The dreary months of winter may have you hankering for a vacation, and April is the perfect time to take a quick weekend getaway. Whether you’re looking for the bustle of a city or the calm of the countryside, there are plenty of easy weekend trips that will feel like a much-needed escape.We’ve compiled 10 fun jaunts with a variety of activities for you to consider, from D.C.'s annual Cherry Blossom Festival to the pool parties of Palm Springs to the great outdoors at Utah's Zion National Park. Wherever you go, remember to take lots of photos — and send us a postcard.
Toronto, Canada
If you’re itching to spend a few days in a metropolis, but want to avoid the crowds of New York and Miami, hop a flight to Toronto, a city that is quickly becoming more and more hip. Stroll through Kensington Market for quirky vintage shopping and hit up The Junction, a burgeoning neighborhood with cool coffee shops and bars. At night, check out Spanish tapas joint Bar Raval and hipster hangout Parts & Labour. If you’re looking for arts and culture, try a graffiti tour of Queen Street West or swing by the Bata Shoe Museum, which has one of the largest footwear collections in the world (and even boasts a pair of Justin Bieber’s kicks, which some people apparently want to see).
Where To Stay In Toronto
The Drake Hotel is a stylish option in the Queens Street West area, near plenty of bars and restaurants. Bonus: They’ve been known to host Drake trivia nights in the Lounge bar. Rooms average $156 per night.
Washington, D.C.
Every spring, visitors descend on our nation's capital for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates the seasonal blooming of the trees that surround the city's Tidal Basin. This year's festival runs through April 17, with a waterfront fireworks event on April 9. There’s plenty to do around the city in springtime beyond the festival, too, including free entry to all the Smithsonian museums and national monuments (the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an especially good pick). Wander through Dupont Circle in the afternoon and catch a concert at the 9:30 Club in the evening. For cocktails, try the Columbia Room or hard-to-find speakeasy The Gibson.
Where To Stay In D.C.
Hotel Rouge in Dupont Circle takes its name literally, with a crimson lobby and bright-red in-room accents. Most rooms offer views of downtown D.C., and the lobby bar’s daily happy hour is a good place to get things started. Rates start at $161 per night.
Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs is the destination of choice for a lot of music fans in April, mostly because Coachella and Stagecoach take over the area for three weekends throughout the month. But you don’t need a festival pass to enjoy the desert in springtime. There are plenty of free Coachella parties around the Indio and Palm Springs areas, and the weather is hot enough to enjoy a cocktail by the pool. Lulu or Jake’s are good picks for dinner, as is the chic Mister Parker’s, which is located inside the Parker Palm Springs. For some culture, the Palm Springs Art Museum is surprisingly grand and engaging.
Where To Stay In Palm Springs
Palm Springs has a plethora of relaxing, hip spots, but the Ace Hotel Palm Springs is the queen of them all. The desert-themed rooms center around a massive pool, and the hotel’s great vintage-inspired restaurant means you never have to leave — unless you want to. This year Desert Gold’s Coachella parties return poolside April 14 through 25, which are free with an RSVP. Rooms start at $168 per night.
Phoenix, AZ
Baseball fans should book a flight to Phoenix, where the MLB teams undergo annual spring training in preparation for the season. The Cactus League, as it's called in pre-season, has daily games through April 2 in multiple ballparks around the city. For those less sports-inclined, Phoenix offers lots of regional hiking and a great Desert Botanical Garden. When you get hungry, head to Short Leash Hot Dogs, home of a former food truck, or Southern Rail, which offers some of the best brunch fare in town. There’s no dearth of drinking spots, either: Pull up a stool at Crudo or the Windsor at the end of the day.
Where To Stay In Phoenix
With its vintage desert vibe and youthful accents, The Clarendon is the perfect home base in Phoenix. The rooms are simple but comfortable, and you’ll want to pull up a lounge chair next to the hotel’s Oasis Pool. There’s also a complimentary daily wine hour showcasing local Arizona sips. Room rates vary, typically ranging from $184 to $248.
Guadalajara, Mexico
Instead of jetting off to one of Mexico’s many oceanside resorts, opt for a weekend in the art-centric city of Guadalajara, just a few hours flying from most U.S. cities. Book a table at Hueso, an unbearably cool restaurant that's named for the white animal bones covering its walls, then head to Fat Charlie, the city’s first ever speakeasy cocktail bar (hint: the entry password is the bar’s moniker). During the day, wander past the historic Catedral and Palacio de Gobierno, and taste-test mezcal at Pare de Sufrir Mezcalería. If you’re especially adventurous, rent a car and make the two-hour trip to Tequila Valley (pictured), the actual home of tequila, where you can visit distilleries and learn how the spirit is made.
Where To Stay In Guadalajara
Casa Fayette is a trendy choice in central Guadalajara. (Noel Gallagher recently stayed there while on tour. Just saying.) Its contemporary beach vibe and massive glass windows make for a comfortably chic stay, and the downstairs bar mixes a great mezcal negroni. Rooms start at $116 per night.
Where To Stay In Charleston
The Vendue is dubbed “Charleston’s art hotel,” and is perfectly located in the heart of downtown, steps from gallery row and Waterfront Park. The rooms, set in two separate addresses, have ornate, eclectic decor with a classic Southern tinge. Art is the focal point, with shifting lobby exhibitions and an artist in residence. Rooms start at $199 per night.
Charleston, SC
April is considered one of the best times of year to visit Charleston — the weather is mild; the flowers are in bloom, and crowds come for the annual 10K Cooper River Bridge Run (which takes place April 2 this year). The city offers several historical and heritage walking tours, which are a fun way to learn more about Charleston’s past, including nearby plantations, most of which are now museums with gardens. You’re obviously going to want to indulge in some Southern fare while in town, so book a table at Roadside Seafood, a former food truck, or The Macintosh, which offers a bacon happy hour. For drinks, check out cocktail bar The Gin Joint or historic spot McCrady’s.
Zion National Park, UT
If you’ve been biding your time all winter, waiting for a sign of spring to encourage you to pack up the camping gear and hit the wilderness, Zion National Park is the place for you. Although the campgrounds are open year-round, spring is a good time to book a site because it’s less crowded than the summer months. The steep red cliffs and waterfalls are the perfect backdrop to your weekend. You can hike, bicycle, rock climb, and horseback ride (the favorite for hiking is the Emerald Pool trails). If you need some civilization, the town of Springdale is considered the gateway to Zion and offers a small handful of restaurants and bars. Not that you’ll need them, since you’ll be cooking at the campfire, right?
Where To Stay In Zion National Park
The park offers several suitable spots to pitch a tent, but Watchman Campground, located close to the south entrance, is among the favorites. Campsites are available by reservation from March through November (you don’t need one in the winter). Sites with electricity cost $30 per night and tent-only sites cost $20 per night.
Telluride, CO
Technically, ski season runs until early April, but Telluride is worth a spring visit whether or not you’re trying to get in on the mountain's last moments of snow. The Colorado town, best known as home to the famous fall film festival, is quaint and chic, with high-end shopping, good restaurants, and the feeling that you’re getting away from it all. There are lots of nearby hikes (make sure to bundle up), and you can still indulge in afternoon après-ski drinks even after the slopes have closed. Check out Oak or There… for food and cocktails; Tomboy Tavern also offers one of the most bustling happy hours in town. And don’t miss Between the Covers, a local bookstore and coffee shop.
Where To Stay In Telluride
The New Sheridan, built in 1895, is centered on Telluride’s main drag and feels both historic and cool. The rooms are well appointed and comfy — the perfect place to rest after a night on the town. Rooms start at $189 per night.
Montauk, NY
In the summertime, New Yorkers swarm the Hamptons. But you should hop the Jitney early this year and take advantage of the quiet before the crowds arrive. The town located at the end of the Hamptons (and the end in general, since it's the easternmost point on the coast) has a small downtown and endless beaches for sunbathing and surfing. When you’re ready to eat, head to Mexican joint The Hideaway or The Crow’s Nest, then hit up iconic dive bar Liar’s Saloon. It’s the perfect getaway from the city, and you won't have to battle the cool kids for a spot on the sand.
Where To Stay In Montauk
Many of Montauk’s popular hotels remain closed for the season until May, but Gurney's is a year-round mainstay right on the Atlantic. The vibe is upscale beach comfort and most rooms have a water view and easy access to the beach. There's also a slick indoor pool. Rooms start at $243 per night.
Ojai, CA
April marks Ojai’s so-called Pixie Month— an annual celebration of pixie tangerines, which grow in the California town. There are related activities around the city throughout the month, including mixology classes, pool parties, and local restaurant specials. Ojai is also well known for its spa culture, which will help you unwind after a long day of sitting by the pool. For dinner, check out Azu or Hip Vegan, then head to the funky Deer Lodge for live music.
Where To Stay In Ojai
Ojai’s hotels tend to be pricy, especially on the weekends, but mid-century modern spot the Capri Hotel is an affordable and convenient option. The hotel is walking distance from downtown and has a pool, spa, and in-room record players (plus, you can bring your dog because it’s pet friendly). Rooms start at $153 per night.
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