Planning a spring vacation? Whether you’re looking for a beach destination or ski getaway, there’s a U.S. city to meet your every vacation need. Check out these 11 best spring break destinations!
Offering beautiful weather and an idyllic location along the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is an ideal city for a spring getaway! Head to “America’s Largest Home,” the 19th-century Biltmore Estate, where you can find a spa, guided tours, kid-friendly activities, or shopping at Antler Hill Village. Explore more than ten miles of hiking and biking trails, 65 acres of cultivated gardens, or year-round art and science exhibits at The North Carolina Arboretum. Admire colorful buildings filled with art, vibrant murals, and indie art galleries at the River Arts District along the French Broad River. Check out the stunning waterfalls, ride horses, or go fishing at DuPont State Recreational Forest, about an hour south of the city. Take scenic drives along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway and be sure to stop at Craggy Gardens in June to view a spectacular display of Catawba rhododendrons. Feast on Deviled Eggs, Corn & Crab Chowder, or a Turkey Club Croissant while sitting on the patio at Corner Kitchen. Or choose from cocktails like My Second Rodeo or a Half Nelson at the vintage-style Times Bar & Coffee.
Known for its small-town charm and fabulous slopes, Breckenridge is a great spot for a spring ski trip—especially since ski season goes through May and spring is a more affordable time to visit. Dominate the slopes at Breckenridge Ski Resort with five peaks, 2,908 skiable acres, and 187 trails to explore. Stand on the Continental Divide along the scenic Boreas Pass drive and admire Rocky Mountain vistas. Go hiking in Breckenridge to see a stunning alpine lake, and visit Isak Heartstone—the Breckenridge Troll—along the way on the McCullough Gulch Trail. Learn about Breckenridge’s history as a gold-mining town and pan for actual gold at Country Boy Mine. Visit Historic Main Street in Downtown Breckenridge, where you can hit up aromatherapy oxygen bar The O2 Lounge or the Main Street Station for access to endless shopping, food, and drinks. Find live music at the Riverwalk Center, as well as art galleries, performances, studios, and more in the Breckenridge Arts District! Sip brews like a Dog Days Peach Blonde, Mango Passionfruit Sour, or Coconut Porter at Broken Compass Brewing. Try the Crispy Curried Cauliflower, Rocky Mountain Trout, or Korean Fried Chicken at the highly-rated Aurum Food & Wine.
A charming beach town home to many historic sites—and one of the most romantic cities in the U.S.—Charleston is one of the best spring destinations! Spend the day lounging at Front Beach or boating in Charleston on the Isle of Palms, where you can catch live music or a game of beach volleyball at The Windjammer. Soak up the sun or go kayaking, sailing, surfing, and more at Folly Beach. Go fishing in Charleston on Sullivan’s Island and see the inspiration for the setting of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous short story, The Gold Bug. View a series of colorful, historical houses while walking along Rainbow Row in Downtown Charleston. Take a trip to the The Holy City’s fortified seawall and promenade from the 1750s, and see mansions bordering the historic site at The Battery. Relax by a pineapple-shaped fountain, walk beautiful pathways, and enjoy views of the harbor at Waterfront Park. Shop for locally-crafted items like sweetgrass baskets at Charleston City Market. Tour historical homes from the 18th century, and attend lectures, wine tastings, and concerts at the Charleston Festival. Or chow down Pimento Cheese Fritters, Shrimp & Grits, and She-Crab Soup at Poogan’s Porch.
With its Dutch roots and beautiful beaches along Lake Michigan, Holland is one of the best Midwest spring break destinations. Check out the Windmill Island Gardens, home to a 250-year-old and five-story-tall windmill, “DeZwaan.” Relax on sugar sand beaches and climb the dune staircase—which rises 157 feet above sea level—to get a view of the Big Red Lighthouse at Holland State Park. Visit other beaches like Kirk Park or Laketown Beach to play horseshoes and sand volleyball or go swimming in Lake Michigan. Learn about local history, Dutch heritage, and more at the Holland Museum. Watch the sun set on Lake Michigan through the concrete tunnel that cuts through a sand dune at Tunnel Park. Explore the carnival, artisan market, and Tulip Immersion Garden in early May at the Tulip Time Festival—Tulip City’s biggest event. Experience the rides, petting zoo, giant wooden shoe slide, Dutch dancers, and more at family-friendly vacation spot Nelis’ Dutch Village. Catch a show, lecture, art film, or concert at Knickerbocker Theatre. Go to Downtown Holland for Tiki Tuesdays and Whiskey Wednesdays at Obstacle No. 1. Or dine on Dutch-inspired dishes like Dutch Coffee Cake, Peanut Butter Brownies, or Chocolate Fried Cinnamon Donuts at DeBoer Bakery.
Spring is a great time of year to take a vacation in Honolulu, thanks in part to a wide variety of island festivities that take place in the spring! Celebrate Asian, Pacific Islander, and Hawaiian cultures at the annual three-day Honolulu Festival. Listen to live music, watch hula dancing performances, and make your own lei during the annual Lei Day Celebration, which has been going for 95 years. Take in the scenic ocean views while whale watching in Oahu’s southern seas. Spend a day swimming, snorkeling, or surfing at the popular spring break destination Waikiki Beach. Go swimming, have a picnic, or play sand volleyball at the 119-acre Ala Moana Regional Park. Stop by the Aloha Tower Marketplace, a popular Hawaii landmark featuring shopping, dining, and a 10th-floor observation deck with incredible views of the city. Sign up for an art class or view art collections like Arts of Africa, Arts of Pan-Asia, and Art of Hawai‘i and the Pacific at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Grab locally-sourced plates like Crab Cakes, Seafood Bisque, or the Truffle Braised Shortrib at MW Restaurant. Or try the Sea Scallops, Japanese Eggplant, or Smoked Ham Hock Terrine at the elevated Senia.
As one of the world’s greatest places—and boasting mild spring weather and smaller crowd sizes after Mardi Gras—New Orleans should be marked down as a must-visit on your spring destinations list! Play mini golf, wander the sculpture garden, or explore the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park at the 1,300-acre New Orleans City Park. Bike or take a stroll along the riverfront at Crescent Park. Delve into history with exhibits like The Arsenal of Democracy and Road to Berlin at The National World War II Museum. Attend a concert or admire musical artifacts and portraits of famous jazz musicians at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Explore The Big Easy’s Bourbon Street and Frenchman Street, and visit vibrant music venues, restaurants, bars, and more in the French Quarter. Sip a Pimm’s Cup, Sonny’s Margarita, or Vieux Carre at The Carousel Bar & Lounge. Sway to live jazz bands like the Washboard Chaz Blues Trio and the Shake Em Up Jazz Band at The Spotted Cat Music Club. Head to Uptown & The Garden District to admire grand mansions or eat dishes like Turtle Soup au Sherry and Pecan Crusted Gulf Fish at Commander’s Palace—an award-winning restaurant in New Orleans. Or celebrate the French Quarter revival with food from 60+ local restaurants and live music on 20+ different stages at the French Quarter Festival.
If you’re looking for a warm, sunny spring break destination, Palm Springs is the city for you! Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a fantastic view of Mount San Jacinto State Park. Discover a 60-foot waterfall, rock art, ancient irrigation systems, wildlife, and some of the best hiking in Palm Springs at Tahquitz Canyon. Choose from over 100 golf courses in Palm Springs—some of which were designed by iconic architects like Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman—in the Golf Capital of the World. Examine 3,000+ plant species and the world’s first Cactarium—a 1-acre botanical space specializing in cacti—at Moorten Botanical Garden. Enjoy live performances, DJs, and pool parties at White Party Palm Springs, one of the largest LGBTQ dance parties in the world. Admire Modern and Contemporary art, as well as the Aluminaire House and the Annenburg Theater, at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Wander Palm Canyon Drive, home to art galleries, antiques, furniture stores, dining, and VillageFest, a Thursday night street fair. Taste dishes like the Steak Wagyu Roll and The Venue Roll made by acclaimed Chef Engin Onural at Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey. Or experience a unique bar setting at PS Air Bar & Lounge, an airplane-inspired speakeasy with drinks like the Layover and the Jet Lag.
Are you an art enthusiast? Take your spring vacation in Santa Fe, one of the best cities in the world for art lovers! Check out notable museums around every corner, including the four on Museum Hill. Admire an iconic artist’s paintings and drawings inspired by Santa Fe at the Georgia O’Keefe Museum. Camp, go gold-panning or horseback riding, or check out the beautiful spring wildflowers at the Santa Fe National Forest. Hike or go mountain biking on the 40,000-mile Santa Fe Rail-Trail. Stroll through the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, or visit establishments like Boxcar—a bar with live music and great food like the Tuna Poke Bowl and Boxcar Mac & Cheese—in The Railyard. Learn more about the state with exhibits on archaeology, paintings of Spanish colonial battles, and more at the New Mexico History Museum. Listen to soloists and New Mexico’s premiere baroque ensemble during Baroque Holy Week in The City Different, hosted by Santa Fe Pro Musica. Get tickets to the Santa Fe Opera, which has had over 2,000 performances of nearly 180 different operas since 1956. Browse and buy local art from painters, photographers, sculptors, and more at the outdoor weekend market put on by the Santa Fe Society of Artists. Or follow the Santa Fe Margarita Trail to taste “50 of the best margaritas in the world!”
Whether you’re making a stop on a classic car road trip or looking to visit one of the most haunted cities in the United States, Savannah is the ultimate spring getaway! The city’s spring weather is mild and pleasant, and the flowers are in full bloom during the season. Hang out in a 4.5-acre entertainment district near the Savannah River—filled with high-end shopping, rooftop bars, live music, upscale eats, and more—at the Plant Riverside District. Hop over to the Historic Landmark District, home to the Savannah City Market and the 30-acre Forsyth Park. Hear all the famous Savannah ghost stories on a Hearse Ghost Tour. Participate in the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the country by enjoying a show-stopping parade and live Celtic music—and don’t forget to see the dyed-green water in Forysth Park’s fountain. Drive just 30 minutes from the city center to Tybee Island, where you can relax on the oceanfront and riverfront beaches or take part in activities like fishing and dancing at Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion. Order your filling of Fried Pork Chop, Filet Mignon, or “Southern Sushi” at The Olde Pink House. Or drink house-made cocktails like the Social Sweet Tea, Ruby Red Bull, or Savannah Sunrise in the Hostess City of the South at the Congress Street Social Club.
With cherry blossoms blooming in March, Seattle is a beautiful spring break trip you don’t want to miss. Plus, it’s a great stop on an RV road trip! With 489 parks and close proximity to Mount Rainier attractions like waterfalls, Mineral Lake, and gondola rides, the Emerald City is one of the best cities for outdoor recreation. Explore the eight galleries, the centerpiece Glasshouse, and the garden of glass-blown art at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Attend events like the First Thursday Art Walk at Pioneer Square in Downtown Seattle. Wander through exhibits like Massive: The Power of Pop Culture and the Guitar Gallery at the Museum of Pop Culture. Enjoy art, food, dance, and music at the Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival. Catch a show at The Showbox, an Art Deco venue that has hosted performers like Prince, Duke Ellington, and Pearl Jam. Buy fresh spring tulips, crafts, and other local goods, or contribute to The Gum Wall at the famous Pike Place Market. Look for orcas, gray whales, and humpback whales while whale watching in Seattle on guided kayak and boat trips. Grab a cup of coffee in the original Starbucks location at 1912 Pike Place. Taste some of the best Mediterranean food in Seattle like Spiced Rubbed Lamb Chops or Blue North Alaskan Cod at Lola. Or live it up while participating in karaoke, drag queen bingo, variety shows, trivia, and a drag brunch at Unicorn + Narwhal.
With cherry blossoms blooming all over the city, spring is a scenic time of year in Washington, DC. See live musical performances at the Tidal Basin, take part in a 5K or 10-mile run, and see marching bands, floats, and more at the parade during the nearly four-week-long National Cherry Blossom Festival. View over 100 notable memorials and monuments—including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial—at the National Mall. Peruse a variety of exhibits like the Butterfly Pavilion, African Voices, and Objects of Wonder at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Expand your knowledge of U.S. history and government with a tour of the U.S. Capitol. Order fresh seafood like Olde Salt Oysters, Top Neck Clams, or Wild Rhode Island Calamari for brunch at the sophisticated Fiola Mare. Grab late-night dishes like Chicken Fettuccine, a Reuben Sandwich, or a Market Salad at the popular Old Ebbitt Grill, DC’s oldest saloon. Or sit out on the patio to sip cocktails like the Uptown Cosmo, Fox Fashion, or Moscow Mule at the Fox and Hounds Lounge.
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Looking for a place to store spring break gear after your trip? Extra Space Storage has convenient storage facilities throughout the U.S. to help with your self storage needs. Find a storage facility near you!
Weather data from BestPlaces. Travel data from Champion Traveler.
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