March is an ideal time to plan a family vacation to get a much-needed break from winter weather and enjoy a few days off of work and school. Spring break destinations are popular with the college crowd around this time of year, but there are some other places better suited for parents traveling with kids. Here are some ideas for family vacations in March for families looking for a little fun and adventure.
San Diego, California
If your family spent the winter in a cold and snowy place, then San Diego is just what you need for a vacation in March. Here you’ll find beautifully warm weather, beaches, museums, and plenty of attractions and accommodations that are kid kid-friendly. Balboa Park and SeaWorld theme park are popular with kids, and there are many delicious seafood restaurants to keep parents happy and satisfied. March is also in the middle of the whale-watching season in this part of Southern California, so you can plan your vacation around wildlife viewing experiences here.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
March is also a nice time to visit the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona, near the city of Flagstaff. At the Grand Canyon, families can enjoy epic landscapes and have truly memorable vacations with hiking, whitewater rafting, mule rides, and scenic drives. Consider treating your family to a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon for a bird’s eye view of the landscape!
San Antonio, Texas
We also love heading to San Antonio with the family in March because of the pleasant weather at this time of year in Texas and the plenty of cultural and outdoor attractions that everyone can love. San Antonio is best known for its historic missions and the Riverwalk, with its many festive shops and restaurants along the waterway. You can book a cruise down the San Antonio River, join a hop-on/hop-off bus tour to see all the sights in a convenient way and enjoy some of the very best food the state has to offer. There is also Six Flags, SeaWorld, and Morgan’s Wonderland to keep the kids active and entertained.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Families love traveling to the Outer Banks region of North Carolina in March because of the abundant vacation rentals here and the opportunities for outdoor recreation. The region is famous for the Wright brother’s first flight, so there is lots of history to learn about here. Families who come here in March also enjoy the mini-golf courses, local aquarium, and beaches nearby. Some other things to do in these barrier islands off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean include Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Whalehead in historic Corolla, the Bodie Island Lighthouse, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a popular family travel destination at any time of the year, but the weather and crowds are especially pleasant in this part of Florida in March. Beyond just meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse, families who travel here can experience multiple theme parks, delicious restaurants, and accommodating hotels for young travelers too. Families love coming here to play tennis, golf and even see some spring training baseball games nearby.
Nashville, Tennessee
Best known for live music and the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville is a fun and affordable destination for family vacations in March. Here you can watch live bands perform at the many cafes in town, enjoy delicious food at local barbecue restaurants, and keep little ones entertained at the Nashville Zoo and Adventure Science Center. The Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, Johnny Cash Museum, and Radnor Lake State Park are other popular destinations when you visit Nashville with your family.
Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital, Washington, DC, is fun to visit for a family vacation at any time of the year. But it is particularly special in March because this is when the cherry blossoms begin to come into bloom. DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from mid-March through mid-April, and the lovely pink blossoms can be seen in West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park, and near the Washington Monument. Check out the opening ceremony, parade, and kite festival here to get in the spirit of spring. Of course, DC is also home to the many amazing Smithsonian museums, national monument tours, capitol building tours, and an excellent public transportation system to help you get around town without needing to rent a car.
Amelia Island, Florida
Amelia Island is located in a beautiful part of northeast Florida and is a wonderful destination for families to visit in March. It is rich in history and culture and doesn’t attract the type of college spring break crowds as many other parts of Florida. In addition to the historical attractions here, there are also some very nice beaches nearby that are perfect for fishing, swimming, and flying kites. Fernandina Beach is ideal for shopping and dining, and the whole area is absolutely charming with its renovated mansions and pristine lawns.
Oahu, Hawaii
It doesn’t get much better than Hawaii for a family vacation, especially after you’ve survived a long winter season. Plan your trip to the island of Oahu and plan to start your exploration of the island in Honolulu. Here you’ll find lots of accommodating hotels for families and many historic attractions to keep everyone learning and entertained. Waikiki Beach is ideal for learning how to surf, and a traditional Hawaiian luau is a must to get the full Oahu experience. Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, and Pearl Harbor are all great ways to fill your days while visiting Oahu with your family in March.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
While Myrtle Beach is a top March destination for college students and partiers, Hilton Head offers a more family-friendly vibe for your March travel in South Carolina. Here you’ll find miles of sandy beaches and bike paths, as well as a quiet and peaceful atmosphere to relax and soak up the history and rich culture here. Other fun things to do in this Lowcountry Region of the state include the Coastal Discovery Museum, Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, Coligny Beach, Sea Pines Forest Preserve, and Folly Field Beach Park.
Phoenix, Arizona
The weather in Phoenix is typically quite lovely in March, and there are so many fun things for families to do here. The temperatures are moderate, which makes outdoor activities perfectly timed. You and the kids can get out to rent mountain bikes and explore some trails, sit around the pool, play some golf, or go for hikes to see the cacti and succulents starting to bloom. Baseball fans often like traveling to this part of Arizona around March to watch the baseball spring training sessions of their favorite teams.
Costa Rica
For a real adventure that the whole family will love, consider taking a trip to Costa Rica in March. March typically sees great weather in Costa Rica because it’s the dry season. You can stay in high-end resorts and splurge here or plan a budget-friendly trip and opt for a casual motel instead. Costa Rica is filled with natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and fascinating wildlife. Fun things to do here as a family include going ziplining, taking a dip in the natural hot springs, and going on tours of the national parks.
Cancun, Mexico
Cancún is a popular travel destination in Mexico throughout the year with its beautiful beaches and all-inclusive resorts, but it’s especially fun to visit with your family in March. The temperatures are mild during this time of the year, and the humidity is low and comfortable. Meanwhile, the crowds tend to be lower and the prices more affordable than during other months. However, spring break can affect pricing and availability in Cancún, depending on your dates of travel. Some fun things to check out during your stay are Playa Delfines, La Isla Shopping Village, the Mayan Museum of Cancún, and Dolphin Discovery.
Maui, Hawaii
The weather on the Hawaiian island of Maui is pleasant all throughout the year, yet this destination is a great place to shake off the winter blues if you live somewhere with a cold winter season. There are lots of resorts on the island that cater to families and that host luaus, have kid-friendly pools, and even kids’ club activities to keep little ones entertained while parents get to spend time with each other. Maui is an excellent place to go for snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, whale-watching, kitesurfing, and fishing. If you have more than just a few days to spend here, consider renting a car to explore more remote and local parts of the island beyond just the resort scene.
Sydney, Australia
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s exciting to travel to the Southern Hemisphere in March for a total reverse of the seasons. In Sydney, Australia, March is the start of the fall season, which means temperatures and nice and some of the tourist crowds are thinning out. There are lots of fun experiences that you and your family can have in Sydney at this time of the year, including seeing the street art of Newtown, checking out the Royal Botanic Garden, and going to the famous Sydney Opera House. There’s a Mardi Gras Festival that takes place during the first weekend in Sydney, so for the best prices, plan your trip during the middle or end of the month.
