The 7 Best Places for a Quiet Spring Break

If the thought of warm, flat beer and elbowing through hoards of college students in Cancun or Daytona sends shivers down your spine, we’ve got you covered. March and April are great months to get away – pleasant weather, and if you know where to look, fewer crowds. Spring break has a certain reputation, but it isn’t all tapping kegs and jello shots. For many, spring break is about rest, spending time with loved ones, and relishing some downtime before the busier summer months. And at this stage of life, we’re seeking quiet, refined spring break destinations.

To get you started on your spring break search, here is our selection of the 7 best places for a quiet spring break.

The Best Places for Spring Break

1. Anna Maria Island, Florida

Best for: Couples seeking coastal relaxation and small-town charm

If you want to spend spring break kicking back on a white sand beach with little-to-no people around, Anna Maria Island is the place to be. The island has small-town, old-Florida charm in abundance, and a stroll down Pine Avenue is the best place to get a taste of life in the early 1900s.

For the cherry on top of this quiet, peaceful corner of the States: the weather is practically perfect in March. The humidity eases up and the temperatures are pleasant in the mid-70s – ideal for soaking up the Floridian sun, with fresh coconuts delivered to you on a continuous loop. After days getting slightly sunburnt on the beach, evenings are spent tucking into excellent seafood at a waterfront restaurant.

2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Best for: Family fun in the mountains

Explore the Smoky Mountains National Park from the quiet base of Gatlinburg. Despite getting busy in the summer and fall months, spring remains a beautiful yet uncrowded time to visit the city. Get unparalleled views of the park from the iconic Space Needle observation tower, ride the cable car to Ober Mountain, and visit the Smoky Mountains’ outdoor family theme park: Anakeesta. There is so much to do here, you’ll leave feeling reconnected with nature and refreshed. Thrill seekers will enjoy the white water rafting and zip lining, while wildlife lovers can go bird watching and horseback riding. It’s the perfect mountain escape, free from tourist crowds, on the doorstep of one of America’s most loved national parks.

3. Paso Robles, California

Best for: Wine-loving couples

Picture this: you’re relaxing on a wooden porch, overlooking neverending sloping vineyards, with a glass of crisp wine in hand. Paso Robles is one of the best wine regions in California, but much less visited than Napa or Sonoma. Not only are the vineyards beautiful, but they also produce merlot, syrah, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, viognier, pinot noir, and more. The unique position between the countryside and the coast allows for a wide range of grapes to grow, so whatever your flavor, you’ll find it in Paso Robles.

The town itself is charming, too. With quirky general stores, expert farm-to-table restaurants, and independent art galleries, it’s a wonderful place to get to know. Couples love Paso Robles, but it’s a great place for families too. Make memories with the kids by exploring the surrounding countryside by bicycle, horseback riding around the nearby Work Family Ranch, taking a dip in the lakes, and driving the scenic road to the coast for windy beach walks.

4. Kennebunkport, Maine

Best for: Families seeking a peaceful coastal escape

Kennebunkport is New England at its most quintessential. Dotted with colorful waterfront houses, period architecture, and plenty of fishing boats, it’s not as upmarket or developed as other Maine coastal towns. However, Kennebunkport is the picture of nautical charm. There are a few lovely artisan coffee shops and quirky boutiques, but Kennebunkport has mostly held onto its fishing village roots.

It might not be warm during spring break, but Kennebunkport is loved for its gorgeous beach sunsets if you don't mind wrapping up. The cold doesn’t matter so much when you have the sunset all to yourself before the summer crowds arrive in May. Besides, a hearty lobster dinner will soon warm you up from the inside out.

5. San Juan Islands, Washington

Best for: Adventure-loving families

The San Juan archipelago is comprised of hundreds of islands, but there are three main ones: San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island. Exploring each island is straightforward with regular ferry services, and each offers something different. From cycling past the patchwork fields on idyllic Lopez to kayaking through scatters islets on Orcas, days passed by dreamily in the San Juan Islands. And no trip to the islands is complete without whale watching. Whales – orcas, humpback, gray, minke – are seen throughout the year, and sea lions, porpoises, and seals are always around, too.

The San Juan Islands is the perfect place for an action-packed spring break: if you’re concerned about keeping the kids entertained, you’ll have no trouble here. On the flip side, there are the kinds of rugged, desolate beaches that characterize the Pacific Northwest for total peace and relaxation.

6. Grand Lake, Colorado

Best for: Wildlife lovers

While March and April are some of the busiest months for Colorado ski resorts, Grand Lake is a welcomed respite from the tourist crowds. Known as the western gateway to the Rocky Mountains, spring break is the best time for adventurers to explore the spectacular mountain range in peace. Grand Lake offers something for everyone, whether you want to make the most of the last of the year’s snow and hit the slopes, or let those everyday worries melt away in sulphur hot springs. Kids (and adults) will love kayaking along the lake, and fishing enthusiasts can catch salmon and trout in nearby Lake Granby.

Grand Lake is also teeming with wildlife. Spring is the best time to catch sightings of moose, and mountain lions, bears, and foxes come out of their dens too. You can also spot pelicans, osprey, and eagles as they migrate from down south.

7. Bend, Oregon

Best for: Those seeking uninterrupted nature combined with the perks of city life

Summer is the busiest time to visit the outdoor lover’s paradise, so a spring break in Bend is the perfect opportunity to visit. The city sees 300 days of sunshine a year, so there is ample opportunity to make the most of the neighboring Cascades. There’s still enough snow for skiing or snowshoeing at this time at high elevations, but the warmer temperatures also have visitors flocking to fly fishing and kayaking along the Deschutes River.

To the east of Bend, you’ll find the High Desert – quite the contrast to the lush landscape of the Cascades. Springtime sees the plains swathed with desert wildflowers, and 50+ miles of hiking trails are scented by juniper and sagebrush. And of course, Bend has all the perks of a city, including brewery hopping along the Bend Ale Trail.