Hope springs eternal. And every year, families hope for a Spring Break that checks all the boxes: lovely weather, fun activities, and prices that won’t break the bank. Below, we showcase six destinations that fit the bill, with advice on what to do and where to stay.

Remember, timeshare rentals are perfect for family vacations. The best of hotel-meets-home, timeshare rentals come with added space — like multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, washer/dryers, and living areas — plus all the amenities you want from a full resort experience. Plus, with KOALA, you’re renting directly from the owner, so the prices are well below what you’ll find elsewhere. And our new partial payment option allows you to pay for your trip in installations, making it even easier to manage your vacation budget. 

6 Best Spring Break Destinations for Families

1. Florida & Disney World

Why We Love It: The weather hits the sweet spot between a-bit-too-cool and way-too-muggy; beaches are simply gorgeous; and some of Florida’s best festivals and events are in full swing. (For more on the area, check out The KOALA Guide to Hanging in Orlando).

What to Do: Orlando-area theme parks welcome spring with full pageantry: Universal Orlando celebrates Mardi Gras with parades, beads, and concerts, while Epcot gets decked out for the International Flower & Garden Festival, and the Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld lets you taste more than 50 global cuisines. Science fans can explore the new Gateway Launch Complex at Kennedy Space Center, slated to open in March. And of course, MLB’s Grapefruit League (possibly delayed) spring training will be held at stadiums all across Central and South Florida.

Average High/Low Temperatures for Orlando in March: 56° – 79°F

Where to Stay: Perennial favorite Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek is located right on Disney World grounds. We’re seeing great deals at Holiday Inn Club Vacations Cape Canaveral Beach Resort, located right on the Space Coast sand. Further south in Pompano Beach, both Club Wyndham PalmAire and Club Wyndham Sea Gardens have two-bedroom units as much as 44% off.

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2. Hawaii

Why We Love It: The Aloha State is always fragrant with fresh flowers, but orchids, jacaranda, and many others are in full bloom in spring. It’s also whale-watching season, and the waves are coming off their winter swells, making it easier to surf and swim. 

What to Do: Watch humpback whales, or kohola, frolic just offshore through May – the state tourism website has a list of trusted tour operators. Visit a botanical garden, such as Honolulu’s Foster Botanical Garden or the Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden on the Big Island. Or just spend time in the incredible spring weather — hang by the pool, walk along a black-sand beach, take surfing lessons, or hike into the tropical jungle. 

Average High/Low Temperatures for Honolulu in March: 68° – 81°F

Where to Stay: West Maui is textbook Hawaii: wide, quiet beaches, spectacular sunsets, and lush landscape; there’s plenty of spring availability at Ka’anapali Beach Club by Diamond Resorts and Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club. Right on the sand in Lihue, Kauai Beach Villas is one of the best values on Kauai, aka the Garden Island. On Oahu, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is, as you’d expect, perfect for families. 

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3. Hilton Head, S.C.

Why We Love It: World-class golf, delectable Lowcountry cooking, unspoiled wilderness: there are plentiful reasons to head to this island off the South Carolina coast. (See The KOALA Guide to Hanging in Hilton Head for a few of our favorites.) 

What to Do: A springtime tradition, crabbing cruises are a great excuse to get out on the water and learn how the crustaceans go from ocean to plate. Wash down the local catch at the Hilton Head Wine and Food Festival in March. Rent bikes and explore the island: The island has more than 50 miles of public pathways and nature trails — and they’re all pretty flat! If the kids are intrigued by the island’s ecology, take them to Pinckney Island, a nature reserve that hosts migratory birds from all over the world each spring.

Average High/Low Temperatures for Hilton Head Island in March: 49° – 69°F

Where to Stay: The new Ocean Oak Resort by Hilton Grand Vacations has a prime oceanfront location and access to championship golf courses. We’ve seen great deals at Marriott’s Grande Ocean, also right on the beach. And the value-oriented Village at Palmetto Dunes is conveniently located near golf, tennis, shopping, beaches, and more.

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4. Colorado

Why We Love It: Who said Spring Break has to be about the beach? The slopes of the Rockies are still covered in snow, but the air is less frigid, and that blue sky has never been more brilliant and life-affirming.

What to Do: Skiing and snowboarding, obviously. Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, and Vail are long standing favorites. Wolf Creek, outside Pagosa Springs, is down to earth and family-friendly. Not much of a snow person? Spring also brings wildflowers (especially in Crested Butte), hot springs (Glenwood Springs is the, er, hot spot), and whitewater rafting (here’s a good guide). 

Average High/Low Temperatures for Aspen in March: 20° – 43°F

Where to Stay: Skiing has a reputation for being pricey, but KOALA has springtime timeshare rentals in Colorado in the $100 – $250 range at resorts like WorldMark Steamboat Springs, Club Wyndham Resort at Avon, and Bluegreen Vacations The Innsbruck Aspen. Or splash out at luxe spots like Hyatt Residence Club Grand Aspen, where our direct-from-owner rates are still an incredible value.

SEE MORE SPRING BREAK DEALS IN COLORADO

5. Aruba

Why We Love It: Powder-white sand beaches, colorful architecture, a safe and friendly welcome: Aruba is the Caribbean, perfected. Add direct flights from major U.S. cities and you’ve got the perfect spring break getaway.

What to Do: Beaches, beaches, beaches. Head to Eagle Beach for pristine sand and a much-photographed tree you’ll recognize from Instagram; famous Palm Beach for watersports and oceanfront restaurants; Mangel Halto for snorkeling and paddle boarding. Once you’ve dusted the sand off your feet, head to Arikok National Park for hikes through dramatic landscapes to secluded coves, or glimpse the colorful creatures on view at the Butterfly Farm. 

Average High/Low Temperatures for Aruba in March: 77° – 86°F

Where to Stay: La Cabana Beach Resort is located right on Eagle Beach and has family-friendly amenities that include a pool with a waterslide, watersports, and a roster of activities. Over on Palm Beach, Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club is part of a big complex with a lazy river, casino, swim-up bar, and plenty of restaurants and shops. 

SEE MORE SPRING BREAK DEALS IN ARUBA

6. New Orleans

Why We Love It: Once the Mardi Gras costumes have been put away and the beads swept off the streets, New Orleans eases back into its springtime charms: think music festivals, gardens in full bloom, and delicious food.

What to Do: Eat, learn, stroll, and boogie. John Grisham and Michael Lewis are among the literary headliners at the New Orleans Book Festival March 10–12. The “Queen Nefertari’s Egypt” exhibit opens March 18 at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Crawfish season starts in March, and the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival is on March 26–27, so bring your appetite. And the French Quarter Festival — four days of local acts playing jazz, blues, zydeco, funk, and everything in between — kicks off April 21.

Average High/Low Temperatures for New Orleans in March: 56° – 75°F

Where to Stay: Bluegreen Vacations Club La Pension occupies an art-filled, historic building right in the French Quarter. Just a few blocks away, The Marquee has a winning theatrical style — like the headboards with augmented reality artworks built in. Club Wyndham La Belle Maison, in the Warehouse District, has rooms done up in elegant French Creole style, plus outdoor and indoor pools.

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