10 Best Spring Break Travel Destinations for Families

10 Best Spring Break Travel Destinations for Families

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The time of year is approaching where students, and their teachers, are due for a much needed break from the classroom. While spring break is often synonymous with beach-bound college students, it also provides a great chance for you to take that long awaited family vacation.

Traveling with kids, especially little ones, can be daunting. Luckily, there are many destinations that cater to adventurers of all ages.

From amusement park thrills to beachfront bliss, we outline some of the top spring break vacation spots for families this year. 

Top 10 Family Spring Break Destinations

If you’re planning to get away this spring, consider the following destinations known for family fun. 

San Diego, California

Family-Friendly Things to Do: 

Why We Love San Diego

While it’s California’s second largest city, it may be the most popular among travelers. From theme parks to beaches, hiking to golf courses, there’s no end to what’s possible in San Diego. The SoCal city has also been named one of America’s top foodie cities. During the spring, crowds won’t be as hectic as the summer months, making finding dinner reservations at any of the incredible restaurants around town slightly more attainable.

Weather to Expect: While San Diego does experience a mild winter, temperatures do start to rise beginning in March. Prepare for forecasts in the high 60’s during your stay.

Cayman Islands

Family-Friendly Things to Do: 

Why We Love the Cayman Islands

Encompassing three islands on the clear Caribbean Sea, the Cayman Islands provides a peaceful beach retreat with much to offer. If you’re looking for laid-back spring break ideas, we recommend hanging around the award-winning Seven Mile Beach with plenty of restaurants and activities to enjoy. However, if soaking up the sandy shores isn’t for you, you can take to the ocean and enjoy snorkel trips, fishing charters, and water sports.

Weather to Expect: You can’t beat the conditions that a Cayman Island spring can provide. Enjoy clear skies, temperatures in the low 80’s, and minimal rainfall.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Family-Friendly Things to Do: 

Why We Love Hilton Head

Experience the Southern charm of one of South Carolina’s most picturesque coastal towns. Whether you’re flying in or taking a road trip, you’ll notice the island’s lure as soon as you enter. From children’s museums to pirate cruises, historic sites to lighthouses, there’s countless kid-friendly activities that can be found in every corner or Hilton Head.

Weather to Expect: Hilton Head is beautiful in the spring, with flowers blooming and temperatures ranging from 75°F during the day to around 55°F at night.

Bahamas

Family-Friendly Things to Do: 

  • Explore the Cays in The Exumas
  • Splash around at a water park on Paradise Island 
  • Explore life under the sea with a snorkel excursion

Why We Love the Bahamas: 

The Bahamas is known worldwide for its white-sand beaches, crystal clear water, and lush tropical ecosystems. It’s no surprise the Bahamas as one of our top eco-friendly destinations. Treat yourself to some much needed relaxation on the postcard-perfect shores, or pick up the pace with water sports, boat tours, and other off-shore excursions. Choose from many popular, family-friendly resorts including Atlantis, Kamalame Cay, and Baha Mar.

Weather to Expect: The Bahamas stays between 70°F to 85°F throughout the springtime. Be prepared for the occasional rain shower, but not enough to disrupt your trip.

St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida

Family-Friendly Things to Do: 

Why We Love St. Petersburg & Clearwater

Florida’s Gulf Coast is home to some of the best beaches in the country, and St. Petersburg and Clearwater are no exceptions. Not only can you fly to the region fairly cheaply, but there are ample activities on offer to keep your family busy all week long. If you find yourself wanting more, Orlando’s Disney World Resort is just an hour and half drive away.

Weather to Expect: In the spring, you can expect average daily high temperatures to increase from 73°F to 87°F with minimal overcast, making for the perfect sun-filled spring break trip.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Family-Friendly Things to Do: 

Why We Love the U.S. Virgin Islands

If you’re in the mood for a getaway that offers something for the whole family to enjoy, look no further than the U.S. Virgin Islands. Made up of three main islands, St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, USVI can provide kids and adults with endless outdoor adventures to enjoy both on land and on the water. Since USVI is American territory, your family won’t need a passport to visit and you can use your phone without racking up large international data usage fees.

Weather to Expect: The U.S. Virgin Islands will offer pleasant weather throughout the spring. If you plan on visiting later in the season, you should expect some rain showers.

Sedona, Arizona

Family-Friendly Things to Do: 

Why We Love Sedona: 

As soon as you arrive in Sedona, sweeping views of the region’s iconic red rocks will have you itching to get out and explore. The city offers the perfect base for adventure, and is the ideal destination for families looking for an active escape. We recommend renting a car for the duration of your stay so your family can enjoy many of the incredible trails around town, explore the city, or even take a day trip out to the Grand Canyon. At night, take advantage of the low light pollution to experience some of the best stargazing around.

Weather to Expect: During the spring, you can expect comfortable temperatures, with an average high of about 80°F and daily lows around 50°F.

Costa Rica

Family-Friendly Things to Do: 

  • Zipline above the jungle canopy
  • Get in tune with nature with an Eco Tour
  • Release the stress in natural hot springs

Why We Love Costa Rica

Spring is technically the beginning of the rainy season in Costa Rica, but don’t let that keep you from visiting this tropical paradise. The Central American country offers lush landscapes, incredible wildlife, and over 800 miles of coastline. From horseback riding on the beach to hanging out with sloths in a rainforest, Costa Rica provides experiences that your kids will remember for life.

Weather to Expect: Be prepared for some heat in the spring. Costa Rica can reach the 90’s during the day. Rain season typically begins in May, so be prepared for daily showers if you are traveling towards the end of the season.

Turks and Caicos

Family-Friendly Things to Do:

Why We Love Turks and Caicos: 

If you looked up “luxurious relaxation” in the dictionary, you’d likely find a photo of Turks and Caicos. Travelers from around the world flock to this British Territory for its serene beaches, low crowds, and laid-back vibes. Create lasting memories with your loved ones exploring the islands, visiting historical sites, and enjoying some much needed family fun in the sun.

Weather to Expect: Turks and Caicos is beautiful year-round. In the spring, you can expect temperatures to average around 85°F, dropping slightly during the night.

Maui, Hawaii

Family-Friendly Things to Do: 

Why We Love Maui

Maui combines beaches, outdoor activities, culture, and history into one. This kid-friendly island paradise has so much to offer that creating your itinerary may be your biggest hurdle. You’ll forget you’re still in the States as you explore Maui’s diverse, picturesque landscapes. The island takes approximately 9 hours to drive around (without stopping), so we recommend renting a car for at least a few days to experience the best that it has to offer.

Weather to Expect: April and May are among the best times to visit Hawaii, where temperatures rest around 80°F with few rainy days.

Family Travel Tips From Squaremouth 

For parents, just getting your family to the airport in time for your flight can feel like a journey in itself. When you factor in the plane ride, traveling to your accommodations, and getting situated, you may even start to wonder why you decided to take a trip in the first place.

However, traveling doesn’t always have to be stressful. There are a few steps you can take before your family trip to alleviate headaches down the road.

We’ve outlined a few of our favorite family travel tips below:

  • Plan Ahead: According to our data, most parents start planning trips roughly 4-5 months in advance. Doing so can give you enough time to shop around and book your hotel (or vacation rental), flights, and popular excursions before they sell out.
  • Protect Your Trip Costs: The cost of travel has never been higher. To combat rising prices, many travelers are insuring their expenses with travel insurance. A solid travel insurance policy with cancellation coverage may reimburse your trip costs if you can no longer travel as planned.
  • Get Medical Coverage for Overseas Travel: If you’re planning to spend spring break abroad, it’s advised to get travel medical insurance. Since most U.S. based healthcare plans don’t offer overseas coverage, if a member of your family gets sick or injured you may be responsible for high out-of-pocket medical expenses.
  • Account for the Unknown: Our last piece of advice is to go into your trip with the understanding that things may, and likely will, go against your plans. While we can’t prevent the unknown, we can protect ourselves from it. Most travel insurance plans on Squaremouth protect against delays, lost luggage, missed connections, and other common flight disruptions.