10 Best Spring Getaways for US Travellers

Orlando is a Floridian mecca that has long been on top of the list for family getaways in the US. This is largely thanks to the over-a-dozen theme parks that call the city home. There are numerous water parks, plus Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, among the big, unmissable names.

For the mature set, Orlando also offers cool nightlife scenes with its awesome range of bars, clubs, and live shows lining downtown’s Wall Street Plaza, as well as an eclectic set of nightclubs around Lake Eola Park. Complementing all that is Orlando's weather, which is wonderfully pleasant in the springtime.

A Cancun spring getaway gives you access to all the fantastic beach resorts and beautiful shores along the Yucatán Peninsula. You can enjoy bright and sunny Caribbean seascapes with your toes in the sand to help you forget about your responsibilities for a while.

Several family-friendly beaches can be found in the Zona Hotelera, such as Playa Chac Mool and Playa Delfines. The famous Mexican city is also known for its vibrant nightlife – expect neon-lit streets and direct superclub parties. Since Cancun has become a traditional spring destination, many world-renowned music festivals often take place from February through April.

Myrtle Beach is a top choice for families on spring getaways, thanks to its kid-friendly resorts, restaurants, and host of fun activities. Most of the action takes place around Long Bay, the hub of the Grand Strand on the Atlantic coast. Ocean swimming might not be best in the March–April period, but the sands are warm enough for lounging and taking in the refreshing seascapes. There’s even plenty of outdoor recreation beyond the Atlantic, such as kayaking and waterskiing along the Waccamaw River and the Intracoastal Waterway.

The 1.2-mile seaside boardwalk is a great place for an evening stroll, with plenty of great restaurants and bars to tempt you away from the stunning coastal view. You can’t miss riding the SkyWheel. And for the partying college crowds, there are various live shows, surf bars, nightclubs, and festive cantinas around the Celebrity Circle and at Broadway at the Beach.

Oahu is the top Hawaiian island destination for spring getaways with the city of Honolulu and the world-famous Waikiki Beach offering plenty of fun in the tropical sun. Families won’t have any shortage of options for tanning, swimming, or enjoying water sports. Outdoorsy types can go for a hike at Diamond Head.

Beyond Honolulu, it’s worth checking out the quaint beach towns, communities, and quieter beaches around the island. Kailua on the east coast offers quieter escapes than Waikiki, with gorgeous beaches of Lanikai and namesake Kailua Beach calling it home, as well as Waimea Falls nearby. To the north of Kaneohe Bay is Kualoa Ranch, which offers quad bike rides and Jurassic Park location tours.

Orange County offers a great Southern Californian spring escape by the Pacific. Beach lovers can hit Huntington Beach, which is sunny with relatively mild temperatures year-round. For all, choose between Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort, and Adventure City for a full day of thrills and rollercoaster rides.

For some new insights that you can enjoy with friends or family, take a trip to Discovery Cube Orange County. This hand-on museum should open new horizons through its vast collection of science exhibits and special programmes.

Miami and neighbouring Miami Beach offer a fun Floridian getaway in spring, mostly appealing to the college crowd with their range of exciting partying spots and beaches. South Beach is the Miami party central and the way to go for revellers.

Families with schoolkids are treated well with Miami’s collection of interactive science museums, wondrous parks, and plenty of watersport adventures in Biscayne Bay. Step back in time to the Italian Renaissance at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, hit the 36-acre Flamingo Park to swim and splash at various pools and slides, or go on a thrilling speedboat tour around the bay.

Manhattan, as the beating heart of New York, has those on a spring getaway spoilt for choice with its multitude of attractions. Firstly, it’s home to most of New York’s iconic landmarks – be it the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, or the Woolworth Building to name a few.

Watch a Broadway musical, go on a bike tour through massive Central Park, or soak up the memorable skyscraper-dotted Manhattan skyline from the observation deck at the Empire State Building. You could consider seeing the New York Yankees pitch or start their spring training season at the Yankee Stadium across the Harlem River (check schedules beforehand).

Yosemite National Park promises an awe-inspiring journey for spring road trips with bends in the roads that open to wonderful vistas of snow-topped peaks. Visiting in spring promises great weather, with the breathtaking Vernal and namesake Yosemite Falls gloriously rushing following the early snowmelt.

You can drive through Yosemite Valley and Wawona year-round, but the Tioga and Glacier Point Roads will be closed due to the remaining snow. Remember to pack tire chains in the trunk as they’re often still required on some roads during spring.

St. George serves as a central base for those set on exploring the great outdoors of southwestern Utah in spring. Before heading out, the city itself has historical offerings such as the Pioneer Courthouse and the St. George Art Museum. Near the city is Snow Canyon State Park with its scenic trails through dunes and red cliffs. Similarly, Sand Hollow State Park has a red sandstone landscape surrounding a vast reservoir, where you can swim in warm waters or go boating.

Take an hour’s journey east along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to see even more stunning landscapes at Zion National Park. Forest trails within the park follow the banks of the Virgin River before it flows to the Emerald Pools with its waterfalls and hanging garden.

St. Petersburg is a hit US spring destination where all sorts of celebrations and events take place around the occasion. There are bars and nightclubs where gatherings take place for the hip college crowd, while families with little kids are well treated to beautiful beaches and various art camp programmes.

This city in Tampa Bay enjoys pleasant year-round weather. There’s plenty to enjoy around the coast during springtime, be it boating or fishing around the bay or simply strolling along waterfront park trails. Check out the Dali Museum's display of the late eponymous artist's works or catch a show at the Mahaffey Theatre. Baseball fans can catch a Spring Training game featuring their favourite teams at Baseball City St. Pete, located within the Walter Fuller Recreation Centre.