6 Savvy Spring Break Suggestions: Outdoor Adventures for the Whole Family
By Heidi Drake,Playoutdoors
Spring hasn’t quite sprung yet in many areas of the globe, but the annual phenomenon known as Spring Break is soon here! If you haven’t made reservations yet but know you want to grab the kids and get outside, take heed of the following six places to go and adventuresome things to do with the entire family:
Camp in Arizona. Budget is a big concern for many these days, so if hotels and airfare aren’t practical this year, pack up the family, the tent, camping gear and hit the road. The warm, sunny state of Arizona is not only packed with tons of hiking and exploring opportunities, there’s a camp site to fit every style and budget, from full-hookup RV sites to family tent camping areas. If beautiful lakes and southwestern adventure appeal to you, take your family and check out the Grand Canyon State.
Sea Kayak in the San Juan Islands. Water, whale watching, and Pacific Northwest island charm await families who wish to paddle the waters of Washington’s San Juan Islands. Friendly island outfitters and guides can help you plan the perfect family kayaking trip, where you can visit beautiful Orcas Island or San Juan Island, take an orca-watching day trip from the mainland, or commit to a multi-day guided kayak trip through the islands.
Hike in Colorado. Pack up the kids hiking boots (make sure they still fit!) and head for the gorgeous Rocky Mountains of Colorado. This state is a haven for outdoorsy types and can be explored from your tent base camp or custom log cabin. See if the kids can spot the state reptile, the Western Painted Turtle, while they’re on one of Colorado’s many kid-friendly hiking trails.
Snorkel with a Manatee in Florida. Not that there’s anything wrong with swimming with dolphins, but wait ’til your kids tell their friends they shared water space with the odd-looking manatee, inner-tubed the Ichetucknee, or biked Shark Valley (where you might not spot sharks, but are pretty much guaranteed an alligator sighting!). If you’ve got a family yearning for a kid-friendly Spring Break that doesn’t involve a famous mouse, Florida’s still a great place to go.
Ski or Snowboard in Whistler. Book your next Spring Break in Whistler, B.C. in western Canada, and you won’t have to worry about the weather. If this internationally acclaimed resort doesn’t have a ton of spring snow for you to ride down the hill on, just head for the zip lines, bike trails and lakes in the area. The Whistler/Blackcomb resort is known for its variety of restaurants and convenient shopping at the base of the mountain too.
Snorkel in Hawaii. Done enough above-sea-level exploring and want to see what lies beneath the waves? The magical islands of Hawaii have long been a family Spring Break destination, and for good reason. Where else can the kids learn to snorkel in a PADI-certified program, ride a mountain bike down a volcano (after waking up before dawn to catch the spectacular sunrise at the top), or visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation? Don’t forget the sunscreen!
No matter what you and your family have in mind for your big break this spring, there’s a destination with the perfect price, weather, and activities start exploring your options now.
