There are many ideas for spring break trips that are cheap and close to home. There is no need to have the kids bored at home over spring break when you can enjoy a simple-to-plan, budget family spring break getaway. Here are some vacation ideas:
Visit Your Nearest National Park
Easily overlooked, don't neglect this tremendous (and usually inexpensive) family vacation resource. There are nearly 400 park sites in the U.S., which means there is certain to be an appealing National Park near you. Many feature overnight accomodations that are reasonably priced right on the park. It is also ideal for spring break vacations, since you usually get exposed to the great outdoors where you can hike, or perhaps follow nature trails and spot spring flowers at bloom.
Hit an Indoor Water Park
A hot trend in family travel resorts, indoor water parks are sprinkled throughout the U.S. and Canada, and many more are being planned. Great Wolf Lodge indoor water parks alone have eight locations spanning from Virginia to Niagara Falls to Wisconsin. Although they could book up quickly, there could hardly be a more kid-friendly spring break family vacation. Find out more: Top Indoor Water Park Hotels.
Just Commute to the Nearest City
It can be hard to think of your nearby big city as a destination. I mean, it's always just sitting there, after all. Reconsider, though. You could find that a long weekend in the nearest city makes a wonderful, simple and affordable spring break family vacation. Hit the museums, the zoos, the parks. Have a great family dinner. Just enjoy ordering room service. You'll soon forget that you aren't too far from home.
The Highway is Your Destination
I'm confident that you live not too far from a major highway. Make that a destination in itself! Every highway is littered with oddball attractions, fun family museums, unexpected discoveries, cute and undiscovered towns and fabulous family restaurants. Get the kids involved in plotting some points for stopping along the way. Go armed with a good road atlas, and (keeping in mind that spring break can be a busy travel time), a couple reservations along the way. Besides that, be free and see what you see. Find out more: Family Road Trip Planner.
Hit the Theme Park
Much like the National Park system, there are hundreds of theme parks spread around the States. Pick your nearest one, book some reservations (or even find a nearby campground to save cash) and go. You will never hear complaints from the children or teenagers if you plan your spring break vacation at a theme park.
It's a (Natural) Wonder
Stalactites and stalagmites. Lakes and rivers. Ancient forests. Extinct volcanoes and oddball rock formations. While kids might sneer at the idea of visiting a museum or historical attraction, they usually get pretty psyched about seeing a natural oddity. Since we are all pretty well surrounded by nature, odds are good there is one not too far from your home. A side benefit is that natural wonders tend to be situated away from cities, and near low-cost accomodations. Don't overlook this great spring break family vacation possiblity.
Look for More Ideas
This is a start to help you think of spring break vacation ideas that are both low-cost and low-effort. There are surely dozens of other ideas. Visit your local or neighboring state tourism office sites or even hit your nearest regional tourism office, and you're bound to get more ideas. Yes, you can enjoy a fun spring break family vacation without breaking the bank or extensive planning. Find out more: Tax Refund Trip Ideas
