10 Family Spring Break Ideas Without a Passport

family spring break

Mohonk Mountain House, NY: This historic castle resort is located in the Hudson Valley, 90 miles north of NYC and surrounded by 40,000 acres of forest. Enjoy farm to table cuisine and an award-winning spa. Kids stay and eat free is available for spring break. You and your family will enjoy daily crafts, nature activities, hikes, live music, tomahawk throwing, archery, live animals, campfire with roasted marshmallows, and daily adventurer’s kids activities.

More information on Mohonk Mountain House HERE.

Stay: Mohonk Mountain House

COVID protocol: New York State requires all visitors from beyond the contiguous states (NJ, CT, PA, MA & VT) to complete the travel health form and abide by the quarantine restrictions as specified in the NY state COVID19 travel advisory.

Mohonk Mountain House

Crystal River, FL: This is the end of the season to swim with manatees, an adventure your family will never forget! Take a 3 hour tour to join these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Snorkel, mask and wetsuits are all included. Kings Bay, which is fed by springs, is home to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, sheltering manatees year-round. Boardwalks at Three Sisters Springs Wildlife Refuge offer views of the marine mammal and the natural springs.

Stay: Plantation on Crystal River

COVID protocol: Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure, prior to arrival in New York. Upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days. On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain a COVID test. If both tests comes back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.

florida manatee plantation on crystal river
Crystal River, FL

Majestic Dude Ranch, CO: In this all inclusive stay, you’ll spend your days exploring pristine wilderness as you ride through the aspens, summit peaks, and race through some of the best bike trails in the nation. You’ll spend your evenings competing in archery tournaments with other guests and watching movies by firelight. Activities include horseback riding, kids programs, whitewater rafting, paintball and laser tag, hiking, fishing, archery, skeet shooting, and ATV’s.

The ranch operates Sunday- Saturday and also have a three night option checking in on Sunday or Wednesday; $475 per night for adults/ $375 per night for kids 4-years-old/ Free for toddlers 3 and under (babysitting available)

COVID protocol: Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure, prior to arrival in New York. Upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days. On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain a COVID test. If both tests comes back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.

Colorado Dude Ranch

Florida Keys: April is a great time for the keys. Fly into Miami and rent a car for your drive down to the 120 miles stretch of islands off the southern coast of Florida. Stop at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for snorkeling and kayaking, the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehab Center in Tavernier, take a fishing charter boat out, check out the Rain Barrel Artisans shops and galleries, take a tour at the Turtle Hospital on key Marathon, and spend a day at Dry Tortugas.

Check out this Eco Itinerary in the Keys HERE.

Stay: Hawks Cay Resort

Hawks Cay Resort

San Juan, PR: No passport needed from the US, amazing temperatures in April, and direct flights! San Juan is Puerto Rico’s capital and largest city, consisting of beaches, resorts, nightclubs, restaurants along with Old San Juan’s cobblestone streets. There is so much to see and do in Puerto Rico. With 16 different hiking trails, El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the US. The San Sebastian waterfall consist of 2 large falls and is easily accessible. Visit one or all THREE of the bioluminescence bays in PR. If you’re into surfing, Rincon one the west coast is one of the best known surf spots in the world. Steps Beach is the site of Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, home to parrotfish and hawksbill turtles. If time permits you can also take a ferry to Culebra and Vieques Island for more beaches, snorkeling, horseback riding, and pristine wildlife refuges. Another option is to take a catamaran trip with snorkeling to the islands.

Stay: La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort

COVID protocol: Negative COVID-19 test required within 72 hours before departure.

La Concha Renaissance, San Juan

Yosemite, CA: Yosemite is one of the country’s oldest and most visited national parks. Outdoor adventurers and nature lovers flock to the natural wonders of Half Dome, El Capitan and the park’s many waterfalls. Also, remember that 4th graders get free entry to national parks if they register with the Every Kid Outdoors program. Stop by the Mariposa Grove as well as the two other groves of giant sequoias in the park – the Tuolumne and Merced grove. Kids can become a Yosemite Jr. Ranger after they complete a small workbook, go to a ranger program, and pick up some trash around Yosemite.

Stay: The Ahwahnee

Covid Protocol: Yosemite is at limited capacity and reservations are required. Shuttles are not running.

Yosemite, Photo Credit Mommy Poppins

Vegas & the Grand Canyon: Join a Sceptre tour starting and ending in Las Vegas, where you can experience live shows, try your hand at the blackjack table, and dive into a world of food and fun. Follow it up with a few nights at the Grand Canyon. Explore the park, do some hiking, and see one of the world’s most amazing landmarks. Take a unique day trip to Zion National Park, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, or Mojave. The Sceptre tours include air, hotel & car.

Grand Canyon Skywalk

Fort Myers Beach, FL: Ft. Myers Beach is different from downtown Ft. Myers. Fort Myers Beach is a town on Estero Island, off the southwest coast of Florida. A long, 7 mile stretch of white sandy beach facing the Gulf of Mexico hosts many family adventures. “Time Square” shopping center has stores and restaurants. Sanibel and Captiva Island are nearby and amazing destinations for sunsets, beach days, shelling and eco-adventures. A mangrove kayaking tour is a must.

Stay: Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina

ft Myers florida
View from Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina

COVID protocol: Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure, prior to arrival in New York. Upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days. On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain a COVID test. If both tests comes back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.

Woodstock, NY: Woodstock NY is approximately 2 hours from NYC in Ulster County. The town of Woodstock is lined with farm-to-table restaurants, art, shopping and lodging. Woodstock is one of the best outdoor attractions in the Catskills. Overlook Mountain trail, a 3 hour loop, is about 10 minutes from town. There are several overlooks as well as hotel ruins from the 1930’s. North-South Lake, Kaaterskill Falls, Sloan Gorge Preserve, and so many more beautiful nature spots to experience.

Stay: Woodstock Way

Woodstock Way

Folly Beach, SC: Just 15 miles south of Charleston is 12 square miles of beautiful oceanfront known as Folly Beach. Between the Folly River and the Atlantic Ocean, this sandbar of a destination is quite popular with the locals, as well as families looking to combine a historic getaway exploring Charleston with a relaxing family beach vacation. Folly beach is great for surfing, fishing, shopping and old fashioned family fun. Visit Charleston for leafy streets and parks, gorgeous architecture, and a thriving cultural scene meaning there’s always something to see and do. 

Stay: Tides Folly Beach

Folly Beach Pier

Check out my Top 10 Eco-Friendly Travel Essentials.


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