Looking for the best places to go for spring break? Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a getaway with friends, here are some destinations that come alive in the spring.
Read on to find out more about the best places to go for spring break including advice about what to do and where to stay.
Top places to go for spring break
Orlando
Visiting Orlando during spring break is guaranteed to get you in the springtime mood. In fact, there’s so much going on in the theme park capital you might struggle to fit it all in to one trip. Spring break for most students tends to fall somewhere between late February and early April – that’s prime time in Orlando with its many springtime events and activities.
Weather-wise, the temperatures in spring are considerably higher than those in February, often reaching a blissful 82F by the end of April. That’s perfect for enjoying everything from world-famous theme parks to fantastic shopping malls, golf courses and nightlife. Or if bathing in the spring sunshine is your thing, some of Florida’s best beaches are within easy reach.
Spring Break can be a busy time in Orlando but you shouldn’t let that put you off going. The good news for this year is that spring break doesn’t coincide with Easter, so the parks and attractions should be slightly quieter. What’s more, there are plenty of quiet periods around the main springtime events, so if you plan your trip carefully you can avoid the crowds altogether.
Look out for the International Flower & Garden Festival which takes place at Disney World from March through June. It’s also the season for the Atlanta Braves spring training, a popular event at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Universal’s Mardi Gras is another highlight that welcomes the spring in style – it runs every night from early February through early April. Also worth checking out is the Seven Seas Food Festival at Seaworld, a food, drink and music extravaganza taking place from mid-February through early May.
Places to stay
A good alternative to Orlando’s expensive (and hectic) hotels is to rent a private vacation home near the theme parks. You’ll find a wide range of great-value options in popular resorts just a few miles from Disney World. Not only will you be in a perfect location, you’ll also enjoy access to top resort amenities such as water parks, golf courses, restaurants, kids clubs and even free shuttles to the parks (from some resorts).
Renting a private vacation home means you’ll enjoy all the space and privacy you need on vacation, as well as added perks like private pools, hot tubs, game rooms, home theaters and themed kids bedrooms.
Cabo
If your idea of spring break is sipping salt-crusted margaritas at all-night-long beach parties, then Cabo in Mexico is the place to go. A mix of hot sun, warm sea, and lively nightlife (with a lower legal drinking age of 18), it’s a favorite with the spring break party crowds. The average high in Cabo in March is a warm 82F so you can easily top up your tan. The water is warm too making it perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and watersports.
Sprawling Medano Beach is the main party hub and is home to high-rise resorts, shaded restaurants and laid-back beach bars. The beach itself gets pretty busy during the spring break months and is the go-to location for watersports, drinking, dining and all-night partying. Food-wise you’ll find everything from seafood and Mexican specialties to All-American bites like hamburgers and chicken wings. The cantinas that line the beach sell buckets of ice-cold beer for cheap prices.
Some of the best sightseeing spots include the famous Arch of Cabo rock formation (known locally as El Arco) located off the southern end of the Baja California peninsula. You can take a boat tour right out to the rocks where you can swim, snorkel and dive – try a sunset tour and you’ll see the rocks against a beautiful backdrop of purple and orange skies.
Places to stay
The myriad apartments and villas that line the coast are the perfect choice for a beach-based vacation. Not only will you get stunning ocean views, these vacation homes are among the best in Cabo.
Los Angeles
One of the best places to go for spring break, Los Angeles is packed with heaps of fun attractions. It’s a great place to visit all year round but springtime puts an extra shine on the city with clear skies and lots of warm sun.
Disneyland in Anaheim is one of the best-known attractions and offers tons of fun springtime activities. The California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, New Orleans Square Mardi Gras, 90s Nite and the Easter Egg-stravaganza are all fun events that take place at Disneyland through March and April.
The LA Marathon kicks off at the start of March bringing tens of thousands of people racing through the streets of Los Angeles. There’s also the Long Beach Grand Prix where you can watch championship cars chase each other around at this party of all beach parties. Another highlight is Opening Day for Major League Baseball which normally falls in April.
There are festivals going on in LA all year round, one of the largest being the Renaissance Pleasure Fair which runs for six weekends from early April. Around this time you can also celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the Strawberry Festival and the Long Beach Pride Celebration, to name a few.
If festivals aren’t your thing you can indulge your inner foodie at the Smorgasbord food market held in the Arts District every Sunday. Beer fiends will love the LA Beer Hop which takes you on a brewery tour around each LA neighbourhood.
Places to stay
Whether you want to stay right in the heart of the action or well away from it all, you’ll find plenty of great places to stay. Some of the best accommodation is located in the Hollywood Hills above Sunset Boulevard Strip – LA’s infamous nightlife hotspot. Vacation rentals here offer iconic views of downtown Los Angeles.
Miami
Miami during spring break is at its busiest and best. It’s the driest time of the year, plus you can expect high temperatures and lots of sunshine. Long lazy days can easily be spent at the beach, but there is a lot going on in other parts of the city.
For spring breakers there are things like the Ultra Music Festival kicking off on March 29 at the Miami Marine Stadium in Virginia Key. This lively 3-day event attracts revelers from all over the US and features a line-up of world-famous DJs. For families with kids, Disney’s Frozen on Ice will be running at Miami’s American Airlines Arena between March 21-24.
Sports fans can see the world’s top tennis players in action at the 2-week Miami Open taking place for the first time at Hard Rock Stadium. In addition, Miami Heat verses Atlanta Hawks is on at Biscayne Boulevard on March 4.
Midway through the month is St Patrick’s Day which is usually celebrated with a week of Irish-themed parties, parades and concerts all across the city. Miami also offers plenty to do over Easter including tasty Easter brunches, traditional sunrise church services and Easter egg hunts all over town.
Places to stay
When it comes to places to stay in Miami there’s a whole lot on offer. You’ll be spoilt for choice with high-end hotels, budget-friendly stays and private vacation homes featuring sea views and amazing amenities.
Barbados
With its family-friendly resorts and endless beaches, Barbados is a great place to go for spring break. The springtime months are somewhere between high and low season in the Caribbean so you’ll enjoy glorious weather and not-too-busy beaches.
Besides the weather, there are lots of reasons to visit Barbados for spring break. The Holetown Festival takes place in mid-February and includes an array of fun activities including street fairs, live music, dancing, parades and competitions. It’s held to celebrate the arrival of the first English settlers back in 1627 and goes on for a whole week.
Also running through spring break is the Re-Discover dining program which allows you to enjoy delicious 3-course meals at dozens of top-notch restaurants for just $50 USD per person (including a bottle of wine per couple). All you have to do is visit the website, choose a restaurant, and download your voucher. Make sure you request the Re-Discover deal when making your reservation and ordering.
The Sugar & Rum Season also runs through the spring with island-wide events including street parties and food fests. The Oistins Fish Festival also takes place over the Easter weekend with lively parades, street dancers, steel-pan bands, greasy pole climbing – and plenty of fried fish.
Places to stay
Whether you’re beach buffs or adventure seekers, looking for luxury or on a tight budget, you’ll find some amazing places to stay in Barbados. Spring breakers on a budget will find plenty of affordable accommodation in the parish of Christ Church on the south of the island. While the West Coast is home to upmarket beach resorts, exclusive restaurants, shopping malls and golf clubs.
Cape Coral
The springtime months are lovely and warm in Cape Coral with highs of 81F in March and 84F in April. Located along Florida’s glorious Gulf Coast, many spring breakers find the region more appealing for a getaway than the state’s humid inner-city destinations.
Cape Coral’s 400 or so miles of canals are waterways are ideal territory for boating, kayaking and fishing. Its Sirenia Vista Park has kayak routes to Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve where you can spot all manner of birds wading amid the mangroves. To the north is the scenic Four Mile Cove, a wetland preserve along the Caloosahatchee River with a walking trail, a visitor center and seasonal kayak rentals.
Little ones will love Cape Coral’s Sun Splash Water Park which boasts 14 acres of water slides, swimming pools and play areas plus a long boardwalk along the shores of Lake Kennedy. And golf fans should head to Coral Oaks golf course, a championship course with a driving range, a chipping area, a putting green and a pro shop.
Plenty of retail therapy can be enjoyed at Cape Coral’s many plazas and shopping malls. And if you’re looking for places to refuel, there are cafes, burger bars, steakhouses and seafood restaurants around almost every corner. After dark, Cape Coral comes alive with an abundance of laid-back sports bars, live music venues and posh cocktail lounges along the waterfront.
Places to stay
You’ll find a good selection of vacation rentals located along the waterfront and within easy reach of the local facilities. Many properties come complete with private pools, game rooms and their own private boat docks (with boat rentals available on request).
Tempted to book a spring break getaway?
Top Villas offers a wide range of luxury villas in all of these destinations and more. Book with us and not only will you get beautiful accommodation at great prices, you’ll also benefit from amazing round-the-clock customer service plus access to a wide range of travel extras such as car hire, attraction tickets or help with arranging a special experience.
Follow our simple online booking process and you can secure your dream vacation home instantly without any phone calls or fuss. It’s easy to check availability, get a quote and book instantly online. Alternatively, submit an inquiry and we’ll get straight back to you.
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