17 Uncrowded Spring Break Destinations for Families in the US.

Are you struggling to come up with the best spring break destinations for your family? I do every year! We try to avoid the crowds at popular spring break destinations such as Orlando (also, we live there.)

When you have only a week to get away, and everyone else is getting away that same week, you want to get out of town, avoid crowds, but also not have it take forever to get there. These best places for family spring break 2024 are fun, low-key spring break destinations.

These quiet spring break destinations for families are all in the United States, making it easy for you to fly or drive. These spring break ideas are all family-friendly, mostly avoid the crowds, and are a mix of warmth, adventure, outdoor activities, or skiing.

Ocala, Florida

If you’re not yet familiar with Ocala, Florida, make it a part of your vacation next time you’re on your way to Walt Disney World. Even if you opt for a Disney vacation with the family for spring break, take a few days and get away from the crowds in the small town of Ocala. We had the fortune to visit here last summer, and I do wish it was cooler when we visited. Ocala is one of the least crowded spring break destinations. Plus, it’s only a short drive away from the Orlando area.

Read about our Ocala Vacation here.

One of the best things I love about Ocala is the horse trails. It is the horse capital of the world after all. We were able to take a horseback ride through Ocala at the Canyon Zip Line Adventure Park. This landscape is so different than the rest of Florida. You will be surprised by the steep cliffs, salty ravines, and tall trees. I felt as if we were horseback riding through Tennessee only with palm trees. Other great highlights in Ocala include Rainbow Springs where you’ll find crystal clear waters, waterfalls, and authentic Florida nature. Also, make time to take a glass-bottom boat in Silver Springs.

If I had to choose a place to stay, it would be The Riding Academy Hotel. It’s near the World Equestrian Center and looks like a southern mansion. I love the rich leather details in the hotel lobby and the gorgeous equestrian accents like the wallpaper and plaid tufted ottoman.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah Georgia is one of my favorite places to visit. It has that all Southern Charm, amazing food, interesting history, and museums, and it’s easy to get around. This is one of those vacations I would recommend for families with teenagers. You can easily let the teens loose wandering the downtown area. Plus in Savannah, the weather is warm, making it a perfect spring break destination. And you’re not too far away from the beaches if you want to visit Tybee Island.

I do think Savannah has something for everyone, but it may not be as enjoyable for families with young children. Save this destination when your children are older. They will enjoy the food, the history, and the kooky things, such as a ghost tour.

Favorites in Savannah include The Pirates House, the Riverwalk along the Savannah River, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, and the Prohibition Museum.

In Savannah, I love staying in vacation rentals, especially those near the park. Everything is walkable, and it’s enjoyable to stroll the gardens and return home to enjoy some of the Victorian Savannah architecture. Whimstay has deals on last-minute vacation rentals (the same that you can book through VRBO or Airbnb)

Pensacola Beach, Florida

I like the Pensacola Beach area as one of the best spring break destinations for families because it’s relatively accessible without having to drive so far into Florida.

Located on the Gulf in the panhandle, Pensacola has incredibly beautiful beaches and emerald green waters. You may find this is a more popular destination, but you can make it an uncrowded one by renting a vacation home on the beach, rather than stay with the rest of the spring breakers.

Pensacola is a little less crowded than its nearby neighbor, Panama City Beach.

In addition to the white sand beaches, Pensacola has some incredible aviation history. In fact, you may even catch a Blue Angels practice while in Pensacola. Favorite places include the Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Lighthouse, which you can climb, and exploring the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

If you want a low-key spring break vacation, heading to the beach at Pensacola might be the perfect way to go.

Park City, Utah

If you’re looking to still get in some last bits of skiing for spring break, Park City has you covered.

Utah is high on my bucket list and is definitely an exciting vacation for the whole family for spring break. There is still plenty of time to go skiing during spring break.

However, even if you are not a skier, you can still enjoy winter activities in Park City. Because this was an Olympic Destination, there are family activities such as the bobsled experience (age 16 and up) at Olympic Park. If your kids are too young to take a bobsled, then perhaps a family sleigh ride, dog sledding, or even snowboarding in Park City should be on your agenda.

Of course, there’s ice skating and winter tubing as well. Don’t just think of winter for skiing only. Plus, who doesn’t love some hot chocolate at the ski resorts after a long day in the great outdoors?

The Montage Deer Valley is a popular choice for families in Park City.

Staying in Kiball Junction at the Newpark by All Seasons Resort puts you in a small town for dining and shopping, but is closer to the Utah Olympic Park.

Washington, DC

Washington DC is one of my favorite places for the entire family. So why not take the kids there for spring break? The collection of Smithsonian museums along the National Mall truly has something for everyone.

Young kids will love the National Air and Space Museum, and older kids will enjoy the National Museum of Natural History as well as the National Museum of American History. Pick up this book before you go to give kids things to look for in those three museums.

In addition to walking the National Mall, which is quite large by the way, other things to do in Washington DC include the International Spy Museum, the National Harbor, as well as visits to Presidential homes.

For example, have you ever wondered where is Mount Vernon? It’s not far from DC and this would be a perfect opportunity to visit.

On the Mall, visit the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Martin Luther King, Jr. monument, and many more.

The spring months are a great time to catch the cherry blossoms. They can bloom anywhere from late March to early April, so you may get lucky during your visit to the Nation’s capital.

I would choose to stay within walking distance to the National Mall so that you can walk to and from the Smithsonian museums. CitizenM is a great choice for that, and it’s close to the International Spy Museum.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is a popular place to visit in the summer, however, with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, it is the perfect place to visit over spring break.

The National Parks are always a winner in my book when it comes to spring break family vacations. And visiting the iconic Yosemite National Park is a bucket list destination.

I would recommend staying at one of the many lodges in the national park over camping this time of year. However, camping is amazing if you want to bring your own RV Rental or Campervan. Tent camping may be too cold for younger ones.

The lodges are conveniently located in the Yosemite Valley area. Imagine returning to the lodge after a brisk day of hiking Yosemite Falls or Mist Falls and getting cozy in front of the fireplace.

While you’re visiting Yosemite, you can easily drive to visit Sequoia National Park. Both parks are an easy drive from the San Francisco airport.

South Dakota

If South Dakota is not on your bucket list, now is the time to add it. This incredible state is full of history and natural wonder, in addition to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

And while most people only think of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, here you can visit what they call the Great Eight. That includes Custer State Park, where you will find bison wandering along with elk, mountain goats, and more.

Also, head over to historic Deadwood and walk the Wild, Wild West and learn about the 1870s gold rush town. That’s just some of the things you can experience in South Dakota.

For a family spring break in South Dakota, I’d recommend driving or renting a car to cover as much ground as you can. Better yet, rent an RV and stay near the Missouri River or Badlands National Park.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a popular year-round destination thanks to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And while it’s popular, spring break is not as crowded as summer or even fall when the leaves turn colors.

I love this park because it’s free. There are plenty of great hiking trails. But even if hiking isn’t your thing, the Smoky Mountain National Park guides will tell you all about scenic drives. Spring Break should just start seeing the leaves peep. You’ll also find lots of wildflowers and animals this time of year.

The surrounding area in Gatlinburg can be a bit touristy, but that just means you’ll find some great prices on hotels and vacation rentals.

Gatlinburg is another place I’d choose a vacation rental over a hotel. Especially if you want that cabin in the woods vibe.

Check last-minute vacation rental prices for Gatlinburg here.

Ripley’s Aquarium is an excellent attraction. We also love eating at one of the various pancake houses in Gatlinburg.

San Diego

San Diego is a great option for spring break. It’s actually a great time to visit because prices can be lower than peak summer, and many places feel a little less crowded than you might expect.

There’s also no shortage of things to do. You’ve got big attractions like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Balboa Park, and SeaWorld, plus unique spots like the Maritime Museum of San Diego or the famously haunted Whaley House if your teens enjoy a little ghost story.

And honestly, San Diego works well any time of year. The beaches are beautiful, the weather is usually mild, and there are enough attractions to fill several days without feeling rushed.

If warm weather during spring break sounds appealing, this is one destination that delivers.

When it comes to places to stay, you can sometimes find surprisingly good deals during the spring season. With the mild climate and steady tourism, San Diego often has off-season pricing that makes a family trip more manageable.

South Carolina

Myrtle Beach may be a popular choice for spring break in South Carolina, but I encourage you to visit Congaree National Park, Charleston, or Beaufort.

Highlights of spring biking at Congaree National Park include spring wildflowers and wetland forests. The spring is an excellent time for canoeing as the weather starts to heat up and the rivers’ water levels tend to be higher.

The spring is also a great time to visit Charleston, where you can enjoy beautiful flowers throughout the spring season. Spring is also a great time for bike tours in Charleston, as the spring flowers start to bloom and roads are relatively clear.

Beaufort, South Carolina, is a hidden gem. It’s a coastal town nestled in the Sea Islands between Charleston and Savannah, Georgia. Despite it being a small town, you can find plenty of things to do in Beaufort, SC that are perfect for your spring break.

Puerto Rico

I highly recommend spring break travel to Puerto Rico because the spring weather is beautiful! Take advantage of spring temperatures by doing some scuba diving or snorkeling at the coral reefs surrounding the Caribbean island. Or, visit Old San Juan for shopping, dining, and historic sightseeing.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe in spring offers a great spring break getaway with fun ski and snowboard conditions in the morning and excellent spring biking weather in the afternoon. Besides winter activities, spring is an awesome time of year to hike around Lake Tahoe, take scenic drives along Highway 88, or ski at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

Florida Keys

I recommend spring break travel to the Florida Keys because it is a great time to explore Florida’s Everglades National Park. The spring weather provides the perfect opportunity for wildlife viewing and dolphin watching, which are both major attractions in springtime at Everglades National Park.

In addition, spring marks the start of snapper season, so spring breakers who do a little deep-sea fishing can enjoy fresh snapper for dinner.

New Orleans

You may not think of New Orleans as an uncrowded spring break destination, but it can be, depending on the time of year. If you’re not visiting during Mardi Gras or St. Patrick’s day, spring is a lovely time to visit the Big Easy.

New Orleans offers ample spring vacation activities, from sightseeing and history tours to visits to the zoo or parks, as well as spring break nightlife, if you’re interested.

The best times of year for spring break in New Orleans are March and April. In springtime, the weather is mild, and there is less of a spring break crowd.

Outer Banks

If you’re looking to get away from spring breakers, head to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in springtime. It’s between spring breaks in the northern and southern US schools, so it’s not too crowded. The spring season begins with the flowers in bloom, and it’s a lovely time to visit the OBX.

You’ll find spring break nightlife in springtime – but not too much spring break nightlife, and the same goes for spring break crowds. It’s still winter in spring on the Outer Banks, but it is not cold, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy during spring break.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse near Manteo is a spring break destination in North Carolina if you’re looking for places to go for spring break.

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Just looking for some cool places to stay during Spring Break? Check out these epic Spring Break Vacation Rentals here.

Do you have a favorite spring break destination for your family? I’d love to hear about them. Leave me a comment to be included in a future article.