North Carolina Area Named a Hot Spring Travel Destination

It may not feel like it in a lot of the country, but spring is on the way. That's a good thing for those who love to see flowers bloom and hear birds chirping. If you're looking for a beautiful place to visit in the springtime and don't want to travel too far, you're in luck, because one North Carolina town has been named one of the most beautiful places for spring travel. The nice thing about a spring trip is that it's not half way across the country, so it's more doable if you don't have a lot of spring vacation time to burn. So, get ready to enjoy the blossoming season with a vacation spot right in North Carolina.

The travel experts at Reader's Digest have put together a feature about the most beautiful spring travel destinations in the U.S. They highlighted some well-known spots, as well as "a few hidden gems where you can soak in the season's magic without the crowds." In general, Reader's Digest selected "top spring destinations that showcase nature's stunning transformation—think cherry blossoms in full bloom, lively spring celebrations, lush forests and colorful meadows bursting with wildflowers." Spring, really is the season of nature, so it makes sense that finding places that really embrace that spring growth would be a priority.

As for the North Carolina spot that made the cut, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park made the cut for both North Carolina and Tennessee. Would you expect anything less? It's a legendary spot. Reader's Digest loves the area for its wildflowers, offering more than 1,500 types of them, according to the outlet. As for when it visit, they suggest heading there in March or April, "as the flowers' season ends in May or June."

So, when does spring officially start? According to the experts at the Farmer's Almanac, "Traditionally, we celebrate the first day of spring on March 21, but astronomers and calendar manufacturers alike now say that the spring season starts on March 20 in all time zones in North America. Yet spring equinox marks the official start of the spring season."

National Calendar Day also states that "Spring begins on the March or vernal equinox, which is when the amount of sunshine is approximately 12 hours long. The amount of sunlight will incrementally increase until the first day of summer." Spring runs from March 20 through June 20, and that's when summer begins. Also, June 20 marks the longest day of the year, and after that, the days start getting shorter again.