Hitting the beach or going to Orlando is always an option, but sometimes, you want a location that’s less packed with people. That’s why we compiled a list of five not-so-common places your family can visit this spring break, from small-town shopping spots to cities full of “magic.”
Let’s get started!
Micanopy, FL
What to do
If you’re into art, artifacts or antiquing, Micanopy is your destination. Cholokka Boulevard, the town’s main street, is packed with unique, locally-owned shops selling art, home goods and more! Large moss-drenched trees line the road, and the red brick 19th-century buildings make you feel like you’re walking into another time.
Once you’ve had your fill, it’s time to turn to nature. Micanopy has two state parks: Price’s Scrub State Park and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Price’s Scrub is home to a 9.5-mile trail system where you can hike, bicycle, birdwatch or even ride horses. Meanwhile, Paynes Prairie is famous for its wild, free-roaming bison and horses. It also features eight trails and a 50-foot observation tower.
Where to eat
Micanopy is packed with restaurants, but Old Florida Cafe is — you guessed it — the oldest. Eclectically decorated and cozy, it’s best known for its Cubans, Reubens, and BLTs. Follow it up with a mug of Cuban coffee or a slice of fresh, homemade Key Lime pie!
Where to stay
If you want a stay as quaint as Miconopy itself, try the Herlong Mansion. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the three-story house is a bed and breakfast inn dating back to 1845. It features 13 unique rooms, a Southern breakfast every morning, and home-baked cookies and wine in the afternoon!
Jupiter, FL
What to do
If you’re in the mood for beaches, Jupiter has several. But if you prefer something more seclusive, check out Riverbend Park, where you can bike, hike, fish, or kayak and canoe by or in the lower Loxahatchee River. Look out — you may see a yellow-bellied turtle or great blue heron!
You also can’t visit Jupiter without seeing its lighthouse. At the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, visitors are welcome to climb up the lighthouse’s 105 steps for a sweeping view of the inlet, as well as explore the site’s museum and pioneer house.
Where to eat
While in Jupiter, you can’t go wrong with Guanabanas. This unique outdoor restaurant looks like a seaside paradise, with a palm tree-shaded path winding through the tables that rest underneath large umbrellas or tiki huts. The seafood is often freshly caught, and live bands usually play on small stages.
After your meal, feel free to lounge on the enormous porch facing the Jupiter waterfront. There’s a wooden beach chair waiting for you!
Where to stay
True to its name, Jupiter Waterfront Inn is right on the inlet, offering wonderful seaside views. The rooms also feature a private balcony, 42-inch flatscreen TV, free high-speed internet, and more! Some suites even have jacuzzis.
Valdosta, Georgia
If you’ve ever driven up through Georgia from Florida, you’ve probably passed Valdosta without a second thought. But this city off I-75 has a lot to offer!
What to do
Wild Adventures is sure to be a hit. It’s a theme park, water park and animal park all in one 170-acre campus! It features more than two dozen rides suited for different ages; front-row seats to see creatures like capybaras, caracals and boa constrictors; and live music and animal shows. One thing to consider is the timing of your visit; Wild Adventures is closed in winter and will open for the 2024 season in mid-March.
The thrills don’t end there. Consider Valdosta Wake Compound, where you can try out watersports even with no prior experience. And to cool down, you can always admire international art at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts or peruse goodies at the South Georgia Pecan Company.
Finally, if it fits your schedule, check out the massive 2024 Azalea Festival. From March 9-10, downtown Valdosta’s Drexel Park will host hundreds of arts and crafts vendors alongside live music and other entertainment.
Where to eat
Are you serious about steak? So is Austin’s Cattle Company. That’s why they have an in-house butcher, making sure the meat you eat is always fresh and never frozen. It’s also an excellent spot for BBQ and seafood, if you’re in the mood.
Where to stay
You’ll find few hotels as unique as The McKey. It was initially built in 1906 as a church and office space, but a local couple bought the building in 2021. After two years of renovations, it’s now home to 12 rooms, a coffee shop and an event space.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is Alabama's largest city with a rich history and culture. You’ll never run out of things to do in the “Magic City!”
What to do
Birmingham’s greatest strength is its versatility. You can see classic motorcycles at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, then turn around and stand your hair on end with an electrostatic machine at the McWayne Science Center. The beautiful 67.5-acre Birmingham Botanical Gardens and sizable Birmingham Zoo are perfect for a sunny day outside. And for something educational, try out the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Where to eat
Although it has a funny name, Yo’ Mama’s in downtown Birmingham is not joking around with its home-cooked meals. The restaurant specializes in lunch and brunch, serving up Southern classics like shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles and a BBQ cheeseburger. Yo’ Mama’s even makes its own sauces, including the “POE,” or “put on everything!”
Where to stay
Birmingham Tree House isn’t literally a treehouse, but it channels the same magic of one. Offering seven boho-style rooms, this boutique hotel is an 1898 mansion-turned-inn. It’s known for its location in the historic Five Points South neighborhood and its two yoga studios, complete with weekly classes!
Wilmington, North Carolina
You’ve seen Wilmington as the backdrop of shows like Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill — but have you ever actually been there? This cozy coastal town has no shortage of fun activities.
What to do
Like Jupiter, Wilmington is right on the water, so beaches are always an option. But if you’d rather stay dry, there’s always the Wilmington Riverwalk, a two-mile stretch close to 200 restaurants, shops and other attractions. You can even fish at Conlon Pier!
Wilmington is also where the Battleship North Carolina, which served in World War II, is docked. With tickets, you can explore its nine levels and learn about its 2,000 crew members. And don’t forget about the Airlie Gardens, or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher!
Where to eat
If you’re going to a seaside town, you of course have to get seafood — and few restaurants do it better than Catch. This spot has been featured on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef,” and for good reason. Enjoy wild-caught or sustainably-raised fish and other seafood in dishes like jumbo lump crab cakes or crispy skin salmon filet.
Where to stay
ARRIVE Wilmington was made for those who want to sit back and relax. The 34 rooms are designed to let natural light in, and visitors have access to a courtyard featuring a Gazebo Bar, fire pits, and lawn games. The location is even outfitted with a Southern coastal restaurant, if you’d rather not leave the premises to eat.