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Best Spring Break Destinations for Families

family spring break trip
Allianz - family spring break trip

Spring break is bigger than ever this year. The World Travel & Tourism Council (W.T.T.C.) projects that American travelers’ bookings over the Easter holiday period will be up by 130 percent over 2021.1

If you’re planning to take your family on a spring-break trip in 2022 and you haven’t booked it yet, expect higher prices and fewer choices than you’re used to. Vacation rental platform Hostaway says that its Florida vacation rental inventory for spring break was already 81 percent booked in November.2

But don’t settle for a staycation just yet! We have some tips to help you plan the vacation you want, as well as some recommendations for the best family-friendly spring break destinations in the U.S.

Tips for booking spring break travel

Don’t dawdle. Start making your travel plans today. Once you’ve secured hotel/vacation rental/airfare, think about planning activities as well. If you wait until the last minute, you may not be able to book tours, excursions or restaurant reservations.

Stay flexible. Despite the surge in trip planning and general travel optimism, COVID-19 remains a challenge. If possible, book airfare and accommodations that give you some flexibility to change or cancel.

Choose a cooler destination. Most people are craving shorts weather, so they head south — to Florida, Georgia, Texas or the Caribbean. You can save money and beat the crowds by spending spring break in a temperate spot.

Safeguard your investment with travel insurance. You’re about to leave for your big spring-break trip when your youngest suddenly announces, “I don’t feel so good.” Uh-oh. Travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs when you cancel for a covered reason (like sudden illness). Most of our travel insurance plans now include the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, which adds covered reasons to select benefits for certain losses related to COVID-19 and any future epidemic. (Benefits vary by plan and are not available in all jurisdictions.)

Find the right travel insurance plan for your spring break adventure

Flying? Choose a travel insurance plan with SmartBenefitsSM. In 2021, more than 16% of flights were delayed.3 Long delays are a spring-break bummer… unless you have an Allianz Travel Insurance plan with SmartBenefitsSM. These plans can automatically pay you a fixed inconvenience payment of $100 per insured person (including kids!) per day, for a covered travel delay or baggage delay, up to the maximum no-receipts limit. No receipts are required — just proof of the delay.

10 great U.S. spring break destinations for families

Bar Harbor, Me.

Tropical it’s not, but coastal Maine is spectacularly beautiful in spring. Explore Acadia National Park without the summer crowds and take a whale-watching boat tour. If you head inland for a Maine road trip, you can visit maple sugar houses and even go skiing at Sugarloaf or Sunday River.

Galveston, Tex.

With 32 miles of beach and warm breezes, Galveston is a favorite family spring break destination. The Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark is open on weekends in April, as are the rides at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Spring is a lovely time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. The weather is generally mild, flowers are blooming, and wildlife are active. Take the kids on a horseback ride, zipline adventure or ATV tour. The towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg offer fun tourist attractions and shopping galore.

Indianapolis, Ind.

Did you know Indianapolis is home to the world’s largest children’s museum? There’s a carousel, theater, planetarium and outdoor sports park, as well as ever-changing exhibits. Other favorite family activities include touring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, duckpin bowling downtown, and riding in a tethered hot-air balloon at Conner Prairie.

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

With temperatures in the 70s, April is a pleasant — and affordable — time to visit Myrtle Beach. Sunbathe on the beach, kayak through the Cherry Grove Salt Marsh, visit the upside-down WonderWorks indoor science park, or take the kids to a show at the Carolina Opry.  

Panama City Beach, Fla.

Once notorious as a wild spring-break destination for college students, Panama City Beach has tightened the rules and become a calm place to vacation with family. This panhandle town offers white-sand beaches, a zoo, mini golf, a pirate cruise, the SkyWheel and many more kid-friendly attractions. Book a ride on the Shell Island Ferry to visit a pristine beach and nature reserve.

Las Vegas, Nev.

Vegas with the kids? Why not! You can find great deals on hotels, and there’s free entertainment everywhere you turn, from the Bellaggio fountains to the acrobats at Circus Circus to the mermaids in the aquarium at the Silverton Hotel. Rent a car to spend the day hiking through stunning scenery in Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire State Park.4

Savannah, Ga.

Time seems to slow down as you stroll under the Spanish moss-draped oaks in Savannah’s historic squares. When little feet get tired, hop on the free trolley. Kids will love running around Forsyth Park, tasting sweets at the Savannah Candy Kitchen, and playing on the beach at Tybee Island.

Wilmington, N.C.

This charming river city is a bit too far north for most spring-breakers, but it offers an abundance of aquatic fun. Take a riverboat cruise, explore the Battleship North Carolina, and try to spot the alligators in Greenfield Park. If the weather is warm enough, spend a day on the sand in Wrightsville or Carolina Beach.

Yosemite National Park

April is waterfall season in Yosemite, when melting snow and ice cascade from the mountains in spectacular fashion. Sentinel Falls, Yosemite Falls, and Ribbon Fall are some of the best known.5 Average highs in the valley are in the 60s, although snow is still possible. Check the park’s website before you go, so you know which roads and trails are open.

Before you set off on your spring break adventure, don’t forget to download the free Allianz TravelSmart app! TravelSmart is an intuitive travel app that allows you to access your policy, track flights, get travel alerts, and reach 24-hour assistance.

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Feb 25, 2022