Best Spring Break Destinations For Adventurous Families and Couples

February 16, 2022

It’s that time again … time to plan your spring break trip. Time to see the world. Time to get your family the heck out of the house so you don’t explode during the week(s) off school. And what better way to celebrate the turning of the season than by exploring the best spring break destinations for families?

Planning trips, as you know, is a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, there are so many places to go! On the other hand, there are so many places to go … and that makes choosing the right one for your crew potentially challenging.

Never fear, though, we’re here with a big list of potential options to help simplify the process and ensure plenty of adventure for the whole family, from toddling babes to the surliest and most smartphone-addicted of teenagers. Let’s get started.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

When it comes to epic trips, this is one of the best destinations in the entire United States. Dinosaur Valley is an absolutely classic vacation spot, with miles of scenic trails and natural Texan beauty. The most exciting part of all, however, is the meandering train of real, live, actual dinosaur footprints. Now you can walk in the steps of our prehistoric ancestors … literally. Dinosaur imprints adorn the park’s Paluxy riverbed, preserved in stone for all time, and for your family’s scientific enjoyment.

Maui, Hawaii

No one needs to tell you that Hawaii is amazing. It’s a classic spring break destination, complete with palm trees, wildlife and white sand beaches (or black sand beaches, depending on where you are on the island). It’s the perfect way to escape mundane workaday life with the feeling of an international vacation, but without the difficulty of passports and different currencies. Plus, there’s no lack of activities for the family. The Travel Channel recommends:

Helicopter tours
Whale-watching
Jungle ziplining
Surfing
Snorkeling
Sailing
Viewing the sunrise from Haleakala
Driving the historic and scenic Hana Highway

Hands-down, this is one of the loveliest and most memorable places to go in the US, so consider it as a destination today!

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Prefer to stick to the continent? No problem … one of the best spring break destinations is the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It is, according to the National Park Service, America’s “first national recreation area,” giving it some major cachet as well as a boatload (no pun intended) of activities for the family.

Located in southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, it includes 1.5 million acres of waterways, mountains, campgrounds, hiking trails, canyons and more. You can visit the area for weeks and still not see it all, enjoying night after night of brilliant starlight and Milky Way views, sunrises and sunsets, outdoor recreation and more. Bustling marinas and wild backcountry make it a place of contrasts that everyone in your group will adore, from the very young to the most venerable grandparent.

The area was created by damming the Colorado River, flowing out into the desert and creating Lake Mead and Lake Mojave as a result. Its miles and miles of beautiful coastline and clear waters are perfect for swimming, boating, waterskiing, fishing and relaxing. The Mojave desert offers brilliant views and endless photo ops, from valley to peak.

Some of the most popular activities and destinations include:

Cottonwood Cove Resort Marina: Another of the best trips for those with kiddos is the Cottonwood Cove Resort Marina. Located right on the Colorado River, it’s a great place to enjoy watersports and hiking, camping and travel to nearby Laughlin, Nevada. Bring your own craft and rent a slip, or rent a boat on-site. Speaking of rentals …
Houseboat Rentals: Always wanted to live along a lake or river, or at least experience the lifestyle? Now you can, with beautiful floating homes that are yours for a few nights or a few weeks at a time! Depending on your crew, you can rent a boat that sleeps six, ten or even twelve, with options for television packages, wet bars and more.
Lake Mead RV Village at Boulder Beach: Traveling in recreational vehicle style? You’ll love the Lake Mead RV Village at Boulder Beach, located on scenic shores with stunning views of distant hills and mountains. With every amenity you could need – WiFi, propane for sale, bocce ball, barbecue pits and more – you’ll never want to leave. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the relaxing quiet, beautifully clear nights and easy access to all the watery sports you could ever want.
Hoover Dam: The Hoover Dam is known to be one of the most impressive monuments in the United States. The scene of countless films, from Transformers to San Andreas, it needs no introduction to any American … and indeed, to most people in the world. That alone makes it one of the best trips for families, but when you add in a river rafting tour, it’s almost irresistible. Hop on a smaller family-sized raft, charter a larger group tour, visit all the most scenic “postcard” spots … and make sure to bring a waterproof camera!

Grand Canyon

When you hear the word “majestic,” chances are good the Grand Canyon pops up in your mind. Another byproduct of the mighty Colorado River, it is the result of six million years of geological activity. Covering almost 2,000 square miles and boasting some of the most photogenic spots on Earth, it’s the ideal destination for budding young photographers.

Camping, RVing and road tripping all combine perfectly with this natural wonder. Enjoy glorious starlit nights in a notably clear area, sun yourselves during crisp days, and make memories that will last a lifetime in this most epic of spring break destinations.

Disney World

Beloved of children across the globe, Disney represents all things magical and fun. Disneyland and Disney World are must-visit destinations for childhood, especially during those early years where little ones still enjoy that blurred line between fantasy and reality.

Meeting princesses, eating churros and enjoying stomach-churning adventure rides is thrilling to all ages, even adults. It’s a great choice for those who live on the East Coast or are looking to hop a plane as part of their adventure! Just make sure to book several days, as you could never witness all the magic in a single day.

Now that you have a few ideas, it’s time to start planning that fabulous spring break trip. Feel free to save these links to give you inspiration in the coming weeks and months. Bon voyage!