Where To See Daffodils in New England

Even when the frost and snow of late winter cling to the ground, the earth beneath our feet begins to warm. Daylight lengthens, and in the first days of April the daffodils awaken. Their bulbs pop open in hues of white and orange and their signature yellow, that startling burst of color that is like the sun reaching out to us from the ground up. We see the daffodils, and we feel lighter. We sense we now walk in springtime. It is why throughout New England there are special celebrations of this flower whose color is as fleeting and fragile as fall foliage. In search of the best places to see daffodils in New England this spring? Read on.

Where To See Daffodils in New England

Laurel Ridge Daffodils

Some 15 acres of daffodils planted here eight decades ago invite you to feel springtime under your feet with each photo you take. Litchfield, CT; see Facebook for bloom updates

Meriden Daffodil Festival

What began in 1978 as a community event to welcome spring has bloomed into a festival in beautiful Hubbard Park with half a million daffodils and festivities. Last weekend in April; Meriden, CT; daffodilfest.com

Nantucket Daffodil Festival

Flower power lights up the island as three million daffodils adorn the landscape, but showstoppers also crop up along cobblestone streets with window displays, events, and gaudy yellow costumes worn by visitors and islanders alike. April 27–30; Nantucket, MA; daffodilfestival.com

Daffodil Days at Blithewold Mansion

Some 50,000 daffodils in dozens of varieties spread like a blanket across the landscape, which includes 33 acres of greenery and gardens that flow down from behind an elegant English-style manor to the shore of Narragansett Bay. blithewold.org

Parsons Reserve

Thousands of daffodils planted during World War II bring visitors to this 32-acre nature preserve, whose beauty includes walking trails and benches for restful viewing. Dartmouth, MA; dnrt.org/parsons

New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill

A spring highlight is the “Field of Daffodils,” where 25,000 daffodils bloom from the third week of April into early May. Boylston, MA; nebg.org

Newport Daffodil Days

Held throughout the month of April, this event celebrates the million-plus bulbs planted by volunteers over the years that flourish throughout downtown, but also along the Cliff Walk and Easton’s Beach. Newport, RI; discovernewport.org

This post contains excerpts from “Spring Daffodils at Blithewold Mansion,” which originally appeared in our March/April 2023 issue.

Where is your favorite place to see daffodils in New England? Let us know in the comments below!

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