Spring Break isn’t just a time for college kids to vacation and party. The break from school makes it a good time for a family vacation as well. The weather is warm, the kids don’t have school, and it’s typically easier to get vacation time from work in the spring than it is in the winter months during the holidays. The challenge lies in finding locations that are fun, family-friendly, and not overrun by college kids in search of bars and nightclubs. Luckily, many great vacation destinations will fit the bill perfectly.
Here is a short overview of some of the Top Spring Break Destinations for Families
Orlando, Florida
The Orlando area has everything to recommend as a family-friendly vacation spot. Here you’ll find Walt Disney World, with its theme parks, water parks, and themed resorts, as well as the fabulous Downtown Disney entertainment zone. There’s also Universal Orlando, home of the wildly popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter. During Spring Break, enjoy the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival that takes place between early March and early May. The area also boasts attractions like Sea World, Aquatica Water Park, and Discovery Cove. One thing you’ll never be in Orlando is bored.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
What better place for children than “Chocolate Town USA”? Stay at the Hotel Hershey and take advantage of the chocolate spa and the kids club. Or, stay at the family-friendly Hershey Lodge in one of the sweet chocolate-themed guest rooms. Although HersheyPark, the incredible chocolate-themed amusement park, doesn’t open fully until summer, they do open for three weekends in the spring for a preview of the summer fun. Around 50 rides are running during these weekends, and the admission prices are lowered.
San Diego, California
Imagine 70 miles of coastline, state parks, hiking trails, restaurants, beautiful weather and so much more. In terms of beaches, La Jolla Cove Beach is where you will find the Sea Lions, the famous Coronado Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach with 2,000 acres, and Flatrock beach with its breathtaking bluffs, are just a few of the beaches at your disposal. Your next stop might be Balboa Park with museums, gardens, shops, a carousel, and the San Diego Zoo. The Gaslamp Quarter is a fun downtown neighborhood full of shops, restaurants and galleries.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
There is so much to see and do. The options are endless, from skiing to snowboarding to hot springs to dog sledding: Winter horseback riding, the outlaw mountain coaster, sleigh ride dinner, and hot air balloon rides. The nice thing about Steamboat is that there is an airport close by, so unlike the other resorts you don’t always have to drive the 2 hours from Denver.
National Parks Tours
As the snow melts and the wildflowers are in bloom, there is no better time to visit the U.S. National Parks. Spring is also an excellent time for bird watching and catching other wildlife, depending on the parks you visit. Zion National Park is one of our favorites in the Spring. Mazes of orange and pink canyons are surrounded by lower desert areas and higher elevated forests making for some fantastic pictures. There you can find over 300 species of birds as well as beavers, mule deer, and other wildlife. Many tour companies have designed trips for families that include kayaking, hiking, river rafting, horseback riding and other adventure activities such as visiting a working ranch. Yosemite National Park offers families gentle rivers, easy hikes, and a Junior Ranger program and lots of wildlife.
Use this year’s Spring Break to take a family vacation that you’ll never forget. Pick a spot full of attractions and sights that everybody wants to visit, and create some fantastic memories that will last a lifetime.
Spring break family travel is one of the most popular times to cruise. See our complete guide to Best Cruise Line for Families to choose the right ship for kids of every age — and read Best Cruise Lines for Family Reunions if you’re organizing a group.
Planning a Family Reunion or Group Cruise?
Atlas Travel Center is the go-to partner for family reunions and class reunions that want to do it right. We specialize in group cruise planning — handling everything from the initial group contract through final embarkation, with flexible payment plans that make it easy for every family member to join. Learn how we plan family and class reunion group travel — Atlas Travel Center has been bringing families together for over 35 years.
