5 Underrated Family Destinations That are Perfect for Spring Break

Spring break is coming up fast, and if you're out of ideas for a fun — and not too crowded! — family getaway, then we’ve got you covered. Who wants to be fighting with the masses at Disneyland or the college students in Panama City when you and the kids could go on glass-bottom boat tours, ride horses, visit ghost towns, go ice-climbing, or hike through waterfalls instead?

We’ve rounded up five underrated, yet still totally cool, vacation destinations for spring break this year that you can visit with the whole family. Whether you want somewhere cold and snowy or sunny and beachy (or something in-between), we have something for everyone. The best part? These lesser-known gems won’t be overrun by other spring-breakers, so you can truly soak it all in.

Mammoth Lakes, California

Mammoth Lakes, California, is blooming with wildflowers in the spring, making it the perfect time to visit with your kiddos. Go to the Eastern Sierra to see colorful flowers, like the ones in Snowcreek Meadow, which is an easy hike (perfect for little ones!) beginning at Mammoth Creek Park. This hike also offers views of the majestic Mammoth Mountain in the background. For hiking enthusiasts, there are plenty of other places to spot the wildflowers in the area.

Once you’ve stopped and smelled the flowers, it’s time for some adventure! Mammoth Lakes is filled with kid-friendly places to enjoy. Rent bikes and go on one of the many paved or dirt bike trails throughout the mountains, or take a lift up to Mammoth Mountain and go skiing, snowboarding, and tubing with the kids, with slopes open from November to June and July.

Horse lovers can go on a trail ride in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains outside Mammoth Lakes, where even cowboys and cowgirls as young as 3 years old can join in. There are also playgrounds, golf courses, beautiful lakes to paddle board or kayak, fishing areas, and more. It’ll be hard to fit it all in over just one week!

Ocala, Florida

While many families head to the theme parks in Orlando, take your family to the small town of Ocala, Florida, instead. This is a great spot for adventurous kids, who will love zip-lining over the beautiful limestone canyons and treetops with Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours. Soar over the 1,100-foot zip over Big Cliff Canyon or the smaller tour of Sky High Canyon and make memories that’ll last a lifetime. You can also go kayaking, try your hand at gem mining, or book a horseback riding tour.

Speaking of horses, Ocala is known as the Horse Capital of the World, with 600 horse farms. There are many equestrian events, shows, trail rides, tours, and the impressive outdoor art display at Horse-Fever Painted Statue Trail, with beautiful painted horses that highlight the city's equestrian spirit.

Visit nearby Silver Springs State Park to take a fabulous glass-bottom boat tour and see the aquatic life swimming underneath you. Older kids might enjoy kayaking and hiking at the park to soak up the natural beauty of the place. BTW, the area has more than 600 lakes, rivers, and springs including Rainbow Springs, Silver Springs, Juniper Springs, Silver Glen Springs, and Salt Springs, many of which you can swim in with the kids.

Mesa, Arizona

Travel back to the prehistoric times at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, where dinosaur enthusiasts will love checking out the hands-on exhibitions and archaeology collections. Not to mention the massive mammal bones reconstructed to show the impressive creatures that once roamed Arizona. Through Aug. 17, you can see the THRIVE – The First People: Yesterday, Today, and Forever exhibit created in collaboration with the Gila River Indian Community and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community that displays archaeological artifacts, unique oral histories, and the rich history and culture of the O’odham people.

Brave historians will love visiting the Goldfield Ghost Town, where they can see the Goldfield Gunfighters recreate an old-timey gun fight, pan for gold, ride on the state’s only narrow-gauge train, and even go horseback riding! (Didn’t find real gold? Head to Mother Lode Mercantile to buy some gold nugget fudge instead!) You can also visit the Lost Dutchman Mine in the Superstition Cliffs, where you can read up on the mysterious folklore of the region.

Visiting Mesa during spring break is the perfect opportunity to check out the Arizona Renaissance Festival, which happens every weekend through March 29. The medieval-style faire is perfect for kids who want to watch knights joust or go to a knighting ceremony of their own! Tons of shows, activities, shopping, and grub make this an event to remember.

Kayaking on Saguaro Lake, photographing the cacti and wildflowers in bloom in the Tonto National Forest, and watching some Major League Baseball Spring Training are more wonderful reasons to visit Mesa in the spring.

Long Beach, Washington

Let’s go fly a kite in Long Beach! This sandy peninsula in the Pacific Northwest is home to the World Kite Museum & Hall of Fame with over 1,500 beautiful kites on display from around the world, plus cool facts about the history of the 2,500-year-old spring pastime. Even if you aren’t there during the International Kite Festival event in August, you can take advantage of the museum’s special spring break activities from mid-March through mid-April, which include special exhibits, trivia games, crafts, and more. Of course, you can also fly your own kites on the beach — a classic spring break activity that’s even more fun in this beautiful area.

While at the beach, your family will love walking the board walk or grabbing ice cream at a local shop. There's also tons of fun to be had at the aptly named Funland, which has arcade games, laser tag, and VR attractions.

Make time to visit other cool local attractions in Long Beach. It’s an easy walk with the kids to the peninsula’s North Head Lighthouse, built in 1898, which still guides mariners today. The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was built in 1856, and although it involves a steeper and longer hike to get to, it’s worth it for the views of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean.  

Ouray, Colorado

Waterfalls cascade down canyons in Ouray, Colorado, and the beautiful sight is easily accessible to families. Take the level, 500-foot walk on The Falls Trail to see the beautiful, 285-foot waterfall at Box Cañon Falls Park & Nature Center. Or take the scenic route on The High Bridge Trail or the Native Plant Loop, which are worth the extra steps with their picturesque views.

Enjoy some rugged fun at one of Ouray’s off-road Jeeping adventures, where you can go on Jeep tours or ride a 4×4, dirt bike, or OHV to see hidden, off-road beauties, learn more about local nature as you pass it, and have so much fun. The Ride-N Adventures Tours allow you to use car seats for your off-roading tour for extra safety. One happy customer review said they saw “many waterfalls, wild flowers, marmots, chipmunks, mining ruins and beautiful mountains.” It sounds like a dream!

Not ready for summer activities? If your spring break happens early enough, you can take the kids ice climbing at Ouray Ice Park, or go sledding or snowshoeing on one of the gentle slopes. Afterward, warm up in one of the city’s hot springs, which are family friendly and filled with a relaxing naturally heated mineral water.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©“Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau”.