Stop and smell the flowers: NC attraction one of top places to see spring blooms, study finds

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — Blossoming flowers are the symbol of spring, and for many, going to see colorful blooms is a springtime tradition.

Luckily for North Carolinians, a group of travel experts say two of the top ten destinations in the world to see flowers bloom are just a drive away — including one right here in the state.

According to a study by Planet Cruise, Biltmore Blooms at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville ranks as the eighth-best place in the world to see spring flowers this year.

The gardens at the Biltmore Estate are open year round, but start gaining their spring color in March. Their website offers bloom reports throughout the spring, along with a general guide as to what blooms in each month from March to August.

Tickets to the 8,000 acres of grounds at the Biltmore Estate can be expensive, with prices starting at $60 in the spring, but include daytime access to the over 75 acres of formal and informal gardens at the estate, among other things. Other ticket options also include access to the house and art exhibitions.

Also making the top ten list is the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., which ranks third worldwide. The iconic Japanese cherry blossom trees that surround the Tidal Basin and other famous landmarks in the nation’s capital typically hit peak bloom in mid-late March or early April.

Planet Cruise based their study on four different factors: Google search volume, social media mentions and sentiment, the number of observed flower species in the peak month, and the average amount of daily sun hours and monthly rainfall.

Top 10 destinations worldwide to see flowers bloom this spring, according to Planet Cruise

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