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The 27 Best Spring Break Destinations for Families

From the Outer Banks to the Mediterranean, and everything in between

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Spring break is just around the corner and you’re struggling to pick a vacation spot that promises relaxation for parents without compromising on fun for the kids. Fortunately, our roundup of the best spring break destinations for families will guide you to a getaway that checks all the boxes, whether you want to hit the beach, do something cultural or be out in Mother Nature. From a Chicago city break to a national park adventure, we’ve got all the inspo you need for your next family vacay. We’ve also included a handy list of where to stay in each spot in a range of budgets (including a couple of all-inclusive resorts, if you’re into that kind of thing). But don’t delay—flights to and accommodations at these kid-friendly spots are sure to sell out fast.

13 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico


1. Los Cabos, Mexico

Breathtaking beaches and warm, sunny weather make Los Cabos kind of a no-brainer when it comes to spring break destinations. The most kid-friendly beach in the area is Cannery Beach—namely because the waves are small and the atmosphere is low-key. Downtown Cabo is a must for souvenir shopping where you’ll find authentic Mexican art, instruments, toys and clothing. There are also amazing ecotours on offer that the whole family can enjoy and a whole lot of history and culture to absorb pretty much anywhere you go. That said, this destination is primarily a place to relax in the sun, either on the beach or at the pool—and if you’re staying at a resort and would like some time to do that with just your SO, definitely take advantage of the Kids’ Club.

2. Thousand Islands, New York

At the tip of New York State, right at the Canadian border, you’ll find Thousand Islands—one of the state’s best kept secrets and a truly serene and beautiful place to spend a spring break vacation. Kids and adults alike will be enchanted by the romantic grandeur of the region’s biggest historic attraction, Boldt Castle, and the sparkling blue waters of the St. Lawrence River is pretty enough to make anyone swoon. Kayak, fish, take a scenic boat ride or enjoy the pristine beaches of Wellesley Island State Park. And if all this sounds a little too relaxed to satisfy your restless brood, a visit to the children’s farm village and/or the local zoo dedicated to native NY species should do the trick.

3. Savannah, Georgia

Cobblestone streets lined with oak trees weeping Spanish moss, a vibrant art and food scene, riverboat cruises and trolley tours—these are just a few of the reasons for Savannah’s unparalleled charm. Forsyth Park is a beautiful and scenic place to picnic that boasts two stellar playgrounds, to boot. A leisurely stroll down the city's iconic River Street promises something for everyone—it’s lined with candy shops, restaurants and boutiques—and the Savannah Children’s Museum is well worth a visit as well. Definitely carve out a day in your itinerary to hit the beach on Tybee Island and, if possible, be sure to take a family outing to the impressive Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, too.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A bright pink and yellow lifeguard stand looks over a beach in Miami beach. There is sand leading up to a green/blue ocean. THe sky is a bright blue with streaked white clouds.
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4. Miami Beach, Florida

Although best known for its nightlife, Miami Beach is an amazing family vacation destination as well. For starters, there’s Jungle Island—an eco-adventure park that serves up a simulated jungle experience, complete with hundreds of tropical birds, reptiles, and mammals, including the world’s largest feline. Of course, the Miami Zoo, Seaquarium and Everglades Alligator Farm are all pretty neat, too. Families with an interest in the arts should pay a visit to Wynwood Walls—an outdoor museum that boasts dozens of murals done by acclaimed artists and plenty of green space for kids to romp around. Bonus: Wynwood Walls is conveniently located near plenty of restaurants, so snacks and cocktails are but a stone’s throw away, as well.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A photograph taken under a large metallic structure in Chicago. In the distance, you can see the Chicago skyline set against a dark blue sky.
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5. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a treasure trove of attractions with appeal for tourists young and old. Visitors can spend a full day soaking up arts and culture on Museum Campus, a 57-acre scenic park in which three natural science museums—the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium—are within walking distance from one another. There’s also the Art Institute of Chicago, where the collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art is rivaled only by that of the Louvre. Families can then head to Millennium Park for some fun at the Animated Crown Fountain, which makes faces and shoots water, followed by a photo op at Cloud Gate (aka the Bean)—an awe-inspiring work of public art that reflects the city’s skyline.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A number of people stand behind a fence and watch a geyser go off, spraying large amounts of water into the air. There's a tree covered hill in the background set against a blue sky.
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6. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Head to Yellowstone National Park for an unforgettable outdoor adventure the whole family can enjoy. Perched atop a dormant volcano, this world famous gem spans 3,500 square miles of protected wilderness with breathtaking waterfalls, canyons, forests and—most notably—some pretty awesome geothermal features such as hot springs and geysers. (Hint: Yellowstone National Park is home to Old Faithful.) On the off chance that the beautiful landscape isn’t enough to impress your brood, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see grizzly bears, wolves, bighorn sheep and more in their natural habitat surely will. Yep, that’s part of the package, too—just be sure to respect the rules and guidelines for everyone’s safety.

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7. Orlando, Florida

News to no one: Disney World is the main event for families visiting Orlando, Florida. That said, if you have any energy left after a day or two of amusement park rides and photo ops with your kid’s favorite Disney characters, there are numerous other attractions on offer—including Sea World, LEGOLAND, Universal Studios and the Chocolate Museum, to name a few. Also, be sure to carve out some time to visit a craft brewery, winery or one of the city’s numerous fine dining establishments. After making your kid’s Disney World dreams come true, you deserve a good meal and a cold one.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A statue of a person holding a spear and a dog on an ivy covered rock overlook a body of water in Cooperstown. Trees surround the body of water and there are tree covered hills behind them.
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8. Cooperstown, New York

Cooperstown is a top destination for fans of America’s favorite pastime—namely because it is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum. This quaint village in Otsego county also has a Farmers’ Museum, a working farm that features live animals, plus hands-on activities and crafts for kids of all ages. For more outdoor fun, be sure to check out the scenic Otsego lake beaches or schedule a hike in one of the numerous state parks nearby.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A photo of a rocky beach in Maui. In the distance you can see palm trees and many buildings that border the beach. The sky is blue and there are white clouds in the sky.
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9. Maui, Hawaii

Hawaii ranks high on most vacation destination lists for obvious reasons, and Maui is arguably the most family-friendly island to visit. Aside from the stunning natural beauty of the island, Maui also boasts a wide range of activities and attractions for kids of all ages and—this is important—it’s particularly easy to get around. Drive the road to Hana, take a Maui pineapple tour and taste the island's sweetest fruit, spend the day ziplining at Camp Maui, or enjoy a serene afternoon hike surrounded by tropical flora at the ‘Iao Valley State Monument. Indeed, the hardest part of itinerary planning is that you’ll be spoiled with options.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - Colorful homes with white trim are clustered on the edge of a boardwalk that overlooks the ocean. There are palm trees that line the boardwalk as well. The sky is blue and it's a bright day.
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10. Florida Keys, Florida

If the hubbub of Miami Beach isn’t quite your speed, head to the Florida Keys where you’ll enjoy a more laid back atmosphere and an abundance of family-friendly activities to boot. The famous Hemingway House, the Key West Botanical Gardens (the only subtropical national conservation habitat in the continental U.S.) and the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center are particularly enriching destinations. Of course, you’re also welcome to spend the entirety of your stay snorkeling, swimming with dolphins and sunbathing on one of the many pristine beaches if that’s your preference.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A photograph of The Washington Monument at sunset. In the foreground is a massive body of water. Lining the water are dozens of pink blossom trees. You can see the Washington Monument and pink trees reflections in the water.
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11. Washington, D.C.

No trip to the capital would be complete without a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and a tour of the White House (duh). That said, Washington D.C. is a particularly appealing destination in the springtime because the city’s famous cherry blossoms are sure to be in full bloom and the National Cherry Blossom Festival—a three week long celebration of the event—in full swing. When it comes to taking in the rest of the city’s iconic and historical sites, a Big Bus tour is definitely the most efficient way to go—particularly for families with younger kids in tow.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A person with red hair swims in a very clear infinity pool that overlooks a part of St. Lucia that's clustered with buildings. The beach can be seen in the distance. It is surrounded by trees and large cliffs.
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12. St. Lucia, Bahamas

The fact that St. Lucia is a veritable tropical paradise is probably all the persuading you need to book a trip to this Bahamian island. Still, if your brood puts a damper on the idea of languishing all day on the beach with a piña colada in hand, you’ll be pleased to hear there’s plenty else to do. Our top picks include Splash Island Water Park—the Caribbean’s first ever open-sports water park and heaven on earth for kids—and The Rainforest Adventures St Lucia Aerial Tram and Zipline Tour, which features 10 ziplines, a canopy gondola and a picturesque rainforest hike.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A photograph of a mini golf green in Wisconsin Dells. There are many greens to putt on as well as bridges connecting the greens, brick walkways, and some decorative fountains.
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13. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World,” Wisconsin Dells is a family vacation mecca boasting numerous indoor and outdoor waterparks, wilderness trails, campgrounds, and activities that run the gamut from laser tag to wine tasting all available on premises. Also, among the resort's many attractions is the Wisconsin Deer Park, where families can feed and pet deer, elk, bison and other wildlife as they explore the beautiful grounds of the forested 40-acre park.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A large waterfall in Yosemite National Park surrounded by trees and large mountains in the distance.
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14. Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park serves up 1,200 square miles of majestic wilderness featuring sprawling meadows and valleys, giant sequoias and—most famously—countless waterfalls. Of all the hiking trails on offer, though, Vernal Falls is one that can’t be missed: This popular trail is essentially a giant natural staircase where the mist from dozens of surrounding waterfalls results in a stunning rainbow display.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A photograph of the beach in San Diego around sunset. The water and sky are blue and there are buildings in the distance with their lights on as well as tall palm trees.
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15. San Diego, California

Reliably sunny weather and exceptionally clean beaches make San Diego a spring break no-brainer, but there are numerous other family-friendly activities on offer when you’re ready to towel off. Some required attractions include SeaWorld, LEGOLAND and Balboa Park, which is home to a multitude of museums, as well as the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Once the daytime activities are done, be sure to soak up the downtown scene and enjoy some good eats in the city’s Little Italy or Gaslamp districts.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A young blond boy holds onto a green bike and walks it down a wooden boardwalk toward the beach in Hilton Head. The boardwalk is lined with green bushes. The beach is in the distance at the end of the baordwalk.
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16. Hilton Head, South Carolina

This historic resort island in South Carolina boasts 12 miles of gorgeous shoreline and a boatload of family-friendly activities to boot. Families will have a blast playing arcade games and mini golf at Adventure Cove or learning about history and wildlife at the interactive Coastal Discovery Museum. Thrill-seekers can sign up for Zipline and Aerial Adventures and spend the day in a treetop playground, and lowkey vacationers can absorb the island vibes with a relaxing boat tour. And did we mention that Hilton Head has dining and shopping options for days? Yep, this spring break destination truly has something for everyone.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A canal in San Antonio. On the left side, its lined with colorful tables on the edge of the walk way. On the right, a couple of bridges connecting different walkways.
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17. San Antonio, Texas

Take a guided battlefield tour of the Alamo and follow up with a walk through the Long Barrack Museum; then switch gears and enjoy a serene afternoon exploring the stone arch bridges, islands and pavilions of the beautiful (and totally free) Japanese Tea Garden or strolling the River Walk. Alternatively, you can pack your itinerary with kid-friendly attractions like SeaWorld, LEGOLAND and the San Antonio Zoo. Bottom line: If you’re looking to travel somewhere with warm weather and plenty to do, San Antonio fits the bill.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - Tall colorful buildings line the canals in Copenhagen. There are tented areas as well as boats full of people that also line the canal.
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18. Copenhagen, Denmark

Considering that Copenhagen has earned a reputation as the happiest and most livable city in the world, it should come as no surprise that the City of Fairytales also makes family vacation dreams come true. Famously bike and pedestrian-friendly, exploring the cobblestone streets, green parks, picturesque canals and historic architecture of Copenhagen is a breeze, even with little kids in tow. Plus, playgrounds abound, and the street food is said to be excellent. In other words, you’ll probably want to move to Copenhagen…but if that isn’t in the cards, at least be sure to check out the Tivoli Gardens and Copenhagen Zoo before you depart.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - An olive green cable car drives though the palm tree lined streets of New Orleans.
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19. New Orleans, Louisiana

In case you missed it, there’s a lot more to New Orleans than booze, beads and boobs. In fact, this vibrant city is an excellent family destination where visitors of all ages can enjoy everything from swamp tours to swoon worthy culinary experiences. And once you’re done washing down your PoBoy with a signature cocktail, we highly recommend taking in a little culture with a visit to Music Box Village—an outdoor sculpture garden with an instrumental twist—or tour of one of the many museums the Big Easy has on offer.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A man, woman, and child sit on a metal bench on a cliff that overlooks the Grand Canyon. The man points at something in the distance. The canyon stretches far into the distance.
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20. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

From Junior Ranger programs for the young ones to stargazing and family-friendly bike rides, there is no shortage of ways to fill the itinerary when planning a family vacation to the Grand Canyon. Plus, this trip is sure to yield enough picture perfect moments to fill an entire photo album, too. After all, they don’t call it ‘grand’ for nothing.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - An adult and four small children are pressed up against a red fence overlooking an overpass. They are all dressed for fall/winter. Some buildings appear in the distance.
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21. Twin Cities, Minnesota

This Midwestern destination is, perhaps surprisingly, replete with family-friendly attractions, like Bunker Beach Water Park, the kid-friendly Bakken Museum and Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, which is one of the last free zoos in the country (and an impressive one at that). Also, we’d be remiss not to mention the Mall of America—the seventh largest shopping mall in the world and home to an enormous number of attractions, including an entire theme park, Nickelodeon Universe, on the first floor.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A photograph of a a number of cabanas with grass and palm leaf roofs. There are bushes in the foreground of the photo and in the background, you can see a beach at sunset.
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22. Riviera Maya, Mexico

Riviera Maya is a gorgeous destination on the Caribbean coastline of Mexico, with a truly impressive number of family activities on offer for tourists. In fact, there are too many to name here, but we definitely suggest that families devote a full day to Xcaret—a water and amusement park, nestled in the heart of the Mayan jungle among underground rivers, that even the grown-ups on the trip will want to write home about. For a more relaxing experience, a Temazcal Natura Tour and a day exploring the white sand beaches and Mayan ruins of Isla Mujeres should do the trick.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A photograph of an ornate building in Paris. It's surrounded by a large water fountain and trees that are in bloom with pink blossoms. The sky is clear and it appears to be spring.
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23. Paris, France

Let’s be honest, there’s no bad time to book a flight to Paris, France. That said, the City of Light is particularly delightful in the spring when the mood is oh-so romantic, and the mild weather is suitable for many kid-friendly outdoor activities. Stroll the Luxembourg Gardens and gaze at the Medici Fountain—one of the most beautiful, historic fountains in all of Paris; head to the Musée d’Orsay or Louvre for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the world’s most famous masterpieces up close; or simply score a table for the fam at a street cafe so you can people watch and possibly fall in love with your spouse all over again. Let’s just say Paris is a land of opportunity.

Spring Break Vacation Ideas - A photograph of a golf course green in Palm Springs surrounded by small grassy hills. In the background, you can see mountains and a blue sky. In the foreground, there are plants with bright red leaves.
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24. Palm Springs, California

This popular California vacation spot boasts hot but pleasantly arid weather by day and crisp, cool nights in the spring. It’s also home to a plethora of family-friendly resorts where kids will have no trouble staying entertained while the adults enjoy some much-needed pampering. When you’re ready to venture away from the hotel grounds, we suggest checking out the Palm Springs Air Museum and the highly-acclaimed Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Plus, Joshua Tree State Park is absolutely breathtaking and not too far by car.

25. Virginia Beach, Virginia

This popular vacation destination, which boasts clean, beautiful beaches and a vibrant 3-mile long boardwalk, is arguably best enjoyed in the spring (i.e., before the summer crowds descend). A well-appointed and generously-sized oceanfront playground will entertain kids for hours on end, as will the Boardwalk Amusement Park, Ocean Breeze WaterPark and Virginia Living Museum. In other words, Virginia Beach boasts a multitude of ways for families to while away the hours, and the scenic, coastal setting is icing on the cake.

26. Positano, Italy

This stunning destination, carved into the cliffs of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, has serious honeymoon vibes, but it’s perfectly suited to families as well. Spring is also the best time to visit Positano, since all the fragrant flowers are in bloom, the weather is warm and the gorgeous beaches are not yet packed with tourists. Spend a day out on the sparkling, turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea with a family-friendly boat tour, or stay on dry land and explore medieval castles, historic ruins and mysterious grottos. As for the town itself, the colorful, cobblestone streets are lined with restaurants and trendy boutiques. (Hint: If you’re traveling with a tween or teen, you might want to decide on a shopping allowance in advance.)

27. Outer Banks, North Carolina

Make the outer banks—a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina—your family’s stomping grounds this spring break and you’ll enjoy unspoilt beaches, historic sites (Roanoke Island and Wright Brothers National Park, for example) and a smattering of charming towns, replete with options for shopping and dining. Water activities like swimming and kayaking are on offer, but there are a host of other family-friendly attractions too, including the North Carolina Aquarium, Children at Play Museum and a bunch of mini golf courses to boot.


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