Whether looking for a family travel destination this spring, an adults-only getaway or a special Mother’s Day weekend, these three U.S. destinations offer different activities for different interests. For inspiration, here are three great (but underrated) spring destinations:
Ideal for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, Newport Beach sees less of the crowds associated with other Californian beaches, while maintaining that beloved sunny weather. While at Newport Beach, head to Newport Beach Pier to walk and enjoy the views. Many restaurants and shops sit within walking distance of the pier, as well.
© Newport Beach & Company
For amusement park fun, Balboa Fun Zone features rides, games and attractions, while a Newport Harbor Cruise welcomes guests of all ages to take to the waters, with some tours offering chances to spot dolphins and whales. Newport Beach whale watching season lasts through April, in which humpback whales, gray whales and even dolphins venture near the coast. For more outdoor fun, visit the Environmental Nature Center to learn about the natural world with interactive exhibits, trails and gardens. Over at Newport Aquatic Center, visitors can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and other watercraft. Accommodations like Hyatt Regency Newport Beach and Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa comprise two great spots for base camp.
Music fans love Cleveland thanks to its world-famous Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but this Midwestern town boasts many other attractions for travelers this spring, as well. NASA’s only visitor center in the Midwest, Great Lakes Science Center, lies in Cleveland. The city also is home to Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
© Destination Cleveland + Jeff Greenberg
On top of these great museums and educational centers, Cleveland invites families to visit any of its various family-friendly restaurants, including Tabletop Board Game Café, a restaurant with more than 1,000 board games. The city also features Cleveland Botanical Garden, a 10-acre garden with many plants and flowers, as well as a butterfly exhibit. Even more? This spring, Cleveland is the first U.S. stop for the Disney Animation Immersive Experience.
A trip isn’t complete without a relaxing night, and ROOST Apartment Hotel and Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade are both great places for families, with larger rooms for clans of all sizes.
A history lover’s paradise, Richmond, Virginia, is a great way to introduce kids to American history, all while avoiding the crowds often associated with nearby Washington, D.C. The Children’s Museum of Richmond includes interactive exhibits and activities for children ages 0–10, while the nearby Science Museum of Virginia is a kid favorite, with exhibits on science, technology, engineering and math.
The Virginia General Assembly, a building designed by Thomas Jefferson, offers guided biking tours. Families can extend their time outside with a trip to River Park, a 550-acre park along the James River, where kids can hike, bike, fish and play.
For food, there’s no shortage of great restaurants, including Sub Rosa bakery, Lehja, Mama J’s Kitchen and more. Stay the night at Graduate Richmond, a hotel offering spacious family suite rooms just a few blocks from Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedCruises
Jun 15, 2026All the Ways Carnival Cruise Line Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday
This year, Carnival Cruise Line celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with special patriotic programming, and passengers are invited to take part in the festivities.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Hotels
Jun 12, 2026Saddle Up for Skillcations at These U.S. Ranches
Dude ranch vacations are growing in popularity among family travelers, but skillcation trips on ranches are also on the rise, with travelers looking for opportunities to learn a new skill and develop a new hobby while escaping day-to-day life.
Hotels
Jun 11, 2026Park Hyatt St. Kitts Launches Postpartum Experience for Moms
Park Hyatt St. Kitts now offers the perfect escape for postpartum moms to reconnect with herself in paradise through a partnership with Anya, a women’s health and beauty brand dedicated to helping with postpartum.
Hotels
Jun 11, 2026Slow Mom Summer: Family Getaways Designed for Doing Less
This summer’s biggest lifestyle trend: doing less. That mindset applies to family travel, too, with Slow Mom Summer emerging online. Moms are rejecting overscheduled itineraries and high-pressure vacations while seeking out slower, more intentional experiences.
Hotels
Jun 10, 2026AYANA Resorts Launches Dual-Island Family Escape from Bali to Komodo
AYANA Resorts just debuted a new, dual-island itinerary from Bali to Komodo, allowing family travelers to enjoy a seamless experience between both resorts. The journey starts along Bali’s southwest coast, where AYANA Bali welcomes guests.
ShareThis