Relaxing Destinations for a Family Spring Break Vacation

It probably comes as no surprise that Orlando, Florida is the #1 family spring break destination across the country. With Mardi Gras weekends at Universal Studios featuring cajun cooking, parades, and music.New Orleans bands on Main Stage perform free concerts, many hits from the 60s and 70s are featured, as well as some of today's most popular performers.

Epcot's annual Flower and Garden Festival which runs from the middle of March through the end of May with Flower Power concerts for family entertainment is fun for the whole family. Disney World has much more to offer than just rides for the kids, it has something to offer people of all ages. Orlando is only one of the numerous vacation destinations for families in the state of Florida. Some other popular places include: Club Med, Baby Club Med, Amelia Island Plantation, Disney's Vero Beach, Treasure Coast, and Kennedy Space Center.

Some of the original dude ranches still exist in working order, yet most have followed the times and now are more of a luxurious, resort style getaways. Wickenburg, Arizona is the place to go for an authentic dude ranch experience. Rancho de los Caballeros is perfectly suited for families and horseback riding. After a long day of riding or playing golf, many guests enjoy a relaxing spa treatment.

Stone Mountain Park in Georgia is this state's #1 tourist attraction with its massive 3,200 acre park, this landmark is the largest mountain of exposed granite in the world. The park is much more than hiking and camping with an old country town, scenic railroad, sky ride, and laser light show, it's a fun family vacation spot.

Just off the coast of North Carolina lies a 130 mile stretch of barrier islands known as the Outer Banks. Light-houses, quaint towns, and old fashioned inns make this a relaxing vacation destination. Part of the attraction to the Outer Banks is because of its natural beauty. The different beaches of the islands are mainly reachable by boat or ferry, yet some places can be reached by car.

Activities that can be enjoyed on all of these barrier reef islands include: bird watching, swimming, crabbing, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing, sailing, and beachcombing. While strolling along the beaches, kids can climb sand dunes, some reaching 100 feet in height. Be sure to include Hatteras Island as one of the sites to see. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is home to its famous black and white lighthouse and a National Wildlife Refuge.

California has a multitude of attractions suitable for spring break with the family. Younger school-age children (ages 2-12) will not be bored on a trip to Legoland in California, the only theme park of its kind in the United States. This 128-acre theme park is constructed largely with legos! Kids of all ages, yes, the adults too, can't help but admire some of the mini-lands built from legos, including an ancient Egypt which is built from a portion of the 30 million legos used in building attractions at Legoland.

San Francisco has a variety of attractions within a suitable distance of one another for people of all age groups. Alcatraz is for ages six and up only, tickets can be purchased in advance. Long ferry lines are a downside to visiting Alcatraz Island, yet the wait seems minimized by watching gulls and sea lions while standing along the pier.

Other great attractions in San Francisco include: Ocean Beach, the San Francisco Zoo, Golden Gate Park, Union Square, and the famous Fisherman's Wharf. Fisherman's Wharf has various street performers including the famous Bush Man, who likes to hide at random, jumping out to scare people. Those with small kids may need to make themselves aware of his performance and keep kids from being afraid.

Listed among the top family beaches, Maui, Hawaii offers sightseeing and outdoor fun for visitors of all ages. For the family that likes mountain biking together, bike down Maui's highest peak, Haleakala Crater. Various area outfitters are available for guided tours down the mountain.

Snorkeling makes for an adventurous family outing. Discover the beauty and wonder of Maui's crystal-clear underwater world at Molokini. Hundreds of different species of fish can be found while scuba diving in this non-active volcano. Other fun things to do in Maui include: whale watching (seasonal), wine tasting, boating, and shopping are to name just a few.

The crystal clear waters surrounding the 700 islands and cays of the Bahamas help rank these islands as some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With a multitude of things to do, everyone is surely able to find something that suits them. Sparkling clear waters make snorkeling a fun day's adventure and doesn't require proof of certification as does diving. Much of the beautiful marine life can be seen just a few feet offshore so even kids can participate with appropriate adult supervision.

Hiking can be fun in the Bahamas with very little wildlife interference. There are only a few animals that are native to the islands including: raccoons, turtles, hutia (a rat-type rodent), iguanas, and horses. Many free hiking trails exist, but gudied tours can be purchased for a reasonable price. Other things to do as a family could include horseback riding and sun bathing.