The Best Spring Travel Destinations Worldwide with 17 Travel Families

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Maureen Hochdorf

Paphos, Cyprus

After the cold and rainy months of an Israeli winter, there’s nothing like spring travel destinations. We love soaking up the Mediterranean sun and splashing in the crystal clear waters of the island of Cyprus. It’s one of our favorite getaways, and it’s only a 45 minute plane ride away!

From historical sites to gorgeous beaches, Paphos is a great family spring destination. Explore the Tomb of the Kings or Neo Paphos for a fix of history and archeology or go snorkeling, diving or take a boat ride at Coral Bay. The harbor is also a great place to walk around, take in the culture and visit the Paphos Castle. There’s also the incredible water park, Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark, for a day filled with family fun.

Nissi Beach

We discovered the most incredible beach with Caribbean-like beaches, crystal clear water and sandy bottoms. Only a 2-hour drive from Paphos, Nissi Beach is a hidden gem of Cyprus. Nissi Beach is located in Ayia Napa, and also has lots of great restaurants and fun activities for the whole family. We ate lunch at the Bedrock Cafe, a Flinstones-themed restaurant with dinos, Flinstones characters and yummy food and drinks.

Recommended Stay

We stayed at the fabulous, all-inclusive 5 star resort, King Evelthon Hotel & Spa Resort. Located right on the Sea, the views are incredible, the food was fantastic, and the amenities were wonderful. They have a kids club with daily and nightly activities, indoor and outdoor pools, water park, and plenty of fun and engaging activities. The family-friendly resort was a perfect mix of luxury and comfort.

IG: @Mommymoadventures

Website: www.mommymoadventures.com

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Bentonville, Arkansas

While Arkansas may not be at the top of most “must visit” lists, it’s rapidly become our family’s favorite Spring travel destinations city. Bentonville, Arkansas, is home to far more than Walmart’s headquarters and is rapidly becoming the mountain biking capital of the United States. We visit Bentonville several times a year, and the spring is the best time to visit. The mountains come alive with wildflowers, and everything is turning green, while the humidity hasn’t yet ramped up.

What To See

Crystal Bridges Art Museum is a world-class, free art museum that is absolutely top-notch. Be sure to explore their grounds, with miles of trails dotted with public art and sculptures. There is plenty to do outside, with miles and miles of biking and walking trails that weave their way throughout the city. A must-see: the newly opened Coler Bike Reserve with Airship Coffee – an open-air café that can only be accessed by trails. There are plenty of murals and public art to find just by strolling around downtown. I would also highly recommend experiencing The Momentary, the newest art space in Bentonville. While you’re there, check out 8th Street Market for artisan shops, restaurants, and a brewery.

Railway Bike Park is another great outdoor space, along with Lake Atalanta Park in nearby Rogers, Arkansas (be sure to hit up Onyx Coffee’s headquarters too). The food scene is spectacular, and most places offer to-go dining options. We love stopping for brunch at Louise Thadenfield, a restaurant at a private airstrip where you can enjoy delicious food while watching planes come and go. The Amazeum is a delightful children’s museum, sure to enthrall kids of all ages. Our favorite indoor attraction: Climb Bentonville, an epic indoor rock climbing center.

Recommended Stay

There is something for everyone in Bentonville, whether you prefer camping (Check out Devil’s Den State Park or Hobbs Recreation Area), cute AirBnB’s (look up The Bike House by Bloodworth Hospitality), or boutique hotels (21c Bentonville combines luxury with an art museum experience). This spring, I’d like to invite you to check out my favorite spring travel destinations, the hidden gems of Northwest Arkansas, in Bentonville.

IG: @coleyraeh

Website: www.luckeywanderers.com

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Lake Hévíz, Hungary

We usually travel to Hungary, partly because we have family there, partly because it’s not far to fly from Sweden. And we typically don’t have much free time during spring because of our jobs. Hungary is extremely famous because of its hot springs, making it one of the perfect spring travel destinations as it’s still a bit chilly outdoors. It’s such an amazing feeling to dip into an outdoor pool of 30 -38 degrees Celsius. Especially when it’s only around 15 degrees in the air.

Thermal Baths and Lakes

You can choose between hundreds of thermal baths, but one I would highly recommend is the natural thermal lake of Hévíz. It is actually a lake, not a pool. It lies nestled between green hills covered by forest near the lake Balaton, the largest lake of Central Europe.

In lake Hévíz you can swim in between waterlilies in the 32 degrees Celsius water and enjoy the blessing of mother Earth. The lake is 2-38 meters deep, but you can easily float with a float stick’s help. There are many spa and sauna possibilities, and in the evenings you can enjoy the restaurants of the town or go hiking in the nearby woods.

Recommended Lodging: Bonvital Wellness Hotel

IG: @globetrotter__family

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Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, California

Located 15 miles west of Lancaster, California at 15101 Lancaster Road is the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, managed by the California State Park system. Each spring, the Reserve, along with the surrounding areas, become blanketed in a bright orange burst of California Poppies. It is a sight to behold.

Poppy Bloom

Each year the bloom varies in duration and intensity of colors and scents, depending on the previous winter’s rainfall. But you can count on the incredible cheerful feeling you will get when you see what Mother Nature can do. We love this easy day trip from Los Angeles because the bloom is always different from year to year, and it is breathtaking to descend into the valley and see all of the hills rolling under a carpet of bright orange. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through May.

We recommend visiting on a weekday, because this area is very crowded on the weekends, as city slickers flock out to the site to get their portraits taken in this unique environment. Another very important tip is to be sure to stay on the trail and do not walk on or in the poppy fields. You will see people doing this, but it is harmful to the fragile ecosystem under your boots. There is plenty of hiking among the 8-mile trail system in the park and much to see and explore while sticking to the trail. Don’t miss the wildflower bloom this spring. The season is short and the views aplenty.

Recommended Lodging: There are a few options for camping: Red Rock Canyon State Park and Lake Isabella KOA. There are also plenty of freeway hotel chains in Bakersfield, about an hour north of the Reserve.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, California

IG: @rambly.fambly

Website: www.ramblyfambly.com

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Lake Garda, Italy

Italy has a really special place in our family’s heart. It’s in Italy that my husband and I met back in 2012. Since then, we’ve visited many places in the country and had a Coup de Coeur for Lago di Garda (or Lake Garda in English). Located in Northern Italy, only a few miles away from Verona, Lake Garda is a popular spring destination. The best time to visit would be in May. The weather is great, but the big crowd of tourists is not there yet.

What To Do

When we visited, we concentrate our visits to the south tip of the lake, exploring the Sirmione area. There is so much to do, but here are our top 5 things to do:

Rent a bike and cycle to Sirmione. In Sirmione, you can visit the medieval castle of Rocca Scaligera and the archaeological site of Grote di Catullo.
Take a train from Peschiera del Garda to Verona. In Verona, you can visit the ancient amphitheater and the famous “Juliet’s House” balcony.
Enjoy the lake: relax on the beach, rent a kayak or SUP board, or swim.
Eat at one of the local pizzerias, and don’t forget to order a gelato for dessert.
Explore the region from the water with a boat tour around the lake.

Recommended Stay

There are a lot of options for accommodation near Sirmione and around the lake. We stayed at Apartments Punta Gro, and we loved it. It’s a family resort offering individual apartments with a kitchen and private balcony. On-site, they have a tennis court, a playground, swimming pools, a convenience store, a restaurant, and so many more amenities for the family. The beach is only 1 km away. Plus, you can rent bikes and use the cycle path from the resort to get to Sirmione. It’s a great accommodation for spring travel destinations.

IG: @lovelife_abroad

Website: www.lovelifeabroad.com

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St. George, Utah

After skiing all winter in Idaho and Northern Utah, our family loves to head to the deserts of Southern Utah in the spring! There are so many incredible destinations to choose from! One of our favorites is St. George, Utah.

What To Do

St. George is an amazing destination for families adventuring with kids! In the summer months, kids can literally get burnt out hiking in the hot desert sun, but the weather is PERFECT in the spring! St. George is the perfect base camp for visiting Zion National Park and a handful of fantastic state parks! When we vacation in St. George, our family always spends at least one day in Zion National Park. Our kids love the hikes, catching lizards, and playing in the clear water of the Virgin River beneath the breathtaking red rock cliffs.

If adventuring with younger kids, we love to hike the Canyon Overlook Trail, which ends with an impressive view! If you have more experienced hikers with you, our most favorite hikes are in backcountry permit areas. Most require some form of canyoneering experience. It’s hard to pick just one, but Orderville Gulch probably tops the list.

Snow Canyon

Our favorite state park to visit is Snow Canyon. Snow Canyon is conveniently located near St. George and has a plethora of family-friendly hikes and gorgeous views among the colorful sandstone cliffs. Snow Canyon has over 38 miles of hiking trails and features petrified dunes, lava tubes, sand dunes, and even a short slot canyon, to name a few! There is also so much space for kids to explore off-trail, which is always a favorite for our kids.

If you are looking for the perfect spring destination for adventuring with kids, St. George, Utah, is sure to be a hit and one you won’t regret!

Recommended Lodging: Sports Village Condominiums

IG: @hansen.adventurers

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Florida Keys, Florida

Restoration, relaxation, and a bit of adventure sprinkled in. Those are the offerings the Florida Keys extend to a family. For our family of five, with two teenagers and a pre-teen, this U.S. destination hit all the hot spots, especially for a spring getaway. The weather is perfect in the spring; it’s not too hot or humid with warm sunshine. When the Caribbean is not in the budget, you can get a similar island feel in the Florida Keys. There are plenty of quiet, family-friendly locations to avoid any college spring break crowds in mid-March. If recharging in the outdoors is your way to make it through to the next break, then the Florida Keys in March or April is the place to do it! Consider adding Biscayne National Park or Everglades National Park to your visit if you have some extra time.

Favorites in Key West

The two options for flight arrival (Key West or Miami) make this an easy destination. We loved having a rental car so we could visit all of the state park beaches. Our favorites were Bahia Honda State Park and Curry Hammock State Park. The waters are island-like colors, and the vibe is super chill. We found a little adventure with kayaking, SUP, and Hobie cat racing. Many of the hotels offer these water activities on site. Our favorite hotel is in Key Largo-Baker’s Cay Resort. This hotel is the perfect family-friendly option for maximum fun and family recharge. Off-shore fishing is another beloved activity in the Florida Keys, with ample outfitters to choose from.

In our opinion, Key West is best spent as a day trip for families. The history and uniqueness make it worth the visit. For the perfect day, catch a sunrise on the East side from a kayak or paddleboard and set yourself up for a sunset on the Westside at an outdoor dining location. You can literally spend your entire day outside!

Recommended Lodging: Baker’s Cay

IG: @gofamilyadventure

Website: thegofamilyadventure.com

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Outer Banks, North Carolina

If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination on the USA’s east coast, consider the Outer Banks! The Outer Banks of North Carolina cover over 175 miles of coastal towns and beaches and one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. It makes for a lovely spring vacation since the weather is warming, but the summer crowds have yet to arrive.

What To Do in the Outer Banks

Spend your days soaking up the sun, exploring the world-class beaches, looking for seashells, or even surfing. Away from the beach, you can hunt for lighthouses, visit the NC Aquarium, or even dive into history at the Wright Brother’s National Memorial. We highly recommend a visit to Jockey’s Ridge State Park during the springtime too. The east coast’s largest living sand dune system is one of the coolest things to do in Nags Head, NC, on the Outer Banks. Looking for a really unique experience? Book an off-road tour in Corolla to see the wild Spanish mustangs in their natural habitat!

As you can see, there are endless things to do in the Outer Banks during springtime and one of our family’s favorite vacation destinations!

Recommended Stay: Beach rentals through Airbnb, VRBO or rental companies

IG: @morethanmainstreet

Website: www.morethanmainstreet.com

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Taroko Gorge National Park, Taiwan

Spring in Taiwan is mostly about warm weather and beautiful blossoms. Spring is a great time to travel through Taiwan. Temperatures are nice and warm but not as hot and humid as the summer months. I have to honest and tell you that during spring there is more chance of rain. May and June especially can be very wet. That’s the reason why Taiwan’s nature is so green and beautiful.

Favorite Spring Destination

One of the most scenic and beautiful areas in Taiwan is Taroko Gorge National Park and definitely our favorite spot in Taiwan. This National Park has the world’s largest marble canyon and rich history and culture. High cliffs, thundering waterfalls, clear blue rivers, and hundreds of insects, birds, butterflies, and reptiles. It’s also the place to spot the Formosan Macaque. These monkeys will hang around throughout the park. You will find high mountain trails with spectacular views. Bridges, tunnels, and cliff roads will bring you deeper into the gorge, where you can visit temples, shrines, and a hot spring. This National Park is a place of outstanding natural beauty. When you plan your trip to Taiwan, make sure to put this place on your list to visit.

Where It’s Located

You will find Taroko Gorge National Park on the east coast of Taiwan, just above Hualien. We love this area for its stunning nature. But the east coast is also the most beautiful side of the island, with great views, high cliffs, and a tropical blue ocean.

Recommended Stay

We highly recommend Taroko Village Hotel. This hotel is located in the National Park and is surrounded by green mountains. You stay in a log cabin with a balcony to watch the stars during the evening. They serve dinner and will entertain you while you enjoy your meal. After dinner, there is also Taroko dancing, instrument, and singing. Here you can experience the distinctive Taroko culture from laughter.

IG: @ourexpatlife_family

Website: www.ourexpatlife.com

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Kauai, Hawaii

One of our favorite spring destinations is Kauai, The Garden Island of Hawaii. With stunning beaches, plunging waterfalls, lush scenery, and adventurous activities, Kauai is a perfect location for families looking for a warm escape. Although the rainy season extends into spring, it’s still completely worth a visit, even though you may encounter a few showers.

Kauai Activities

There are plenty of Kauai activities to keep everyone busy – snorkeling, swimming, hunting waterfalls, helicopter rides, and even zip-lining! Though, if we had to choose, we’d say the one thing we think you shouldn’t miss is the hikes. Whether you love waterfall hikes, stunning views, or tropical foliage, we believe hiking is one of the best ways to experience Kauai. In particular, we loved hiking the Pihea Trail. After hiking, make sure to treat everyone to shave ice! A couple of our favorite locations were Wailua Shave Ice or Hee Fat General Store.

Recommended Stay

When looking for accommodations, the west side of the island typically has less rain. To give yourself the best chance of sunshine in the spring, look for accommodations in Poipu or, possibly, Lihue. Though we encountered some rain during our trip, none of the showers lasted long. Locals say the weather changes quickly, and if you’re not happy with it, just wait an hour. They were spot on!

We split our stay between the Kauai Shores Hotel and the Marriott Kauai Resort, and both were excellent. If you prefer a more laid-back vibe, we suggest the Kauai Shores Hotel. If having all the amenities is more your style, spring for the Marriott Kauai Resort.

IG: @thestokefam

Website: https://thestokefam.com

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Joshua Tree National Park, California

Our family loves the magic of the desert in the springtime. One of our favorite desert locations to visit is Joshua Tree National Park. If you haven’t been to a national park yet, this one is perfect for a visit with kids. Numerous hikes are manageable for smaller legs with options that range from ¼- 2 miles round trip. And the rock scrambling and bouldering is always a highlight for kids and parents alike. We will warn you to bring a first aid kit and plenty of band-aids on your trip to the park. The rocks are rough, and kids can get scraped up a bit, but they will want to continue adventuring and not let a few scrapes slow them down.

Favorite Hiking Spots

Some of our favorite spots to hike and scramble within the park are Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, Skull Rock, Arch Rock & Split Rock trails. You can fill a few days within the park with some of these short trails and lots of rock scrambling time. We also love a visit to the Cholla Cactus Garden but beware of the cactus and stay on the trail. Sunset is a perfect time to visit as the chollas just glow in the fading evening sun. There are dining options just outside of the park in the towns of Joshua Tree & Twentynine Palms. But there are no services within the park, so make sure to pack your lunch, snacks, and plenty of water to keep you and your family hydrated!

Recommended Stay

If you are looking for lodging, you can find plenty of cute bohemian Airbnb options in the area. And we have found this to be our preferred way to stay when visiting Joshua Tree National Park. You can also make this a day trip or add a trip to Palm Springs after visiting the park. We always have good luck with spring trips when we combine some active time hiking in the park with some downtime relaxing by a pool enjoying the warm springtime sun.

IG: @lingerandwander

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Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

Have you ever wanted to travel to the Amalfi Coast in Italy and experience the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean while jumping off the cliffs at the Rick’s Café in Jamaica, all within minutes? If you are like me and like to experience various places in ONE destination, then the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada, is for you.

Family-friendly Activities

Within a 3-hour drive from Toronto, the Bruce Peninsula is known for its tranquil blue water, shipwrecks, the Grotto, exquisite hikes, and boat rides to Flowerpot Island. A bagpiper pipes down the sun on Lake Huron, with a gorgeous sunset serving as the backdrop while jet skis stop to listen to the piper from the water.

Our family moved to the Bruce Peninsula a year ago, and there is no going back for us. This place is buzzing with activities during spring and summer and magnificent during the winter months. The area offers a wide array of spectacular sights and can often give you the feeling of traveling the world within hours. What we love the most is how kid-friendly Bruce Peninsula is. With girls aged 3 and 1.5 years old, we are always looking for an assortment of safe, fun, and unique activities. And this region does not disappoint! It’s fantastic choice for Spring travel destinations.

Recommended Stay: Hotels, Airbnb and Cottage Rentals

IG: @lifewith2cubs

Website: https://lifewith2cubs.com/

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Anna Maria Island, Florida

One of our favorite spring family travel destinations is Anna Maria Island, off Florida’s west coast. We’ve been visiting this little slice of paradise for a few years in a row now and always look forward to our time spent there. Anna Maria Island has the charm of “Old Florida,” complete with a free trolley to transport you around the island.

Family-friendly Activities

There are SO many great family activities to choose from, such as parasailing, boat rentals, kayak tours, sunsets, and plenty of white sandy beaches (we’ve done them all!). Although there are many visitors each year, the area doesn’t feel touristy and has a great balance between untouched nature and the excitement of local attractions and activities. Anna Maria Island is also a one-hour drive away from major attractions in St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Tampa. We’ve enjoyed venturing out to exploring Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, Legoland, Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, and Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium. There is definitely no shortage of possibilities for family fun. To read more about our experiences and the above activities we’ve enjoyed while visiting Anna Maria Island, please visit our website. We hope to see you there!

Recommended Stay: Family-friendly Airbnbs

IG: @perhaps_this_is

Website: www.perhapsthisis.com

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Stillwater, Minnesota

Spring in Minnesota is an entire MOOD! After a long cold winter, Spring feels like new life and is so welcome. On the first nice day, there are always so many people outside, everyone has a bounce to their step, and we all rejoice that winter is behind us! And know that we have the sacred Spring, Summer, and Fall to look forward to. The first signs of green are always so delightful, and we are quickly blessed with lush green scenery everywhere you turn.

Arcola Bluffs Trail

We love visiting Stillwater in Spring (and every season) because it is a quintessential little town on the edge of the St. Croix with a walking bridge to take in the water and surrounding bluffs. There is a trail nearby called the Arcola Bluffs day use trail that is especially spectacular. It is a two-mile trail that leads through the most beautiful green forest that almost feels like the rainforest. It then ends at the St Croix River with a majestic train track bridge. The trail has beautiful scenery, extensive trails, and creeks to play in. It is the perfect trail to enjoy the start of Spring! Tip: if you visit, bring bug spray and snacks to enjoy on the beach and at the river’s edge.

Just be sure that if you visit MN, expect Spring to wait until at least May to ensure blooming trees and flowers; we are known to get snowfalls in April.

Recommended Stay: The Lora Hotel, The Crosby Hotel ,and beautiful boutique hotels in Stillwater

IG: @awaywego.family

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Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park is one of our family’s favorite National Parks and a great place to visit in the spring. This Park is located on the west side of Colorado, just northeast of Montrose.

Hiking the Canyon Rims

There are plenty of overlooks on both rims with great views of the canyon. In the narrows, the canyon receives only 33 minutes of sunlight a day; this is where it gets its name. We have been to both North and South Rims of the canyon, and they are both extremely stunning. I think we favor the North Rim, which very few people visit, so you feel like you have the place to yourself. The Exclamation Point hike has spectacular views straight down the canyon, but if you are not up for the 3-mile hike, the Chasm View Trail is only 0.6 miles and just as impressive with a view of the Painted Wall.

Recommended Stay: Airbnb

Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, Colorado

IG: @EndlessFamilyAdventure

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London, England

Spring is one of the best times of year to visit London when temperatures are mild with fewer crowds than the typically much busier summer season. From March to May, the parks and gardens around the city come to life with vibrant daffodils, cherry blossoms, magnolia, tulips, and more. And since London is made up of 40% public green space, spring is a wonderful time of year to make the most of the outdoors while exploring the city. St James’s Park, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and Regent’s Park are all centrally located and offer facilities and playgrounds.

Family-Friendly Easter Activities

During the Easter holidays, many local museums and attractions offer themed activities and trails for families. Some places I recommend visiting for Spring travel destinations sightseeing and family-friendly activities are Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace, and the South Bank. One of our favorite free days out is to visit the Natural History Museum or Science Museum in South Kensington, then head over to the nearby Peter Pan-themed Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens.

IG: @piccoloexplorer

Website: http://www.piccoloexplorer.com

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Disney World, Florida

One of our family’s favorite places to visit for Spring travel destinations is Disney World. With four theme parks, two water parks, countless resorts, and the newly revamped Disney Springs area, you can’t possibly run out of things to do.

Spring Activities at Disney

The beginning of March brings warmer temps to the Orlando, Florida, area. It also starts the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. All over the park are amazing gardens and live sculpted topiaries of favorite Disney characters. It is an experience not to be missed. When we visit Disney, our kids love spending time at our resort pool just as much as the parks themselves. Visiting when the weather is warm enough to swim but not uncomfortably hot is usually a deciding factor more times than not when we are planning a trip. Whenever you decide to go, there is always something special about visiting Disney World. We have some of our favorite family memories from Disney!

Recommended Stay: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Riviera, Port Orlean French Quarter, Disney’s Polynesian Resort