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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Are you planning a family-friendly spring break trip?
Tell us where you’re taking the kids.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The weather’s turn for the better earlier this week was a reminder that spring break really isn’t that far away. Most metro school districts will send their students packing no later than April 6 - a mere six weeks from now. That may seem like a lifetime to our children and their teachers, but for parents who haven’t made plans to get away for the break, those six weeks will fly.
If you have the spring break bug and want to plan a last-minute, family-friendly trip, where can you go? Fortunately, we live in a region with lots of options. Many travelers seek southeastern destinations at spring break because our weather in March and April is generally mild.
If you don’t want a major week-long adventure, you can save on airfare, take a short drive, stay a few days, and still enjoy downtime at home before school starts again. Our spring break getaways are often only three to five days, including travel time.
Here are a few ideas I have had for possible breaks this spring…
Beach-bound - Let’s face it, spring break is usually your first chance each year to get out and enjoy the sand, surf and sun. Water temps may not be as warm as you might prefer for sea bathing, but you can usually wade in a little by early April. It’s also nice to sit on the beach and build your sand castles without that sweltering summer heat. It difficult to list all of the great family-friendly beaches within Atlantans’ easy reach, but check out Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Ala. or Myrtle Beach, SC (even though it also attracts college students) as options with plenty of family activities on and off the beach.
Indoor water parks - If you really want to break in your new swimsuit this spring break without freezing your behind in chilly ocean waters, head to the mountains of eastern Tennessee, where you’ll find resorts with huge indoor water parks to entertain you and the kids over spring break. Check out these deals at Wild Bear Falls Resort in Gatlinburg and Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville as possibilities.
City exploration - I have always enjoyed exploring big and small cities, and spring break is a good time to check out some of our neighboring metropolitan areas. A couple of examples…
A short drive up I-75 takes you to Chattanooga, Tenn. and its many family-friendly attractions - Rock City and Ruby Falls on Lookout Mountain; the Tennessee Aquarium; the Chattanooga Choo-Choo; and a very pleasant and walk-able riverfront district. Depending on when your break occurs, you could also enjoy a minor league baseball game in early spring at the AA Chattanooga Lookouts’ stadium.
Even if you don’t have tickets to the Masters Golf Tournament, you can check out the tournament’s home city of Augusta, Ga. While the city goes ga ga for golf during the first full week of April, visitors can enjoy the shops, restaurants,historic sites and museums along the Riverwalk at any time.
If you want to go further, you may find a deal on air travel, as spring break fares are reported to be down by about nine percent over last year. Tickets from Atlanta to domestic, Mexican and Caribbean destinations are averaging $249 instead of 2008’s $273.
Where are you headed for spring break? Do you go for the entire week or just a few days? Does your idea for a spring getaway mesh with your kids’ expectations for the break? Have you found any great deals for this spring break? Where did you go on your favorite family spring break?
And, once you’re there, we want to know about your trip! Send your spring break photos
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