Looking for a place to spend spring break or maybe just a spot to enjoy some sun post winter? These five locations are full of fun spring activities. Enjoy the sun without the sweltering heat on regional or international spring trip.
By Cady Price
Pacific Grove, California in the Spring
Located on the California coast near Monterey Bay, Pacific Grove is a quaint town with beautiful views and charming cottages.
Restaurants in Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove has plenty of options for eating whether you want a more casual dining experience or a formal dinner. Some popular options are listed below.
- Red House Café
- FISHWIFE
- Passionfish
- Fandango Restaurant
- Beach House Restaurant & Bar
Red House Café is in a converted Victorian style house making for a charming atmosphere. They serve contemporary American food, perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. FISHWIFE is located at the Beachcomber Inn. They serve delicious seafood meals with Caribbean influence. Stop in for lunch or dinner and don’t forget to check out happy hour for a refreshing drink. Passionfish is a seafood restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients including seafood and fish. They also offer wines from all over the world. Fandango Restaurant offers an upscale dining experience. Try their Mediterranean inspired dishes and pick from an extensive wine list. Beach House Restaurant & Bar has great views of Lover’s Point Beach and even better food. They specialize in California cuisine and also have a kids’ menu.
Places to Stay Pacific Grove, California
The town is known for its sizeable amount of 19th century Victorian style houses, many of which have been turned into lovely bed and breakfasts or Airbnb’s. Relax in a charming cottage or stay beachside at Lovers Point Inn or Seven Gables Inn.
Things to do Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove has plenty of activities to keep busy while visiting, for both kids and adults. The beach is a great way unwind and relax or try out a water sport. Asilomar State Beach is great for surfing or kayaking, or if you’re not into water sports, there’s a 3.5 mile trail with breathtaking views. If you’d rather lounge around on the sand, Lovers Point Beach and Park is a relaxing spot. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is great for kids of all ages. They showcase many forms of sea life like otters, sharks and a kelp garden. The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is home to thousands of Monarchs that migrate every year. Stop by to watch the colorful insects flutter around. Check out the Museum of Natural History to learn about local flora and fauna and cultural history of the area.
Transportation
If you don’t have your own car, you can travel around Pacific Grove on the bus or Uber. If you’d rather stay on your feet, the town is walkable and bikeable.
Fishing in Joe’s Valley Utah Photo Credit Tomasz Filipek
Spring Trip to Joe’s Valley, Utah
Joe’s Valley is a unique formation of sandstone boulders located in Central Utah. The area is famous for its 180+ bouldering sites. Along with the boulders, Joe’s Valley Reservoir and campgrounds are what bring in visitors. With ample outdoor activities and beautiful sights, like the glistening reservoir, Joe’s Valley perfect for an action-packed vacation.
Joe’s Valley Restaurants
Joe’s Valley is not a developed town or city. It is best for camping and outdoorsy activities. The only places to eat out or get groceries is in the nearby towns like Huntington, Orangeville and Castle Dale. If you plan on camping, it is best to get your groceries on your way in and prepare your own meals.
Great Places to Stay in Joe’s Valley
If you are not camping and wish to commute to Joe’s Valley for daily activities, there are several homes in Orangeville, Castle Dale and Huntington listed on Airbnb. There are also Inns, Lodges and hotels in the neighboring towns. If you are camping, Joe’s Valley Reservoir Campground is a great option, most spots are first-come first-served, so you may have to take your chances. You can also find your own secluded area and set up camp there.
Things to do in Utah
- Bouldering
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Off-roading
- Hunting
Bouldering, of course, is what most people to travel to Joe’s Valley for, but that isn’t your only option. For water fun, swimming, kayaking, fishing, boating and more can all be done at the reservoir. There are also ample off-road trails for 4×4 adventures. With a valid license, hunting for large and small game can be done in the area as well.
Amsterdam, Netherlands in the Spring
If you’re looking for a vibrant spring vacation, Amsterdam is a great option. Famous for epic tulip displays, Amsterdam is full of color and exciting activities. The city is home to many cultural, historical and artistic attractions.
Restaurants in Netherlands
- Jansz
- Hap-Hmm
- Moeder’s
- Stork
For an upscale dining experience, Jansz offers delicious seafood, steak and more with beautiful canal views. If you’re looking for authentic Dutch food, with a casual feel try Hap-Hmm. Moeder’s is a unique restaurant, decorated with photos of their customers’ mothers. They serve traditional Dutch meals like raw herring, meat, potatoes and more. Try their cocktails, beer, wine and children’s menu. Stork offers all things seafood with gorgeous views of the river IJ.
Places to Stay in Amsterdam
Whether you’re looking for budget friendly lodging, or going all out on a hotel room, Amsterdam has plenty of options. The Flying Pig Downtown Hostel is a less expensive stay within walking distance to Central Station and Dam Square. Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam is an whimsical building, made to look like houses stacked on top of each other. Check Airbnb for rooms on boats, apartments and more unique places to stay.
Things to do in the Netherlands
Start your trip off with a day trip to Keukenhof tulip fields. Enjoy a guided tour that includes transportation to see the breathtaking tulips. From March through May is the ideal time to see the tulips in bloom. Hour long canal cruises are great for a casual relaxing evening with snacks and drinks. For a cultural experience, the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House are located in the city. Or visit Rijksmuseum, which is home to over 5,000 paintings including some by Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Beer lovers will want to check out the Heineken Experience. During a tour through the first Heineken brewery, you’ll learn about the history of the company as well as the brewing process with tastings at the end. ARTIS is a zoo and botanical garden located near the city center. Check out many other museums, parks and don’t forget the Royal Palace.
Transportation in Amsterdam
Transportation is fairly easy in the city. Many places are walkable or bikeable if you are staying within the city. If not, the metro is a quick and easy way to get where you need to go. Buses and taxis are also plentiful.
Group Brewery Tours in Austin
Spring Vacation to Austin, Texas
Great for a laid-back trip, Austin, located in Eastern Texas, is home to fun bars and parks galore. Enjoy an easy outdoor afternoon and a drink at night. Enjoy live music at bars, events and festivals. Or get a ticket to South by Southwest, a five-day event of festivals and conferences including all things music, film and media.
Restaurants in Austin
Bars, pubs, breweries and more, Austin is the place for a night out. Sixth Street has an abundance of restaurants and bars whether you’re looking for a meal and a drink or to stay out until the wee hours. Try a famous Austin breakfast taco or some delicious barbeque. Paco’s Tacos and Vaquero Taquero both serve yummy breakfast tacos. Interstellar BBQ is a casual food joint, but very popular for its flavorful barbeque dishes. Expect lines or preorder online to get a taste.
Places to Stay in Austin, Texas
Staying downtown is convenient for walking access to restaurants or activities. Omni Austin Hotel, Hyatt Place, The LINE, Fairmount, Hilton Garden Inn and Firehouse Hostel are located downtown. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle at nighttime, Airbnb’s located outside of downtown or even outside the city are great options.
Things to do in Austin, Texas
- Brewery Tours
- Live music
- 10-mile hike or bike trail at Lady Bird Lake
- Kayaking/ swimming at Lady Bird Lake
- Zilker Park
- Barton Springs Pool
Brewery tours are a great way to see the city and taste some refreshing beers. You can book a tour with companies like Austin Brewery Tours, ATX Beer Bus or Bike and Brew ATX. Each tour visits multiple sits and includes transportation. Live music can be enjoyed at bars on Sixth Street or during events throughout the year like IHEARTCOUNTRY festival. If you’re looking for outdoorsy activities, Lady Bird Lake is a great option. You can hike a 10-mile trail or participate in water activates. Zilker Park is 351 acres of greenery and event space. Enjoy the sunshine or attend an event such as a kite festival or Blues on the Green. To cool off and relax, try Barton Springs Pool, a 3 acre pool filled with natural spring water.
Austin, Texas Transportation
Walking, biking or Uber will be the easiest, most convenient way to travel around Austin. If you’re looking to explore other areas renting a car would be a good idea. The city also has a metro bus system as a cheaper option.
Spring on Jeju Island, South Korea
Dubbed the Hawaii of South Korea, Jeju Island is known for its beautiful beaches and volcanic landscape. Located about 50 miles off the coast, visitors can travel to the island on an hour long flight from Seoul or take the ferry in 2 to 4 hours. Enjoy beautiful views of Hallasan Mountain, the highest peak in South Korea, or visit the world’s longest underground lava tube.
Restaurants on Jeju Island
- Boreumsup
- Gozip Dol Wooluck
- Indian Kitchen
- Macho Grill
Boreumsup serves delicious Korean barbeque with indoor and outdoor seating and views of the garden. For tasty seafood options like rockfish, sashimi and abalone try Gozip Dol Wooluck. Indian Kitchen offers traditional Indian dishes such as curry and naan with views of the tropical scenery. If you’re craving Mexican, Macho Grill is the place to go, they serve burritos, tacos and more.
Places to Stay on Jeju Island, Korea
Jeju Island is home to many luxury resorts and options on Airbnb. Homes, rooms, boat and cottages are available to rent during your stay. If you prefer resorts or hotels, Parnas Hotel is located near the beach and other activities like museums. Lotte Hotel is also located on the coast with beautiful views of the ocean and luxurious rooms. Marriott Jeju is a gorgeous resort with restaurants, picnic areas and a sizeable pool all located on-site.
Things to do on Jeju Island
The scenery on the island is worth doing all the outdoor activities. There are an abundance of breathtaking waterfalls, caves, beaches and volcanoes to explore either on your own or on a tour. Taking a submarine tour will give you a window into the marine life and soft coral reefs that surround the island. If you want to get out of the sun for a day, try one of the several museums in Jeju. Jeju National Museum, Jeju Folklore and Natural History Museum and Jeju Museum of War are all great options.
Jeju Island, Korea Transportation
Transportation on the island can be a bit difficult. Buses are available both to inland attractions and other cities, but the system can be somewhat confusing and you will have to wait for them. Taxis can be hired for short distances or for the full day, if you are not going far, traveling by bike or scooter would be easiest.
There’s plenty interesting places to visit in the spring, if you would like more spring travel ideas just Subscribe to Leisure Group Travel Magazine for FREE.
