At Backroads, we know a spring break trip is a great opportunity for families to get away from school, work and the daily routine to unplug, recharge and experience the world in a different way—together. But let’s be honest: as a busy mom, I don’t want to DIY all that family fun. Booking the hotels, researching the activities, figuring out meals and transportation? Add in juggling different interests, ages and energy levels and suddenly vacation feels like, well… work.
That’s where the experts at Backroads come in. Our family-friendly vacations check all the right boxes: outdoor activities in amazing destinations, a balance of time together and time apart and the opportunity for kids to explore alongside kids of similar ages. On a Backroads active adventure, everything is handled, from the thoughtfully crafted itineraries and awesome on-trip support to the flexibility built into each day and Trip Leaders who know how to keep kids smiling. The best part? I don’t have to lift a finger. And that means the whole family—including me!—can actually enjoy an incredible spring break getaway.
Fall is the best time of year to book a spring break vacation, if you want the best choice of dates and destinations for your family. Do you all love beautiful beaches and being in or near the water? Or maybe you’re looking to explore some national parks? Backroads has a trip filled with fun things to do for everyone in your crew! Imagine your family connecting on coastal bike rides and rain forest hikes. Marveling at giant cacti, coming face-to-face with a 100-year-old giant tortoise or simply stargazing. It’s these kinds of bucket-list experiences that that make for a great spring break—one that will be talked about long after the bags are unpacked.
Check out our favorite spring break ideas for families:
From Andean Peaks to Galápagos Shores
When it comes to great family spring break destinations, Ecuador is hard to beat. High in the Andes, your family will explore villages that keep centuries-old traditions alive and visit a condor conservation center where you can learn about these magnificent birds. Then it’s time to head to the islands for memorable off-the-beaten path adventures: bike rides to coffee and sugarcane farms, kayaking and snorkeling with sea lions, tropical fish and even whitetip reef sharks and a meet-and-greet with the Galapagos’ most famous residents: the giant tortoises. It’s the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, wildlife encounters and cultural exploration, all in one amazing family vacation.
Learn more about our Galápagos & Andes Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Make a Southwest Connection
On this quick escape, the desert comes alive in cool and exciting ways for your family. Unpack once and settle into a historic resort—your home base for days filled with adventure. Head out along hiking trails and bike among towering saguaro cacti in the national park, then wander the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, where you may spot prairie dogs, river otters and even Gila monsters. Cruise along Tucson’s scenic bike paths on a family friendly ride, then kids swap their pedals for stirrups and saddle up for a horseback ride through the foothills of the Tucson Mountains. It’s family fun on the frontier with nothing but wide-open skies and Southwest magic.
Take a closer look at Arizona's Saguaro & Tucson Family Multi-Adventure Tour - 4-Day Getaway
Costa Rica Two Ways
A favorite vacation spot for families, Costa Rica brings together tropical highlands, volcanic landscapes and stunning coastlines for the ultimate spring break. That’s why Backroads offers not one, but two incredible adventures in this paradise! You’ve got the incredible wildlife of Manual Antonio National Park, including sloths, monkeys and lizards, combined with opportunities to kayak and swim along the Pacific’s turquoise shores and raft on the Río Savegre. Kids will love the chance to follow hiking trails through the rain forest after dark in search of elusive nocturnal creatures and zip-line through the jungle canopy. Whichever Backroads Multi-Adventure Trip you choose, Costa Rica’s pura vida spirit will certainly live with your family for years to come.
California Dreamin’
Who can resist California’s coastal charm and the fun-in-the-sun vibe that makes you wish you never had to leave? It’s no wonder it’s one of America’s most-loved vacation destinations. Explore Santa Barbara’s Spanish-style streets and indulge in its laid-back food and wine culture. Bike to the Ventura Pier, hike to viewpoints offering spectacular vistas and kayak around mysterious sea caves and pristine beaches on a day trip to Santa Cruz Island. Kids hang ten during a surf lesson while adults ride from mountains to coast on scenic bike routes. Luxurious hotels and a kid-friendly beach resort are perfect for unwinding at the end of each day and savoring some downtime together.
Discover California’s Santa Barbara & Channel Islands Multi-Adventure Family Trip
Wild Patagonia—the Break You’ve Been Waiting For
Dive into the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Argentina’s legendary Lake District. Watch your kids light up as they meet real gauchos and get a taste of ranch life—complete with sizzling Argentine barbecues. Learn the tango together, kayak the crystal clear waters of Lake Espejo and head out on a morning hike to discover a series of stunning waterfalls. The cyclists in the family can pedal through pine-clad mountains and towering southern beech forests, breathtaking views around every turn. Let Patagonia become a chapter in your family’s story.
See Argentina's Patagonia Lake District Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Reach for the Beach
Catch the spirit of aloha on a family vacation blending cultural connection with active fun amid the diverse scenery of Hawaii’s Big Island. Explore a lava tube and hike through emerald rainforests to cascading waterfalls. Snorkel among colorful coral reefs and kayak along sun-drenched shores where sea turtles swim beside you. Kids get to visit a rain forest zoo while adults bike through a dramatic volcanic landscape. Along the way, you and your family are immersed in local traditions shared by local experts. It’s the perfect blend of laid-back beach vacation with active adventure.
Surf’s up on Hawaii’s Big Island Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Make This Spring Break One They’ll Remember
Let’s face it, traveling with kids can be both rewarding and challenging. And even though spring break is short, those memories will last a lifetime. In 2026, let Backroads take care of all the details so your family can focus on what matters most: laughing, exploring and having a great time. We’ve been doing it for decades, and we know how to make family travel seamless and unforgettable: Something for everyone. Something extraordinary.
