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Best Spring Break Destinations for Families

There's way too much to see and do.

By David PorterPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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As the father of a seven year-old, I love family travel. If you live in the Northeast or the Midwest, by the time January reaches its chilly conclusion, you’re probably already thinking about the perfect spring break destination. Most school vacations take place in early March, when there’s still about a month left of winter. If you’re lucky enough to live in the United States, there are plenty of family-friendly, budget-friendly spring break destinations on both coasts. I’ve got ten that are perfect for your family spring break, in no particular order, mostly because I’d love to do all of them!

Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival

Washington, D.C. is the perfect spot for a family vacation any time of year. Between the monuments and the Smithsonian Museums, you’ll need a month to get to all of it. Inspiration will strike at the Lincoln Memorial and at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Kids can get hands-on at the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Air & Space Museum has fighter planes suspended from the ceiling! You’re lucky if your kids’ spring break takes place later than most, as the 2018 National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from March 20 through April 15 along the Washington, D.C. Tidal Basin. A man-made reservoir, the Tidal Basin is surrounded by the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the George Mason Memorial, the John Paul Jones Memorial, the Floral Library, the Japanese Pagoda, and the Japanese Lantern.

The San Diego Zoo

What can I say about the most beloved zoo on earth? The 100-acre (40-hectare) zoo is home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals, more than 650 species and subspecies, including koalas, and a collection of more than 700,000 exotic plants. The San Diego Zoo is in beautiful Balboa Park, just north of downtown San Diego. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a wildlife sanctuary 30 miles north of the city in lovely Escondido, is home to more than 3,000 animals representing more than 300 species. There are plenty of family-friendly hotels near the Zoo, including the Inn at the Park and the ITH Zoo Hostel San Diego. And don’t forget to eat as much Mexican food as you can!

Spring Training

I took my son to his first Mets game last summer. I thought he wouldn’t last more than four innings, but we stayed for the whole game and he was the loudest person in our section of the stadium! I hope I get a chance to take him to spring training for one of our spring break holidays. There’s nothing better than taking a weeklong break from winter in Florida or Arizona, where you can catch plenty of Grapefruit and Cactus League games, respectively. It’s a far different experience than catching a game in a major stadium—at these games you can get up close and personal with your favorite teams, and the tickets are cheaper than they are during the regular season, of course.

The U.S. Virgin Islands

This U.S. territory might be Eden. The U.S. Virgin Islands are a short flight from New York or Chicago and an even shorter flight from Miami. Surrounded by the cerulean waters of the Caribbean, average temperatures are 77°F in the winter to 83°F in the summer. Love snorkeling, swimming, surfing or just strolling along sugar-sand beaches? You’ve got three islands to choose from—St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. St. John is home to the incredible Virgin Islands National Park.

Dude Ranches

If your kids love horseback riding, there are plenty of great places you can take them to do it. Dude ranches give you the cowboy experience, and there are a number of them in the Southwest, including Arizona, California and New Mexico, where you can saddle up beneath warm spring sunshine. In addition to horseback riding, your little dudes can also swim, play tennis and hike through some spectacular southwestern landscapes. For more information and a list of dude ranches, visit the Dude Rancher’s Association website.

Grand Canyon National Park

Awesome is pretty much all you can say about Grand Canyon National Park. You can drive up to the rim for one of the most incredible views on earth, but the kids might want to trek down to the Colorado River for some camping and rafting. You can ride down by mule or, if you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious, hire a helicopter to fly you over the canyon. Only the South Rim is open during the winter, but you’ll still be able to take in the Canyon’s unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms—it’s 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep.

Disney Cruises

Looking for kid-friendly cruise lines? Disney sails to ports in Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda, California, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Mexico. On board your kids will thrill to live Disney shows, Disney character experiences and deck parties! Disney Cruises also offers youth clubs for kids of all ages: there’s the “It’s A Small World Nursery” for toddlers, Disney’s Oceaneer Club for grade and middle schoolers, and Vibe for teens. Each ship also has a number of pools, including freshwater pools, aqua play areas and waterslides designed for kids, families and adults. Think of each ship as a magic kingdom at sea!

New York, NY

It’s a “helluva” town and perfect for kids. Spring break is the perfect time to visit the city—it’s neither too hot nor too cold and, as always, there’s way too much to do. With kids, you can pack every day: The American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (don’t miss the Arms and Armour), the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the New York Hall of Science… you can walk through Central Park, ride the Staten Island Ferry, and there’s pizza on every corner. Grab a guide and get going!

Kalahari Indoor Water Park

Kids love water parks, and they don’t care if they’re indoors, outdoors…you could put a water park on the moon and kids would want to go. Kalahari Indoor Water Park is a theme park for anyone who loves water rides. Beyond all the rides and slides, you’ll find game rooms, mini-golf, mini-bowling, virtual reality and escape rooms. For parents there are spas and fitness centers, but you’ll probably wear yourself out in the water. It’s less than 80 miles from New York to this Pocono Mountains hotspot.

South Beach, Miami and Key West, FL

Give me sand and sea and I’m happy, as is my son. If your family feels the same way, the best place to spend your spring break might be South Beach. The beach is gorgeous, and endless, the water is warm and blue, and there’s plenty of delicious, reasonably-priced Cuban food to feed your brood. South Beach has a great sidewalk for rollerblading and cycling, and the historic Art Deco district is perfect for a family stroll. While you’re livin’ la vida loca, take a day trip to Key West. Take Route 1 south over the seven-mile bridge to visit the southernmost point in the Continental USA, enjoy some snorkeling and feed everyone conch fritters.

family travel
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About the Creator

David Porter

David A. Porter has been the editor at large for Stereo Embers Magazine, an online music site, since 2007. David received an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in English from San Francisco State University. He is a Rutgers graduate.

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