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Visitors spending a day of sun and sand of Panama City Beach, Florida
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Spring break may conjure up images of over-the-top parties or family-friendly attractions, but across the USA, spring break is taking a different shape for travelers of all ages.

The tradition known as “spring break” occurs over several weeks in March and April, when U.S. students of all ages have a week or so off from school. For families, this is often an opportunity to take a theme park or beach trip, while college kids may opt for cruises and festive scenes. For others, spring break is simply a chance to connect with friends and family or disconnect from stress and crowds. Whether you’re looking for that classic American spring break experience or a different sort of getaway, these U.S. destinations make fabulous places to visit in spring.

Family-friendly Beach Towns

Sandy shores and welcoming waters mix perfectly with kid-friendly attractions at seaside destinations throughout the USA. Take in views of the beautiful coast or drop a fishing line into the Gulf at the Russell-Fields Pier in Panama City Beach, Florida. Bring the whole family to adjacent Pier Park for shopping and budget-friendly dining options, or head inland for excitement at Cobra Adventure Park and Coconut Creek Family Fun Park. In Corpus Christi, Texas, meet land and ocean creatures at the Texas State Aquarium, learn naval history aboard the USS Lexington Museum – housed in a World War II aircraft carrier – and relax in nature on Gulf beaches at Padre Island National Seashore and Mustang Island State Park. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the heart of the “Grand Strand,” the nickname for South Carolina’s long, vast, sandy stretch of Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Play at one or more of over 30 mini-golf courses, walk the beachfront boardwalk, ride the SkyWheel and dine on fresh seafood in nearby Murrells Inlet.

Family playing on the shore in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Family playing on the shore in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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Romantic Getaways

Enjoy quality time with your significant other while taking in cultural delights and natural beauty. In Miami, Florida, cuddle up on a sunset boat tour around Biscayne Bay or feel the sea breeze at alfresco dining spots on Miami Beach’s trendy Lincoln Road, Espanola Way and Ocean Drive. Escape the heat at museums including the Perez Art Museum Miami, Frost Museum of Science and the Museum of Ice Cream. In New Orleans, Louisiana, dance the night away at live music venues on Frenchmen Street or in the iconic French Quarter. Take a riverboat cruise on the mighty Mississippi River, which cuts through the multicultural hub. Rest up at one of numerous boutique hotels or high-end resorts. In Southern California, the world-class spas and sparkling pools of Palm Springs will have you and your beloved fully relaxed and immersed in desert scenery. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of Mount San Jacinto for panoramic vistas of Coachella Valley, and reserve spots on a midcentury modern architecture tour.

Couple dancing to live music on Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana

Couple dancing to live music on Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana
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Zack Smith

Adventure Playgrounds

The mild weather of springtime also beckons thrill seekers to the USA. In Sedona, Arizona, hike or bike over 650 kilometers of trails, including premier paths through the massive Coconino National Forest. Be amazed by the region’s red-rock landscapes and mysterious vortexes on Jeep and ATV tours before a night of camping under the brilliant stars of the Milky Way. Just north of Arizona, Southern Utah’s five national parks – Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Capital Reef and Bryce Canyon – offer an array of stunning landscapes to explore. Cruise the scenic byways that connect the protected lands and stay in the active towns of Kanab or Moab for quick access to unforgettable scenery. For an entirely different sort of escape, head to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Use charming Old San Juan and the San Juan metropolitan area as your basecamp for epic day excursions around this Caribbean island. Trek to waterfalls in El Yunque National Forest, fly through the jungle on a zip line at Toro Verde Adventure Park or take a canyoning tour on the Tanamá River.

Hikers marveling at an overlook in Canyonlands National Park in Utah

Hikers marveling at an overlook in Canyonlands National Park in Utah
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Fun Before or After You Cruise

The cities surrounding the USA’s ports provide just as much fun and excitement as the cruises that depart from them. In Port Canaveral and Florida’s Space Coast, check the schedule for rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center or tour the campus when no launches are planned. Nearby, world-famous Cocoa Beach boasts epic waves for surfers; spectators can watch the action from the pier. Around the Port of Seattle, must-visit Washington State icons include the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, Pike Place Market and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Appreciate the cityscape and maybe spot whales on a boat tour or ferry across Puget Sound. In Hudson County, New Jersey, home to Cape Liberty Cruise Port, check out the public art, multicultural neighborhoods and trendy restaurants in lesser-known cities like Hoboken and Jersey City. See the Statue of Liberty and the magnificent Manhattan skyline from Liberty State Park.

View of downtown Seattle, Washington, featuring the iconic Space Needle and the Port of Seattle

View of downtown Seattle, Washington, featuring the iconic Space Needle and the Port of Seattle
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Courtesy of the Port of Seattle