Florida and Arizona shine for spring break vacations

Florida and Arizona's perfect pitches for spring break: sunshine and baseball. Credit: Tony the Misfit.

By Jeanenne Tornatore

According to a recent survey fielded by Orbitz.com, 88 percent of spring break travelers are looking to steer clear of college crowd hotspots and opting for a more family-friendly atmosphere.  Check out these four destination ideas for a family spring break getaway that won’t break the bank.

Spring training games: For baseball fans, Florida and Arizona make great escapes to see major league baseball games for a fraction of regular season stadium prices.  Kids can get up close to their favorite players and parents will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.  In the surrounding Phoenix area, home to the Cactus League, hotels average just $114 a night during spring break this year, and in Orlando, one of the many Florida cities to host the Grapefruit League, just $95 a night.

Spring skiing: This is the year to plan a spring ski vacation, especially if you have the flexibility to travel in April.  Not only has it been a recording setting snow year for resorts like Vail and Breckenridge in Colorado, but these resorts along with Heavenly in Lake Tahoe are staying open a week later this year – through April 24.  Plan your ski vacation in April and you’ll find some fantastic late-season deals!

Hit the high seas: It may be high season for cruising in the Caribbean, but it’s also the time of year when cruise lines launch major sales and promotions.  This winter saw the debut of new ships including the Disney Dream and Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, which means more options for travelers – and more cabins the cruises need to fill.  And while travelers are booking these new vessels that offer the latest and greatest, take advantage of some of the ships that are just a few years old – you’ll find that these offer voyages with the some of the deepest discounts.

Off-season city escapes: Travelers looking for a Spring getaway that will offer big fun without a big budget should consider a city escape, particularly in a destination in its off-season like Chicago or Boston.  Hotels in big-city, off-season destinations will likely have excess inventory and be offering up deals that will be hard for travelers to pass up.

Related resources

• All-inclusive vacations
• Beach vacations
• Disney vacations

Jeanenne Tornatore is a senior travel editor at Orbitz Worldwide. A long-time traveler and avid deal seeker, she regularly shares her industry knowledge, practical advice and savvy tips with national print and broadcast media around the country.

Tagged: Family time, Florida