Planning a family spring break trip can be challenging – especially if you’re looking for somewhere warm, unique, and not overrun with other spring breakers. But ever since we moved full-time to the unofficial spring break capital of the United States (aka: Florida’s Emerald Coast), we’ve become well-practiced in finding unique spring break destinations. So here are 8 places that we have loved visiting for family vacations.
These are all places we’ve traveled to in the last 5 years, when our kids were between 8 and 15 years old. So we can personally vouch for how well they keep kids and teens entertained. We can’t speak specifically for toddlers, but they generally had a lot to see and do, and felt family-friendly.
1. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a surprisingly kid-friendly city. It’s walkable, colorful, and brimming with equal parts history and quirk. Spring break can be a perfect time to visit “The Big Easy” because you’ll likely be there after Mardi Gras and before the summer heat moves in. We had a blast exploring the Garden District, taking a streetcar to the French Quarter, and shopping along Magazine Street. You can also check out the aquarium downtown or the zoo in Audubon Park. Next time we go, we’ve got City Park on our must-see list. It’s twice the size of New York’s Central Park and has a botanical garden, sculpture garden, and even a small amusement park.
Average March and April temperatures in New Orleans, LA are typically in the 50s (low) to 70s (high).
Read our full New Orleans with Kids trip recap for more ideas.
2. Charleston, South Carolina
Another city our whole family enjoyed exploring was Charleston, SC. Like New Orleans, you’ll be catching a charming, walkable Southern city just as temperatures are warming up, but before the heat and humidity take over. Staying in or near the city itself helps you avoid the crowds that are beginning to flock to nearby beaches like Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, or Folly Beach, which are just a short drive away if you really need some sand between your toes.
Average March and April temperatures in Charleston are typically in the 50s (low) to 70s (high).
Read our full Charleston with kids trip recap for everything we did, ate, and explored.
3. Palm Springs, California
Like these other destinations, Palm Springs has some of its best temperatures during the spring. It’s located in the California desert, meaning summer temps routinely hit triple digits! Plus, Palm Springs is more than just golf courses and mid-century architecture. We found kid-friendly attractions, like the Cabazon Dinosaurs (above) and nearby Joshua Tree National Park. You can also go on a waterfall hike or take a rotating aerial tram up the mountainside if you’re looking for more adventure. And since winter is peak visitor season for Palm Springs, we found it to be relatively quiet in early spring!
Average March and April temperatures in Palm Springs are typically in the 50s (low) to 80s (high).
Read our full Palm Springs with Kids recap for more recommendations.
4. Dallas, Texas
Dallas surprised us with how much personality and how many activity options it has for our family – from charming neighborhoods and outdoor parks to sprawling museums and unique entertainment spots. We spent a surprising amount of time in the Dallas Museum of Art and thePerot Museum of Nature and Science, and could’ve spent even more time playing unlimited pinball at Cidercade (above). We felt like we barely scratched the surface of what Dallas has to offer, so we’ll definitely be back. Just be sure to check if you’re traveling when local schools are also on break, because it might be smart to avoid those crowds.
Average March and April temperatures in Dallas are typically in the 50s (low) to 70s (high).
Read our full Things We Loved in Dallas for more recommendations.
5. Serenbe, Georgia
Located about 45 minutes south of Atlanta, this small “new urban” town focuses on nature, wellness, and community. It was one of our most peaceful Spring Break trips ever, where the kids spent hours exploring the woods, playing in creeks, and forgetting about their devices. We also ate lots of good food, shopped at sweet local stores, Sherry and our daughter enjoyed a spa day, and we all rode horses to a waterfall!
Average March and April temperatures in Serenbe are typically in the 40s (low) to 70s (high).
Read our full Serenbe, Georgia trip recap for more recommendations.
6. St. Petersburg, Florida
It should be no surprise to see a Florida destination on a spring break list (our entire state is basically a tourist destination due to warmer weather than most of the country at that time of year). But choosing to stay closer to downtown St. Petersburg (instead of other nearby beaches like St. Pete Beach and Clearwater) can help you avoid some crowds and help you have a more unique Spring Break experience. The city of St. Petersburg is fun and colorful, with lots to explore – including The St. Pete Pier (above), the Grand Central District, and the impressive The Salvador Dalí Museum. We really liked this trip!
Average March and April temperatures in St. Petersburg, FL are typically in the 60s (low) to 80s (high).
Here’s our full St. Petersburg family vacation recap for more ideas.
7. Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Ocean Springs caught our eye on Southern Living’s 15 Most Adorable Small Towns and we had a great time exploring its throwback charm, fun shops, and enjoying some really nice weather. You’ve got cute ice cream and donut shops, trendy coffee spots, and more in a very walkable and golf-cart-able town. They also have a sandy beach that fronts the Biloxi Bay, which offers chill, calm waters for all ages to safely enjoy.
Average March and April temperatures in Ocean Springs, MS are typically in the 50s (low) to 70s (high).
Here’s our full recap of our weekend in Ocean Springs for details.
8. Cape Charles, Virginia
One of the reasons we were so taken with Ocean Springs is because it reminded us of Cape Charles, Virginia – the historic Chesapeake Bay town where we used to own a beach house and our rental duplex. It too had a small, walkable downtown and bayfront beach that only really gets busy on holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Cape Charles may not be warm enough for a dip in March or April, but there are museums, state parks (including wild horses at Chincoteague), and more in the surrounding area that’ll keep your family the perfect amount of busy. If you’re looking for a chill and charming spot, Cape Charles has it in spades.
Average March and April temperatures in Cape Charles, VA are typically in the 40s (low) to 60s (high).
Check our guide to Cape Charles for our favorite places and activities.
BONUS: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
I’m listing this as a “bonus” because this is the spot we’ve chosen for this year’s spring break vacation. So while I can’t name our favorite activities yet, I can tell you that we’ve got a full list of things we’re excited for – everything from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood to the crazy Airbnb we booked with friends that has a game room, indoor mini golf course, movie room, and more! The rental houses there generally seem to be full of bells and whistles (more than one had a nerf room! like for shooting foam darts at each other). Should be a very entertaining town…
Average March and April temperatures in Gatlinburg are typically in the 30s (low) to 70s (high).
More Vacation Ideas
We’ve also got a whole library of blog posts with more Road Trips & Travel recaps if you need more spring break ideas.
