By the time March rolls around, I’m ready for new adventures. The holidays are far in the rearview mirror, and I’m longing for more daylight and warmer temperatures.
Luckily, most of the world feels the same way. Spring celebrations, like Holi in India and Lantern Festival in Taiwan, are in full force across the Northern Hemisphere. March also brings St. Patrick’s Day festivals near and far as well as Alaska’s adrenaline-packed Iditarod.
And there’s lots more to love about travel in March. Even if you’re based someplace with less fickle weather than my frost-covered Northeast home, March offers up a cornucopia of possibilities. Do you love snow and lots of it? High-elevation ski resorts in the western states often offer fresh powder in March. Want warm weather? The Caribbean is ideal in hurricane-free spring, and the southern states experience glorious spring temperatures. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the start of autumn, with crisp weather and lots of activities.
Whether you want to ski, swim, explore or celebrate spring holidays around the world, this best of March travel list has you covered.
Anchorage
Can’t get enough of snow-kissed landscapes? Anchorage is ideal in March when the days are getting longer, the Iditarod mushes into a frenzy of canine action, and the northern lights are still dancing across the evening sky. March 7 is the date to know this year for the ceremonial start of the 54th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which kicks off with a performance of traditional Inupiat songs and dances by the Kingikmiut Singers and Dancers.
Accompanying the race is the Fur Rendezvous (or Fur Rondy as locals call it), a festival that runs through March 8. Started by miners and trappers more than 80 years ago, the carnival is now filled with everything from Alaska Native art to snow sculptures, outhouse races and the running of the reindeer, the festival’s signature event.
TPG tip: Anchorage’s newest boutique hotel, The Wildbirch Hotel, a JdV by Hyatt property, opened this past summer and is an ideal base for the Iditarod. The property anchors the West Fourth Avenue Corridor, known as Anchorage’s Mushing District; it overlooks the Iditarod’s ceremonial starting line and also serves as commencement headquarters. Expect race-themed food and beverage specials at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Crimson, overnight accommodations with a view of the starting line and musher meet-and-greets. March rates start at $183 or 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night for this Category 4 property.
Charleston, South Carolina
Yes, I know, Charleston in spring isn’t much of a surprise pick. But the Southern stunner is popular for a reason, and spring is a great time to see all of its charms. You can explore the city’s historic district, the open-air Charleston City Market, the iconic Pineapple Fountain and the colorful homes along Rainbow Row and the Battery with pretty much ideal 70-degree weather. Plus, March brings blooming gardens and fewer crowds than peak season.
The city also offers an exciting dining scene that recently caught the eye of the Michelin guides, and the Charleston Wine + Food Festival brings chefs and even more food to town from March 4 to 8.
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Related: The 18 best hotels in Charleston
TPG tip: One more city highlight that has us booking in advance for March: The Cooper Hotel’s opening. The 191-room, harborside hotel is the city’s first luxury waterfront property. The Cooper has a private marina, a waterfront infinity pool with views of the Charleston Harbor and a 7,000-square-foot spa. Owned and operated by Beemok Hospitality Collection, the same group that now owns the iconic Charleston Place, the property is also a member of Preferred Hotels. Rates start at $1,215 per night.
Taipei, Taiwan
March is a sweet spot for Taiwan. Award space to Asia tends to open up after Lunar New Year crowds thin out, and the weather lands in that rare Goldilocks zone where you can actually explore on foot without being too cold or too hot.
Related: Taiwan’s Starlux eyes US East Coast as it adds new Airbus A350-1000 to fleet
A highlight of travel this month is the Taipei Lantern Festival, which runs from Feb. 26 to March 15. It turns entire neighborhoods and riverside paths into nighttime art walks of glowing installations that include zodiac lanterns, illuminated trees and walkways and, this year, “Transformers”-themed displays. There are also live outdoor performances. During the day, it’s prime time for hiking Elephant Mountain with clear views, soaking in Beitou Hot Springs or taking the Maokong Gondola for tea with a view.
TPG tip: TPG spokesperson Clint Henderson recommends the W Taipei for a stay in the capital. “Over a decade after it opened, the W Taipei retains its cool factor. The large, comfortable rooms, friendly staff and central location make it a great option for travelers heading to the Taiwanese capital,” he said. Plus, there’s an outdoor pool where a DJ spins tunes in the summer. March rates start at $257 or 57,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Austin
With endless barbecue, round-the-clock live music and gorgeous outdoor spaces, Austin, the “keep it weird” capital of the Lone Star State, is always a great destination to visit. And there’s no better time to come than March, when the collective attention of the city turns to four letters: SXSW. The two-week-long South by Southwest festival runs from March 2 to 18, and it spans film and television, music, comedy and innovation. Thousands of people flood the town to catch premieres and hot new bands as well as to hear insiders across all the industries share spoilers, news and more. It’s nonstop action and a top people-watching event.
Don’t spend all of your time downtown, though, even if it’s tempting (hello, tacos and microbreweries on every corner). March is also wildflower season in the hills around Austin, with fields of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, pink primrose and more. If you have a car, you can drive through neighboring Hill Country, or just head to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on the University of Texas campus for a colorful array.
TPG tip: The Four Seasons Austin is my pick for an Austin stay for a number of reasons, including three key ones: location, location, location. The property is set right on Lady Bird Lake, with a rolling lawn that extends down to the water and an outdoor pool with views for days. You’re also a quick walk to the music and nightlife of Rainey Street or the South Congress Bridge to watch the bats (an Austin tradition). The property is bookable with points through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, which offers select Amex cardholders perks such as daily breakfast for two and a guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout. Cash rates start at $650 per night.
Related: Booming Austin airport set to nearly double in size with 2 new concourses
Jaipur, India
If the Pink City of Jaipur is on your travel bucket list, March is the month to visit. (Fun fact: The city’s cotton candy hue is a throwback to a visit from Queen Victoria in the late 1800s when the capital of India’s Rajasthan state was painted pink in her honor). The weather is warm and sunny without the brutal heat that comes on fast in summer, making it a great time for exploring the royal history, bazaars and spectacular architecture of the city. Some highlights not to miss: the Amber Fort, beautiful Jal Mahal (Lake Palace) and iconic five-story Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds).
Best of all, if you’re in town on March 4, you can be here for Holi celebrations, the Hindu festival of colors, which turns Jaipur into a joyful spectacle of music, dancing and clouds of vibrant powder. Even if you don’t dive headfirst into the color-throwing chaos, this spring fling (literally) is worth experiencing in person.
TPG tip: The Jaipur Marriott Hotel offers modern luxury in a central location. There’s a fabulous outdoor pool, a spa and four different restaurant choices for food and drinks. March rates start at $84 or 19,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Buenos Aires
In the Southern Hemisphere, March is the start of autumn, and Buenos Aires is focused on having a good time, as it often is. Arrive midway through the month to catch the live music headliners at Lollapalooza, held from March 13 to 15. Performers include Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Tyler the Creator, Lorde and Skrillex, just to name a few.
Stick around a little longer, because March 17 in Buenos Aires is a St. Patrick’s Day party. Argentina has a sizable population of people with Irish descent dating back to the 1800s; however, the modern celebration is less about genealogy and more about the city’s knack for making a good excuse to go out. This isn’t a parade, but an evening revelry centered around Retiro and Plaza San Martin; crowds hop between Irish pubs, bands play, and the party spills out into the street and lasts well into the night.
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TPG tip: The iconic Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel in the heart of the city pairs old-world grandeur (marble, tapestries, antiques) with excellent service. It’s offering a slew of newly introduced programs for 2026, including private atelier visits, behind-the-scenes theater access and sommelier-led Argentine wine tastings. March rates start at $241 or 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Ireland
Nothing says “March vacation” quite like heading to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day. On March 17, the entire country transforms into a party, with Dublin leading the charge. There are parades with epic floats, street performers, live music and plenty of pubs overflowing with good craic (that’s Irish for fun).
Beyond the festivities, March is a quieter way to explore Ireland’s one-of-a-kind terrain, which comes into its verdant glory at the start of spring. Visit the country’s west coast to check out the Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic and offer dramatic ocean views. Or, drive along the Ring of Kerry’s winding roads, where you’ll find more rugged coastlines and storybook villages like Sneem and Kenmare.
History is everywhere on the Emerald Isle, from the grand halls of Kilkenny Castle to the ancient Rock of Cashel, once the seat of Irish kings. Temperatures in the upper 40s mean you’ll need a good coat, but the cooler weather keeps popular spots quieter.
TPG tip: I’ve stayed in lovely hotels all over Ireland, but nothing compares to the iconic The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection, in Dublin. The historic property dating back to the early 19th century is so legendary that there’s even a 13-part television documentary about it. Its interiors and service match its polished exteriors: You can enjoy everything from the tiers of pastries at high tea to rooms with deep-soaking tubs and views of St. Stephen’s Green. March rates start at $416 or 79,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Victoria Falls, Zambia
March is when Victoria Falls (one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World) truly roars to life. I’ve visited the falls in every season and can attest that this month is when the Zambezi River is at its fullest, sending massive amounts of water cascading over the mile-wide edge of the falls. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or “The Smoke That Thunders,” the falls create a thick mist that often makes it feel like you’re walking through a rain cloud. (Speaking of which, don’t forget a rain jacket.)
Victoria Falls lies partially in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Both sides offer views of the crashing water, but the best views depend on the season. In the dry season, the views are best from Zimbabwe. Since March is when the water is reaching its peak, the views will be best from the Zambia side. The Zambia side also offers more adventurous activities and the chance to inch close to the falls’ precipice via the Knife Edge Bridge. Note, though, that if you want to bungee, the jump is right in the middle of the bridge that connects the two sides. My top recommendation: Take a helicopter “flip” (that’s local parlance for a flight, I promise) to see the area from above.
Beyond the falls, you can take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, spot wildlife like elephants and hippos, or try white water rafting if you’re feeling daring.
TPG tip: Stay as close as possible to the falls at The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara, where an overwater bar brings you up close to the bellowing hippos and thumping water. Zebras roam the property, and butlers are on call to help with any and all requests. (My butler effortlessly sewed a broken shoe so I didn’t have to wear slippers to dinner.) Rates start at $577 per night in March.
Later this year, Anantara will open a luxe new safari lodge further down the Zambezi, Kafue River Tented Camp, in the heart of Kafue National Park (just a two-hour ride from the falls). This will make it easy to create an uber-luxury safari circuit in Zambia.
Related: This is the best time to take an African safari
San Pedro, Belize
In March, San Pedro, Belize, is a tropical retreat with blue skies and warm temperatures in the 80s. Plus, it’s prime whale shark season. Book a snorkeling or diving tour with Ambergris Divers to Hol Chan Marine Reserve or Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat. For more underwater adventures, explore Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim alongside nurse sharks and stingrays.
On land, take a leisurely bike ride around the sandy streets dotted with seafood restaurants and beach bars like Hurricanes Ceviche Bar. Visit the Belize Chocolate Company for local treats, or enjoy fresh seafood at beachfront spots like Blue Water Grill. Cap off the day with a sunset sail or rum cocktail overlooking the barrier reef.
TPG tip: The Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection has an oceanfront location, three pools, a spa and lots of water sports. March rates start at $440 or 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Deer Valley, UtahÂ
Though Utah hasn’t received much snow yet this season, there’s still hope for storms to come through and provide prime spring skiing conditions in Utah’s Deer Valley. The resort usually stays open through mid-April. The recent East Village expansion of the ski resort doubled the size of Deer Valley, making it one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S. with thousands of acres of new skiable terrain (3,700 to be exact), seven high-speed chairlifts and an all-new East Village base area.
And it’s easy to zip around the mountain on the Keetley Express lift that opened last ski season, which connects the new East Village to the rest of the mountain. From the top of that lift, you can take the Sultan Express lift and head over to the main area of the ski resort. Along with the expanded terrain, gondolas and lifts, the East Village area is where new resorts are opening; this includes the Four Seasons Deer Valley and Canopy by Hilton Deer Valley, both of which will launch this summer.
TPG tip: The current anchor of East Village ski base is the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, a new ski-friendly hotel with “ski butlers,” multiple hot tubs, a game lounge, Grand Club and more. March rates start from $686 or 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
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