Planning any event, even a vacation, can be tough as a family. There are different interests to indulge, curiosities to explore and a budget to consider. With college spring breakers thronging many popular spots, you may be wondering what’s a good spring break destination for the whole family.
Before you consider a staycation, check out this list of unique spring break destinations that your whole family can enjoy.
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1. Houston
Hear us out: Texas is an underrated travel destination. That’s right! From beaches and museums to a lip-smacking culinary scene and outdoor activities, there is a lot to do in Texas. Combine its relatively low-popularity as a holiday destination with its budget-friendly experiences, and you’ll see why Texas is one of our top spring break destinations.
You may not have imagined it, but Houston is home to immigrants from around the world who pepper this city with their language, food and culture. The result is an exciting cosmopolitan experience for visitors and residents alike.
If possible, you should stay in the Heights or Montrose neighborhoods of the city. Close to the Museum District, packed with gigantic parks and pulsating with energy, these are some of the best neighborhoods to stay in Houston.
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Outdoor attractions
Combine your family’s desire to be outdoors with a relaxed way to get a peek into the city’s daily life. Rent a kayak from Buffalo City Adventures and sail down the bayou early in the morning. This is also a unique way to look at the city’s downtown.
Houston will also spoil you for food choices. From Southern biscuits and gravy to Mexican empanadas and South Indian dosa, Houston is a food lover’s paradise!
Not only is spring the best time to visit Houston because the weather is mild and the days are long, but also because it’s wildflower season. We aren’t exaggerating when we say that spring is bigger in Texas. Take a road trip from Houston on the Brenham Blue Bonnet Loop. We warn you that time may seem to slip away as you find yourself taking photos at every bend!
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The museum district
Back in the city, grab a Houston CityPass and head to the Museum District. Rated the No. 1 children’s museum in the U.S., the Children’s Museum of Houston has exhibits for children of all ages. There are more than 18 other museums within walking distance, so put on a pair of comfortable shoes and begin exploring!
If your kids dream of becoming astronauts (and even if they don’t), you must visit the NASA Space Center. A mind-boggling collection of exhibits that showcase historical space endeavors and future ambitions await you. From knowing what it will take to get to Mars to gawking at the science of space suits and taking a tram to the Johnson Space Center, a trip to NASA is a must for your family on spring break.
Houston offers a blend of excellent food, outdoor activities and kid-friendly cultural experiences to dive into. Don’t sleep on this city’s potential as a spring break destination for the whole family.
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2. Galveston
If you are looking for a more relaxed pace, drive toward Galveston, a port town near Houston that seems to have paused in time. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride around downtown and learn about the town’s history. Wander through its many stores selling fun souvenirs and antiques. Eat at one of the several casual dining spots that dish out fried okra, barbeque sandwiches and seafood.
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3. Hollywood, Florida
With its beautiful, bike-friendly boardwalk, pedestrian-friendly downtown and sea-facing hotels, the city of Hollywood is a perfect spring break destination for the whole family. Sitting conveniently between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood may be one of the area’s better-kept secrets.
Set up base in one of the several hotels that sit facing the beach. While these can’t be categorized as luxury accommodation, their location on the boardwalk means you will always be steps away from all the action your family may want to indulge in.
The first thing to do in Hollywood is to go and take a dip in the ocean. The warm blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean will untangle your senses and kick start your vacation on a refreshing note! You can always count on the ocean to build up your appetite. Get breakfast at El Cafecito, a mom-and-pop restaurant in town offering some of the best Cuban food and coffee.
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Parks & museums
One of the best things to do in Florida is visiting Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Drive less than 60 miles west from Hollywood to this destination, which will be a treat for your entire family. The Park is home to animals like the manatee, American crocodile and the elusive Florida panther.
You can choose to take airboat tours to not only spot animals, but also to learn more about the park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If your family is feeling adventurous, rent kayaks to paddle through mangroves. It is a good idea to carry a picnic lunch that you can enjoy on the water, because all that rowing is sure to make you hungry!
It may be tempting to want to spend a few days in the Everglades, but there is a lot more you can do in and around Hollywood. If you want to see a side of this region that isn’t all about the salt life, visit Wynwood. Considered the city’s open-air art museum, Wynwood is a street art paradise! Extremely Instagrammable yet anything but conventional, this eclectic district near Hollywood brings you up close and personal to the works of some of the world’s best mural artists.
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Things for kids in Hollywood
Speaking of artists, Vizcaya Museums & Gardens in Miami is a short drive away from Hollywood. Built between 1914 and 1916, Vizcaya is inspired by European design traditions, and wandering through the grounds and the museum is a great way to relax and recharge. When here, have fun with the family trying to pronounce the whimsical names given to each of the nine rooms on the property. Kids may especially enjoy the playful Maze Garden, which is one of the many places to visit here.
Hollywood and its surrounding neighborhoods offer everything from a bustling city life to awe-inspiring nature and incredible food, making it one of the best spring break destinations for the whole family.
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4. Puerto Rico
While officially a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico has its own unique culture, which makes it a great spring break destination for your family to experience. Offering the quintessential sun, sand and the sea along with plenty of other outdoor activities, Puerto Rico is also a holiday destination for incredible food, a dive into history and unique shopping.
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San Juan’s Condado neighborhood
If you are hoping to relax and be within walking distance to beaches, food and dining, and shopping, the Condado neighborhood of San Juan is one of the best places to stay for families. Hotels offer ocean-front views, pools and spas.
If you want to dive headfirst into the distinct character of the island, stay in Old San Juan. Famous for historical landmarks like Puerta de Tierra, San Cristobal, Ballaja, Plaza de Armas and more, Old San Juan offers plenty of exploring opportunities for the curious. One of the best ways to see the sights is to ride the Old San Juan trolley. A slow ride, the trolley is also a good way to take a break from walking while continuing to tour the area.
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Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach on the west coast of Puerto Rico is a favorite swimming and surfing destination for locals and visitors alike. This may be a great place to get surfing lessons not just for the kids, but also for adults. If your kids are budding environmental and animal conservationists, take a boat trip around Caya Santiago, also known as Monkey Island. The island is home to about 1,000 monkeys that are descendants of the rhesus macaque monkeys.
We cannot talk about Puerto Rico without mentioning the unique bioluminescent bodies of water in the region. Mosquito Bay is one of the best places to experience this unique phenomenon of living organisms like dinoflagellate giving off light. Paddling through the bay at night, as the water glows a signature blue is one the best things to do together as a family in Puerto Rico.
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Food in Puerto Rico
“All this activity, but what about food?” you may wonder. Puerto Rico cuisine is an amalgamation of indigenous, European and African influences. When a cuisine is so complex, it can be tough to pick a few favorites, but try starting off a meal with Arañitas, shredded and fried plantains. Follow that up with pasteles. Meat pies filled with different ingredients and wrapped in banana leaves. Wrap it all up with quesito, a light and flaky dessert that came to Puerto Rico with the arrivals of the Spaniards.
Whether you want to simply soak in the sun, go city walking or indulge in nature, spending spring break in Puerto Rico will be a treat for the entire family.
Related:
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This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
