Spring break travel is a great way to make family memories, but it can also be expensive. Hotels, airlines, and rental-car companies all raise prices during school breaks and other high-demand travel periods. Popular warm-weather destinations like Orlando and the Caribbean can cost even more money as families flock to have fun in the sun. But that doesn't mean you have to choose between staying home and going broke for spring break.
In-the-know families deploy a few tricks to plan a fun spring break vacation without blowing their mortgage payment, from scoring secret deals to compromising a bit on the location. There are plenty of family-friendly cities and destinations that cost a bit less but don’t scrimp on the family attractions, including top museums, eateries, beaches, and amusement parks.
Read on for some of our favorite hacks for cheap spring break travel, including some great budget-friendly destinations throughout the US. If a longer trip is not in the cards, check out your local guide to family day trips and weekend getaways.