Summertime may be the prime vacationing season, but there’s something to be said for spring getaways. The weather is milder, there are fewer crowds, and you might be able to score a cheap vacation deal.
Most importantly, you’ll have something to look forward to during a long, dull winter, and that’s something we all need!
Whether you’re craving a tropical environment, a concrete jungle, or locales with deep histories, you can find it all and more within the United States.
It was no easy task, but I narrowed it down to 10 of my favorite spots for springtime family getaways.
1. Orlando, Florida
I love a trip to Florida as much as the next family, but when you vacation there in the summer, the heat and humidity feel like walking into a brick wall. It’s heavy.
You’ll adjust as your vacation goes on, but that doesn’t change the fact that heat and humidity are exhausting. You might find yourself removing items from your itinerary because your brood simply lacks the energy.
Traveling to Orlando in the spring is an entirely different story. The highs in March are about 79 degrees, and in April, a perfect 84 degrees. It starts getting hotter into May, with a daytime average of 88.
Orlando has no shortage of theme and amusement parks. Everyone is well aware of Walt Disney World. You’ve likely also heard of LEGOLAND and Universal Orlando.
But what about ICON Park?
Spots like these draw smaller crowds, which means less waiting in line to ride roller coasters, thrill rides, and kiddie rides for your younger family members.
Of course, if you’re interested in hitting up the big parks, they’ll be less crowded in the spring than summer since the kids are still in school.
That said, avoid traveling during large spring holidays like Easter or spring break, as these parks will be packed to the gills.
Don’t think your itinerary options are only limited to theme parks if traveling to Orlando this spring.
You can take your kids to an escape room, a pirate-themed dinner adventure, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum, or to a zoo or aquarium.
You can also stroll along the surf on Cocoa Beach or the Canaveral National Seashore.
» MORE: How Far Is Disney World from Universal Studios?
2. New York City, New York
The Big Apple, being situated on the east coast, runs the gamut regarding weather. Spring temps can be winter-cold or feel like summer, depending on the day. I would recommend planning a late spring trip to New York City.
After all, in May, the average temperature is 72 degrees. That’s comfortable enough that you and your family can walk for hours throughout the city without getting sticky from sweat.
You could spend weeks in NYC and not see everything. That’s not even accounting for what’s outside the city and within the state, such as Niagara Falls or my family’s personal favorite, Letchworth State Park.
» MORE: Road Trip from New York City to Niagara Falls
Let’s begin with the must-see attractions. You can teach your kids about our nation’s history and witness one of the most majestic landmarks in the country by spending an afternoon seeing the Statue of Liberty.
You can’t tour the entire statue anymore unless you make a reservation. Make sure you wear good walking shoes, as the Statue of Liberty has hundreds of stairs.
An afternoon or evening in Times Square is another can’t-miss attraction. This central city hub is awash in lights, so it looks like daylight no matter when you visit.
The larger-than-life stores and buildings must be seen to be believed, and there are enough candy and toy stores that the kids will be satisfied.
Central Park is a great visit in the spring. You can lay out a blanket in the sun and have a picnic lunch while you people-watch and listen to the sounds of New York City.
» MORE: Can I Go Mountain Biking at Letchworth State Park?
If you have some time, I also recommend the American Museum of Natural History. This huge museum is worth an afternoon (or even an entire day if you wish to take your time), and it’s educational!
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
How does an 80-degree day sound in March? Or April or May? Honolulu has perfect spring weather, and it’s the ideal place to forget all about the endless winter you just slogged through.
This Pacific Ocean city is also Hawaii’s capital and has some of the most breathtaking beaches on the planet.
The Magic Island Lagoon, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (within Hanauma Bay State Park), and Lanikai Beach are ideal places to sprawl out, stroll the white sands, and swim in the crystal-clear waters.
» MORE: Can You Drive to Hawaii from Mainland United States?
As tempting as it is to spend your entire Hawaiian vacation on the beach, you’d miss out on so much fun in the springtime with the kids.
For example, the animals might be more active at the Honolulu Zoo this time of year because the heat isn’t oppressive.
You can easily fill a whole day at the Waikiki Aquarium or Bishop Museum.
Learn about the sobering history of this incredible place at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, or try something more lighthearted at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center.
This children’s museum is 38,000 square feet and welcomes more than 200,000 families a year. The kids can play and learn at exhibits like the Rainforest Adventures or Hawaiian Rainbows.
The Fantastic You exhibit teaches about the human body, and Your Town lets kids play pretend in adult jobs.
4. Washington, D.C.
Learn more about our Nation’s Capital by taking the kids to Washington, D.C., this spring.
Like New York, this east-coast state begins warming up late into April and early May. You can expect averages of high 60s in April and mid-70s in May, which is perfect for spring vacationing.
Seeing the White House (even if it’s only from the outside) and the National Mall is a given, but what else can you do in this patriotic capital?
» MORE: Road Trip from Washington, D.C. to Orlando
History lovers will find no shortage of places to visit, from the National Museum of American History to the National Air and Space Museum, and National Postal Museum.
For those kids who aren’t yet as appreciative of American history as they could be, you can make their eyes un-glaze by exploring the very fun International Spy Museum. The kiddos will surely value a chance to see the National Children’s Museum.
Okay, so let’s move away from museums for a moment, shall we? D.C. has so much more to offer, like Georgetown Waterfront Park.
I love the fall foliage here, but it’s just as enchanting to visit in the spring when the trees and buds come alive again.
The National Zoo is free to enter, so not only does it appease impatient kids but it’s the perfect stop for the budgeting family.
Plan to spend an entire day here witnessing the beauty and wonder of over 2,700 animals, from elephants to tigers, lions, orangutans, gorillas, and many more.
You can easily get to the National Zoo from the National Mall by taking the metro. That makes planning your day effortless.
5. San Diego, California
Despite that it’s in California, the temps in San Diego are milder than you might expect in the spring, with the high 60s and 70s the norm. It might be too cold for many of us to want to go playing in the Californian ocean but worry not.
You have plenty of amazing activities you can plan to do when exploring San Diego. For example, if you decide to vacation here instead of Orlando, you can still take your kids to LEGOLAND, but the Cali resort.
The San Diego Zoo is a must for children of all ages, as they can witness more than 600 animal species and 4,000+ creatures roaming about.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, also known as the San Diego Safari Park, is a sister site to the San Diego Zoo.
It’s 1,800 acres of animals and makes for an excellent capper on what will surely be a jam-packed day of checking out various four-legged friends.
How about a beach day? Some of my family’s favorite beaches in San Diego are Coronado Central Beach, Silver Strand State Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach, and South Ponto Beach, but you have many more to explore and discover.
» MORE: Best Family Beaches in San Diego
Perhaps you spend a day appreciating aquatic sea creatures at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps or SeaWorld San Diego.
You can fall in love with the city’s nature at the San Diego Botanic Garden or La Jolla Cove.
Take your kids museum-hopping, with educational, enchanting options calling your name. You can also put on your best walking shoes to explore locales like Old Town San Diego.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
Another great springtime adventure awaits down south in New Orleans. The weather here is balmy all spring long, with low-to-mid 70s in the early spring and mid-80s as an average by May.
New Orleans is worth visiting for the culture alone, as it’s unlike anything your family has likely ever seen (well, unless you’ve had the fortune of visiting before).
The comfortable spring temperatures will put a pep in your step and let you and your family see everything you’re interested in checking off your itinerary.
Even though you’ll miss Mardi Gras by visiting in the spring, you can still invoke the spirit of Mardi Gras anytime by visiting the Mardi Gras World art museum. All the most festive artifacts this city is known for are on display here.
» MORE: Road Trip from New Orleans to Destin
Audubon Park is a chance to breathe in the fresh southern air, as is New Orleans City Park.
Of course, if you’re a go, go, go type of family, you’ll find plenty to do. Kids will go gaga for the Audubon Aquarium, especially if you follow it up with a visit to the Audubon Zoo.
The Audubon Insectarium is a nice bookend to your New Orleans animal experience. This Canal Street museum is all about insects of all species.
I’d also suggest spending some time at the Louisiana Children’s Museum, a magical place of enchantment for kids. The hands-on experiences and exhibits teach skills in health and wellness, STEM, and literacy.
7. Las Vegas, Nevada
Visiting Las Vegas in the heat of summer is almost unconscionable. Nevada temperatures can get into the triple digits, and it’s often not safe to venture outside during the day. Instead, you’re much better off taking a vacation here in the early spring.
March temperatures are low 70s on average, and in April, temps climb into the 80s by day. I wouldn’t visit later than that unless you want to be faced with 90-degree heat.
You and the family will find no shortage of indoor activities to make your springtime shine. Hershey’s Chocolate World and M&M’s Las Vegas are perfect stops for those in the family with a sweet tooth. Better yet, you won’t have to worry about your chocolate melting in the mild weather.
» MORE: Road Trip from San Antonio to Las Vegas
Las Vegas has aquariums galore, including The Aquarium at Silverton Casino and Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.
Put the pedal to the metal at the Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix Family Fun Center or skydive no matter the weather with indoor skydiving.
The indoor Adventuredome at Circus Circus Las Vegas features attractions and rides for kids of all ages. 4D rides and arcade games, as far as the eye can see, are also part of the experience when visiting.
8. Savannah, Georgia
You won’t have to worry about sweating it out when visiting Savannah this spring. The temperatures are between the 70s and 80s in the spring months versus the 90s in the summer, making now the ideal time to take your family.
Savannah is a gorgeous city steeped in culture. Its proximity to the Savannah River means it has a coastal flavor without being a beach town. Instead, you can get outside and visit spots like Forsyth Park and Chelaw Park.
» MORE: How Long Is Summer Break in Georgia?
Take an impromptu walking tour, hitting stops like the City Market, Telfair Square, and Chippewa Square. Along the way, you can do shopping, eating, and sightseeing. Some routes across the city will take you to the famed Savannah River.
Even though the water park will likely not be open in time for your visit, you can still enjoy entertainment of a different sort. For instance, see a live show at the Savannah Theatre and build memories that last a lifetime.
Foster a love and appreciation of animals at the Marineland Dolphin Adventure and Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
9. Asheville, North Carolina
Perfect spring days await you if you visit Asheville in May, as the temperatures are mid-70s on average. The city gets about a week of rain on average that month, so you won’t have to stress about your plans being rained out.
Biltmore Park Town Square is one of the newer parts of the city I’d suggest you explore. It opened in 2009 and features a movie theater, a bookstore, and more shops.
If you’d rather get lost in nature, the Botanical Gardens at Asheville is a nonprofit botanical garden that’s 10 acres. You can visit for free, so families shouldn’t miss this exceptional spot for spending a sunny afternoon.
» MORE: Road Trip from Chicago to Asheville
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also in North Carolina, at least part of it. This 522,000-acre park offers wildlife and flower viewing, picnicking, hiking, fishing, cycling, touring waterfalls, and horseback riding.
All these activities are made so much better with the perfect weather you’ll experience here all season long.
10. Yellowstone National Park
You’ll have to bundle up, but a trip to Yellowstone in the spring is something else.
The temps average the 50s by May, which is admittedly chilly, but that will keep the crowds away that congregate readily in the summer.
Yellowstone is 2.2 million acres. You can’t explore it in a day or two, unlike some state parks, so plan to stay for as long as your schedule and budget allow.
If there’s still snow on the ground during your visit (which can happen in the spring), you can partake in wintry activities like snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, or backcountry camping (which I’d suggest for more experienced campers).
As the park begins to thaw, Yellowstone becomes the ideal backdrop for hiking 1,000 miles of trail, photographing wildlife and natural scenes, animal watching, horseback riding, cycling, picnicking, and camping.