13 Best Spring Break Ideas for Families
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Spring break is the well-deserved week off kids, parents, and certainly teachers need, especially after a long, cold winter. Maybe you’re dreaming of a tropical getaway where you’ll never take off your swimsuit, or maybe museums and cherry blossoms are calling to you. Whatever spring break means to your crew, draw some inspiration from this list of the best destinations for families, from Colorado to Turks and Caicos.
- Best tourist destination: Orlando, Florida
- Best for beaches: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
- Best for skiing: Keystone, Colorado
- Multigenerational trip: Oahu
- All-inclusive getaway: A family cruise
Read on for the rest of our 13 spring break ideas with activities that appeal to all ages.
Orlando, Florida
Walt Disney World might be the most obvious spring break choice, but if you’ve yet to see what the hype is all about, you’re in for a treat. Even if you’ve been to Orlando dozens of times, the parks are always opening new attractions to get excited about. Families can explore enchanting floral displays and sculptures of Disney characters at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which runs from around March to June, learn about different species at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or splash around in either of two water parks. There are also plenty of things to do without park tickets, so you don’t necessarily need passes for every day of your vacation.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
With its turquoise waters and powdery white-sand beaches, Turks and Caicos is perfect for families seeking a laid-back beach vacation. It’s less than four hours from many major East Coast cities, making it a great option for a quick getaway. While the archipelago has no shortage of beautiful places to stay, Providenciales is home to some of the best beaches and family-friendly resorts.
Set along the calm shores of Long Bay Beach, The Shore Club Turks & Caicos has spacious villas with up to six bedrooms, making it an ideal choice for families. Guests can access four pools, a spa, and multiple dining venues. While you might be tempted to spend your entire vacation on the property, don’t miss out on the archipelago’s other highlights, including snorkeling near Iguana Island and paddling through the mangroves in a see-through kayak with Clear Bottom Adventures.
Keystone, Colorado
Daniel Milchev/Keystone Resort
If your family prefers snow to sand, Keystone Resort is one of the best kid-friendly ski destinations in the country. With over 3,000 acres of terrain across three peaks and five bowls in the Rocky Mountains, skiers of all skill levels can find a trail to take their fancy. And if your child is a first-time skier, you can sign them up for lessons at the resort’s Ski and Ride School.
When you’re ready to take off the skis, you can twirl your way around two ice skating venues: Lakeside Village and Dercum Square in River Run Village. Kids will also love climbing through the impressive snow fort that brings winter fantasies to life. Top it all off with the adrenaline rush of zooming down Dercum Mountain in a tube, open to thrill-seekers over the age of four.
Oahu
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Hawaii’s rich culture, dramatic coastlines, and endless adventures — from surfing to waterfall hikes — make it an excellent destination for multigenerational groups. Since you’ll likely land in Honolulu, Hawaii’s main travel hub, it’s worth starting your trip (or spending the entirety of it) exploring the island of Oahu.
Families looking for an alternative to the state capital’s big resorts will appreciate the design-forward Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, which offers two- and three-bedroom suites. The midcentury modern-inspired property is about half a mile from Waikiki Beach, so you won’t be far from great restaurants, but don’t miss the hotel’s on-site dining venue, Mahina and Sun’s, which offers superb farm-to-table fare (including some kid-friendly options).
Beyond relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of things to do on Oahu, from surf lessons to learning about traditional Hawaiian aquaculture practices at the ancient Paepae o Heʻeia fishpond.
A Family Cruise
For parents who are too busy to plan the logistics of a family vacation, cruises are the all-inclusive golden solution. There’s no need to worry about where you’re going to eat or how you’re going to get from one attraction to the next: Everything is taken care of for you. Most cruise ships have kid and teen programs that offer plenty of activities and excursions to keep children busy.
There are many different types of cruises beyond the classic Caribbean romps, too. Some of the best cruise lines for families offer European river routes and expeditions to hard-to-reach corners of the globe, from the charming French villages along the River Seine to the biodiversity of Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands.
Washington, D.C.
Every spring, the nation’s capital bursts with color, attracting some 1.5 million tourists to see 3,800 cherry trees blooming along the Tidal Basin. The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival occurs from late March to mid-April and includes events such as kite-flying workshops, art exhibits, and performances. To plan your trip during peak bloom, follow the cherry blossom forecast for the latest updates.
In addition to the springtime blossoms, Washington, D.C., is chock-full of free museums and gardens, which helps keep costs down on a family trip. From the National Museum of Natural History to the U.S. Botanic Garden and National Zoo, there’s a wealth of attractions that appeal to kids and adults alike. If you’re willing to spend a little on tickets, the International Spy Museum is another fun spot for kids to learn about real-life spies and put their own skills to the test.
Los Cabos, Mexico
If you’re looking for sun, sand, and a side of whale-watching, consider a family vacation in Los Cabos. While the destination on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula has long been associated with partying college students, it’s evolved to include luxury hotels with kids’ clubs, upscale dining, and ocean and desert adventures.
Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve engages youngsters with its Ambassadors of the Environment program featuring experiences such as bird-watching, desert hikes, and snorkeling. At Montage Los Cabos, children ages five to 12 can get creative through the Paintbox program, which offers arts and crafts, games, and themed days.
Nature lovers of all ages will appreciate the area’s array of snorkeling spots, from the calm coves of Chileno Bay to the 27-square-mile Cabo Pulmo National Park, a marine protected area. As you cruise around, keep an eye out for humpback whales, which can be spotted between December and April.
Wisconsin Dells
Although it’s chilly on this side of the Midwest in March and April, Wisconsin Dells (known as the “water park capital of the world”) offers year-round fun at its indoor aquatic playgrounds. If your priority is keeping your kids busy all day, this is one of the best places to go. Kalahari has everything you could dream of: water coasters, waterslides, raft rides, wave simulators, a lazy river and, for the grown-ups, a swim-up bar and cabana. If you need to regain your land legs, the resort also has an arcade, mini golf course, laser tag, and dry rides.
With four indoor water parks, the Wilderness Resort is another family favorite. Klondike Kavern serves up raft rides, body slides, and a lazy river, while the Wild Waterdome has the country’s largest indoor wave pool and the Wild West has tube and mat races. When you’ve had your fill of swim and play, check out an illusion show at the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater.
Zion National Park, Utah
While the Grand Canyon is a go-to spring break destination for families, you’re likely to find smaller crowds at Zion National Park in Utah. With its soaring sandstone cliffs and hanging gardens, the park offers plenty of kid-friendly hikes that are short and easy to navigate, including the Pa’rus and the Canyon Overlook trails.
Outside the park, southern Utah’s sandstone valleys have plenty more to offer families on the hunt for beautiful views. Adrenaline-seekers can clip into ropes and climb a vertical rock face on the Above Zion Via Ferrata. This Utah spring break idea can also be an opportunity to book unforgettable accommodations like the luxury glamping tents at Open Sky or Under Canvas.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Crowned Travel + Leisure’s 2024 destination of the year, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s playground. The Central American nation has something for everyone: spectacular sandy beaches, pristine waterfalls and hot springs, volcanos, and some of the most biodiverse rain forests in the world.
The province of Guanacaste offers an array of resorts that cater to different travel styles. Looking for a wellness-focused getaway in an idyllic surf town? Plan a family vacation to Nosara, where you’ll find boutique hotels that capture the nation’s pura vida (pure life) spirit. Steps away from the town’s world-famous surf break, Silvestre Nosara Hotel & Residences offers sleek apartment-style accommodations with full kitchens. The property has a rooftop pool, wellness classes, and surfboards for family members looking to catch some waves.
Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo is another standout option for families thanks to its spacious multi-bedroom villas with breathtaking bay views. Traverse the treetops while spotting monkeys on the nearby Palmares Aerial Adventure course, or find waterfalls and hot springs around the volcanos in Rincón de la Vieja National Park.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Named one of the best islands in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure readers, Hilton Head is a haven for outdoorsy children. Start your trip by renting bikes and exploring the island via Hilton Head’s many bike trails. Continue the adventure with a zip line ride through South Carolina’s Lowcountry, followed by a pirate-themed cruise. While you’re there, carve out time for the Coastal Discovery Museum, which is set on 68 acres featuring historic buildings, gardens, beautiful live oak trees, and boardwalk trails through a salt marsh. Coligny Beach Park and Folly Field Beach Park are two top beaches to squeeze in swim time or a coastal sunset. If you’re particularly fond of animals, you can go horseback riding at the Sea Pines Resort or spot deer, birds, and alligators at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The Florida Keys
If your kids can’t get enough of wildlife, the Florida Keys are sure to impress. Go to the Eco-Discovery Center for an introduction to the local marine ecosystem, and then head to the Key West Aquarium, where kids can hold starfish, sea cucumbers, and conches. Later, stop at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory to see more than 50 butterfly species, plus turtles and birds like flamingos.
But there’s more to the Keys than marine animals. At Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, you can dive into Civil War history at the circa-1860s fort. Continue your explorations at the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum, where kids can see treasures salvaged from a sunken ship. If you’re craving adventure, consider taking a glass-bottom boat or kayak through John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, snorkeling at Sombrero Reef, and parasailing in Key Largo.
San Diego
“America’s Finest City” is a wonderland of parks, beaches, museums, hiking trails, and an abundance of other things to do with kids. After a trip to the San Diego Zoo, be sure to see some of Balboa Park’s other attractions, like the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Fleet Science Center. If you have a car, you may want to take a day trip to nearby Legoland California, which has over 60 rides, shows, and activities, plus a water park.
The city’s stunning beaches are not to be missed, either. Grab some bikes and ride the Bayshore Bikeway, making a pit stop at the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge on your way to Imperial Beach. As one of the top family-friendly beaches in the U.S., Coronado Beach — with its paddleboarding, boogie boarding, and tide pools — should also be on your radar. La Jolla Shores is a prime place to ride bikes and see sunbathing seals and sea lions. And while you’re oceanside, book a whale-watching cruise to catch the tail end of migration season.
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