Best Family-Friendly Spring Break Spots
It’s time to grab your travel bag and get packing—spring break is just around the corner! Spring break is one of the best times of the year to get away with your family for a super-fun, activity-packed vacation (or just a relaxing getaway). Both children and adults are usually ready for a change of scenery after the long dreary winter, and it’s a great way to reconnect with loved ones who are busy with work, school, and other responsibilities during most of the year.
But how to pick the best spring break spot for your family? There are many factors to consider, including weather, activity level, specific sites you’re interested in, and pricing. Once you pick the city or site you and your family want to visit, most of the specifics can be worked out according to what your budget is and what your family wants to see the most. Here are a few of our favorite spring break spots for families—you can’t go wrong with any of these!
Pick a National Park
For nature-loving families (or aspiring ones), national parks are a wonderful way to get in touch with nature and explore the great outdoors as a family. There’s an enormously rich store of natural treasures in nearly every corner of the country. For spring break, go south to enjoy warmer temperatures and to take advantage of these parks before they become unbearably hot in the summer. There are hundreds of national parks to choose from, and you can research them according to your children’s age and endurance/skill level.
If you’re sticking to the Southwest, for example, Arches National Park has more level hiking trails that lead to gorgeous sites, while Zion National Park has more challenging areas for older children to explore with their parents. Either way, be sure to pack sunscreen, girls’ hats or boys hats for the kids, and super comfortable walking or hiking shoes.
The All-Inclusive Resort
Many families opt for the convenience of an all-inclusive resort, a perfect option for families who prioritize relaxation. Resorts in the U.S. Virgin Islands don’t require passports for U.S. citizens to enter, which makes traveling easier, especially with kids. The risk of losing important documents like passports is one of the cons of traveling with families, so it’s great to avert this while still getting out of the country. All-inclusive resorts offer peace of mind knowing that everything’s taken care of, from food to lodging to loads of activities for the whole family. You can spend time lounging on the beach or indulging in some of the amazing offerings, from snorkeling to scuba diving. Definitely pack your swimsuit for this one.
Venture to a New City
There are dozens of cities in the U.S. that are already warm come springtime, and so much to explore in each one! One great way to narrow it down is to look for cities with great children’s museums, like Houston. That way you know you already have one day’s activities locked in, and a day of fun in store for the kids!
It’s also great to look for cities with great zoos, like San Diego or Memphis. It all depends on what your kids (and you) are interested in! It’s always a good idea to look for great walking cities, like Savannah, Georgia, so you don’t have to worry about how to get around, and can enjoy all the city has to offer on foot! Don’t forget to pack a wide range of footwear including walking shoes.
Check Out a Theme Park
You can’t go wrong with a theme park vacation, especially when it comes to keeping the kids occupied and having the time of their lives meeting characters they’ve only seen in books and on TV. A trip to Orlando, Florida will give you several major theme park options, including Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, as well as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. While we’d recommend sticking to one theme park per trip, you definitely have options in Orlando. If you’d rather stay on the West Coast, check out Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, or LegoLand, among many others!
These are a few ideas for excellent spring break getaways for you and your family. Planning a vacation for the whole crew can be a challenge, as everyone has different wants and needs. But these options have a little something for everybody. Even if someone is resistant to the outdoors, or a theme park, getting them out of their comfort zones and out of their usual routine is always a good idea. They might be surprised at how much they enjoy themselves. Check out the posts below for more tips and tricks from Lands’ End!