Words by Marianne Leek
Photos by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Visit Macon, City of Greenville, and Jim Trice
After a long cold winter, it’s time to emerge from hibernation and take a Southern road trip to see spring bloom, fabulous flora coming alive in a treasure trove of vibrant color.
Asheville, NC
Tucked in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Asheville is the perfect place to enjoy spring blooms. While the area continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, spring brings an ever-present promise of infinite hope. Asheville needs thoughtful visitors now more than ever. Consider cruising open sections of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the surrounding mountains awash with the color of flaming azaleas, dwarf iris, and rhododendron. Visit America’s largest home, the iconic Biltmore Estate and Gardens. Built by George Vanderbilt and opened to family and friends for the first time on Christmas Eve in 1895, Vanderbilt commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted to design the gardens, and in spring they are particularly stunning with over 75,000 tulips. Guests should also block out time to walk through its stunning conservatory. The western North Carolina flower viewing continues at Asheville Botanical Garden and The North Carolina Arboretum which features “engaging indoor and outdoor exhibits focused around science, education, arts and culture,” or at nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park where native blooms line the trails. Everywhere you look, spring is on full display in Asheville.
Macon, GA
Did you know that Macon, Ga is the cherry blossom capital of the world with hundreds of thousands of Yoshino cherry blossom trees lining the streets of its dreamy and walkable downtown? For 10 days in March, Macon is home to the International Cherry Blossom Festival, when the city of Macon throws a pink party celebrating the natural beauty of this charming area that comes alive in soft pink blossoms. The annual festival features concerts with national recording artists, local artisans, parades, and more. There’s even a Pink Provisions Trail where food lovers can enjoy rose colored food and beverages. Even if you miss the cherry blossoms this year, from its soulful music history to its ancient Ocmulgee Mounds, Macon’s lively downtown and the surrounding area have plenty to enjoy all year long.
Dallas, TX
Home to the largest floral festival in the Southwest, Dallas comes in hot when it comes to beautiful blooms, and 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s Dallas Blooms Festival. This year’s 2025 festival theme is “Outside the Ordinary” and will feature over 500,000 spring blooming bulbs, including tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and azaleas. General admission to the Gardens will get guests into this colorful festival to not only enjoy the floral festivities, but live music and Easter themed events as well. Visitors to Dallas can also view stunning cherry blossoms at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Addison Circle Park.
Greenville, SC
As if this Hallmark-esque downtown could get any prettier, imagine taking a springtime stroll through Falls Park at the Reedy! Also located downtown, you’ll find Rock Quarry Garden at Cleveland Park. Adopted by the Greenville Garden Club, this picturesque garden, once the site of a pre-Civil War quarry, becomes a kaleidoscope of color with dogwood trees, native azaleas, and more, alongside a beautiful creek and stunning waterfall! No spring visit to Greenville is complete without traveling just under an hour to see beautiful blooms at the Jocassee Gorges at Devils Fork State Park. Visitors can hike the Oconee Bells Nature Trail – an easy, family-friendly 1.5 mile hike to view the rare and wild blooms of its namesake on full display in early spring. The Oconee Bells are only found in seven counties in the Southern Appalachian region, with 90% of them growing in the Jocassee Gorges.
Charlotte, NC
The Queen City really shows out in spring, so grab a cup of joe or sip a glass of wine from Rosie’s Coffee & Wine before taking a walk and immersing yourself in the natural beauty of McGill Rose Garden where you’ll find over 1000 rose bushes of over 200 varieties, as well as an abundance of spring annuals and perennials in full bloom. Home to three public gardens, the Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary has a variety of flora and fauna and serves as a peaceful oasis for birds and people alike. Charlotte’s Duke Mansion boasts 12 gardens offering year-long blooms. With majestic trees, peonies, irises, camellias, and crepe myrtles, a visit to the historic Duke Mansion is the photo opportunity you and your family didn’t know you needed.
Chattanooga, TN
When you think of Chattanooga, the Iconic Walnut Street pedestrian bridge, Lookout Mountain, Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls, and the stunning architecture of the Tennessee Aquarium and the cliffside Hunter Museum of American Art immediately come to mind. In fact, there are hundreds of reasons why Chattanooga is known as the South’s Scenic City. With the Cumberland Plateau as a backdrop, dogwood trees, vibrant cherry blossoms, colorful wildflowers, and daffodils the color of sunshine only add to the beauty of this charming riverside downtown. Nearby, hiking trails abound; consider viewing spring blooms while exploring North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park, Glen Falls, Snoopers Rock, or travel just over the state line to visit Lula Lake Land Trust that features a stunning 120 ft. waterfall, or Cloudland Canyon State Park.
Charleston, SC
South Carolina’s Holy City is at its prettiest and most temperate in springtime when cherry blossoms, wisteria, Southern and Chinese magnolias, camellias, daffodils, hydrangeas, and azaleas add even more color to historical Rainbow Row and Battery Park. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is a patchwork of vibrant hues during spring’s milder months and it’s considered one of the city’s premiere bloom viewing destinations. White Point Garden, Middleton Place, Hampton Park, and Broad Street are also a visual feast and offer a peaceful respite from the busyness of modern life, making each a perfect place for a leisurely spring stroll.
