Are you planning your spring break getaway and need travel tips to find unique and popular destinations for your kids and friends? Whether you need budget-friendly support or are ready to splurge, we're here to help! The Parking Spot created this practical spring break guide to help you and others have the vacation they deserve.

Popular Spring Break Destinations

Planning ahead is essential whether you plan on hitting up spring break destinations with family or friends. Since most people take time off in March for this break, it's vital to find warm and comfortable places that will feel welcoming. Here are several options you may want to try!

Family-Friendly Adventures

If you're considering taking your kids on a spring break getaway, there are many popular, unique, and budget-friendly options! The following three destinations work well for families and will help you and your little ones have a one-of-a-kind travel experience!

Orlando, FL

Orlando is one of the most popular spring break destinations and a great place to take families and friends of all ages! With beautiful weather and lots of tourist-friendly destinations, it's the kind of place parents and kids will both love, especially Disney-obsessed little ones.

Activities to Check Out

No collection of spring break travel tips is complete without a few fun activity ideas! Thankfully, Orlando is a bustling and exciting place with lots to do, including: 

• Walt Disney World Resort: Come here to enjoy fun rides, cafes, shopping, and more. Spaceship Earth, Toy Story Land, and the Kilimanjaro Safari provide lots of family fun.
• I-Drive: Located just 10 miles southwest of Orlando, this destination features delicious food, dueling pianos, shopping opportunities, and outdoor excitement.
• Discovery Cove: In Discovery Cove, your children and you can meet dolphins and other exciting animals, enjoy some rides, and even go snorkeling beside animals.

Hotel Recommendations

A few hotels that might work well for your family include:

• The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes
• The Alfond Inn
• Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Dining Options

Kid-friendly dining options in Orlando include:

• NYPD Pizza
• Rainforest Cafe
• T-Rex Cafe
• Chef Mickey's 

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Grand Canyon National Park is an exciting destination for kids and parents alike. When traveling here with your children, it's essential to consider travel tips and plan to ensure you get a spring break getaway. Here's what our team at The Parking Spot was able to dig up.

Activities to Check Out

A few things you and your family may enjoy doing in Grand Canyon National Park include: 

• Grand Canyon Village: Located near the park's South Rim, this village is not only budget-friendly but also a great place to start your unique exploration of the canyon.
• Helicopter Rides: The most popular activity for families in the Grand Canyon is easily helicopter rides, as these beautifully showcase the canyon's whole expanse.
• Navajo Bridge: See beautiful natural wonders that your children will love, and your friends will be jealous when you show off your trip photos.

Hotel Recommendations

Here are a few places you can stay while in the park:

• Squire Resort At The Grand Canyon, BW Signature Collection
• The Grand Canyon Hotel at the Grand Canyon 
• Red Feather Lodge

Dining Options

Grand Canyon National Park restaurants your family may enjoy include:

• The Phantom Ranch Canteen 
• Bright Angel Bicycles and Cafe
• Maswik Food Court
• Arizona Steakhouse

Adult-Specific Hotspots

Are you planning a solo getaway for spring break this year? Or are you looking to let loose with your friends? Whether you're planning for a group or romantic adventures, adult-only spring breaks are a unique and popular way to have fun. Here are some travel tips you'll appreciate.

Miami Beach, FL

In our research, The Parking Spot found that Miami Beach was the second-best overall spring break destination and the best option for people who want to party. Even if it's not exactly budget-friendly, it's an excellent place for college students to let loose this year.

Activities to Check Out

Some adult-oriented activities you may enjoy on your Miami Beach visit include:

• Spring Break Takeover: If you're into Florida's latest and best hip-hop, check out this fantastic party. You'll jam with Vayb, Bedjine, K-Dilak, and other popular stars.
• Adults-Only Spring Break Cruise: On this unforgettable trip, jump on a beautiful cruise ship, meet new friends, and enjoy delicious foods and drinks.
• Haulover Park: If you're looking to relax and even enjoy some nude sunbathing, Haulover Park is an island experience like no other in Miami Beach.

Hotel Recommendations

Looking for great Miami Beach accommodations? Here are a few to try out:

• Acqualina Resort & Residences
• Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Florida
• Faena Hotel Miami Beach

Dining Options

Miami offers many healthy and light options for cuisine, or you can hit up some fantastic restaurants with delicious and extravagant foods, such as:

• Miami Wynwood 
• MILA
• Casadonna
• Nossa Omakase

Las Vegas, NV

You know the old saying: "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!" Las Vegas can be a fun and unforgettable spring break getaway for you and your friends. Don't just hit up the casinos! Las Vegas boasts many popular and unique spots to visit beyond the slots:

Activities to Check Out

While families and kids can enjoy Las Vegas, the City of Sin is more of an adult-oriented experience. Here are a few unforgettable activities that you can try out:

• Cirque du Soleil: The "Circus of the Sun" is one of Vegas's biggest spectacles, providing a fantastic show you can't see anywhere else.
• The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: As one of the most popular resorts in Las Vegas, this destination features many bars and restaurants with speakeasy themes!
• New York-New York and the Big Apple Coaster: Combining the best of New York City with the world of Vegas fun, this destination is a party center for the city! 

Hotel Recommendations

One of the best things about Vegas is that it's within easy driving distance of many places. That said, making the most of your trip will likely require staying a few days. Consider the following hotels:

• Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
• ARIA Resort & Casino
• Wynn Las Vegas

Dining Options

While in Vegas, eat some delicious food and enjoy the nightlife at:

• Top Of the World
• Mon Ami Gabi Bistro 
• The Peppermill Restaurant & Fireside Lounge
• Delilah

Budget-Friendly Spring Break Ideas

Looking to save money on your spring break getaway but still want to hit up some unique and popular places? These travel tips can help you check out some budget-friendly destinations with your friends and places that families and kids will immensely enjoy.

Myrtle Beach, SC

As one of the most popular places in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is also surprisingly affordable. Whether you’re a college student looking to cut loose or a family-oriented person, you’ll find more than enough to do in this warm and beautiful spring break destination.

Activities to Check Out

You can have fun at Myrtle Beach without spending an arm and leg at places like: 

• The Beach: You can walk and swim on Myrtle Beach’s vast expanse for hours and even days without spending more than $15 to $20 a day for food and drinks!
• Mt. Alanticus Minotaur Gulf: This enjoyable and relaxing miniature golf course is relatively inexpensive and fun for kids, families, and even college friends.
• Brookgreen Gardens: This inexpensive zoo features an aquarium, beautiful outdoor sights, and relaxing budget-friendly activities.

Hotel Recommendations

Inexpensive hotels in Myrtle Beach include: 

• Bar Harbor 
• Bermuda Sands on the Boardwalk
• Lancer Motel 

Dining Options

Inexpensive places to eat in Myrtle Beach include: 

• Fuddruckers
• Sugami Sushi 
• River City Cafe
• Dagwood’s Deli

Gulf Shores, AL

Gulf Shores is a unique and popular spring break getaway for people who want a budget-friendly experience. As the best beach in Alabama, it offers low-cost amenities and activities that make it more than worth visiting for families, friends, and kids. 

Activities to Check Out

Low-cost activities you will enjoy in Gulf Shore include:

• Gulf State Park: Explore a gorgeous public beach, go fishing, jump into the gulf for a swim, or even check out some hiking trails in this expansive, inexpensive park.
• The Wharf: This exciting complex features low-cost amusement parks, great shopping destinations, and the chance to spot dolphins swimming off the pier.
• Biking Trails: With dozens of miles of hiking trails throughout the region, you, your kids, or your friends can exercise while traveling to stay in great shape.

Hotel Recommendations

If you’re trying to save money on your Gulf Shores trip, stay at these hotels: 

• Magnuson Hotel and Suites Gulf Shores
• Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gulf Shores
• Beachside Resort Hotel

Dining Options

You can easily find inexpensive places to eat in Gulf Shores, like: 

• The Hangout
• Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores
• Sea N Suds
• Ruby Slipper

Albuquerque, NM

While Bugs Bunny may have always taken the wrong turn at Albuquerque, this underrated spring break getaway is worth looking into. This popular and unique spot is also very budget-friendly, perfect for families with kids, or even a destination for friends.

Activities to Check Out

No Albuquerque budget-friendly travel tips section would be complete without fun and inexpensive activities like:

• Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: This cheap (donation-only) museum introduces you, your friends, kids, and other families to unique Native American historical artifacts.
• ABQ BioPark: Spend a relaxing and budget-friendly day outdoors visiting a fun aquarium, relaxing on the beach, or hosting a cookout with other families.
• San Felipe de Neri Church: Albuquerque's first Roman Catholic church features gorgeous art and architecture and is free to the public.

Hotel Recommendations

Save money by staying at these Albuquerque destinations:

• Motel 6 Albuquerque South Airport
• Econo Lodge Old Town
• Days Inn Albuquerque Downtown

Dining Options

High-quality but low-cost dining options in Albuquerque include:

• Frontier Restaurant 
• Central Grill and Coffee House 
• Owl Cafe
• Padilla’s Mexican Kitchen

Family-Friendly Budget Getaways

If you’re looking for budget-friendly spring break getaway ideas for families like yours, try San Diego, CA, and Knoxville, TN. In the following sections, you’ll learn about popular and unique activities in these cities that work well for families with younger and older kids. 

Activities to Check Out

San Diego offers fun experiences like: 

• Balboa Park 
• USS Midway Museum 
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park 
• Petco Park 

Meanwhile, Knoxville offers fun like: 

• Knoxville’s Market Square 
• Zoo Knoxville 
• Sunsphere 
• Neyland Stadium 

Places to Stay 

If you’re trying to have fun while staying in San Diego, stay at these hotels:

• Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa 
• Pendry San Diego 
• Fairmont Grand Del Mar 
• Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Great kid-friendly places to stay in Knoxville include: 

• The Tennessean 
• Embassy Quites by Hilton Knoxville West 
• Graduate Knoxville 
• Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University

Dining Options

Family-friendly dining in San Diego includes:

• Campfire
• Hamburger Hut 
• The Crack Shack -Encinitas
• Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

Knoxville dining options for kids include:

• Farmacy 
• Stock & Barrel
• Token Game Tavern 
• The Tomato Head

Off-the-Beaten-Path Spring Break Ideas

At The Parking Spot, we know that some people want to book a spring break getaway for their kids, friends, and families that are unique and popular while being a bit outside the norm. These fun destinations aren’t the kind of spots you’ll see in most travel tips articles. Check out Asheville, NC, or Milwaukee, WI, for a unique and engaging experience.

Activities to Check Out

Commonly voted as the second- or third-best place to visit in North Carolina, Asheville is known as a hipster haven to Beer City, USA, and offers lots of great experiences, such as:

• Craggy Gardens
• Asheville Breweries
• Painting in Asheville’s River Arts District
• Folk Art Center 

Like Asheville, Milwaukee provides plenty of fun opportunities for visitors interested in this continually exciting city. These destinations include:

• Harley-Davidson Museum 
• Milwaukee River Walk 
• Discovery World 
• America’s Black Holocaust Museum

Places to Stay 

While Asheville isn’t as highly populated as Charlotte, Raleigh, or Greensboro, it’s still a pretty sizable city with plenty of cozy places to stay, such as:

• Pisgah Glamping 
• Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville
• Asheville Glamping
• Biltmore Village Inn 

Similarly, Milwaukee isn’t a massive city but one with many unique amenities and visitors' lodging opportunities. Some of the most popular of these destinations include:

• The Pfister Hotel 
• Glamp MKE
• The Iron Horse Hotel
• Waterfront Cabins

Dining Options 

With many local favorites with unique flavors and regional specialties, the following restaurants provide Asheville visitors with several excellent dining opportunities:

• Asheville Proper 
• Modesto Trattoria 
• Stable Cafe
• Tupelo Honey

While Milwaukee is mainly known for beer and German food, there are many other cuisine specialties that visitors may enjoy at restaurants like:

• Onesto 
• Stella Van Buren 
• Third Coast Provisions
• The Capital Grille

Packing and Planning Tips for Spring Break

Whether traveling through the busiest airports in the world or driving to your spring break getaway, it’s essential to plan appropriately. The following simple travel tips can help you reach your unique and popular destination and streamline everything for kids and families like yours.

Planning Ahead 

Make sure you call all accommodations and activity centers well in advance to book. Doing so can minimize your layover risk and even save you money. Furthermore, it ensures that you find a spot. Use travel apps and other tools to ensure you get the best experience possible.

Managing Crowds

If your airport is busy, find activities and play areas where your kids can have fun. Families often enjoy these destinations together for maximum fun. Arriving early and having all your paperwork ready can streamline airport security and arrival.

Having the Spring Break Getaway You Deserve By Booking With The Parking Spot 

Whether planning a unique, budget-friendly, or popular spring break getaway with your friends or kids, you must plan ahead to get the best experience possible. Doing so ensures families like yours get the travel tips they need and have a ton of fun. Destinations like beaches, cruises, amusement parks, and even outdoor adventures fit easily into all lifestyles and budgets.

While planning your vacation, check out The Parking Spot to see if we have destinations near you! Our Spot Club provides money-saving discounts that can fit your budget and coupons and deals that ensure you, your friends, and your kids save money on spring break this year. The Parking Spot provides easy reservation management and comfortable amenities