Spring break is almost here and it’s time to think about the best places to travel! Let’s take a look at some of the best spring break destinations in the US that offer unique experiences and scenic views.
Whether you’re torn between heading to the best beach towns, reconnecting with nature, and enjoying scenic mountain vistas in full bloom, or to the big cities with family-friendly activities, we’ve got you covered.
With Spring break just around the corner, everyone is probably more than ready to shed their coats, get out the swimwear, and head somewhere warm.
Perhaps, you are tired of being cooped up and are ready to head for the hills to get some fresh mountain air and capture some beautiful spring flowers.
Either way, here are a few of the best places to travel in the US for spring break with your family.
Where Are The Best Spring Break Destinations?
Dreaming of spring bliss in the US? With blooming gardens, scenic views, and sunny cities, Springtime in the United States is the perfect time to go on vacation with the family. Here are the best places to visit in spring!
- Palm Beach, Florida
- Malibu, California
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Washington D.C.
- Moab, Utah
- Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- Amelia Island, Florida
- Anna Maria Island, Florida
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
No matter where you are going, it’s always best to research and plan ahead of time because travel is always easier when you have it planned. To save your budget, check the local Chamber of Commerce and ask about free events and family-friendly attractions.
One more money-saving tip is to use our The Travel Expense Tracker™️ to gain control over your travel budget so you don’t go overboard.
How Do You Plan A Spring Break Trip?
Planning a Spring Break vacation in the US can be expensive if you don’t plan accordingly. In general, booking early is usually best, however, we have also found at least 60 days prior to our travel dates to be the best time for booking airfare.
Flying on Tuesdays or Wednesdays is also a great way to save a bit on airfare. We’ve also found that sometimes last minute home rentals can be hard to come by, but if you are diligent and persistent, home owners are also a little more likely to negotiate on the rate if the house is still unrented.
Finding a good rate on your US Spring Break family vacation also depends on where you choose to go. Consider these USA travel destinations for planning your next US Spring Break vacation with kids.
Best Spring Break Destinations
Here are the best spring break destinations for families!
Located in South Florida, separated from the mainland by the Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach is known for its glitzy real estate and beaches.
A great destination to spend your time shopping the upscale boutiques, browsing antique furnishings, and enjoying the delicious restaurants.
A great way for families to enjoy West Palm Beach is to consider a house rental.
Florida Vacation rentals offer the opportunity for more room to spread out and, in many cases, the ability to have your own private pool.
Don't be afraid of the rental rates because you can often work a bargain with the owners.
If you want the beach atmosphere but are looking for a little more low-key vacation, consider Malibu, CA. Malibu is great for families, and you can’t beat the views and beach town vibes.
Stretching for more than 30 miles along the West Coast, Malibu offers gorgeous sunset views and all-access beach fun with a bit of luxury.
Check out this beachfront vacation home in Malibu, CA sleeps 6 people and boasts amazing views of the Pacific Ocean on it's own stretch of private beach.
Imagine swinging on the porch of an antebellum home, sweet tea in hand, wondering if you should explore some of America’s early history, indulge in some Southern comfort food, head to the beach, or stay swinging for just a little longer.
You can experience all of that and more in Charleston, South Carolina. Whether you love history, shopping, sampling local cuisine, children’s activities, or the beach, there are a ton of things to do in Charleston with kids. It is an ideal spring break destination for kids of all ages.
Charleston is a perfect city for learning about antebellum and Civil War history, in particular. Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie and the USS Hunley sites are all bring history to life for kids.
Other attraction include;
- South Carolina Aquarium
- Children’s Museum of the Low Country
- Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum
- Charleston City Market
- Rainbow Row
Asheville, North Carolina isn't a big city but there are big views and lots of kid friendly activities in the area!
Rent a car and wander the curvy roads to discover countless trails with both beautiful waterfalls and long range views (if you need guidance on where to get outside and enjoy the views, check out this list of kid friendly easy hikes near Asheville NC!.
In addition to the outdoors, Asheville boasts the famous Biltmore estate, museums, kid-friendly breweries, and a fun downtown full of open air musicians, street art, and little boutiques.
Recently named the best food city in America by Yelp, there are plenty of places for foodies. A few kid-friendly favorites are the French Broad Chocolate Lounge or The Hop ice cream shop.
Older kids will enjoy the River Arts District with artisan demonstrations and galleries while the whole family can have fun at Well Played Board Game Cafe.
Take a day trip and explore the popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park or add on an extension to see the ocean, the beaches in South Carolina are only a 6 hour drive!
If you’ve ever wanted to witness Cherry Blossoms in the US, then plan a spring visit to Washington D.C. and experience the famous Cherry Blossom Festival.
This spring festival celebrates the lasting friendship between the US and Japanese, and usually goes from about early March to mid-April.
To ensure you witness these blossoms in full bloom, make sure to visit the Cherry Blossom Festival’s website and keep track of the bloom watch.
The Cherry Blossom festival is fun for the whole family, with so many fun events such as the Kite festival, the Japanese stone lantern lighting ceremony, and PetalPalooza at the DC Wharf, which ends with a firework display.
You can find majority of the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin, just be prepared for crowds. The best time to visit these blossoms are usually early in the morning, or midweek. You can also find food vendors, and festival merchandise at the Tidal Basin, along with some live entertainment.
Spring break is the perfect time to get the kids outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer. There is no better place to go than Moab, Utah for outdoor adventures.
Moab is the town closest to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Dead Horse Point State Park. These three parks feature amazing rock formations, world-class hiking and biking trails and spectacular views to photograph.
There are so many things to do in Moab that are outside the parks. You can explore the area on your own or book a tour with the various local guides. Kid-friendly outdoor activities in Moab include hiking, biking, and 4x4 offroad driving.
One of the must-do activities with kids is stargazing. Take time one night to get away from the city lights and enjoy the endless sky of stars. Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point are all designated as ‘Dark Sky’ locations. There’s a reason these parks have the slogan “Half the Park is After Dark.”
And don’t forget the local geology, culture and history that can be found in the Moab area. You can see petroglyphs and dinosaur prints in the rocks. And you can even walk around life-size replicas of dinosaurs! What kid, and adult for that matter, wouldn’t want to do that!?
One of America’s favorite island, Hilton Head in South Carolina is a vacation paradise offering over 12 miles of pristine beaches, golf courses , plenty of family friendly activities.
Plus, you’ll also find there many acres of protected wildlife and nature preserves and endless paved bike trails, and so much more!
Teeming with marin life, the waters of Hilton Head offers unique water activities like dolphin tours which you definitely should not miss.
Walk long Hilton Head’s biggest beach, the Coligny Beach Park which boasts picturesque seaside views and tasteful selection of eateries and shops at Coligny Plaza near the beach.
Amelia island is a timeless scenic escape teeming with gorgeous natural wonders and plenty of family friendly activities. From its beautiful beaches to historical attractions, Amelia Island abounds with so many things to do.
Learn about its 4,000 years of history by walking along the brick streets of historic Fernandina Beach or ride the Amelia Island Trolley for a historical tour of the town.
Sail across the spacious white-sand beaches and cruise along salt marshes. If you’re lucky you might be able to spot some wild horses roaming free on Cumberland Island.
There’s also plenty of family friendly accommodations in the Island including this beautiful oceanfront vacation house in Amelia Island.
Anna Maria Island is one of the barrier islands on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This seven mile long island is probably best known for its stunning wide sandy beaches and is filled with small town charm.
Unlike the more touristy coastal beaches, Anna Maria island offers a laid-back beach vibe that is perfect for those who want to experience a more quiet and authentic Island life.
One great spot to check out is the Anna Maria City Pier where you can go fishing or just view some wildlife.
The Bean Point is another location to visit if you want a more secluded getaway, as there is limited parking in the area, visitors are fewer and you’ll have more of the beach to yourself.
Looking for a place to stay when visiting the Island? I’ve found really good rates and a lot of variety using Vrbo.com. Here are some options for Anna Maria Island vacation rentals.
Springtime is one of the best times to visit Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
With the wildflowers in full bloom and the weather warming up, spring break in Pigeon Forge offers tons of scenic views and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun!
Spring hikes in the Smokies are filled with colorful wildflowers, spectacular views, and is also the perfect time to go fishing.
Celebrate Spring at Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival surrounded by colorful flowers and larger-than-life sculptures.
And if planning to stay for a couple of days, here are the best places to stay in Pigeon Forge.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Cheap Family Vacations in the US
- Best Places To Travel In The US In May
- Cheap Family Vacations in Florida
- Best Places To Travel With A Baby In The US
- Cheap Beach Vacations In The USA
MORE RELATED RESOURCES
Looking for more spring break vacation ideas? Check out our other posts on the Best Places To Travel In The US In March, April, and May.
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