Top 5 Destinations for Spring
The weather is getting colder, which means it’s time to start planning your warm weather vacations! Where can you go to catch the best weather and find the fewest crowds in the? Here are my top 5 destinations for your next U.S. Spring getaway.
For a Romantic Trip For Two
Charleston, SC
Mossy hundred-year-old oak trees, bright azaleas, dogwoods, draping wisteria, and 70-80 degree temperatures make Springtime the ideal time to visit this historic Southern city. Harkening back to its colonial past, Georgian architecture and cobblestone streets make this city perfect for a romantic getaway or girl's trip. Spot bottlenose dolphins in the harbor while admiring waterfront mansions along Charleston’s coastal seawall. Shop in one of the oldest city markets in the U.S. and indulge in world-class cuisine that combines French creole with Southern comfort. Try local specialties like she-crab soup or Charleston red rice. Of course, you’ll need to top it all off with a Southern treat like pecan pralines!
For The Great Outdoors
Sedona, Arizona
Mixing blue sky with towering, iconic red rock formations, Northern Arizona offers nature lovers a playground of possibilities. While it’s no secret that Summertime temps can easily hover above 90 degrees, Spring and Fall temperatures are far more comfortable making it the ideal time to explore this geological gem.
Start your day with a scenic hike and cool off on the natural water slide at Slide Rock State Park. Afterwards, stop in for a wine tasting along the Verde Valley Wine Trail before ending the day with dinner at one of Sedona’s numerous upscale restaurants. You can even day trip to the Grand Canyon and be back in time to repose at the spa. Jeep tours are a unique way for families to enjoy the outdoors and a well chosen
resort can offer pools, splash pads, bike rentals and golf.
For Family Fun
Anaheim, California
58 acres of hiking and nature trails, access to Huntington, Newport, and Laguna beaches, Spanish missions, whale watching, and oh yah, DISNEYLAND!
It’s no wonder why this destination won my kids’ vote, (I mean come on, it is Disney) but why Disneyland and not Disney World? Well, bigger isn’t always better. When considering the theme parks in Orlando, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We’re talking six major theme parks between Universal and Disney! Just narrowing it down to two or three sounds exhausting! Disneyland and it’s neighboring park, California Adventure, are much more compact, plus they’re located directly across from one another, which makes park-hopping and choosing accommodations
much easier. But don’t let that fool you into thinking you're getting less for your money; you can easily spend the day at Disneyland and still not see everything! But while most people are flying to Orlando, why not go West to California instead?
Girl’s Trip
Asheville, NC
Once the stomping grounds of visionaries, poets, explorers, and philanthropists, the beautiful city of Asheville has attracted visitors since the 1880s. Though families will enjoy Asheville like ours did, I personally think Asheville would make perfect girl's trip.
Springtime in Asheville means wildflowers! Take a drive along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping for scenic lookouts and short side hikes, while keeping an eye out for pale pink Mountain-laurel, Wild Ginger, Lady Slippers, and Rhododendron. If that isn't enough, visit the North Carolina Arboretum for 65 acres of carefully cultivated gardens and book a relaxing spa session in a Himalayan Salt Cave (yes please)! Outdoorsy types will also find ample activities in Pisgah National Forest, but of course, no trip to Asheville is complete without touring the largest home in America - The Biltmore Estate.
Between April and May, the Biltmore hosts “Biltmore Blooms”, an event celebrating more than 130,000 flowers across its grounds. In addition to touring the mansion itself, shop at Antler Hill Village, stop for wine tasting at the Biltmore Winery, enjoy nature hikes or take a carriage ride on the 8,000-acre estate.
For Beach Lovers
Naples, FL
It’s only sensible that Florida makes the list at some point, right? I mean, it’s kind of your one-stop-shop for beach lovers. You got warm waters, top-notch resorts, award-winning beaches, and an average of 237 sunny days a year (it’s not called the Sunshine State for nothin’) and it’s easy to get to!
I say Fort Myers because it's the closest major airport, but from here you have your pick of any number of great options. In Naples, you’ll find an affluent city with a ritzy, Italian vibe, high-end shopping, and exclusive resorts. Families will love the Naples Zoo and children’s museum.
If you like a small-town feel and want to spend your days taking it slow, relaxing on the beach, and hunting for shells then Sanibel and Captiva Islands are for you.
Then further South you have Marco Island. In addition to its world-class resorts and pristine beaches, Marco offers nature lovers a playground of activities. Spend your days kayaking the Ten Thousand Islands, navigating deserted islands, weaving through mangroves, and spotting wildlife, or take a kayak tour with biologists in Everglades National Park!
Wow, so many great options, it’s hard to narrow it down! Here are a few honorable mentions:
For a family ski trip, I recommend Ski Santa Fe. You can stay anywhere in Santa Fe and still be minutes from the slopes. Plus if you have kids in tow, you’ll also have access to other activities like a children’s museum, a bug museum, and my personal favorite - Meow Wolf.
For more family fun, San Diego is a great option! From sea caves, beach hikes and island exploring, to entertainment giants like Legoland, Sea World and the famous San Diego Zoo.
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Fancy a trip to any of these amazing locations?
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