Spring may come later to New England, but that only makes its arrival more welcome. Days are longer, skies are bluer and even a rainy day seems moody and atmospheric instead of just plain gloomy. And after a long cold winter, there’s no more romantic way to celebrate spring than a weekend spent among flowers and blossoming trees. Here are some of our favorite New England gardens to visit on a romantic spring getaway.
Blithewold
The Arts and Crafts Blithewold mansion, in Bristol, R.I., is known for its gardens overlooking Narragansett Bay. And the gardens are especially known for daffodils. Across its 33 acres, more than 50,000 daffodils bloom for nearly a month each spring. Paths wind under the trees where the ground is carpeted in yellow and white blooms, with patches of bright blue squills and grape hyacinth. Magnolia trees create clouds of pink blossoms and, later in the spring, beds of tulips border the stone walls.
Daffodils on Nantucket
Nantucket Island, off Cape Cod in Massachusetts, celebrates its annual Daffodil Festival. April 27–29, but all through the month, its roadsides are carpeted by more than 3 million blooming daffodils. While the festival is fun and filled with zany daffodil-themed events, for a more romantic getaway plan to bike along the daffodil-lined roads before or after the festival when the island is not so crowded.
Boston Public Garden
By the time the famed swan boats hit the pond in mid-April, Boston Public Garden is awash in tulips. Masses of blooms in every color from snowy white to black raspberry shades line its meandering walkways and reflect in the water. Tulips were first planted there in the mid-1800s and this year an estimated 23,000 of them fill the 24-acre park in the center of downtown Boston. Treat yourselves to a romantic swan boat ride to admire them at leisure. Settle into a beautifully decorated room overlooking the river at Gryphon House and stroll up Beacon Street to admire the magnolias and dooryard gardens.
Although it has thousands of other flowering plants, Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum is best known for its lilacs. The lilac collection, much you can see alongside Bussey Hill Road, is among the premier collections of these flowering shrubs in North America, with almost 400 plants in more than 150 varieties in every size and color. They bloom from late April through early June.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
The Atlantic Ocean has a moderating effect on temperatures, so even though it’s farther north, April still brings spring blooms at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, in Boothbay Harbor. The gardens open mid-April and quickly burst into color with early bulbs. By May its flowerbeds are a riot of reds and yellows as tulips fill the central gardens and bloom throughout the Arbor Garden and along the paths approaching the entrance. Woodland trails lead to the Giles Rhododendron Garden in a dell with a waterfall, and flowering trees and shrubs also include Magnolia and Rhododendron.
Innkeepers at nearby Brewster House in Freeport or Newcastle Inn in Newcastle can direct you to more Maine gardens, and Inns along the Coast can plan entire garden itineraries, stopping at romantic inns along the way.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Mar 26, 2024Spring Adventures in New River Gorge
New River Gorge, America’s newest national park at less than 4 years old, was formed by one of America’s oldest rivers. New River surges through deep canyons, surrounded by a rugged landscape of forests and rock cliffs. Family travelers to this 70,000-acre park will find outdoor sports and adventures for the whole family.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
North America
Mar 26, 2024Don’t Miss Grande Lakes Orlando’s Modern Willy Wonka Golden Ticket Experience
If you hear the phrase “golden ticket,” you’re apt to think of Willy Wonka and the popular films to have come from the franchise. But did you know Grande Lakes Orlando takes the golden ticket concept one step further? This spring, the popular resort pays homage to the classic film and recent movie Wonka with a one-of-a-kind Golden Ticket Experience.
Destinations / Europe
Mar 25, 2024Unique Shore Excursions on European River Cruises
The appeal of a leisurely cruise along one of Europe’s rivers goes well beyond the beautiful riverside scenery and charming villages along the banks. Daily excursions to nearby landmarks and attractions add historic and cultural dimension to the travel experience for couples and families, and some cruise lines arrange special activities that take passengers deeper inside the destinations.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations / North America
Mar 25, 2024Top 7 Gardens to Visit in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, invites family travelers to explore its many gardens this summer.
ShareThis