Spring break is coming right up and you are about to have a house full of kids on your hands. Avoid the inevitable case of cabin fever your whole crew is bound to suffer from with a fun getaway. Pack your bags, load up the car, and get ready for a week filled with outdoor adventures and natural wonders at these cool locations that are only a short drive away.
Located in Southern Oregon this artsy city is known for being home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which lasts throughout most of the year. During spring break, catch a performance of Sense and Sensibility or Destin of Desire. The Rogue River is nearby for some great outdoor adventure. While it’s still too early in the year to go rafting, there are guided fishing tours offered by Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventures that can get you and your family out on the water.
If you prefer to stay dry, you can explore the area by foot. There are guided day and night hikes at Upper and Lower Table Rocks, Mt. Ashland and Lithia Park. You can even get some assistance exploring the Rogue River Trail. There are also plenty of trails you can explore on your own.
Southern Oregon and the Ashland area are also well known for their wineries. Check out Weisinger Family Winery or Belle Fiore Winery. Consider staying at the Ashland Springs Hotel for a little bit of luxury and a whole lot of comfort. This landmark hotel was beautifully restored and is a perfect base camp for your getaway excursions. Nearby attractions include Lithia Park, shopping, dining and more. There’s a little bit of something for everyone in your family to enjoy in Ashland over spring break.
If you live in Portland or Seattle, Ashford, Washington, an entry point to Mt. Rainier National Park, is only a couple of hours away. Spend your week exploring the wild landscape by foot, bike or gondola! There are several lowland trails including The Trail of Shadows, Rampart Ridge, and the Rainforest Nature Loop, that are perfect for hiking during spring.
If your family likes to bike, The Carbon River Road offers five miles of trail to explore on a mostly flat terrain. And you can get a bird’s eye view of the national park when you take a gondola ride to Crystal Mountain resort! There’s so much to do inside the park you could easily spend the entire week of spring break there, but there’s just as much to experience outside of the park’s boundaries.
Mt. Tahoma’s hut hikes guide you and your family to breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens at 4,760 plus feet. The incline is intense but well worth the work. Book your stay at one of Mt. Rainier Lodging’s eight cabins and enjoy easy access to the year-round Paradise entrance. They have dog-friendly and family-friendly options with fully equipped kitchens, hot tubs, and fire pits for roasting hotdogs under the stars. Mt. Rainier is the perfect spring break getaway experience.
There’s nothing like a trip to the coast over spring break. Both the Washington and Oregon coasts are dotted with adorable, quaint towns that fit everyone’s interests. Some coastal locations to check out when planning your trip include Manzanita, Astoria, Cannon Beach, and Astoria along Oregon’s coast. If you are interested in finding a spot along the Washington coast, check out Long Beach, Seabrook, or Kalaloch Lodge. All of these locations offer access to beautiful beaches and fun opportunities for shopping, hiking, dining and more.
Top photo via Morrisons Rogue Wilderness