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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.
PHOTO: REX/SHUTTERSTOCK.
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).
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE DRAKE HOTEL.
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.
PHOTO: PATSY LYNCH/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK.
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.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF HOTEL ROUGE.
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.
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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.
PHOTO: DOUGLAS LYLE THOMPSON / COURTESY OF THE ACE HOTEL.
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.
PHOTO: REX/SHUTTERSTOCK.
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.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE CLARENDON HOTEL.
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.
For the rest of our picks, visit Refinery29.
By: Emily Zemler
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