Spring Break, oh how you've changed. From MTV Spring Break and jumping in the car to head to the beach to...MTV Spring Break and jumping in the car to head to the beach! That's right, MTV brought back Spring Break for 2019 and rumor has it they will be in Cancun this year. No plans yet, kids in tow and you are on a budget? That's okay, we got you.
Just about every year we end up taking a Spring Break trip. Usually, it is a knee-jerk reaction to winter in St. Louis - it's February, it's cold, let's go! Here are some of our favorite beach destinations, all either a (relatively ) short drive or quick plane ride from the Midwest.
Fort Walton Beach, FL
The Emerald Coast got it's name for a reason. The stunning water, sugar sand beaches and the ratio of rentals to shoreline make this ideal for families.
Do eat at Old Bay Steamer. This laid back, fresh caught seafood place serves up delicious food, great music and the quintessential vacation dining experience. Do visit Destin Harbor and enjoy ice cream on the boardwalk or book a deep sea fishing charter. Do take the New Orleans route at least one way and stop for coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde, street vendor food in Jackson Square or grab a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's - you will not regret a little extra drive time to see this beautiful city.
Gulf Shores, AL
A straight shot from our hometown to the Gulf, this is a great option for families. If your break is in March, it can be on the cool side (70), but I promise it won't stop the kids from jumping in. The white sands and crystal clear water are a stunning backdrop, no matter the weather. Fort Morgan, neighbor to the west, has great houses, quiet beaches and 100% relaxation, but know that the further you get from the city itself, the more your beautiful ocean view may also include oil platforms.
Do take a day trip in to Mobile. Visit the USS Alabama Battleship and step into a piece of WWII history. Kids (and adults) will be amazed at how the soldiers lived. Don't tour the USS Drum Submarine if you have even a hint of claustrophobia - one way in, one way out, a line of people and tiny walkways. Have lunch at Panini Pete's, great local sandwiches and to-die-for beignets, then walk historic Dauphin Street, home of the USA's original Mardi Gras celebration. When in the Delta...you must take an airboat ride. We loved Airboat Express - they customized our tour to be part educational (plenty of gator sightings), part fast ride with whips and turns.
Do visit Bon Secour to take a hike. We chose the Pine Beach Trail, and it was the perfect blend of woodland trail, swamp views and a gorgeous open beach at the end.
Tybee Island, GA
There is a great little beach community on Tybee Island and you can spend your days relaxing with the kids. The real highlight of a trip to Tybee Island, however, is how close it is to Savannah! Mornings on the beach, afternoons exploring the squares, evenings on a carriage tour of the city - this destination is the perfect blend of history, Southern charm, sun and sand.
Do grab a sandwich at Zunzi's for lunch and take it to the can't miss Forsyth Park for a picnic. Full of Spanish moss, it's namesake fountain and people watching, there is also a great playground area for the kids and plenty of places to walk and bike.
Do have dinner at the Olde Pink House. We stumbled upon this gem after visiting the the bench from Forrest Gump, the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (the founder of Girl Scouts) and the Mercer Williams house from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Enjoy to-die-for food in an 18th century mansion complete with servers in period dress.
Don't be afraid to visit a cemetery. We took a carriage tour of the city and the guide told us that Spanish moss will not grow above an area that is haunted. We dared to enter Bonaventure Cemetery (in the morning of course) and the kids thought it was so cool to check the trees. It was historical, beautiful and a little spooky, but only in the areas with bare trees!
Panama City Beach, FL
Do stay in the area but outside of PCB proper if you are traveling with kids for Spring Break. While the sights and sounds of the strip filled with convertibles, bass and screaming 20-somethings might take you back to your Daytona or South Padre days, it probably shouldn't be the backdrop for mini-golf with your 8 year old.
Don't stay in one of the big complexes. We stayed in a condo in the city limits and were thoroughly entertained watching a selfie shoot that lasted a solid 45 minutes until a full beer can thrown from 10 stories up hit the ground in front of our kids and cracked the tile at their feet. Nope.
Do visit St. Andrews State Park, but get there early. There will be a line anytime after 10:00 but the naturally protected swimming area for snorkeling, trails for hiking and tide pools full of sea life to explore make it absolutely worthwhile. There is also a free Florida State Junior Ranger program for littles to have fun and learn about the plants and animals around them.
Hutchison Island, FL
Do visit with toddlers and elementary school age kids. One of our favorite beach vacation spots, Hutchison Island is super family-friendly and close to spring training.
Do take your kids to a spring training game. There are 3 parks an hour or less away. If you are a Cards, Mets, Marlins, Astros or Nationals fan, or just a baseball fan in general, this is the way to see a game. Our kids loved meeting the players and getting autographs, and being so close to the action kept them interested in the game itself.
Do check out the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. We all got up close and personal with the sea turtles, fed sting rays, played in the touch tanks and took a beautiful nature walk. We spent a great afternoon here with kids ages 5 and 7.
Wherever you decide to go, take the trip!
Explore | Dream | Discover.
Comments