Whether you are in college or are a parent with children in school, planning your spring vacation will naturally revolve around the school or college’s spring break dates. Even if your own schedule is highly flexible, knowing the exact spring break dates is pertinent to vacation planning. Florida has options to offer for both youths and families so don’t be stressed!
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Spring Break Dates
Whether a parent or a student, you will want to either avoid the spring break party scene or be sure you are part of it.
- Grade School – Taking a spring break vacation with children is very different from a college spring break vacation, so, fortunately, grade schools and colleges tend to schedule their spring breaks about a month apart.
- Although grade school spring breaks vary year to year and from school to school, they nearly always fall either the week before or the week following Easter, which is typically any time from late March through April. Of course, during these months in most of the country, it’s still too early to enjoy the beach.
- College – For the majority of colleges and universities, spring break arrives long before the actual season. Therefore, it is usually late February or early March. For this reason, the sunny beaches in Florida are among the most popular college hotspots for spring break.
Florida Spring Break for Kids
Spring break isn’t just for college students, although it may feel like it sometimes. You certainly never want to take your kids to a spring break hotspot and be embarrassed by the wild antics of out-of-control college coeds taking a break from the books.
Listed below are some places in Florida where you can take your entire family for a wholesome yet fun spring break vacation.
Amelia Island
Because Amelia Island has escaped much of the commercialisation that plagues other areas of Florida, it is as peaceful as it is beautiful. Therefore, it does not attract the typical college crowd for spring break.
Being under the rule of eight countries – the most of any place in the U.S. – the island’s history is rich in pirate lore. However, its many tranquil stretches of beaches bordered by dunes offer plenty of chances for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and kite flying.
Fernandina Beach on the island is a charming well-preserved Victorian town that is two hundred years old, with many homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This town is where you will find shops and restaurants and horse-drawn carriage rides, trolley tours, and boat tours.
Florida Panhandle
When people think of the Panhandle, they may be remembering the reality show MTV filmed of spring break in Panama City, highlighting the antics of college kids flooding the town’s beaches. However, just a little further down the road, far away from the partying and noise, are the beaches of South Walton.
You will marvel at the sand, which is so soft and delicate. The sparkling emerald green water is so calm that the mild waves allow small children to play safely in the surf. Consisting of fifteen urban areas, each with a distinct character and design, the beaches are un-crowded and welcoming to families. Coastal dune lakes with two hundred miles of trails and twenty-six miles of coastline invite exploring by foot, bike, or kayak, and more.
Children can search for the sea turtles that nest on the beaches. They may even come across one of the gorgeous mother turtles or her babies. Family events are offered year-round.
Florida Spring Break for Coeds
Florida will forever remain one of the lower forty-eight’s most popular spring break hotspots. With beaches that seem to never end, sunny days, and warm crystal blue water, in March and April, students flock to the south to soak up the tanning rays and sand and surf that Florida has to offer. Listed below are the popular hotspots for college students who want to party during their spring break.
Florida Keys and Key West
Island breezes, daytime air and water temperatures around 80 degrees, and cool evening temps make the Florida Keys the most exotic getaway in the country. The beautiful blue water presents an undersea paradise to snorkelers.
Daytona Beach
This beach, with all its activities, is synonymous with spring break. The best way to see and be seen at the “World’s Most Famous Beach” is to cruise the hard-packed sand with your car. Or soak up the sun rays in a prime sunning spot in the one-mile traffic-free zone.
If you have your boogie board, you can ride the waves or rent a jet ski. Parasailing gives you a bird’s eye view, while skydiving gives you the free-fall experience of your life. Then, explore the miles of drivable beach with either a rented beach bike or motorbike. Boardwalk Amusement Area and Main Street Pier will give you a mild to the wild thrill of a ride.
Miami and South Beach
These two party beaches — especially South Beach — are giving Panama City some serious competition for spring break. The fact that South Beach’s hostel scene is heating up and the spring break specials are some signs that students are gravitating to this area. Also, happening nightclubs are becoming commonplace in South Beach. Miami is a popular destination for the youth.
Panama City and Panama City Beach
Daytime temperature ranges in the 70′s, and at night it’s cool enough to wear a sweater. Panama City, known for wide-open, golden-white sands, is easy to access from almost anywhere, including via Amtrak that gives students a 15% discount. Panama City is more welcoming to students for spring break than places like Daytona Beach, for instance.
