Taking a spring break vacation with teens can be rewarding, but it takes a little planning to make sure everyone enjoys the trip. These are my picks for the best trips to take on spring break with teens.
Spring break is a great time for families to reconnect and getaway from the busy routine of their everyday lives. I am a mom of 3 teens and I understand how important a break from the home routine can be.
Whether you are planning a spring break family vacation to escape the cold, like we often do living in Rochester, NY, or you are just looking for a place to relax for a week, this list will share fun spring break destinations for any family.
My Favorite Trips for Spring Break with Teens
My biggest tip to having a successful spring break vacation with teens it to pick a destination everyone will love.
My spring break destination ideas are in the United States as well as international travel. These trips can be tailored to any budget making them great choices for a short getaway or a big splurge vacation.
Be sure to talk with your kids about what type of trip they would like to take, what their schedules are during the trip, and let them get involved in the planning.
A few ideas:
- Theme Park Vacation: We love visiting theme parks. I have two other blogs specifically for travel to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
- Warm Weather Destination: The Caribbean, a Disney Cruise or cruise vacation, and even parts of the Southwest USA can be a great escape from the cold for spring break. The Florida Keys and the southern East Coast have beautiful beaches and warm weather.
- National Parks Trip: visit a popular national park or plan a National Park road trip. Planning a road trip is a great way to see multiple national parks. The Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park are great options.
- Weekend Getaways: If you are short on time, consider a 2 night getaway that can be planned last minute and still offers some time away.
Warm Weather Spring Break Destinations for Families
Tucson, Arizona
We recently discovered Tucson, Arizona during our Southwest road trip and I can’t wait to go back. Spring is a perfect time to visit. The weather is amazing during this time of year and there is so much to do for families.
Cruise Vacation
A cruise vacation can be an amazing spring break idea. Most cruises are all inclusive so you pay upfront and gives you a lot of time to relax.
As a family we have really enjoyed the Disney Cruise line. They are made for families!
Most cruises have a kids club and many family activities included with your sailing. It can be a great value for those looking for an all inclusive resorts feel.
Southern California
Southern California weather is typically amazing during spring break. Mostly sunny days and highs in the upper 60s. It may not be beach weather but it still can be a great escape from the winter. It can also be into the 80s if you are later in the season.
Las Vegas/Zion National Park Trip
Las Vegas is a great spot to visit for a spring break trip. It offers a perfect central point for day trips as well as has entertainment for families.
Read our full itinerary: Zion National Park to Las Vegas Road Trip | Las Vegas 4 Day Itinerary
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Pigeon Forge has so much to do with kids and you could spend an entire week visiting. We packed so much into our time there and really enjoyed it. Read More: 4-Day Pigeon Forge Itinerary
Two of my favorite activities were visiting Anakeesta and hiking Clingman’s Dome. They were both outdoor activities that really balanced out everything. Dollywood is also in Pigeon Forge, unfortunately on our last visit we didn’t get to visit. We are hoping to visit soon.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a good option for spring break. With its mix of family friendly attractions, beautiful beaches, and vacation homes you can’t go wrong. Check out Myrtle Beach Family Vacation: 21 Things to Do in Myrtle Beach for Families to see if it is a good choice for you.
Theme Park Spring Break Destinations for Families
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey is a great place to visit year round because there are a lot of family fun things to do in Hershey that don’t require visiting Hersheypark.
I suggest staying at the Hershey Lodge to enjoy the indoor waterpark. If you are visiting during the spring you may have an opportunity to visit Hersheypark for their Spring Time in the Park event that happens on the weekends.
Disneyland in California
We love theme parks and being able to visit Disneyland in Anaheim, California was a dream come true. Disneyland is a classic theme park that Disney fans will love.
Disneyland is home to the Disneyland Resort and California Adventure park. We love visiting. Check out our preferred hotel for when we visit Disneyland: Best Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel | Courtyard Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
Orlando, Florida
We find ourselves visiting Orlando multiple times a year to enjoy the amazing theme parks. A theme park vacation is a perfect mix of busy and relaxing if you stay at a resort with a pool.
We love to enjoy a day at the parks followed by pool time at our resort. If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Disney World be sure to read my guides to help you plan.
Weekend getaway Spring Break Destinations
I typically like to escape the cold temps in the Northeast during our spring breaks, but we don’t always have a lot of time off. When that is the case we plan a quick weekend getaway. Two of our favorite places to visit are Pittsburgh and New York City.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is a city that I hold near to my heart because we lived there for a few years when we first started our family.
The family friendly attractions in Pittsburgh could fill more than a weekend and we always find interesting things to do when we visit the city.
This article shares a lot of awesome attractions to start planning: 3 Day Pittsburgh Weekend Trip Itinerary: Perfect Mix of Museums, Dining, and Attractions
New York City, New York
New York City can be a perfect place to visit during spring break. It is not too hot or too cold making it easy to walk around and explore.
We spent some time in New York City during our February break last year and really enjoyed exploring everything about the city. Learn more: New York in 2 Days: Tips for First Time Visiting NYC with Kids
International Spring Break Travel
We took our first international trip this year and it was so much fun. We visited Iceland, London, and Paris. Although you may not be able to fit all of these destinations in one trip it might be worth choosing one itinerary and start planning.
- Family Trip to Iceland: Our 2 Days in Iceland Itinerary
- Family Trip to London | 3 Night London Itinerary
- Family Trip to Paris | 5 Night Paris Itinerary with Kids
Spring Break Vacation Tips
- Choose a destination that is a good choice for your family. If you don’t like road trips plan a trip that is a short drive away.
- Expect crowds and higher prices during Spring Break. It is the best time for most people with kids to travel so you should anticipate everyone is doing the same thing.
- Get the family involved in the planning. If this is a family spring break trip include the kids in the planning. Older kids especially can help research spring break destinations. Younger kids can check-out the local library to research destinations.
- If you are on a budget plan a day trip with your family to make the best of the break. Don’t fall into what everyone else is doing and do what works best for your family.
Tips for Saving Money on Trips During Spring Break
If you have to fly during a school break I suggest looking at surrounding airports to fly out of. Our home airport in Rochester but we ended up booking a flight out of Pittsburgh.
This is a 5 hour drive, but saved over $1500.00 on our flight. This might not work for you but if you want to save money it is worth looking into.
Try to book your trip during non-break times. If you can take your kids out of school try to book flights and trips when less people are traveling. This will save you money on the flight as well as accommodations.
Consider driving to your destination. Flying can be a huge expense during a spring break trip and if you have the time to drive it may be worth it. Road trips end up being some of our favorite trips.
There are so many options when planning a spring break vacation with your family. Where will your families next spring break destination be?
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.