While these hubs can stand alone as exciting spring break destinations, tacking on a short drive allows families to take part in that great American travel tradition—the Road Trip.
Virginia Beach: The East Coast Surfing Capital
With the recent opening of the Atlantic Park Surf, North America’s first Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon, Virginia Beach has elevated its appeal as a spring break destination. Families can book beginner surf lessons or progressive wave sessions, while those who prefer a slower pace can lounge along the lagoon’s beach.
Kids will enjoy visiting the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, exploring the three-mile Virginia Beach Boardwalk by bike, and getting close to aquatic wildlife on a dolphin or whale watching excursion. Families staying at the Embassy Suites Oceanfront Resort, part of the Cavalier Resort, also have access to the multiple indoor pools across the resort campus.
For those willing to venture a bit farther, Norfolk sits just 20 minutes away, offering a change of pace without losing the coastal feel. Stops like the Virginia Zoo and Norfolk Botanical Garden are easy additions, as is an afternoon at Harbor Park watching the Norfolk Tides play.
Roanoke: A Mountain Playground for Active Families
Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke offers a spring break that pairs easy-access hiking with hands-on attractions—ideal for families who want equal parts fresh air and activity. Children can see an array of exotic animals at Mill Mountain Zoo, get hands-on with planes and trains at the Virginia Museum of Transportation, and play all day long at the seven-story Center in the Square amusement complex with an aquarium, children’s museum, and theater.
Black Dog Salvage, made famous by the television show Salvage Dawgs, is a highlight for antique-enthusiast parents and grandparents. If convenience is key, a stay at Hotel Roanoke or Liberty Trust Hotel is suggested, but those looking for outdoorsy accommodations will love the cabins and yurts at Explore Park. Nearby, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail provide easy access to scenic hikes, while Smith Mountain Lake offers boating and lakeside views.
Alexandria: A City-Centric Spring Break with Free Museums
For families who prefer a true city spring break experience, Alexandria combines historic charm with easy access to Washington, D.C.’s museum scene. Just across the Potomac River, they can explore the 17 free museums and galleries of the Smithsonian Institution, or opt to stay in Virginia to visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon, play with the animals at Frying Pan Farm Park, or see more than 200 aircraft at the Smithsonian-owned Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
The waterfront Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria puts families steps away from all the shopping and dining of King Street, an area known for its beautiful historic architecture.
Williamsburg: History & Theme Park Thrills
Williamsburg blends the immersive American history of attractions like Colonial Williamsburg, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, and Jamestown Settlement with major family attractions like Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA, Williamsburg, allowing families to fill a week with nonstop fun easily. A stay at Great Wolf Lodge lets kids play in the indoor water park despite cooler spring temps.
Newport News, less than 30 minutes away, has many additional family entertainment options, from the Virginia Living Museum, dedicated to the native animals, plants, and ecosystems of Virginia, to Mariners’ Museum & Park and Bluebird Gap Farm, both offering free admission.