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"Is there even still time to book anything?" asked my friend who has been trying to plan a trip during her family's spring break next month. "I think so," assuring her that we just booked our spring break trip two weeks ago. As parents of older kids, we both know the deal: Spring break really is the only time to squeeze in a family vacation between January and May or June unless you want to take the kids out of school, and, well, that's a story for another time.
Sure, it's late to start looking around now. "Lots of desirable places are fairly full and expensive," confirms Aixa Diaz, a spokesperson for AAA Vacations, the American Automobile Association's travel agency. Melanie Fish, a spokesperson for the Expedia Group Brand, notes that searches for flights during the spring-break timeframe are up 40 percent over last year. But these experts and others emphasized that it's not too late to still go somewhere great. "You may not get a bargain, but you can still get a good value if you're flexible about where to go," says Fish. In other words, you might be priced out of your first-choice destination, but if you're still on a beach and the hotel has a pool, that's more than okay. Ready to start exploring the possibilities?
Take your pick from this expert guide to the 10 best destinations for a last-minute spring break travel. Whenever possible, the Good Housekeeping Institute added suggestions for hotels based on our research for our annual Family Travel Awards. No matter which locale sounds most appealing to you, lock it in ASAP. As Fish notes, "We're past the time when you're going to see a better deal."
1
San Diego, California
Best for: Families with a variety of interests
The closest you'll come to a one-size-fits-all getaway, San Diego supplies something fun to do for every member of your family. Fortunately, this SoCal gem is one of the few warmer-weather locales with average airfare under $350 roundtrip in March and April, says Fish. Baseball fans in the family will be in their element at a San Diego Padres game at the city's downtown stadium; opening day is March 30. For the animal lovers in your group, the San Diego Zoo is packed with rare (and super cute) creatures plus hands-on activities. Superhero buffs will lose their minds at the new Comic-Con Museum. Theme-park goers can hit up Sesame Place right in town, or drive 40 minutes or so to Legoland California Resort. Of course, that's if your crew ever wants to leave the beach.
Where to Stay: The Hotel del Coronado, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, and Bahia Resort Hotel all performed well in first-hand evaluations by the Good Housekeeping Institute. If you're bringing three generations on the trip — something that 40 percent of families are doing this year, according to AAA Travel — look into Shore House at the Del. The Hotel del Coronado's new seaside residences sleep up to 11 and have outdoor fireplaces.
RELATED: 40 Best Things to Do in San Diego with the Whole Family
2
Washington, DC
Best for: Families who live within driving distance and like to explore museums and historical attractions
So much is free in Washington, DC. "There's no admission fee to the monuments, memorials, National Zoo or any of the Smithsonian museums," says Diaz. In fact, the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum re-opened last fall with eight new galleries. Spring break coincides with peak cherry blossom season. DC's official festival runs from March 20 to April 16, and peak bloom in 2023 is predicted to be from March 22 to March 25.
Where to Stay: Walkable to many top spots to visit, Yours Truly DC offers traditional rooms plus two- and three-bedroom suites, according to our tester.
3
Greenville, South Carolina
Best for: Families on the east coast or in the midwest who want a low-key getaway with a variety of things to do for all ages
While the crowds are in Charleston and Hilton Head, your family can explore Greenville's charming downtown, extensive park system and world-class attractions, like the seventh-largest children's museum and a truly one-of-a-kind science center. Winner of a Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Award, Greenville takes the stress out of family travel with stroller-friendly walking paths plus a modern, easy-to-navigate airport with more than 100 nonstop flights daily. Free family-friendly concerts start in March while the town's minor-league baseball team begins its season in April.
Where to Stay: Our tester was "seriously impressed" by the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Greenville Downtown, which is just a few blocks from fun shops and restaurants. "While you're checking in, the kids can swing on the egg chairs in the lobby," our tester said. "There's also a heated outdoor pool!"
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4
Phoenix, Arizona
Best for: Families who want to swim and hike in the southwest or see lots of baseball games
Spring is prime time to visit the southwest, so we were pleasantly surprised to find flights from the east coast to Phoenix in March for less than $400 roundtrip. A Good Housekeeping staffer recently took her 1-year-old to Phoenix and raved about the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park and Children's Museum of Phoenix. Another team member highly recommends the Desert Botanical Garden (pictured), the Musical Instrument Museum and nearby hiking trails. If your family is baseball-obsessed, they'll love that the Greater Phoenix area is home to 10 spring-training stadiums.
Where to Stay: The Wigwam, winner of a Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Award, is a stand-out pick for families, especially those traveling with three or more generations. Waterslides, golf courses and sporty activities like volleyball and tennis give everyone something to do. "The food is especially fantastic!" said our staffer.
5
New York City
Best for: Families with tweens or teens who want to go to Broadway shows or see their favorite TikTok-famous spots IRL
If your family is eying New York City for summer vacation, Fish suggests you move up the trip to spring break. "Manhattan will be considerably less crowded in springtime, and average flight prices in March and April are under $350 roundtrip," she says. Fewer tourists means you're more likely to snag a discounted ticket to a Broadway show (everyone will love Wicked), reservations at the restaurants of your choice and a bench in Central Park (pictured). Buy a Go City discounted attraction pass to hit all the iconic sites and sprinkle in a few stops tailored to the interests of your tweens and teens. For instance, if you have a Swiftie, walking down Cornelia Street will be a must — and it's totally free.
Where to Stay: For more space than the typical NYC hotel room, try the Mint House at 70 Pine. Its apartment-style accommodations plus a downstairs bowling alley more than make it worth the subway ride from downtown to Midtown.
6
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Best for: Families who want a spring break trip in Florida away from the college crowd
"The college kids are going to be in Miami, so head north," suggests Gabe Saglie, communications manager at Travelzoo, a deal site. In particular, he recommends Pensacola Beach — on the Western stretch of the Florida panhandle — for its spectacular, uncrowded beaches and more affordable lodging. "There are 40 miles of coastline and it has the longest stretch of federally protected seashore in the U.S.," he says. Getting there is pretty straightforward too: Pensacola boasts non-stop flights from over 20 U.S. cities, including Denver, Chicago and Dallas.
Where to Stay: With March rates under $200 per night, the beachfront Surf & Sand Hotel is a deal.
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7
New Orleans, Louisiana
Best for: Families who like live music, shopping and trying new foods
My family spent last year's spring break in New Orleans thanks to an airfare deal that got us there from the New York City area for around $250. We noticed some flights this spring for about the same price. Jazz, vintage shops and vinyl record stores are my teen daughter's jam, and NOLA is packed with all of them. We listened to music on the street and at Preservation Hall, which welcomes the under-21 crowd. We stuffed ourselves with beignets and our suitcases with the thrifting finds. It was bliss, and I realized that we shouldn't have waited so long to visit. City Park, home to the Louisiana Children's Museum, beignet-purveyor Cafe du Monde and the outdoor sculpture garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art, has the makings of a dream day for families with younger kids.
Where to Stay: We stayed at ONE11, a newish hotel in the French Quarter that passed my teen's "vibe check." Once a sugar mill, the hotel has maintained some of the original features plus it has a pool.
8
Houston, Texas
Best for: Families with younger kids who live within driving distance
Fish's solid advice: Let the other families go to the Texas Hill Country while you go to Houston. Your crew could spend multiple days at the Children's Museum of Houston, a winner of the 2023 Family Travel Awards. The city also has an amazing recreation system with 366 parks, 200 green spaces and 125 miles of trails. And for any wanna-be astronaut, the Space Center Houston will wow.
Where to Stay: If you'd rather have a kitchen than a pool, try Sonder's The Hogg Palace, near the city's aquarium and just a 10-minute drive to the children's museum. Otherwise, book the Marriott Marquis Houston, which has — Ready for this? — a Texas-shaped lazy river (pictured).
9
Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic
Best for: Families who enjoy the features and food at an all-inclusive resort
On a large stretch of white sand beach, the newest Club Med in the Caribbean makes sure everyone in your party gets a true vacation. While kids and teens are off at fun-filled clubs broken up into a wide variety of age groups, you can score some much-needed R&R at the adult-only Zen Oasis. Restaurants surprise and delight — one even has a secret chocolate room. What's more, flight availability to Punta Cana is still relatively good, says Fish. Roundtrip airfare on certain dates in March and April cost less than $400.
RELATED: 25 Best All-Inclusives to Visit in 2023
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10
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California
Best for: Families who love Disney
If you're hoping to book a last-minute Disney trip over spring break, Diaz suggests you price a Disneyland vacation, even if you live closer to Orlando. Depending on the week you want to go, she notes that Disneyland might be less crowded and less expensive than Walt Disney World. The reason? Local families in Florida and California make up a good chunk of the visitors, and they have spring break on different weeks. While extra time on the airplane isn't ideal, especially with kids, you can take comfort in the fact that it's easier to get around Disneyland than Walt Disney World. Another plus: Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland Park, which features Minnie's house, a Donald Duck-themed splash pad and much more, opens on March 19.
Where to Stay: The Hampton Inn & Suites, which was recognized as a budget-friendly hotel chain in Good Housekeeping's 2023 Family Travel Awards, has Anaheim locations with rooms for less than $150 per night on some dates in March.
