I absolutely love taking advantage of school breaks and have found that the spring season is such a fun time for adventures. I’m an elementary teacher and let me just say, spring fever is a real thing! Getting away for the week has become a favorite of ours. The weather is getting warmer, the days are longer, and the crowds aren’t as busy as those in the summer. I have included a list of the most epic spring break destinations that I believe your family will love just as much as we do!
Moab, Utah
I have some mad love for Utah! Our first visit to this state was a few years ago over spring break and we have plans to return again this coming up break. Moab is the perfect destination for adventurous families! Our highlights included exploring two National Parks and going on a guided UTV excursion.
What makes a trip to Moab so great in the spring is the weather! Spring and fall are the best times to visit. In the spring, you’ll find temps in the 70s. Although it was a little chillier for us in early March and even snowed one day! We loved that we didn’t need timed-entry reservations for Aches National Park when we visited, like is required in the summer.
- Stay at The Hyatt Place Moab
- Explore Arches National Park
- Eat at Fiesta Mexican, Zax, and The Broken Oar
- Take a guided UTV excursion with Moab Tour Company
- Explore Dead Horse Point State Park
- Explore Canyonlands National Park
Click here for our full itinerary to Moab, UT!
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach just might be my new favorite beach destination! I was just flat out giddy during our spring break visit last year. The views, the food, the beach bunnies, the tide pools! Ah, this place is amazing! We decided to squeeze in a few days in Cannon Beach during our Pacific Coast Highway road trip last minute. We all agreed that out of everywhere we visited on the trip, we wished we had more time here!
My oldest absolutely loved playing with the beach bunnies that were often hanging outside the cottage we were staying in. Did I mention that we spent a few days in the cutest little cottage right on the beach? It was just perfectly adorable. We strolled along the beach, ate amazing seafood, finally saw tide pools in real life, and built campfires on the beach at night. I cannot wait to go back, it truly is a magical place!
- Stay at Sea Sprite Inn at Haystack Rock
- Eat breakfast at Pig ‘N Pancake
- Look for tide pools at Haystack Rock
- Play with beach bunnies
- Build a campfire on the beach
- Shop and dine along the quaint main street
- Explore Ecola State Park
- Go whale watching
- Watch the sunset on the beach
Washington, DC
The history buff in me adores this city just about any time of year! We made the trip over spring break a few years ago and had an amazing time seeing the cherry blossoms, touring the White House, seeing all the monuments, and exploring the museums.
Springtime temps in DC are pleasantly in the 50s-60s in March. The earlier in the month you visit, the less crowded you will find it! The best times to visit this city are September-November and March-May.
- Eat at Old Ebbitt Grill and Founding Farmers
- Tour the White House
- Explore the National Mall
- Go inside the Washington Monument
- Take a Monument Bike Tour at night with Unlimited Biking
- Check out the Smithsonian Museums
Click here for tips on getting a White House Tour!
Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Our first cross-country road trip led us from Texas to South Carolina over spring break several years ago. I loved just about every single part of this trip, but Saint Helena Island was my absolute favorite! I really hope that we can head back to that area in the future. From the food to the landscape, this place is truly unforgettable!
What I loved the most was the unique beaches and rugged coastlines that Saint Helena Island offers. I’ve found over the years that I enjoy visiting the beach in cooler seasons more so than when it’s hot and muggy. I know, it probably sounds odd to most. But there’s just something so special about exploring the coast and truly taking in all the sights without the crowds. Saint Helena is a great place for relaxing, exploring, and eating excellent seafood!
- Eat at The Shrimp Shack
- Visit Hunting Island State Park
- Go inside a Lighthouse
- Walk along the Marsh Boardwalk Trail
- Explore the ruins in the area – Old Sheldon Church & Chapel of Ease
- Drive through the Avenue of Oaks
Click here to read all the details about our Texas to South Carolina Road Trip!
Redwood Forests, California
If you’ve never visited the Redwoods National & State Parks, then you must add this to your list fast! We were blown away at the sheer size of these trees. Our spring break visit last year was perfect and filled with plenty of adventures! The weather was fantastic, not too cold or too hot. And it felt like we had the whole entire forest all to ourselves!
We enjoyed exploring Jedediah Smith State Park by car and on foot, walking along the rugged California coast, and hiking through groves of giant trees in the forest. If you have kids, or a husband that sometimes acts like a kid, then I’m sure they will love climbing on trees and crawling through downed tree trunks! It was such an amazing adventure that we will never forget.
- Stay at Holiday Inn Klamath – Redwoods National Park
- Explore Jedediah Smith State Park
- Hike the Stout Grove Memorial Trail
- Drive through the Avenue of Giants
- Head to Endert’s Beach in Crescent City, CA
- Be prepared for small towns/limited food options. Pack a picnic!
- Take a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway!
- Be prepared for windy roads/possible carsickness
Click here to read about our entire Pacific Coast Road Trip over spring break!
Historic Triangle, Virginia
The first time I ever visited the Historic Triangle was over our spring break in March and I loved it so much I returned again that same year over Christmas break. I thoroughly enjoy learning about our country’s history and those early days before our country was even established. They really do a fantastic job of bringing history to life in the Historic Triangle! But, I don’t think that means that you have to be a history buff to enjoy all of the things this special place has to offer!
We packed in so much during our spring visit! We walked the cobblestone streets of Colonial Williamsburg, visited the Jamestown Settlement, and also ventured to Yorktown and explored the beach there. My boys had the best time learning about these places that they had studied in school and my teacher heart loved the learning that we all experienced! If you enjoy visiting museums, then I believe you’ll especially love these amazingly recreated living-history museums!
- Stay at Bluegreen Patrick Square in Williamsburg
- Visit Colonial Williamsburg
- Eat at Dog Street Pub
- Take a Ghost Tour with Colonial Ghosts
- Visit Historic Jamestowne & Jamestown Settlement
- Visit Yorktown
- Eat at the Yorktown Pub
Click here to read about our day in Colonial Williamsburg
Click here to read about our day in Historic Jamestown
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is another destination that I have enjoyed many different times of the year. We traveled there last spring break on our Pacific Coast Highway road trip and it was the perfect starting point of our journey. I’ve always loved the vibe of this city and was so excited to take my boys there for the first time!
There are so many different activities to do in San Francisco! I know there is something here for everyone. My boys loved playing on the beach after hiking up to the Golden Gate Bridge. They also wanted to go to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf almost every single day we were there! And I especially enjoyed eating all the fresh seafood dishes in the area!
- Stay at Holiday Inn & Suites Fisherman’s Wharf
- Eat amazing Italian food at Cioppino’s
- Drive or walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
- Play at Baker Beach
- Explore Pier 39
- See the sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf
- Hike Lands End Trail
- Ride a cable car
- Check out the Palace of Fine Arts
- Visit Alcatraz Island
- See the Painted Ladies
- Shop at Union Square
- Eat chocolate at Ghirardelli Square
- Explore Chinatown
- Hang out at Golden Gate Park
Spring Travel Tips:
Weather – Spring weather can change at the drop of a hat. Be prepared for thunder storms or even snowstorms, depending on where you’re going! Severe weather can cause travel delays, so be sure to monitor conditions before and during your travel dates.
Travel Insurance – I don’t always purchase travel insurance, but I usually do when we travel in the spring. Like I mentioned above, severe weather can happen and cause travel interruptions. It’s better to be prepared in case of an emergency!
Safety – Always stay alert and vigilant, no matter what time of the year you decide to travel. Don’t share too much on social media, especially if you’re traveling solo, until you return home. Avoid first floor hotel rooms, these can be a target for thieves. Practice appropriate water safety if you’re headed to the beach. Talk to your kids about stranger danger. Protect your skin and wear sunscreen! Do your research beforehand and make sure that there are no travel advisories for the area you plan to visit.
Travel Documents – I always recommend printing a copy of your confirmation number for lodging and excursions that you’ve reserved, just in case your reservation is missing upon arrival. Take a photo of your passport and driver’s license in case it gets lost.
Leave No Trace – Always practice leave no trace principals. Leave the area you visit just like it was when you arrived. Pack your trash out, leave what you find, and respect all wildlife.
Happy Travels!
Whether you find yourself staying close to home, road tripping across the country, relaxing on the beach, or hiking trails through the forest, I hope you have an amazing spring break! Be sure to check back in to see what we’re up to over the break. If you have a favorite spring destination, I’d love for you to share about it in the comments so we can check it out, too!
Road Trip Queen 