Thursday, November 16, 2023
Top Spring Break Destinations
Here we are just on the cusp of the next season – and what a wonderful season it is! Spring is such a relief for many people who have been cooped up in the north stuck inside and suffering from cabin fever. And even for those who are living in warmer climates, spring signifies the rebirth of flora and fauna all over the earth. So, it is tricky to try to pick the best places to spend your spring break but we’ll give it a try. Here are eight of our favorite places, and not one of them is “Where the Boys Are” on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
1) Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Twelve miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches and water sports that include fishing, boating, parasailing, kayaking, jet-skiing, and sailing are a good start to keeping your group happy on Hilton Head Island. On land, there's biking, golf, horseback riding, and enjoying nature. Families who take their furry friends along will be glad to hear that until Memorial Day weekend, pets are welcome on beaches as long as they're on a leash. Restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafes ensure that hungry visitors find just what they want. If there's time, a side trip to Savannah or Beaufort would be a lovely change of scenery.
2) Atlanta, Pine Mountain and Warm Springs, Georgia
While their very pleasant spring weather is enough to attract visitors to this southern metropolis, there's also so much to do that no one will even notice that there's not a beach nearby. The Georgia Aquarium is the largest in the United States and features sharks, dolphins, sea lions, seabirds, and more. The World of Coca Cola offers unique experiences in the city of the company's headquarters. The Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame will delight fans, and there's a Legoland Discovery Center for family fun.
And only an hour’s drive away from Atlanta are some picturesque spots to take in more sights. Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain has various festivals in the spring showcasing their extensive gardens, and F. D. Roosevelt State Park offers horseback riding along with lakefront campsites for your RV. Check for availability early if you are interested in camping at this very picturesque park. And while there you can visit the “Little White House” in Warm Springs as well.
3) Destin, Florida
On Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin (along with Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island) offers sandy beaches, warm water, boating, fishing, snorkeling, and plenty of water sports like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, parasailing, and more. There's also a zip line, rock-climbing wall, and boat tours.
There are also plenty of nice historic places to visit in the Panhandle of Florida and many other white sandy beaches to visit. This is a playground for people of all ages and as spring temperatures start to warm up the water, it will be awesome for water sports of all types.
4) Cannon Beach, Oregon
At the extreme opposite end of the country, diagonally from Florida, is the Pacific Northwest. Although it is still a little bit cold, with the early spring weather in the chilly mid-50s, it is still a fun time to be at the beach exploring tide pools, watching puffins and other sea birds, or just watching the waves. It's a dog-friendly beach, and leashes are not required, so your pet can enjoy playing in the sand or joining you for a hike. Luxurious oceanfront lodging is available, and including luxury campsites. In town, there are shops, restaurants, wine tastings, spas, and theaters. The atmosphere is casual, and the scenery makes a great spot for families, couples, and groups.
South is Arcadia Beach, with tide pools and a picnic area. Nearby Hug Point has sea caves. Boutiques and galleries dot downtown.
5) Park City and Zion NP, Utah
Because not everyone is looking for a beach vacation, we wanted to also include Park City, with its quaint downtown, restaurants, bars, and historic silver mining town vibe. Late season snow sports should still be happening at Park City Mountain and Deer Valley. Hiking, mountain biking, and strolling along Main Street are perfect end of season activities, too. Families with kids will be happy to know there's bowling, ice skating, zip lining, tubing, and more. It's easy to line up a place to stay, as there are many nearby campsites. While in Utah, if you haven’t visited Zion National Park, drive south to make this a must-see on your itinerary. The months of spring break are some of the most favorable times to visit Zion because the crowds of the summer have not swarmed in at full force yet. And that means iconic trails like The Narrows hike, Observation Point, and Angels Landing will be relatively quiet for an epic sunrise hike! The temperatures in Southern Utah will be growing around the upper 60’s and 70’s during this time, so the intense summertime heat has not yet settled in for the desert, making it a perfect time to hike.
6) South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island is a barrier island resort town off the southern coast of Texas that is popular among college students and families alike because of its weather, water sports, and nature. Paddle boards, kayaks, jet skis, and kite boards are available for rent, and kids can learn about sea turtles or even improve their sandcastle building skills. A range of lodging options including plenty of campgrounds meet visitors' budget needs.
7) Palm Springs, California
Warm weather arrives early in the southern California desert, making Palm Springs and nearby desert cities an attractive destination for both families and college spring breakers. For most kids, a visit to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens or a ride to the top of Mt. San Jacinto in the Palm Springs Aerial Tram would be fun for all. From fast food to upscale dining, from luxury resorts to motels, from movie theaters to art museums, and from hiking to shopping, there are options to satisfy everyone.
8) Las Vegas, Nevada
A trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, is fun any time of year, but in the springtime, you won’t be sweltering at the pool party. The average temperature in March is 71 degrees, whereas in May, it reaches 91 degrees — luckily, all dry heat. In addition to casinos, nightclubs and shopping, Sin City is home to many shows like Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group and the Neon Museum, a cool collection of retired neon signs you probably never knew existed. Nearby are a number of very upscale RV parks, including Las Vegas RV Resort, 2 KOA Campgrounds and the Hitchin’ Post RV Park. Look for yourself to see what will best suit your family.
Check with your local El Monte RV Rental location and see how you can rent an RV to take you anywhere this spring. And, please make sure to visit our El Monte RV Rental One-Way Factory Specials page to take advantage of the brand-new RVs being offered at a dramatic discount from our Elkhart, Indiana factory.
