Spring break is here, and you will have your choice of many exciting destinations. Picking a spring break destination has a lot to do with the company you are with. If you are part of a young crowd wanting to meet up somewhere for nonstop partying, then you’ll pick one place and stay there. But if it’s just you or two of you or a family, itís great to take a road trip and visit several scenic sites.
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Best Spring Break Destinations In The Northeast
There are many spring break places from which to choose, especially if you live in or want to visit the northeast. The following are some of the best spring break destinations in the northeast.
New York City
New York City is an amazing place to visit. There is something for almost everyone in this beautiful city that never sleeps. If you like the theater, then you can visit the world-famous Broadway or Radio City Music Hall. If you like to shop as many young college students do, then you can visit world-class stores. There are many historic attractions to visit such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. You can enjoy a nice day in Central Park.
If you like to learn, then you will find much to do in the fabulous Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Just strolling down the street in New York City can be an adventure in itself. There are constantly different things happening. Of course, New York City can be expensive, but there are deals to be had if you do your research. You will also be able to save money if you split the cost of different items such as the hotels. Make sure that you also consider the logistics such as driving in the city, public transportation and so forth.
Also, use our NYC Travel Guide, NYC Weekend Getaway, and 3 Day NYC Itinerary with Teens to help you plan your trip and our tips for ways to save money on a NYC trip!
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a beautiful place to visit. The waterfalls are truly breathtaking. The area around it has turned into quite a tourist area and there is much to see and do for students on their spring breaks. It is a very pleasant area to visit and you will find many hotel choices.
Be sure to check out our top 10 things to do in Niagara Falls.
Vermont
If you like nature, then you might want to consider a trip to Vermont for your spring break. There are many things to do in this lovely area including nature sightseeing and different museums, festivals, and other attractions. Of course, the spring in Vermont can still be quite cold, so you should take that into consideration. How cold it is will depend on when your spring break actually is.
There are many wonderful places to visit for spring break. In addition to the ones listed above, you might want to consider the historic city of Philadelphia. There are many smaller destinations, as well, and you can go on a road trip and visit several. Be sure to be meticulous in your planning, and you will increase your chances of having a fabulous spring break.
Best Spring Break Destinations In The Northwest
The beautiful Northwest has lots to offer in the spring and really any time of year. You will find many great places to spend a week away throughout this entire region. Even though Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are known for wet weather in the spring months, you are just as likely to find some sunny days. And the great news is that if there has been a good snowfall, excellent skiing should continue on into April. Here are a few places to consider.
Seaside, Oregon
This quaint little town literally becomes a hub of activity during spring break. It’s a good vacation spot for families with its miles of smooth beaches, boardwalk, and interesting shops and restaurants. For a smaller crowd, consider a day trip to nearby Astoria a lovely seaport town with an excellent marine museum and the famous Astor Column that commemorates Lewis and Clark. Also, just north of Seaside Beach is Gearhart beach. This beach allows you to drive directly out onto the beach. Scenic Oregon Coast Road Trip
Ashland
Shakespeare anyone? Plays run year-round and Ashland is fun to visit any time of year. Nestled at the base of the Siskiyous, Ashland has quaint hotels, abundant RV parking, and fun restaurants and shops. The Ultimate Southern Oregon Road Trip – 9 Day Itinerary
Sunriver
Kayaking in Sunriver, Oregon near Bend, Oregon
Just east of the Cascades, Sunriver is convenient to one of Oregon’s major ski slopes, Mt. Bachelor. There are loads of houses, cabins, and condos along the river to rent because it’s a vacation town that is popular in all seasons.
See our Sunriver Travel Guide to help you plan your trip. Bend is the next town over and we have a post to help you plan things in Bend as well, Weekend Ski Trip to Bend, Oregon.
San Juan Islands
A short ferry boat away from Seattle, you can find the San Juans. They offer excellent camping, lodging, fishing, and general relaxation. Watch for killer whales, ride bikes along nature trails, dig for clams, or just kick back and read a good book in a cozy cabin.
Seattle
The Space Needle in Seattle
There’s enough to do in Seattle to keep you busy for a dozen spring breaks. Ride the monorail, go to the top of the Space Needle, shop for fresh fish, produce, and flowers in Pike’s Market, take a ferry to Victoria, and enjoy some of the best coffee in the Northwest at the original Starbucks. The city abounds with great restaurants, nightspots, and fun shopping.
See our Seattle Travel Guide to help you plan your trip!
Southern Oregon Coast
The banana belt of Oregon often has sunny, warm weather in the spring. Buy everything cranberry in Bandon, take a ride on the Rogue River, and go fishing and clamming on Gold Beach.
The Ultimate Southern Oregon Road Trip – 9 Day Itinerary
Silvies Valley Ranch in Eastern Oregon
Visiting a working ranch is a unique educational experience and visiting a luxury working ranch is even better. Here you can shoot guns, interact with baby goats, hit the spa, experience gourmet dining, participate in a cattle round up and much more.
Silvies Valley Ranch: A Luxury Dude Ranch in Eastern Oregon
Sun Valley, Idaho
Home to alpine-like skiing, Sun Valley is one of the most dramatic ski locations in the U.S. Although the area attracts the rich and famous from all over the world, there are some lodging possibilities for those just wanting simple pleasures. Apparently, the day we were there a bunch of reality tv celebrities were there. We never saw them. Its a beautiful resort and a great town.
There is good skiing nearby at two other places: Soldier Mountain Ski Resort and Pomerelle Ski Resort
Coeur-D-Alene
30 miles east of Spokane, this fun town was once called “a little slice of heaven” by Barbara Walters. While a lot of recreation is centered around the summer months, the town itself is filled with quaint shops and good nightlife entertainment. If you like gambling, then you will be happy to learn there’s also an Indian casino 30 miles south. They even have a theme park.
Nearby is Spokane where there’s even more to do. Top 13 Things To Do In Spokane
Best Spring Break Destinations In The Southeast
The southeast has many wonderful travel destinations for spring break. The following are some great destinations you might want to consider when making your travel plans.
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
You might want to consider the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. There are many wonderful things in this area that make it fantastic for spring break vacationers. The first hotspot for many spring breakers is the beach. You will find many beautiful beaches in this area, including South Beach, Hollywood Beach, Miami Beach, and more. Many of these beaches offer low-cost parking. There are many hotels on or near the beach for those who are looking for that experience. You can just go and enjoy the sun, water, and sand for your spring break.
In addition to the beach, there are many fun attractions in this area. There is a zoo, a science museum in both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, and many different other attractions that someone on spring break might enjoy. For those that want to party, there are many nightclubs and nightspots where you can dance the night away. There are many fun restaurants of all different types to please the palate. You will also find many performances of the arts in the form of plays and concerts. The weather during spring break is usually beautiful and warmer than much of the country.
Orlando
Many spring break students would have a lot of fun spending the week in Orlando, Florida. There are many benefits to such a destination. First, there are a lot of hotels from which to choose, and many of them are very reasonable. You will usually have your choice of many hotel rooms, even for under $40. Also, there are many inexpensive places to eat, so if you are on a budget, you can still eat great.
Obviously, the big draw of Orlando is the many theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Volcano Bay, Discovery Cove, Universal Orlando, and all of the other parks. These can be pricey, but you can get deals on multi-day tickets to the parks. Sometimes they offer deals specifically for Florida residents or military members. These can be a lot of fun and provide a once in a lifetime experience. In addition to the large theme parks you will find many smaller attractions such as dinner theaters, museums, and more.
22 Ways to save money in Orlando
30+ Fun Things to do in Orlando
Panama City Beach
We spent last year’s spring break in Panama City Beach and had a marvelous time. They outlawed drinking on public beaches and reclaimed the city for families. Families can enjoy beach time, seafood and southern food, little amusement parks and more.
Check out our Panama City Beach Travel Guide to help you plan your trip!
Best Spring Break Destinations In The Southwest
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is great for anyone because there is so much to do. If you are a young adult looking to party you will never run out of options. If you are a family there are multiple children’s museums, aquariums, water parks, and basically any family activity you can think of available. With so much to do, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Las Vegas.
Read our extensive Las Vegas Travel Guide to help you plan your entire trip! We also have a guide for doing Vegas on a budget and for taking kids 5 Days in Las Vegas with Kids.
Albuquerque
A New Mexico experience is one of a kind, just like New Mexican cuisine! Enjoy boutique shopping in old town, go for a beer crawl to over 15 breweries, hike up in the mountains, visit a lavender farm, and much more. From here you can take a day trip up to Santa Fe.
For more ideas, check out our Albuquerque Travel Guide.
Los Angeles
Santa Monica Beach
Los Angeles is another spot in the United States that has so much to do that, they can cater to any type of traveler. Within the area there are multiple theme parks like Disneyland, Universal Hollywood, and Knotts Berry Farm. If you want to shop, you will literally never run out of places to go! And let’s not forget the beach! There’s one beach after another, including the famous Venice Beach and Santa Monica beach home to Santa Monica Pier.
Check out our list of free things to do in LA!
Top 10 Fun Things To Do In Hollywood With Kids
Palm Springs
Head to Palm Springs for a spring break in the desert. If you’ve had a harsh winter, you will welcome the higher temps! Squeeze in some education and adventure on Jeep tour of the San Andreas fault. Catch relaxation at one of the many spas or head out for incredible hiking out in Coachella Valley Preserve or take the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up to Mt. San Jacinto State Park to hike in cooler temperatures.
I recommend staying at Omni Rancho Las Palmas near Palm Springs. They have several swimming pools and a lazy river.
For more tips, read our Palm Springs Travel Guide.
Best Spring Break Destinations In Texas
Texas is so fabulous it has to have its own category!
Fort Worth
Fort Worth may surprise you, but they’ve got a lot going on! Every meal will be delicious considering it’s mostly Tex-Mex and BBQ. They’ve got the historic Stockyards where you can catch a rodeo, watch a cattle drive, or go dancing at Billy Bob’s. The zoo is excellent and the downtown is cool. Nearby is Dallas and Six Flags.
For more info, check out our 5 day Fort Worth itinerary!
San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas is packed with activities. They have Six Flags and Sea World, not to mention one of the largest water parks in the world, Schlitterbahn (however, this water park will probably not be open during spring break). Shop and eat along the River Walk.
See our San Antonio travel guide for panning tips.
Best Spring Break Destinations in the Midwest
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio is a fantastic city with a little bit of everything. They have the Cincinnati Zoo and two theme parks, Kind’s Island and Cooney Island. Their playgrounds and green spaces tend to be quite nice. Highfield Discovery Center inside Glenwood Gardens is incredible. It’s a fantasy playground filled with fairy gardens, trains, a butterfly garden and more. There’s an endless supply of wonderful places to eat and lots of cool bars.
Check out our Top 11 Things to do in Cincinnati for even more things to do or our Cincinnati Travel Guide.
For more Midwest vacation ideas see our 7 Best Midwest Escapes.
Consider the above locations to have a fantastic time on your spring break. For more ideas, check out our top destinations for teens and tweens in the United States.
So many great cities on this list, many of which I never thought of for a US spring break. But why not. I guess I get my information from stupid TV shows where spring break involves beaches and bikinis. How great would it be to go camping and hiking instead? Of all of it here, my personal favourite city is Seattle. If I ever were to move back to the states, Seattle is where I think I would want to live.