The pressure to have a special, memory making Spring Break with your kids is real. The limitations of time and money during this busy travel season also have to be considered. There are the traditional warm weather, beach vacations, but there are also areas of the world in their shoulder tourism season during in Spring. Consider both options, share some ideas with your family and reduce the pressure of selecting your Spring Break destination.
Consider these categories:
- US and No Passport Needed Destinations
- Grab Your Passport Destinations
US and No Passport Needed Destinations
Tanque Verde Ranch: Tucson, Arizona
How about a dude ranch experience right in a very cool US city where temps are comfortable in March and April? Sounds perfect to me. Located next to Saguaro National Park, envision family horse rides through scenic backdrops. Lodging options are flexible to accommodate your family size between Salas (tradition hotel room) and Casitas. Tanque Verde Ranch offers all inclusive and ala carte services with packages in-between as well. All Inclusive guests also enjoy a kids program, divided by age, as part of their package.
The ranch offers a wide variety of lessons for riding, roping and beyond. If you are not as enthusiastic about horses, you can also enjoy spa services, art classes, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and much more. Tanque Verde offers enough activities that each member of the family can have exactly the experience they desire whether that is focused on adventure, wellness or fun.
If you choose to stay in Tucson behind your dude ranch experience, I cannot recommend highly enough this AirBnB rental: M Casita at Desert Crossroads. Tucson has a great food scene and many, family friendly activities to enjoy.
Hawks Cay Resort: Duck Key, Florida
Florida always seems to come to mind when discussing family vacations, but the majority of Florida is not yet at beach friendly temperatures for those with early Springs Breaks. That is why I recommend heading to the Florida Keys where average temperatures in March and April are mid 80s. Hawks Cay Resort is a perfect family friendly choice.
The resort is situated with its own lagoon of sea water enclosed for water activities like paddle boarding and kayaking. Beyond the resort sea front, there is a barrier wall that keeps waters calm for Duck Key. Fun on the water doe not stop there. The resort offers cruising, scuba, snorkel, and fishing charters. If a traditional pool is more your style, the property offers four options to choose from including a kid’s pirate ship splash pad.
Hawks Cay Resort proves their family focus with organized activities and amenities designed for family fun. Kids will love the game room, basketball court, putting course, playground, and volleyball courts on site.
Parents will enjoy the spa amenities and multiple dining options. If you’re on the go, you can also order box lunches or get groceries delivered to your villa.
Austin & Spicewood, Texas
Austin is the one of the fastest growing cities in the US for a good reason. The food, the fun, and the outdoors. You could easily spend a week swimming at Barton Springs Pool, enjoying barbeque and breakfast tacos, lounging at food truck parks, visiting museums, cruising down Lady Bird Lake, etc. I recommend a few days of this paired with a more remote adventure.
Just thirty miles from Austin is Cypress Valley in Spicewood, Texas. This ranch property includes magical treehouses and glamping opportunities. The one family size treehouse, the Nest, features two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and dining, and private bath – all in the trees.
Guests of the ranch can enjoy swimming or canoeing on their seasonal lake, cooling off in the pool, relaxing in a hammock, and play lawn games. Visitors in March and April can expect temperatures in the 70s and low 80s.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas often gets overlooked for families or used as a gateway to other family destination in the region since flights come into Las Vegas airports from nearly every market in the United States. Although temperatures will be in the 70s and 80s in March and April, that desert sun makes Vegas a great spot to enjoy some pool time most of the year.
I have written about Family Friendly Vegas Activities and Family Friendly Vegas Restaurants to get your trip planning started. If you are still having reservation, read Should I Take My Kids to Vegas. There are few places in the United States where you can enjoy nice weather year round and find amenities, restaurants, and accommodations at nearly every price point.
If the pool is the big attraction for your kids, consider Mandalay Bay for its eleven acre waterpark. Circus Circus is a kid favorite with it’s water slide and entertainment all at an affordable price. Tahiti Village Resort is an off-strip property with an impressive pool and family friendly room configurations. There are also several hotels on the strip that do not contain a casino if that is your preference.
Puerto Rico
You can make Puerto Rico an adventure trip, a beach vacay, or simply explore different parts of the island. If you stay at a resort near San Juan, you can take in the city’s rich history while also enjoying the laid back beach time. March and April are a great time of year to visit with average temperatures in the 80s.
The Royal Sonesta San Juan is a beautiful resort that fits this description. They offer several different configurations to suit you. Whether its white sand or their lagoon style pool, The Royal Sonesta will impress. Add in seven different restaurants to choose from and easy access to downtown and Old San Juan.
Grab Your Passport Destinations
Jewel Grand Montego Bay Resort & Spa: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Imagine beautiful beach front sunrises…or sunset depending on the age of your kids. If your idea of a Spring Break is a resort that you can lounge, play and dine at for the whole visit, you will want to check out Jewel Grand Montego Bay.
The beautiful white sand beach enters into a lagoon style swimming area. They offers suites with a traditional, rich decor as well as oceanfront suites featuring modern, sleek decor. There are also multi-bedroom villas available for larger families or those who require their own space. Choose from a dozen restaurants and lounges, in addition to room service, covering all types of cuisines and atmospheres.
Jewel Grand offers two large pools and water sports including kayaking, wind sailing, paddle boarding and sailboating. If you have explorer all this, but the kids want more, there is also a Kid and Teen Center. Activities include sports, gaming, and crafts. If the parents are looking for more to enjoy, there are also spa services, nearby golfing, and the option to book excursions off property.
Turkey
If more mild weather and a grand adventure sound like the perfect Spring Break, consider Turkey. There are many direct flights and single connections from the United States into Istanbul, keeping your travel realistic. Mild temperatures in the 50s and low 60s may seem chilly for some, but to those of us living through colder winters, this will be welcomed.
One week in Turkey is a good amount of time to see two to three cities depending on your preferences. Turkey’s varied landscape allow you to have a city experience in Istanbul, take in the vista of volcanic rock in Cappadocia, explore ruins, and beach views. Intrepid Travel features a week long itinerary for those wiling to move around. Travel Babbo offers extensive suggestions for a longer time in Cappadocia.
Morocco
Keeping in the spirit of adventure, but in a slightly warmer climate, Morocco offers temperatures in the 70s at this time of year. Casablanca, the location of Morocco’s largest airport, has direct flights from Miami, New York and Washington. I like this suggestion because travelers tend to think of safari when visiting Africa and may feel they need to devote a longer amount of time. Morocco is so completely different from the countries that offer safari – different type of dessert terrain and very different cities filled with beautiful souks and history. One week in Morocco would make a lovely first time to Africa for Spring Break.
Many people recommend getting out of the city and the driving is considered easy once you do. I always try to incorporate more than one environment in a new country to have a better understanding of the people and culture when you return home. Flash Packing Family offers some good tips for travel with kids in Morocco. Families Love Travel shares what seems like the perfect mix of dessert experiences in an 8 day itinerary.
Belize
Belize offers the opportunity for a shorter international flight from many US destinations and the ability to choose from many different types of vacations. I recommend flying into Belize City and heading for the jungle. The Ian Anderson Cave Branch Jungle Lodge will immerse your family in a luxurious jungle experience. The Lodge offers an all inclusive family package with activity options that can be customized for each family member. The onsite amenities offer great places for rest including pool, hot tub, spa services, gourmet cheese shop, and more. Several kid and teen friendly activities are available including caving, tubing, horseback riding, nature tours, snorkeling and diving, and jungle safari.
Following your great adventure, return toward Belize City for a couple days of pure relaxation at Mahogany Bay Village or Ramon’s Village Resort, both on the island of San Pedro and two different prices points. Each resort offers special amenities and different atmosphere. Both receive excellent reviews and will help you wrap up your Belize experience!
That’s it!
That wraps up my list of Spring Break destinations you may not have considered. If you already know where your family is traveling next Spring Break, please leave a comment or message me to fill me in! Happy Travels!
