Escape the Monotony of the School Year
Spring break is the perfect opportunity to pack up your kids and head somewhere that will give you all a much needed breather from your routines.
Whether you are wanting to shed the winter layers for a few glorious days on the beach, or just get out of town to enjoy winter-verging-on-spring activities somewhere else, these spring break family vacations are the perfect fit.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
By the time mid-March hits in Outer Banks, North Carolina, winter’s chill has typically all but vanished. Most tourists don’t start arriving until Memorial Day weekend, which means you can enjoy a more tranquil getaway on this long, narrow strip of land that separates Pamlico Sound from the open waters of the Atlantic.
A beach goer’s paradise, visitors can take part in all sorts of activities from surfing to paddle boarding to kayaking. Your spring break family vacation wouldn’t be complete without visiting the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, though, where you can enjoy encounters with playful otters and an albino sea turtle.
Check out the historic haunts in the three-centuries-old town of Beaufort, voted America’s coolest small town by Budget Travel readers in 2012.
San Diego, California
San Diego is a popular vacation spot year round, home to miles and miles of powdery shores, countless golf courses, a mild climate and so much more. It’s the perfect family vacation spot as it has nearly endless attractions within the city, and a waterfront to die for.
The 1,200-acre Balboa Park is one of the not to be missed attractions your kids will surely love. Ideal for people watching and picnicking, it also happens to be home to the legendary San Diego Zoo and a number of museums.
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Joshua Tree National Park, California
If you’re in the mood for desert scenery, many feel Joshua Tree National Park, located in the Mojave Desert, is at its best in the spring. When stepping into this other worldly landscape, you’ll feel as if you’ve walked onto another planet, with the thousands of bizarrely-shaped trees, strange plants and massive boulders that tower hundreds of feet into the sky.
Temperatures this season are often idyllic, with highs that average around 80 to 85 degrees. The park is also filled with colorful wildflowers that are splashed across the landscape.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is captivating all year round, but it’s hard to beat in the spring with the blooming magnolia trees, making it one of the best spring break family vacations. Close your eyes and picture a town steeped in history, with antebellum plantations and centuries old homes that are highlighted by vibrantly hued azaleas.
Breathe deeply and take in the aroma of fragrant wisteria wafting through the air. This town is like a movie fantasy come true. There’s also plenty of variety in activities, making it a perfect destination to go with the grandparents if you want to make it a multigenerational spring break trip.
The seafood season kicks in at this time, allowing visitors to sample shrimp in every way imaginable. The Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens is also getting into full swing, offering the chance to gaze inside some of the grandest homes in the historic district as they open their doors to the public.
It’s also one of the most romantic destinations in the US, in case you and your significant other are looking for some alone time while your kids partake in another activity.
Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital is bursting with color in the spring. Hundreds of cherry trees throughout the district sprout magnificent blooms that are at their peak from late March through early April.
The weather is typically idyllic this time of year too, making it a more pleasant experience while exploring the extensive list of popular sights and attractions. But the biggest reason to visit over spring break is to attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival, held over four weekends from mid-March to mid-April.
It features a fabulous parade that runs for 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue and also hosts all types of performers from around the country, including celebrity entertainers, marching bands and more.
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Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Just getting to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is a scenic adventure in itself, requiring a ferry ride that winds around lush islands and dazzling blue waters while soaring snow-capped mountains provide a stunning backdrop. Taking a family vacation for spring break is the perfect time to visit, as the frost of winter is beginning to give way to brilliant azaleas and cherry blossoms throughout this garden city.
Color is splashed across the landscape nearly everywhere you look. For the best of the best, visit the world famous Butchart Gardens, which comes alive with some of nature’s most spectacular displays.
Phoenix, Arizona
Baseball loving families may want to head to Phoenix for the opportunity to catch major league spring training in action. The Cactus League’s stadiums are all located right in the metro area, providing convenient access to any game you want to watch at a cheap price, along with a number popular attractions.
While you’re there, be sure to attend Scottsdale’s famous Arizona BBQ Festival with its all-you-can-eat short ribs, bourbon and live music. The Desert Botanical Gardens is well worth the trip too, with its more than 50,000 accessioned plants throughout five thematic trails that illustrate topics such as desert living, conservation, plants and people of the Sonoran Desert and desert wildflowers.
Puerto Rico
Want to enjoy the quintessential spring break scene without the spring breakers? Take a Puerto Rico vacation.
While it boasts picture-postcard white sand beaches, warm, azure waters and tropical rainforests, it generally isn’t for those looking for a wild party scene. Plus, as it’s a US commonwealth, flights from the mainland to the island tend to be fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to islands like nearby Turks and Caicos.
What’s even better: you won’t need a passport to enjoy a “tropical” spring break family vacation.
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Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island, located an hour south of the Canadian border in Lake Huron, is absolutely stunning in the spring, with the flowers and trees beginning to bloom, hawks and eagles passing through on their migration route, and boats sailing the glistening surrounding waters.
Rent a bike and explore the island on two wheels, or hop aboard a horse drawn carriage to experience this car free island the old fashioned way.