Spring Break

It's #1: Orlando Spring Break Vacation Orlando gets top billing, as the most popular spring break vacation spot for families. Not bad for a place that doesn't have a mountain, or a sea-shore -- except, of course, of the artificial variety.

With its long, long stretches of beach on both Atlantic and Gulf Coast sides, Florida has plenty to offer families besides (land-locked) Orlando. And yes, it's true that some Florida beaches are notorious for college spring-break partying; but families can use strategies to avoid that scene, such as choosing destination-type resorts, rather than beach towns, and especially resorts that have private locations and/or large acreage.

Washington DC is a top destination for spring break, and for many families, school break coincides with the weeks of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates the original gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the city of Tokyo. Highlights for families include Family Day and big Parade.

Spring skiing can be a kinder, gentler experience than hitting the slopes with Old Man Winter. Check out many family-friendly ski resorts, by region. Utah is a great choice because of minimal time to get on the slopes: most cities have short flights to Salt Lake City, and from there seven ski resorts are within an hour's drive. Park City ski resorts let you ski free the day you're traveling.

For something different, try YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado, a top-rated and affordable "family camp" with winter activities such as snowshoeing, sledding, ice-skating, plus lots of indoor fun as well. (Read more at the link above.)

What glitters in the Golden State? LEGOLAND California, designed for ages two to twelve, had a coaster and other rides, "mini-lands" all made out lf Lego blocks, life shows, and many more attractions. Monterey Bay, just south of San Francisco, has a major aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, and plenty of seal-lions, harbor seals, and sea otters. March and April are whale-watching months, as well.

Those who like luxury will find it on the scenic coast of Half Moon Bay, 40 minutes south of SF, where the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay has a Ritz Kids club. Or is a 10,000-acre working dude ranch more your style? (With archery, golf, sailing, and more.)

This great promotion includes the spring break months.

For families who want a tropical vacation, nothing beckons like the call of an All-Inclusive Resort. Mexico and the Caribbean islands offer dozens of choices.

But, which one is right for your family?

Start with an introduction to All-inclusive Resorts: WHAT they offer, WHAT's included, WHAT's the price range, WHAT to watch out for, WHERE to find all-inclusive resorts for families.

Here's an easy way to thumb your nose at nasty weather, if you can't fly to the tropics this spring break: make a getaway to a resort with its own interior tropical climate, i.e. an indoor waterpark. They're bustin' out all over... Wisconsin Dells, Sandusky Ohio, the Poconos, NY State, Kansas, Williamsburg...

Three hours from NYC, "Chocolate Town USA" has several fun attractions for families-- most notably Hersheypark theme park, which doesn't open until May, but during one weekend in mid-April you can preview the summer fun during Springtime in the Park: Select rides are running, and admission price is low. Families can stay either at the classic Hotel Hershey (with kids club and Chocolate Spa) or the family-friendly Hershey Lodge.

Some years, Easter may fall during a school's Spring Break; other schools get a full week off at Easter instead of Spring Break. Most hotels and resorts that welcome families on Easter weekend will have at least an Easter Egg hunt; some make a much bigger celebration, such as the grand old lakeside Otesaga Resort Hotel, in Cooperstown NY, which has an annual Easter Family Weekend Package, with dinners, breakfasts, Easter Egg Hunt, Egg Roll, and other activities.

Vancouver has a mild climate with only a few snowfalls in the winter; there is snow, however, on the scenic mountains that lord it over the ocean. Visitors can hike, bike, golf, sail, down at sea level OR head for the hills and a day of snowsports. Three local ski resorts are a half-hour from downtown; visitors can rent gear, and snow clothes, too.