Best Family Spring Break Ideas 2024: Where to Go With Kids This Spring

Spring is one of the best times to hit the places your family has been dreaming about. Whether you’re heading to an off-season hideout or to a popular Spring Break family destination, many of Indagare’s top properties book up far in advance, so now is the time to plan a spring getaway. Read on for some of our favorite spots for a multi-gen spring getaway, from indulgent villa rentals to beachfront resorts and the ultimate outdoor adventure lodges.

Domestic Family Spring Break Ideas

As one of the few U.S. destinations with warm enough waters for swimming in March and April, Florida is a great choice if you’re looking for a hassle-free, warm-weather retreat. And from the buzzy world of Orlando to the more serene Palm Beach, there is a family-friendly resort for every occasion.

Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande is a great option for multi-generational families looking to start a Spring Break tradition. Most of the guests have been staying here for years, and they keep returning thanks to the wealth of activities available for all ages. There are seven clay tennis courts, a golf course, a spa, an array of fitness classes, fishing and, of course, swimming and sunbathing at the two pools or in the Gulf.

Families looking to experience the magic of Disney World without sacrificing high-end accommodations should consider the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. The 27-acre resort is just a short shuttle ride from the amusement parks and offers on-property options for children and adults alike, including an extensive kids’ club with pools, waterslides, a lazy river, a game room and themed breakfasts with Disney characters. There is also a golf course, spa and adults-only pool for parents.

A quieter option is Palm Beach. The small coastal city, a longtime winter favorite of glamorous East Coasters, has something for everyone, from tennis, golf and water sports to top shops and restaurants. The city’s storied grande dame, Indagare Index-property The Breakers, has an ultra-luxurious spa, members-only Beach Club (accessible to hotel guests) and wonderful kids’ club. The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach is located just outside the city, a 15-minute drive from the tony shops of Worth Avenue. Set on a sandy beach, this relaxing property has exceptional service, a game room for teens and great kids’ programs.

Related: The Best Beach Resorts in Florida

April is the end of the wet season in Hawaii, and with temperatures hovering between 70 and 80 degrees and the rainforests and botanical gardens in bloom, it is a great time to visit this far-flung U.S. state.

The ultimate flop-and-drop destination, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island is a favorite among families, with many of the longtime staff watching kids grow from toddlers to teenagers year by year. The resort has three pools, tennis courts, a climbing wall, workout classes, dance and crafting classes at the cultural center. Another highlight: the resort’s 13 ponds, namely King’s Pond, which is now home to 3,000 reef fish and makes for a great controlled snorkeling environment for young kids.

For more adrenaline, the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea provides access to all the activities Maui has to offer, including surf lessons, hiking, horseback riding, Haleakala Volcano and some of the world’s best whale watching, which is only available December through April. The resort itself has plenty of activities including a game room and tennis courts, and you can snorkel with sea turtles directly from the property.

Related: 8 Kid Friendly Resorts for Families with Babies and Young Children

“We have lots of ski inquiries for spring break this year,” says Indagare trip designer Isabel Graubart. “Especially for Big Sky, Vail and Jackson Hole residences. I also sometimes pivot those interested in Vail to Bachelors Gulch if they're okay with not being in the village—the mountain has a more local feeling and can be less of a zoo in peak times.”

Utah is a another great place to celebrate the end of ski season, thanks to an easily accessible location that makes it good for shorter breaks. “Late March and early April is actually one of my favorite times to ski in Utah,” says Indagare’s resident ski sage Abby Sandman. “On the slopes, the snowpack is often at its highest, and you can either end up blessed with late season powder days or quality spring skiing. The perpetually dry air and slightly warmer days also often make it possible to combine skiing with hikes or bike rides through the desert brush—sometimes on the same day.”

For accomodations, Deer Valley's Stein Eriksen Lodge commands an unparalleled ski-in/ski-out perch mid-mountain, and the beloved hotel, inspired by traditional Austrian chalets, has a charming sense of place for travelers drawn to old-school properties.

Montage, which is great for families, has an outpost at both Deer Valley and Big Sky, each iteration blending the ski palace tradition with a distinctly Western atmosphere and modern amenities.

Other Options: Aspen, Lake Tahoe or New England Ski mountains.

For family fun that isn’t centered around skiing, head to Montana, where the scenery is beautiful, the Western charm abounds and the vibe is authentic and laidback. The Ranch at Rock Creek, perennially popular during the summer months, also has plenty to offer as the winter chill thaws, including late-season snowshoeing, snowmobiling and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Indagare can even organize a day of crowd-free skiing and snowboarding at the Discovery Ski Area, after which you can enjoy an outdoor barbecue.

Spring in Georgia means average temperatures from a low of 65 degrees to a high of 80 and is the season of festivals ringing in the growing season.

A tried-and-true family-focused spring break destination, Sea Island Resort is ideal for multi-generational families. The sprawling waterfront property offers plenty of activities for all ages, with fishing trips and three golf courses, plus an extensive list of kids’ activities, including archery, art programs and hands-on nature and wildlife experiences. The accommodations are equally varied, with guest rooms, villas and cottages to satisfy any rooming arrangement. Meanwhile, families interested in American history (and great food) will adore Savannah, where the Perry Lane Hotel’s rooftop pool makes a fabulous hangout spot after a morning touring the city.

Other Option: Charleston

Verdant gardens filled with blooming flowers and a backdrop of snow-covered mountains: we love Morocco in the spring, when days are sunny and warm—but not stifling—and nights are refreshingly cool. You can experience many of the country’s highlights with just five days on the ground, making it a great Spring Break option.

La Mamounia’s 17 acres of manicured gardens and distinctly Moorish architecture make this palatial resort within the Marrakech medina feel a bit like a (kid-friendly) museum. But with a highly attentive staff, great restaurants and a year-round heated pool, it has all the modern comforts and is a great home base for family explorations in and around Marrakech. For a retreat from the bustling city and for families looking for outdoor activities, the Atlas Mountains is a great complement to Marrakech. Enjoy tennis, biking, horseback riding, quad biking and 4x4 excursions, as well as hiking through the mountains to nearby Berber villages.

Related: Family Travel: Postcards from Indagare Members

From March to May, the Caribbean promises minimal rainfall and balmy temperatures in a gorgeous setting. A favorite among families, Curtain Bluff in Antigua has a low-key atmosphere and exceptionally warm service from staff who make every guest feel at home, no matter their age. Kids can feel active and independent here, enjoying the basketball court, swings, pool and more. The rate is all-inclusive, which encompasses activities, whether you want to go deep-sea fishing or scuba diving, play squash or join a tennis clinic.

The Four Seasons Anguilla is another good option, striking an appealing balance between feeling hip and laidback, and it is sure to please both those family members who want a sceney resort experience and those who prefer to fly under the radar.

And in St. Barth’s, the family-friendly cottages and villages at Eden Rock allow privacy with the benefits of the hotel’s infrastructure and amenities. In addition to housing two of the island’s best restaurants, this hip resort has a wealth of programming for kids and adults, including jazz classes, hikes, art lessons and pastry workshops, plus shopping at Eden Being.

For active families seeking an adventure that’s still on island time, the Viceroy Sugar Beach, set on a 100-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site, has one of the only white-sand beaches in the area and water activities in the National Marine Reserve. Plus, there’s a drive-in volcano, botanical gardens, zip-line cables, waterfalls and sulfur springs just a few minutes away.

Other Options: Belize, Mexico’s Riviera Maya or Riviera Nayarit & Los Cabos

For families seeking cultural education coupled with fun in the sun, Greece offers a great spring escape. Temperatures range comfortably in the mid 60s to mid 70s range, making it a much more enjoyable time for exploring the country’s cities, ancient ruins and rugged mountains (which are covered in a blanket of wildflowers during the season).

Spending a few days in a villa at Amanzoe is great options for families. This hilltop property on the Peloponnese looks more like the Parthenon than a hotel and offers ATV excursions, a great location for hiking to see historic sites, as well as tennis courts. Off the mainland you can sail, hike and rock climb on uninhabited islands and explore the charming villages on nearby islands like Hydra and Spetses.

In Athens, the King George is centrally located and the most convenient option for exploring the city, from the famed Acropolis to vibrant neighborhoods like Monastiraki. The grand hotel emanates Old World elegance, and is less buzzy than its sister Grand Bretagne, and its soundproofing and larger rooms make it a great spot for families looking for a comfortable base. If seeing the ruins at Sounion and more resort time are higher priorities than Athens itself, the Four Seasons Astir Palace, just outside of the city, is a favorite for families.

Other options: Egypt, Jordan, Rome

Related: Easy Family Hotel Stays in Europe

Families hungry for even more adventure can head to Costa Rica, where time spent relaxing on the beach is combined with thrilling jungle excursions. On the Papagayo Peninsula, “the Four Seasons is not only the most luxurious hotel in Costa Rica, but also the most family friendly,” says trip designer Isabel Graubart. "The property has a dedicated kids program called ‘Kids For All Seasons’ that offers a wealth of fun and educational activities from Lego wall building and crafts to climbing the jungle gym and nature discovery. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily for children ages four to 12. In terms of accommodations, some offer kitchenettes, washer and dryers and private pools that work very well for families with little kids.”

The Andaz Costa Rica is another family-friendly option, with a kids’ club, family pool and plethora of complimentary activities. Inland, within reach of the towering Arenal Volcano, Nayara Gardens (the family-friendly sister to Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp) is a top option for those who prefer being fully immersed in the jungle over beach time.

Chile is an adventure-loving family’s dream that is great for older children, and March and April are one of the few times when you can avoid most extremes of Chile’s unpredictable weather and the overpowering crowds during Chile’s summer season (December through February).

The wall-to-wall windows in Awasi Patagonia’s 14 private villas take full advantage of the stunning mountainous views of the snow-capped Torres del Paine. A trip here consists of daily private excursions, with activities like horse-back riding, trekking and climbing. The locally sourced cuisine is excellent, and the seclusion and expansive property makes for sightings of guanaco, rabbits and foxes as well as some of the best stargazing in the world (from the villa’s private hot tubs).

Meanwhile, Tierra Atacama has a huge roster of excursions for exploring the otherworldly salt-flats, lagoons and hot springs of the Atacama Desert, and is characterized by its “adventure-spa” philosophy: they encourage guests to experience the outdoors to the fullest extent before returning to relax at the property.

Related: Our Favorite Adventure Destinations for Kids from 5 to 18

600 hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos feels a world away, and embarking on a sea-based itinerary is an all-inclusive, eye-opening and active adventure. “I loved every minute of my Galapagos trip,” says trip designer Paige Gordon. “It feels like you are going back in time to a pristine wilderness, where animals are living happily without human interruption. One day you might be snorkeling with the curious sea lions and penguins, another hiking up a mars-like island to a volcanic crater, and the next kayaking with humpback whales breaching in the distance. There is something for every nature lover here, and the boat guides do an amazing job tailoring the activities to your interests and capabilities. A quick note though is that most boats will have an age minimum of five years old, unless chartered.”

It’s an often-underrated destination, but Scotland’s relative proximity to the U.S. (non-stop flights from New York to Edinburgh take approximately seven hours) ensures that it can be done—and done well—in the short timeframe afforded by a typical spring break. And luckily, the spring is one of the most magical times to view the Scottish landscape, which sees blooming yellow gorse and daffodils in the countryside, violet crocuses lining the city streets and dew glimmering on tree bows and shingles countrywide.

A night or two in Edinburgh provides enough time to see and enjoy the historic city, including its famous castle. Harry Potter fans will want to check into the J.K. Rowling suite at The Balmoral, where the author finished writing the final installment in her beloved series. Combine city and country with a few nights at Gleneagles, a pastoral playground in the Scottish Highlands ideal for families. This special Scottish property is known for its golf courses, but activities for all ages include archery, falconry, riding and more.

Read our latest in-depth Scotland report for more details on Edinburgh, the Highlands and the Isle of Skye.

Other Options: London or the English countryside, Ireland

Perhaps best known for its spring cherry blossom season, Japan is one of those sought after family travel spots that often needs to be booked well in advance. And while this year’s sakura season is booked out, it’s never too early to start planning for next year. Plus, those looking for a little added adventure may consider skiing in Niseko where the season often goes until the end of April, pending snowfall.

Related: Off Japan’s Beaten Path with Indagare Trip Designer Grace Park