Where to go for Spring Break with family?
 

I'm looking for suggestions for a family trip in April for a family of 4 (parents & 2 boys 13, 16). With a "teachers convention", we end up having a few extra days instead of just the one week in April, so it would be a good time to try to get in a vacation. Over the years, we have taken vacations to Disney (FL and CA), done a road trip up the CA coast and WA and OR, driven through parts of Canada, taken a cruise to Alaska, gone to London.

I thought of Cancun -- but it seems rather hedonistic for spring break and I'd like to keep the kids away from that. Any ideas Fodorites?
Thanks for your help.

If you are interested in a Mexican Beach vacation look into Couzmel. Great snorkeling and not as wild as Cancun.

New York City is always a great option.

Let me ask you this, from what city are you originating? That may also be a factor because of driving vs. flying.

Are you more into educational or relaxation? Beach weather or skiing?

Thanks for the replies. We live on the east coast (MA)
We have family near the NYC area, so we do that from time to time.
I think we want some relaxation but I always try to get an educational opportunity in when we travel. Give the kids some fun and then do a parent thing like museums for art, culture and history.
I'm looking into Hawaii,Caribbean cruise, Bahamas, Bermuda. By April we will have had enough of winter. I'm even considering Paris or Rome. Just not sure which one to pick, plus the prices have to right too.

Keep the suggestions coming. Thanks for your help.

You should have lots of options. We took our boys to Cancun when they were 13 and 15. If you don't mind having tequilla shots pushed at them in the restaurants, passed out kids on the beaches and vomit in the elevators, its a great place! Playa del Carmen as well as Cozumel would be good alternatives. I would also mention Aruba, St John or Grand Cayman for beaches, scuba, etc. We've also taken them to Rome and Paris but not over spring break. Both cities were great but we actually liked Rome a bit better (that was before Iraq). You could do a few days in Paris and a few days in Normandy as we did if you have more than one week (my trip report is posted) or Rome/Amalfi Coast. The european option won't be as relaxing and you won't come home with tans but by the time april rolls around, just getting out of town is wonderful. If you do the caribbean, we preferred Cayman and Aruba to St John.

I concur with prior post about Playa del Carmen on the Mayan Riviera. It's about 45 minutes south of Cancun, and doesn't have the craziness. Beautiful beaches, plus you can check out the Mayan ruins in the area.

Another vote for the sunny beaches of Mexico.

Another thought, something I've always wanted to do, how about a cruise to the Galapagos Islands? Just a thought.

We stayed in Playa del Carmen at the Gala Resort during spring break 2 years ago and it was a great family all inclusive resort and beautiful, with a great beach. Yes, there were kids drinking, but they seemed to be the older teens, like 18ish, which is legal in Mexico. I don't think you can avoid that, but our kids -- same age as yours - didn't get involved, and I didn't see any younger teens acting inappropriately.

Have you considered Spain, lots of culture there.

Places we have gone with our boys for spring break--

Los Cabos--Intercontinental is all inclusive and the boys liked being able to get food and drinks anytime without money
Cancun and Coba--we stayed at the Ritz-Carlton--it was great, not a lot of college kids can afford it so no problems related to that
southern Spain--last year--one of our alltime favorite vacations
Costa Rica--another favorite-we took a small ship cruise
southern New Mexico and Carlsbad Caverns-very inexpensive and interesting
Orlando, Disney World-kids and I love it, Dad hates it
Washington DC-Very historic but lots of junior high types on school trips
sking in Colorado-fun but now out because of husband's bad knee

Hope this helps

Forgot to add--
we went to Maui one year. No spring break college kids, mostly families. Very nice weather and beach.

Places we've been that might work:
Aruba, Grand Cayman, St John, Cancun, Ixtapa/Zihau, Tucson, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, Orlando, Orlando, Hawaii (maui and Big Island), Hawaii(Kauai and Oahu)

If budget is any kind of a consideration, here are couple that we've done really well on at that time of year and both provide a nice change of environment with some interesting things to see:

1. The weather is generally becoming very decent in Europe by April and we've especially enjoyed Paris at that time of year. There have been some fabulous deals.

2. Grab a Las Vegas charter or low-cost scheduled air and then rent a vehicle when you arrive and hit the road for Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Route 66, the desert in bloom and the great southwest. It's a wonderful road trip and not nearly as crowded (or pricey) at that time of year.

I will, of course, suggest Paris as well, especially that time of year. Also, Amelia Island, Fl. or Sedona/Jerome, Az.

SAnParis,
I thought you would recommend Key West. I certainly would!

OK, Key West works for me, not so sure about the family thing. I'll meet you there in January bubbles.