Temperatures can be pleasant in the southeast US during the Spring Break months. Sea Island, for example has average high temps in March of 70°, 75° in April, but of course days vary; early March highs swung from 65 to 81°. Evenings are cool and ocean temperature averages 66° in spring.
(Generally, "spring break" for families in the US and Canada means a ten-day school-break in March or April; dates vary in different areas. College age spring break is a very different thing.)
1. Stone Mountain Park, Georgia
Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain Park.
Fifteen miles from Atlanta, 3200-acre Stone Mountain Park is Georgia's number-one tourist draw, combining natural attractions (woods, lakes, and the famous "stone mountain") with man-made amusements such as sky ride, scenic railroad, laser light show. It's the largest outcropping of exposed granite in the world, and even that has a man-made attraction too: the world's largest sculpture carved into the stone (a gigantic Confederate Memorial.) Stone Mountain Park has an annual week of Spring Break Fun in early April.
2. Sea Island, Georgia
photo courtesy of Sea Island Resort.
A legendary upscale resort on a barrier island, the kind of place where families return for generations; Sea Island's main building, The Cloister, was built in 1928. Four resorts share 10,000 acres of forest, lawn, and marshland, 5 miles of private beachfront, and many outdoor and indoor activities for families. Kids programs are usually offered during spring break.
3. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, for Spring Break
This popular small island -- 35 miles northeast of Savannah GA, 100 miles south of Charleston SC-- has average highs in the 70's in March and April, and a range of lodgings, from upscale gated resort communities to vacation home rentals, with a lot in between including a Disney resort. Kids programs are mainly summer-only, but some are offered during spring break too.4. Myrtle Beach SC, for Spring Break
Photo courtesy of The Myrtle Beach Area CVB.
Myrtle Beach is on the coast of South Carolina, 98 miles north of Charleston; South Carolina is the #2 state for tourism after Florida. Myrtle Beach has 60-mile stretch of beaches (the "Grand Strand") and great fun parks for kids. Mid-March annual Canadian-American Days stage some special events. Note, however, that Myrtle Beach is also popular for college spring break! Families should check their hotel or resort carefully to make sure they're not amid springer-breakers: many properties have "over 21" rules for booking rooms; also, read visitor comments for last year's spring break weeks.
5. North Carolina: Outer Banks
A laid-back family vacation spot, with beaches, sand dunes, swimming, crabbing, and kayaking in salt and freshwater marches. Some amusement parks and attractions, too.6. Gulf Shores Alabama
Photo courtesy of Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Gulf Shores is near the Emerald Coast area of Florida (where Panama City is a mecca for college spring breakers). Gulf Shores had 32 miles of sugar-white beaches, reasonable prices, great seafood, and a number of family attractions including a water park, science center, amusement park. Spring weather is usually warm, with cool evenings: average daily high is 66.7 in March, 74,4 in April, before rising to 81 in May.
7. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Photo courtesy of Tony Conboy III.
A guest writer has lots of family fun visiting the town famous for the "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" song. Top attractions include the Tennessee Aquarium/Imax Theaters, Rock City/Fairyland Caverns, Ruby Falls, and of course a couple of railroads.
8. Resorts for Family Spring Break
Photo courtesy of Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
About.com's Guide for Southeast US Travel has suggestions for spring trips, including some big names in upscale travel, such as The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island and The Homestead, in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia. Families who like indoor water park resorts will be glad to hear there's a Great Wolf Lodge in Willimamsburg Virginia.
9. American South Road Trip
photo (c) Sheila Scarborough
Guest article about a family trip that started in Montgomery Alabama, rolled on past the Big Muddy (Mississippi River) and onto Memphis, with much fun sight-seeing (and some serious historical sight-seeing) on the way.
