Spring break destinations

[hops&dreams]

Looking for ideas for spring break. We just want to get away. We have vacation days to burn, but budget is tight ($2500 for up to 9 days).

I’d love to spend a day or 3 at the ocean relaxing with a cooler and a good book. But I also think we’ll be driving and would love for the journey there/back to be fun too.

We’d be driving from Indianapolis in mid-March. One of our favorite family vacations was borne of the same kind of necessity (See below*)

Any suggestions on places I should check out?

* One of our favorite vacations was a road trip to Wyoming, South Dakota, and Spring Green Wisconsin. Visited Field of Dreams, the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, jewel Cave, Custer State Park, Minuteman Missile Sites, House on the Rock, Taliesin - Frank Lloyd Wright’s original studio, home, and school.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[epcotfortmama]

Last year we wanted to do a more budget Spring Break than WDW and went to the Gulf Coast of Missisissippi (Biloxi). We drove down from Michigan and it was a much easier drive than to Florida due to less traffic. We stayed at the Margaritaville resort and between the pool and arcade my kids (8 and under) still say it is their favorite trip.

Biloxi is a casino town (perk for my husband, maybe not for others) on the beach. It is a day trip to New Orleans, and you could stop at historic sites in Birmingham/Montgomery on the way down). Weather was in the 70s for us last year. We split the drive down and camped at a cabin near Pigeon Forge.

Other ideas we've looked at in the past are Savannah, Charleston, and Gulf Springs Alabama.

 

[hops&dreams]

Last year we wanted to do a more budget Spring Break than WDW and went to the Gulf Coast of Missisissippi (Biloxi). We drove down from Michigan and it was a much easier drive than to Florida due to less traffic. We stayed at the Margaritaville resort and between the pool and arcade my kids (8 and under) still say it is their favorite trip.

Biloxi is a casino town (perk for my husband, maybe not for others) on the beach. It is a day trip to New Orleans, and you could stop at historic sites in Birmingham/Montgomery on the way down). Weather was in the 70s for us last year. We split the drive down and camped at a cabin near Pigeon Forge.

Other ideas we've looked at in the past are Savannah, Charleston, and Gulf Springs Alabama.

I'm already looking at Dauphin Island in Alabama (just west of Gulf Shores) based on a recommendation of a co-worker. Hubs has always wanted to go to Huntsville, AL (Rocket capitol of USA!) so I started there.

Looking at maybe Asheville for the way back? Staying on a coast isn't very budget friendly, but it sure is pretty!

I'm still researching other ideas....

 

[China Expat]

We are heading to Bandon Beach in Oregon to gaze at the beautiful coastline and giant rocks.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I'm already looking at Dauphin Island in Alabama (just west of Gulf Shores) based on a recommendation of a co-worker. Hubs has always wanted to go to Huntsville, AL (Rocket capitol of USA!) so I started there.

Looking at maybe Asheville for the way back? Staying on a coast isn't very budget friendly, but it sure is pretty!

I'm still researching other ideas....

We've done Asheville and Charleston on different vacations either on the way to or from Florida (from Ontario) along with Savannah and really enjoyed all of them.

 

[HeatherC]

Hilton Head Island is beautiful ! Gorgeous beaches with miles of paved bike paths, tons of golf, shopping, restaurants, etc. It is also under an hour to Savannah and about two hours from Charleston for a fun day trip.

If you drive a few hours more, St Augustine Beach in Florida is gorgeous! And the historic district is beautiful with tons of history.
Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[Southernmiss]

Last year we wanted to do a more budget Spring Break than WDW and went to the Gulf Coast of Missisissippi (Biloxi). We drove down from Michigan and it was a much easier drive than to Florida due to less traffic. We stayed at the Margaritaville resort and between the pool and arcade my kids (8 and under) still say it is their favorite trip.

Biloxi is a casino town (perk for my husband, maybe not for others) on the beach. It is a day trip to New Orleans, and you could stop at historic sites in Birmingham/Montgomery on the way down). Weather was in the 70s for us last year. We split the drive down and camped at a cabin near Pigeon Forge.

Other ideas we've looked at in the past are Savannah, Charleston, and Gulf Springs Alabama.

Thanks for visiting my area! Glad to hear y'all enjoyed it!

Mobile, Al and Dauphin Island are an easy day trip from here. We also have a ferry to Ship Island in the Mississippi Sound which should be up and running soon, too.

 

[nkereina]

Have you looked at Seaside, FL? Beautiful area in the panhandle with lots of rentals. You say you're planning for mid-March which is only a week or two from now and its the height of Spring Break season. With a tight budget, if you find something that suits your needs, snatch it now!

 

[DisneyHardin]

I'm already looking at Dauphin Island in Alabama (just west of Gulf Shores) based on a recommendation of a co-worker. Hubs has always wanted to go to Huntsville, AL (Rocket capitol of USA!) so I started there.

Looking at maybe Asheville for the way back? Staying on a coast isn't very budget friendly, but it sure is pretty!

I'm still researching other ideas....

If you choose the Gulf Coast, just be prepared that it might not be very good "Beach Weather" for spring break. We went to Gulf Shores for spring break 4 years in a row and only one of those years did we have really good beach weather. 2 of the other years it was nice enough to be on the beach to read, but way too cold for the water. The 4th year it was cold and rainy the whole week. I think we went down to the beach 2x the entire week.