8 fresh destinations for a family-friendly spring break

Spring is on its way – meaning rising temperatures, blooming buds and the dread that accompanies the idea of having the kids at home for their midsemester vacation. But planning for this time off with your family doesn’t have to mean endless lines at theme parks, overpriced beach restaurants or, for that matter, yet another walk to the neighborhood playground.

As you think about how to amuse your kids and reconnect as a family, consider these ideas for a fulfilling spring break for everyone in the family.

1. Route 66, Arizona

You can get plenty of family kicks on a road trip along the USA’s most fabled highway. Start in Las Vegas and make your way east to Arizona to pick up Route 66 near Kingman. See its colorful murals and the Route 66 Museum, which tells the story of Arizona’s segment of the storied road through photographs and memorabilia. As you continue the road trip, map out notable attractions for pit stops, such as the wonderfully kitsch Giganticus Headicus, a 14ft Easter Island–style head in Kingman, as well as Meteor Crater in Winslow. In Holbrook, be sure to explore the Petrified Forest National Park, which the famous route cuts right through.

Planning tip: Kingman is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Las Vegas. Winslow is nearly 3 hours east, and Holbrook is another 30 minutes further.

2. San Diego, California

With near-perfect weather year-round, San Diego – and its family-friendly attractions – is especially appealing for spring break. Sprawling Balboa Park is filled with amenities that merit multiple visits. In addition to nature trails, playgrounds and a historic carousel, the park is the site of the world-famous San Diego Zoo and such kid favorites as the San Diego Air & Space Museum and Fleet Science Center. A free park tram can shuttle you around.

Just over a (very tall) bridge from downtown lies the beach at Coronado. Kids will love erecting castles from sand that glistens due to the glittery mica mixed in with it, while adults will enjoy sipping alfresco cocktails at the Hotel del Coronado. Hop on the ferry back across San Diego Bay and gaze up at the almost-too-big-to-believe aircraft carriers docked at the naval base.

Planning tip: Look into combination tickets if you plan to visit more than one destination in Balboa Park. The parkwide pass includes admission to each museum once in a week. The limited plan permits entry into four museums in a single day.

3. Clearwater, Florida

Know this: you are not compelled to visit a Disney theme park during a Florida sojourn. Head to Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast, where the little ones can frolic for hours as you lie out on the white sand. Between sun sessions, check out the acclaimed Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a leading animal rehabilitation center. Every night brings a party on west-facing Pier 60, as local artisans, magicians and musicians come out to celebrate the vibrantly colored sunset.

Planning tip: Clearwater is comparatively less of a party destination for spring breakers than established hot spots like Fort Lauderdale, the Keys and Panama City, but everywhere in Florida is popular this time of year, so book accomodations and rental cars in advance.

4. St Petersburg, Florida

If you’re craving an urban vibe, St Petersburg, 20 miles southeast of Clearwater, offers perhaps the richest array of cultural activities you’ll find in all of Florida. There's something to catch the eye of art lovers of all ages at the Salvador Dalí Museum, which has a staggering collection of the surrealist’s works. The Great Explorations children’s museum is as fun as it is educational, while kids will love following the paths that snake through the junglelike Sunken Gardens. And an afternoon on the fabulously rebuilt St Pete Pier – which juts 3000ft into Tampa Bay and has a play area, cafes, art installations and plenty of room for running around to let off steam – is a delight for children and parents alike.

Planning tip: Downtown St Pete is super pedestrian-friendly, but you’ll zip around quicker by hopping on the trolleys or making use of the bikeshare service run by Lime

5. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Kick off spring with a dose of over-the-top Americana in this whimsical town, a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most of Gatlinburg’s buildings are built in a log-cabin style, saluting the region's Appalachian heritage, and they house an array of fun family businesses and restaurants, making a family walk through downtown a hoot (we especially love the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum). But the outdoors are the primary draw here: beyond the stunning national park, families can walk through the tree canopy or zip-line at outdoor activity park Anakeesta; see the forest from above on the thrilling SkyBridge; or keep it simple with a family hike along the Gatlinburg Trail.

Detour: Nearby Pigeon Forge, 20 minutes north of Gatlinburg, offers a cornucopia of over-the-top attractions, from the 200ft-tall Great Smoky Mountain Wheel to a replica of the Titanic to – perhaps most famously – the glories of Dollywood. Lucky for you and your spring breakers, the park’s season begins in early March.

6. Newport, Rhode Island

New England can be cold and damp well into the spring, but dreamy Newport, Rhode Island, offers family fun year-round. Bundle up and hop on one of Save the Bay’s vessels to look for seals in Narragansett Bay (they love the cold water). Continue the encounters with critters at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in nearby Bristol, where trails are open year-round. Indoor attractions include an imagination-spurring collection of vintage roadsters at the Newport Car Museum, and the family-oriented tour at The Breakers brings the opulent Gilded Age to life for little ones. Wrap it all up with a brisk walk along the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk to see the town’s famous mansions to one side and the crashing surf on the other.

Planning tip: Spring comes late to New England, and depending on where you are coming from, it might be cooler than your home. Include rain jackets, warm layers and solid footwear in your luggage.

7. Coastal South Carolina

What’s not to love about coastal South Carolina as a spring vacation destination? In Myrtle Beach, you can stroll the boardwalk, then take a spin on the 200ft SkyWheel for delightful bird’s-eye views. And in the self-proclaimed World Capital of Miniature Golf, you have to get in at least one round at a popular course like Jungle Safari Mini Golf.

Alternatively, Hilton Head Island is better known for outdoor adventures, including kayaking, treetop canopy tours, crabbing and horseback riding. Rent a bike in the cycle-friendly spot to pedal all over – even on the beach. The two destinations are just 4 hours apart, which makes combining the pair in one trip easily feasible.

Planning tip: Daily highs in South Carolina in April span 68–75°F (20–24°C), but the ocean is still cooler, at 61–67°F (16–19°C). Unless you fancy a cold plunge, limit your swimming to hotel pools.

8. Truckee, California

Nestled in a pass through the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains, Truckee, California, offers a range of activities for an outdoorsy, cold-weather family vacation. The town – whose downtown features a charming row of historic buildings now housing restaurants and shops – lies north of the shores of Lake Tahoe (which never freezes over in winter) and within a short drive of several world-class ski resorts. Spend the day tackling the trails at Northstar or Palisades Tahoe, where the 1960 Winter Olympics took place, or strap on snowshoes to hike to the summit of Eagle Rock in nearby Tahoe City for dreamy lake views. Your kids will likely be gripped by a grim yet fascinating episode from the region’s past at Donner Memorial State Park on Donner Lake, where a group of travelers were fatally stranded in the 19th century. Your snowy adventures here are sure to end on a better note.

Planning tip: Weather conditions in the mountains can be unpredictable; monitor updates from CalTrans to see if any part of your route is affected.