It’s that time of year again, and everyone is desperately trying to find that perfect spring break destination. You know, the one that doesn’t break the bank, yet still gets you to warmer weather. While Florida has won the hearts of many due to its warm weather, beautiful oceans & affordable accommodations – I’m here to tell you, there are many other U.S. destinations that have warm weather, fewer crowds, beautiful scenery & are affordable.
I am recomending these paticular spring break destinations because they are the places that we considered while planning this years family spring break. Keep in mind, we have not been to these places yet which is why they were options for this years spring break.
Spring Break destinations that we have been to in the past are- Gavelston/Houston, Orlando, Utah’s Mighty 5 and many more.
South Padre Island & Austin, TX
If warm weather and oceans are on your radar, a road trip to South Padre Island and Austin, TX is surely a spring break destination that won’t disappoint. You can obviously choose to do one destination over the other but if you have a car I highly recommend checking out both places especially since they are only 5.5 hours apart.
South Padre Island is a hot spot for college spring break. If going with a family you may want to make sure you avoid college spring break dates. You can check those here.
South Padre Island Weather
In April the weather in South Padre Island averages in the 80s and rarely falls below 70. The rain is also kept to a minimum.
Find The Best South Padre Island Flight & Hotel Deals
South Padre Island hotels can range from $75-$100 on weekdays in April. It’s not surprising that on the weekends, hotel prices range from $95-$160.
To save money try staying during the week and heading home on the weekend.
You can find amazing prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals here
South Padre Island Things To Do
- Sea Turtle Inc.
Explore Sea Turtle Conservation and take a self-guided tour to see the rehabilitating sea turtles and non-releasable residents. Sea Turtle Inc. is open year-round and has a small fee. - Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA
This sandcastle started coming to life in 2013 and weighs about 150 tons! If gawking at this massive sandcastle doesn’t seem to cut it for you, then feel free to rent sandcastle-making equipment and see what you can create. Please share your sandcastle creations in the comments. I’d love to see them. - The Beach
Turn days into nights at the beach. Explore wild animals, shells, take in a sunset or 10. South Padre is an island, so please spend time at the beach. - Take a Dolphin Tour
South Padre Island has quite a few dolphin-watching tours. Pick the one that best suits you and your family and enjoy!
Austin, TX Weather
April temps in Austin, TX are typically in the high 70’s and can get a little over 2″ of precipitation. It sounds like perfect spring break weather to me.
Find The Best Austin, TX Flight & Hotel Deals
During the month of April, you can find hotels for $75/night & up.
Find great prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals here
Austin, TX Things To Do
- Watch the sunset from Mount Bonnell (FREE)
At 755 feet, Mount Bonnell is the highest point in Austin, TX.
Be warned – Mount Bonnell hike to the top includes 106 steps! - Austin Bat Refuge (FREE)
Watch around 1.5 million bats take flight from South Congress Bridge in the evening. This takes place yearly from March to October. - Enjoy live music
Austin is known for its amazing live music. Pick a venue with food and enjoy live music while you eat dinner. - Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center
This is a 76-acre nature preserve with some incredible things to see. The beautiful Westcave features a 40 ft. waterfall that flows into an emerald pool. The only way you can see this is through a guided canyon tour. I suggest making your reservations online ASAP. Their busy months are March-November. The tour is $15/adult and $7/child. - McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls State Park is a beautiful park with water flowing over limestone ledges and splashing into pools. Here you can swim in Onion Creek (check the website for alerts first), hike, fish, or go bouldering. The entrance fee is $6/adult & kids 12 and under are free. - Hamilton Pool Preserve
Hamilton Pool Preserve looks like such a unique place to swim. It is a collapsed grotto with beautiful rock formations surrounding blue/green water. It also has a 50 ft. waterfall that you can stand under. - Check out the city’s amazing murals
Austin is known to have beautiful murals around town. Check Instagram to see if there are any murals that you must see. - Austin Zoo
- Inner Space Cavern
Tour a cave! - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
This botanical garden boasts over 900 species of native Texas plants. - Elephant Preserve
Learn all about elephants and what it takes to keep them healthy. Also, help give an elephant a bath & pedicure.
Ozarks & Branson, MO
The Ozarks & Branson, MO is always at the top of our spring break list. It has so much to offer, is closer to our home, and has decent temps in April. Also, April is considered off-season which means fewer crowds and cheaper hotels.
Ozarks & Branson, MO Weather
April temperatures for Ozarks & Branson, MO are typically in the 70s. It can get chilly in the morning & night. I highly recommend packing some warmer layers.
Find The Best Ozarks & Branson, MO Flight & Hotel Deals
In April you can easily find hotels for $75 & up. Branson has a lot of water park hotels, they may cost a little more than $75/night but it’s worth looking into especially if you are traveling with kids.
Find great prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals here
Ozarks & Branson, MO Things To Do
- Branson’s Promised Land Zoo
This zoo is ranked as one of the top 25 zoos in the USA. It offers a drive-thru safari, foot safari, and many opportunities to get close to the animals. - Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City is an 1880’s themed amusement park. They run different festivals throughout the year. - Branson Landing (FREE)
Branson Landing is an outdoor dining/shopping center along Lake Taneycomo. It also boasts a boardwalk that features water fountains that are set to lights, fire, and music. - Explore Caves
There are many caves in the Ozark/Branson area. Talking Rocks Cavern, Marvel Cave, Meramec Caverns, Blanchard Springs Caverns, Onondaga Cave and so many more. - Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
Explore waterfalls while you hike Dogwood Canyon. $10 general admission fee. - Whitaker Point Trailhead
Hike to the beautiful Whitaker Point. Whitaker’s point is located in Arkansas and is about 1.5 hours away from Branson. - Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail
Use an electric cart to view the spectacular waterfalls, rock formations & views of Table Rock Lake. Adults $30 & Children $15
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, how we loathe driving through you! Yet you have so much to offer, great weather, food & incredible attractions. Like Branson MO, Atlanta is always near the top of our spring break destination list.
Atlanta, GA Weather
In April temperatures are in the 70s and can get almost 4″ of precipitation. Packing an umbrella or rain jacket might be wise.
Find the best Atlanta, GA Flight & Hotel Deals
In April you can find some Atlanta hotels starting at $55 and up. When searching for Atlanta hotels you will want to be mindful of the area you choose to stay in. Cheaper isn’t always better. Atlanta is known to have unsafe or more dangerous areas. Also, because traffic can be really bad, you will want to try to find a hotel that is centrally located to all of your chosen activities.
Find great prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals here
Atlanta, GA Things To Do
- CityPASS
Have you heard of the CityPASS before? We love it when we get a chance to use it. I must say- Atlanta has the best CityPASS!
CityPASS is a pass that allows you to explore a city’s top attractions at a discounted rate. The Atlanta pass gets you into 5 top attractions. 1- Georgia Aquarium 2- World of Coca Cola 3- CNN Studio Tours 4- Zoo Atlanta -OR- National Center for Civil & Human Rights 5- Fernbank Museum of Natural History -OR- College Football Hall of Fame. - Stone Mountain
Georgia’s most visited attraction! Climb to the top of Stone Mountain and take in the view or head to one of their other fun attractions.
All attractions pass Adult $31.95 Child 29.95 - Centennial Olympic Park
The 1996 summer Olympic games were held in Atlanta. This park was developed as the world’s gathering spot. Cool off in the Olympic Ring fountains, enjoy the playgrounds, take a selfie in front of the Olympic Rings, ride SkyView Atlanta (giant ferris wheel) and so much more. - Cascade Springs Nature Preserve Trail
Enjoy a beautiful hike with waterfalls and a moss-covered spring house.
Santa Fe, Albuquerque & Carlsbad
Santa Fe/ Albuquerque & Carlsbad offer some pretty incredible things to see and do. Since Santa Fe & Albuquerque are only an hour apart & Carlsbad is only 4 hours away, we would road trip and visit all 3 destinations during our spring break. Although, each destination on its own would make for an incredible spring break vacation.
Santa Fe/ Albuquerque Weather
Santa Fe & Albuquerque New Mexico has typical April weather. The temperatures average around 70 degrees and under an inch of precipitation. The low temperatures can be quite chilly so I’d recommend dressing in layers.
Find the best Santa Fe/Albuquerque Flight & Hotel Deals
In April Santa Fe hotels range from $70 & up. Albuquerque hotels start around $50.
You can find amazing prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals here
Santa Fe/Albuquerque Things To Do
- Bandelier National Monument
Visit ancient cave dwellings and other stone structures that belonged to the ancestors of the Pueblo people.
$25 entrance fee per vehicle – Get in for free on April 18th for National Junior Ranger Day. - Canyon Road
Visit a slew of art galleries selling cultural treasures like hand-woven Navajo rugs, Southwestern wood carvings and more. - Tent Rocks National Monument
Hike amongst tons of large uniquely shaped rocks & slot canyons. - Petroglyph National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument houses five volcanic cones, and an estimated 24,000 images carved by Ancestral Pueblo peoples and early Spanish settlers. - Kiwanis Cabin
Hike to a very old cabin.
Carlsbad, NM Weather
Carlsbad’s April temps are slightly higher than Albuquerque & Santa Fe. Carlsbad temps average 75 degrees. The low temps average below 50 degrees, I’d recommend packing warmer layers as it may be chilly in the mornings & evenings.
Find the Best Carlsbad Flight & Hotel Deals
Carlsbad, NM hotels are the most expensive out of all the spring break destinations on this list. They start at $100 and quickly go up.
You can find amazing prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals here
Carlsbad, NM Things To Do
- Carlsbad Cavern National Park
Carlsbad Cavern is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and boasts more than 100 caves. - Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Explore the bright white salt basin dunes, wildlife, and fossilized reef mountains. - Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park
This zoo provides an up-close experience for visitors and has many activities catered towards the entire family.
$5 per vehicle - Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area
Explore a series of waterfalls in a canyon.
If you are feeling up for a drive White Sands National Park is about 4 hours away from Carlsbad.
I hope that this list of affordable spring break destinations helps you plan the perfect vacation that won’t break the bank.
TIP: Use Living Social to save money on activities or hotels anywhere the U.S.
Other articles you might enjoy are:
Road Trip to Universal Studios on a Budget
Things to do in Savannah
Natural Bridge in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge
Pin for later: 4 Amazing Spring Break Destinations That Won’t Break the Bank
