5 Best Budget-Friendly Spring Vacations for Families

Angelica Kajiwara

Recently named one of the top 2021 family travel blogs and mom blogger in DC, Angelica, her husband, her mom and three kids are always up for an adventure! Whether it’s a family road trip in their RV, a weekend away at the newest family destination or a Tuesday at their scenic home on Lookout Mountain, this fun-loving family shares the best, the real and the silliness of it all. Her roll-with-it attitude of, “If we can do it, you can do it” makes her blog a must-read (and her Instagram a must-follow).

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In January, my family celebrated National Plan for Vacation Day by ironing out our spring getaway in Florida.

With a family of six (including my three toddlers), we always do our best to plan budget-friendly spring vacations, and we’ve found some fantastic, free and inexpensive hidden gems along the way.

From up in Delaware, down to Florida, I’m ready to share five of our favorites with you so you can kick off your own plans and look forward to fresh spring fun.

Three toddlers walk with a man and a woman down a pier to a lighthouse. ^{Lake Hefner, Oklahoma}

1. Washington, D.C.

While the cost of living in the nation’s capital might be high, the price of vacationing can be surprisingly affordable.

Spring is the best time of year to visit D.C. and enjoy the sights and sounds, especially if you happen to catch the cherry blossom trees at their peak bloom, expected March 22–25, 2022.

A young toddler on a walking path surrounded by cherry blossom trees.

We love spending the day at one of the 19 Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo — which are all free! So, pack your lunch and have an incredible, budget-friendly day together at some amazing museums and attractions.

And if you want to taste fantastic eats without spending too much, check out my family’s favorite local food truck, Pepe. It’s chef Jose Andres’ first food truck.

We can feed our whole family a delicious meal and still have room in the budget for an ice cream stop later in the day.

Pro tip: With a little more planning ahead, you can take a free, self-guided tour of the East Wing of the White House. You have to make your tour request through your member of Congress and submit it up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days before your visit.

Left: A man and woman wearing jackets and jeans stand near the East Wing of the White House in Washington D.C.. Right: three toddlers stand under a scaled statue of President Theodore Roosevelt.

2. Cape Canaveral, Florida

Who doesn’t want to hit the beach in springtime? Me, please!

Ditch the chilly spring temps this year, and head to Florida’s East Coast for a ton of affordable and family-friendly fun in Cape Canaveral. We love the Space Coast pretty much any time of the year, but especially in March and April.

First, on our list, we stalked rocket launch apps and websites trying to catch a once-in-a-lifetime launch. Sadly, decision-makers often scrub (cancel) launches due to weather or technical concerns, so be sure to check back regularly during your trip.

A man and three children pose in front of several decommissioned rockets outdoors under a blue sky. ^{Kennedy Space Center™ Visitor Complex}

(If you’re really into astronomy and rockets, check out Kennedy Space Center™ Visitor Complex for the full Space Coast experience.)

We stayed at Cape Canaveral Beach Resort, and the kids couldn’t believe we could’ve seen a rocket launch from the beach directly in front of the resort.

Keeping with our affordable food truck obsession, we had to stop at Mac’s New England Lobsta Rolls for an amazing Connecticut-style sandwich.

A hand holds a lobster roll near a coastline. ^{Mac’s New England Lobsta Rolls}

While we enjoyed our lunch at a picnic table, I asked a local for the perfect beach spot nearby.

They recommended Millennium Beach Park and Bicentennial Beach Park to skip the crowds at Satellite Beach. The parks have playgrounds, shaded picnic tables and beautiful beaches full of pristine shells.

Pro Tip: Cape Canaveral is an epic spot for geocaching. Set up a free account online or with the geocache app, and head out on a hunt.

We’re continuing our annual Space Coast vacation tradition this year, and my kids can’t wait to find a hidden treasure.

Left: Three children run on the beach under a blue sky as waves roll onto the sand. Right: An outdoor pool near a resort exterior. ^{Cape Canaveral Beach Resort was just steps away from the ocean.}

3. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

We took an RV trip to see family in Oklahoma City (OKC), and honestly, I didn’t expect to fall in love with it the way I did. The weather is almost perfect in Oklahoma during the spring months, and many of the local gardens are in full bloom.

We had the BEST family vacation; we saw and did so much together. Sadly, not everything was free or inexpensive, but each stop was well worth the price of admission.

You can stay on budget by planning to spend a day near Lake Hefner. It’s a gorgeous and unexpected spot near the city. Watch the weekend boat races, pack a picnic or go fishing from the shore.

Three toddlers pose on brown, concrete seats under a scaled LED glass soda bottle outdoors. ^{Pops 66 Soda Ranch}

After your visit, head down Route 66 for a quirky roadside attraction, Pops 66 Soda Ranch. There are 700 kinds of soda, sparkling waters and other ice-cold refreshments. Of course, it has great food, too.

We stopped for the 66-foot-tall, color-shifting LED sculpture bottle.

The Science Museum of Oklahoma is also the best science center we’ve ever visited (and we have seen A LOT)! We easily filled an entire day, and everyone — young and old alike — found something to get into, literally.

A woman lays on a mossy bridge where three toddlers sit below in an indoor space. ^{The Science Museum of Oklahoma}

So many of the exhibitions are interactive and hands-on. If you have little ones like we do, head straight to CurioCity, a 20,000-square-foot village featuring eight “neighborhoods” where the kids will explore different science lessons.

Have a sweet tooth? Stop at Belle Kitchen if you and your crew are looking for sweet treats.

Voted the best donut in Oklahoma, you don’t want to miss the square-shaped yummy goodness. But even if donuts aren’t your thing, go for the macaroons. Everything in the shop is yummy.

A hand holds a square-shaped doughnut near a white mosaic tile coated with mini marshmallows, chocolate and graham cracker dust. ^{The Square Doughnut from Belle Kitchen}

Want some Fresh Spring Fun of your own?

Check out 10 outdoor activities to do in Orlando this spring.
Get 11 tips for planning a spring ski trip with your family.
Take advantage of our resort deals to save on your spring getaway.

4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

When my kids were tiny, we took a spring vacation to visit what our friends told us was one of the best children’s museums on the East Coast. The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh did not disappoint.

A man holds a toddler on his lap while seated in a conical, black chair in a brick interior with signage that reads, 'SPIN ROLL MOVE.' ^{The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh}

Fun fact: If you’re a member of another children’s museum that’s in the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Reciprocal Network, you can receive 50% off admission for up to six people.

If you’re looking for free fun, head to one of the epic overlooks for the perfect family photo together. You can find gorgeous views throughout the city. Point State Park and West End Overlook are two of our favorites!

Pro tip: We often book local hop-on, hop-off bus tickets when visiting a new city. We’ve done it in London, D.C. and Philadelphia.

In Pittsburgh, your family can stop at over 20 different places in one day. You can decide where to go throughout your day trip and see a lot for one low (ish) price. Most tours offer an all-day pass, but some offer multi-day passes you can use throughout the trip.

Three toddlers in matching denim and teal shirts interact with a display indoors. ^{The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh}

If you’d rather soak up the springtime sun, rent a bike at one of the many stations throughout the city. Everyone will love seeing the city and breathing in that fresh spring air.

5. Wilmington, Delaware

We love a good {free} scavenger hunt, and you can find an epic quest in Delaware.

The Delaware Discoveries Trail is a string of 13 interactive art installations. You’ll get to explore the Hagley Museum and Library, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware Children’s Museum and many more unique stops along the way.

If you want to pay admission to these places, you can, but most of the murals are available to see and photograph for free.

A young girl in a purple coat poses near a mural as if she were holding a purple dandelion surrounded by red poppy flowers outdoors.

When you’re ready to eat, head to La Pizzeria Metro for dinner and a show. While we waited for our patio table, we sat at the pizza bar, and my kids had so much fun watching their pizza turn round and round in the giant oven.

To keep your kids learning on the road this spring, check out the Delaware portion of the underground railroad and learn about the covert operation led by Harriet Tubman.

The Old Courthouse on Market Street was the setting for speeches by abolitionists, and its basement cells were authorized to hold captured freedom-seekers.

Fun fact: This area is called America’s Garden Capital, and there are over 3,000 acres of gorgeous green space within minutes of each other. Spring is the absolute best time to visit because everything is in full bloom and bursting with color.

A woman and three toddlers stand in a white gateway surrounded by green landscaping.

You can’t go wrong with any one of these budget-friendly spring vacations. We’re excited to head back to the Sunshine State this year, and I hope you and your crew find tons of springtime fun in one of these family-friendly destinations.

Our guest bloggers are compensated for their writing contributions and honest opinions.

All information is subject to change. This article is a curated guide and is neither sponsored nor considered an official endorsement. Please be sure to check information directly with any/all tours, guides or companies for the most up-to-date and direct details.