the island’s hotels, The Cottage Club Hotel.
See the Saba Lace Ladies convene and work at the Saba Lace Room every Thursday, where you can pick up a few pieces.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
A new hiking experience lets travelers to stay overnight in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National park for the first time.
Photo by Keitma/Shutterstock
April is great for: overnighting in the outback in a new, very special way.
The Tasmanian Walking Company kicks off a brand-new program this month: a five-day, 33.5-mile walk from Kata Tjuta to Uluru in Australia’s Northern Territory, in partnership with the Anangu people, who are the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The hiking operator’s co-owner, Brett Godfrey, was inspired to develop the program after walking more than 90 miles with a group of the Anangu. The walk foregrounds their experiences at what was once known as Ayers Rock via storytelling sessions and lessons in land-management practices.
Groups will be capped at 14 people, and the major appeal is that, for the first time, guests can stay overnight in the park, spending two nights at the operator’s private lodge and two nights under the stars at its eco-camp.
Where to stay: Longitude 131°
- Book now: longitude131.com.au
Tack on a couple extra nights at the ultra-luxury Longitude 131°, which has 15 tented pavilions that overlook Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a spectacular view of the iconic rock formation from your bed.
Insider tip
Head to the village of Yulara near the rock, recommends Longitude 131° general manager Louise Lanyon. There, you can visit the Kulata Academy Cafe, home to the Indigenous Training Academy, and pick up some snacks, such as a baguette, for a picnic lunch. “Embark on the popular Valley of the Winds walk through Kata Tjuta, and have lunch at the magnificent Karu lookout,” she says.
Guimarães, Portugal
Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, was born in Guimarães.
Photo by Pavlo Kikot/Shutterstock
April is great for: seeing the greener side of Europe.
This northern Portuguese city is the European Union’s Green Capital for 2026, an award recognizing its already impressive environmental initiatives and providing €600,000 (US$713,500) in additional funding for green projects. Plans range from the expansion of public transport to urban regeneration in its UNESCO World Heritage–listed center—a designation awarded 25 years ago that nodded to the city’s pivotal medieval role in Portugal’s independence.
Today, the only battles occurring are culinary. The dining scene shines at spots like Norma, where chef Miguel Marques serves wacky, playful dishes that often use Portuguese cod as a key ingredient. Try Résvés for contemporary sharing plates, or book Michelin-starred A Cozinha. And don’t miss the cod fritters or bolinhos de bacalhau at Buxa.
Where to stay: Torel Royal Court
- Book now: torelroyalcourt.com
Each of the 18 rooms at this boutique hotel, a mansion dating back to the 1820s in the city center, is named after a city where the former owner, Portuguese tennis star João Sousa, played important tournaments. They’re large—more than 330 square feet each—and have high ceilings and large windows.
Insider tip
Take a tour around the city with guide Leandro Fernandes, says hotel general manager Tania Guedes. “It offers the chance to explore the city on foot, uncovering stories, local insights, and hidden details.” Sites of interest include the 16th-century Convent of Santa Clara and the Vila Flor Cultural Center, which combines the namesake restored palace with a modern performing arts complex.
Da Nang, Vietnam
Seek out for noodle soups like mi quan at Da Nang’s restaurants and night markets.
Photo by Shea Evans
April is great for: easier access to a less-visited part of the country.
You read about it first in our Where to Go in 2026 recommendations: There’s a buzz around the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang, thanks to a host of newly launched air routes. Five airlines, including Emirates and Philippine Airlines, added it as a destination last year, making access from across Asia easier than ever. There are more hotels and branded residences on the way, too, with properties from Nobu and Mandarin Oriental due to open before the end of the year.
April is the end of the dry season in Vietnam, so you can squeeze in a trip before the humidity takes hold. Lounge on the beaches and swim or surf, as you wish, before making the short trip south to see Hoi An, the historic city known for its remarkably well-preserved streets.
Where to stay: Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
- Book now: danang.intercontinental.com
Maximalist designer Bill Bensley was behind the 172 rooms and suites of this rainforest-surrounded hotel, bringing his signature glamorous whimsy to interiors. Expect to see cast-iron ostriches and surfboard-shaped tables alongside more muted nods to Vietnamese temple architecture in the resort design.
Insider tip
“Central Vietnam is a creative hub for arts and crafts,” says hotel general manager Seif Hamdy, “I love the paintings in Co Gallery, Hoi An, which is owned by Pham Thanh Minh, an unassuming graphic artist who has been painting for more than 30 years.”
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
April is great for: embracing a new perspective on Central Asia.
Last November, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a major move to encourage long-haul tourism to the Central Asian country by eliminating the visa requirement for U.S. citizens. American passport holders can now enter and spend up to 30 days in Uzbekistan without worrying about paperwork.
The Centre for Contemporary Art in the capital, Tashkent, opening soon, offers even more reason to visit. The space occupies a former tram depot, and its inaugural exhibition, Hikmah (Uzbek for wisdom), will exhibit contemporary local talents such as Shokhrukh Rakhimov and Vladimir Pan alongside international names like Nari Ward. Meanwhile, the Center for Islamic Civilization, a new museum and research complex that also opened this spring, aims to position Uzbekistan at the center of Islamic history with thematic galleries and a 200,000-volume archive library.
Where to stay: Oscar Boutique Hotel
- Book now: oscar-hotel.uz
Skip the corporate brands, which clutter Tashkent’s downtown, and head to the residential Heydar Aliyev Street to find this locally run boutique hotel, which has a lively English-style pub, plus a spa with a full Turkish bath and hammam.
Editor’s note: Due to an ongoing combat operation in Iran which is impacting the wider Middle East region, airspace closures and disruptions at major hubs such as Dubai and Doha may make reaching Central Asia–including Uzbekistan–more complicated right now. Travelers should check current flight routes and advisories.
Insider tip
Silk Road Treasure Tours founder Zulya Rajabova recommends Besh Qozon restaurant in Tashkent, which she calls “the capital city’s most atmospheric place to experience Uzbek plov” or pilaf. “Multiple master chefs prepare plov simultaneously in massive kazans (pots). Try the classic Tashkent-style plov with yellow carrots and tender lamb.”
St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida
With an average of 361 days of sunshine annually, St. Pete delivers near-guaranteed rays on every visit.
Photo by Artiom Photo/Shutterstock
April is great for: bagpipes, watercolors, and wailing the blues.
St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park hosts the Tampa Bay Blues Festival from Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12. The festival celebrates its 30th birthday this year, so the roster is starrier than ever with artists including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimmie Vaughan, Tab Benoit, and Samantha Fish slated to play.
While you are visiting, squeeze in a side trip to nearby Dunedin for an unlikely addition to the calendar: The Dunedin Highland Games & Festival takes place at the aptly named Highlander Park and celebrates the Florida city’s close connections with Scotland. Expect to encounter everything from bagpipe workshops to caber-tossing contests.
Where to stay: Sandpearl Resort
- Book now: opalcollection.com/sandpearl
This 253-room resort underwent a major renovation before reopening two years ago. Now, every room has a private balcony with views over Clearwater, Mandalay Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Insider tip
Chris Artrip, the chef and partner at restaurant The Black Pearl, recommends hitting up Wild Child in St. Pete for a relaxed bistro meal. “Everything is tasty, but I usually get the Korean fried chicken sandwich and pair it with some bubbles.”
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington pairs Gulf Coast beaches with cultural celebrations like the annual Azalea Festival.
Photos by Jay Yuan/Shutterstock (L); Roberto Galan/Shutterstock (R)
April is great for: set jetting and bloom spotting.
Wilmington has become an unofficial Hollywood East ever since Dawson’s Creek subbed it in for Cape Cod in the late 1990s. Most recently, the Carolina coastal town played a starring role in The Summer I Turned Pretty, a television series beloved by Gen Z about first love and heartbreak. You can explore familiar filming locations on a set-jetting jaunt around the port city, using the local tourism board’s handy guide.
Another draw this April is the city’s gorgeous, Instagram-worthy azalea festival, a celebration dating back to the 1940s. In 2026, it will run from April 8 to 12, showcasing the staple Southern flower alongside other spring blooms such as camellias, dogwoods, and wisteria. You can book tickets to tour private gardens and enjoy concerts and other events pegged to the festivities. Crunk pioneer Lil Jon—who helped popularize the chant-heavy Southern riff on hip-hop—will perform at the Live Oak Bank Pavilion.
Where to stay: Trailborn Surf & Sound
- Book now: trailborn.com
The 151-room Trailborn Surf & Sound opened in early 2025 as a stylish reimagining of a 1960s-era property. On a prime stretch of Wrightsville Beach, the resort claims a rare double advantage: direct frontage overlooking both the Atlantic Ocean and the Wrightsville Sound.
Insider tip
Dabble in a little e-foiling at the NC Foil School on Wrightsville Beach, suggests the hotel’s activities director Alys Staten. The overwater activity involves riding an electric-powered board with a propeller that lifts it above the surf.
“Beginner lessons take place on the calm waters of the sound, making it simple to learn the fundamentals and gain confidence standing up,” she says. The Carolina Pro-Am from April 24 to 26 gives you the chance to watch elite professional paddle surfers compete on Wrightsville Beach, too.
This article was originally published in 2024 and most recently updated on February 11, 2026, with current information.
