Where are the best places to visit with your family on spring break?
Spring Break is a great time to get away with the family as the weather has started improving and winter is firmly in the rearview mirror. There are many great options in North and Central America, from the snowy Rocky Mountains to the sun-kissed Caribbean islands and landscapes ranging from desolate deserts to sprawling urban metropolises. There is something to suit every American family looking to escape the confines of home for spring break this year.
But where is the best place to go? By analyzing several popular family spring break destinations, we can reveal the best places to visit in 2024.
The Top 5 Spring Break Destinations
1. Orlando, Florida – Family Spring Break Score of 7.55/10
Orlando is the best destination for a spring break trip with your family; the Floridan city outstripped its rivals with a score of 7.55. Orlando was incredibly consistent across all the categories, ranking in the top ten for almost every factor.
There are many attractions to keep families entertained in the city, including Universal Studios Florida and Disneyworld Resort. Orlando is also boosted by having a warm temperate climate around spring break (69.15℉), and it also has some of the most affordable average hotel prices, at just $186.69 per night.
Thinking of visiting Orlando? Read our expert’s Orlando family travel guide for everything you’ll need to know before your vacation.
2. Las Vegas, Nevada – Family Spring Break Score of 6.96/10
Although Las Vegas is often considered an adult-only destination, Sin City has mellowed in recent years, and it is now one of the top family spring break destinations.
There are many things to do with all the family in Vegas, including theme park rides and significant landmarks such as the half-scale replica Eiffel Tower and the Bellagio Fountains. Other factors that make Las Vegas attractive are the most affordable hotels at $111.13 and the lack of rain; there is only 12.5 mm of rain on average.
Check out our Las Vegas family travel guide for all the insider info you need to book an incredible trip.
3. San Diego, California – Family Spring Break Score of 6.74/10
San Diego is a perfect family spring break destination, ranking third overall with a score of 6.74. Being on the coast with great beaches, warm weather, and many city-based activities makes it an excellent place for all the family.
There are 189 things to do with kids in the city, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo, home to over 650 animal species, some of which can be viewed from the ‘Skyfari’ cable cars.
Already know San Diego is the spring break destination for your family? Read our San Diego travel guide for the expert take on how to do SoCal with the kids.
4. Key West, Florida – Family Spring Break Score of 6.36/10
A second destination in Florida ranks in the top five, as the southernmost town of Key West achieved a score of 6.36.
Key West is located on an island connected to the mainland United States by the spectacular Overseas Highway. Due to its southern location, the average temperature reaches a high of 74.3℉ in March and April. Additionally, the town boasts a high safety score of 71.32.
Check out our expert’s complete guide to the Florida Keys for more information about visiting this slice of paradise with your family.
5. Honolulu, Hawaii – Family Spring Break Score of 6.22/10
One of the few places even hotter on average than Key West is Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, which averages 76.35℉ in March and April.
As well as Hawaii having incredible weather, it is also a cultural hub with many things to do for the whole family; you can learn about the country’s history with Pearl Harbor on the edge of the city and visit the museum ship USS Missouri.
You know the drill…here’s our family travel guide for Honolulu to make planning your trip a breeze.
The Best Family Spring Break Destinations for Sunseekers
1. Cancun, Mexico – Average Temperature in March/April of 77.85℉
If heat and sunny weather are what you are looking for, Cancun is your best option. The Mexican city is famous for being a beachfront tropical paradise with restaurants and hotels. The average temperature around the time of spring break is just under 78℉. This is higher than anywhere in the US.
3. Honolulu, Hawaii – Average Temperature in March/April of 76.35℉
Another hot city is Honolulu. The Pacific island of Hawaii is known for its heat, and it is only around 1 degree colder than Cancun on average. The two areas also have the same average rainfall (32.5mm), so despite being over 4,500 miles apart, the two destinations have similarly good weather.
Turks and Caicos Islands – Average Temperature in March/April of 76.20℉
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British overseas territory located just north of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, and they are an excellent destination for sun seekers as the average temperature is 76.2℉. Unfortunately, the Turks and Caicos Islands are an expensive destination and are therefore not as accessible as some other destinations on the list.
The Safest Spring Break Destinations for Families
1. Jackson Hole, Wyoming – Safety Score of 92.77/100
Jackson Hole is a small ski resort in Wyoming. Unlike many other spring break destinations on this list, it is not somewhere you would visit for warm weather, as the average temperature is just 31.5℉ around spring break.
As well as enjoying the snow and the slopes, you can have peace of mind that your trip will likely be very safe, as Jackson Hole and the nearby town of Jackson had by far the best safety score of any destinations studied.
Want to hit the slopes this spring break? Read our 2022/23 Family Ski Index for the best places to visit.
2. Napa Valley, California – Safety Score of 75.95/100
Napa Valley in southern California is most famous for its production of wine; vineyards cover the landscape, and produce from the area is drunk worldwide! The valley, as well as the city of Napa itself, are a very safe destination to visit with your family. Napa scores over 75/100 on its safety score.
Read where to stay in Napa Valley with kids.
3. Boulder, Colorado – Safety Score of 74.74/100
Another of the colder destinations on our list, Boulder, is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Therefore, it is an excellent location for those who fancy getting outdoors on a city break while having the comforts of a large city to fall back on if the weather turns.
The Spring Break Destinations With the Most Things to Do
1. New York City, New York – 447 Things to Do With Kids
New York City has the most things to do, with almost 450 child-friendly activities. Being bored in the Big Apple is nearly impossible, as there are activities of all types to keep every family entertained. From some of the most significant museums to expansive parks and thousands of shops, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
2. Maui, Hawaii – 355 Things to Do With Kids
Maui is a tropical island paradise, part of the Hawaiian state, with plenty of things to do with the family. Unlike in New York, many activities are beach and water sports related, and you can learn to surf, sail, and dive in the warm, clear waters.
Orlando, Florida – 304 Things to Do With Kids
As mentioned, Orlando is home to some massive theme parks by major movie studios, but if that is not in your wheelhouse, there are still many things to do in the city. The city offers over 300 things to do with kids, the third highest amount out of the locations looked at.
Methodology
- A list of 50 spring break destinations across North America and the Caribbean was compiled from articles such as www.countryliving.com/life/travel/g43060967/best-spring-break-family-destinations/
- Not all locations had complete data, so some were removed from the final rankings.
- Google Ads Keyword Planner was used to find the number of searches for “holiday in destination” in the USA between February 2023 and January 2024.
- The number of Instagram posts was collected from each location’s hashtag mentions.
- The average temperature for both March and April was taken from climate-data.org, and then we took an average of both temperatures.
- The same process and source were used for rainfall.
- The safety score was sourced from Numbeo.
- The number of things to do with kids was sourced from TripAdvisor.
- The average hotel cost per night was sourced from Kayak. We took the average. price in March and April and then an average.
- We then calculated a score out of ten for each location.
- All data is correct as of 16/02/2024.
More about our TFVG Author
Ellie love to seek out an adventure with her travel buddy, Merlin the Dachshund. Being on the road is her vibe, and exploring out of the ordinary locations is dear to her heart.
- Ellie Wraithhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/ellie/
- Ellie Wraithhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/ellie/
- Ellie Wraithhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/ellie/
- Ellie Wraithhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/ellie/
