13 Amazing Texas Family Spring Break Ideas
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This is a list of Texas family spring break ideas.
Spending your coveted spring break week in Texas and in need of Texas family spring break ideas? You’ve come to the right place! Texas is a large, beautiful state with plenty of family-friendly spring break options. You just need to know where to start! Here are 13 amazing options for a family spring break in Texas.
FAMILY SPRING BREAK IN GALVESTON TEXAS
What to Do
Relax in the sun and sand by spending spring break in Galveston, TX. This seaside city is only an hour’s drive from Houston and is a league all its own. Revel in the carnival environment of Pleasure Pier, stroll the historic Galveston Strand, and of course catch some waves at Galveston Beach. The kiddos can even become Jr. Park Rangers as part of Texas State Parks’ Youth Explorer Program.
Where to Stay
There are many family-friendly accommodation options in Galveston but our family’s favorite is Moody Gardens. This Galveston resort has special exhibits, an aquarium [with real live penguins], day cruises, a rain forest, and more. Their hotel also usually has special programs designed just for kids – a perfect option for a family spring break in Texas.
FAMILY SPRING BREAK IN DALLAS TEXAS
What to Do
The Dallas/Ft. Worth area is often overlooked when considering Texas family spring break ideas but it is actually a cool place to spend your spring break. Get the thrill of your lives at Six Flags Over Texas, watch knights fight for the Queen’s honor at Medieval Times [check out our Medieval Times Dallas review before your trip!], visit the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and splash your way to a good time at Epic Waters – the area’s newest indoor waterpark. Not to mention the Dallas and Fort Worth zoos, Fossil Rim [an African safari-like experience right in the heart of Texas, and more.
We’ve got a full list of the best drive through safaris in Texas here!
Where to Stay
The DFW metroplex is a rather large area so my recommendation would be to plan your itinersry first and then pick an area that’s closet to the places you wanst to visit. Our family favorite for a family spring break in Texas? The Gaylord Texan. It’s large enough to feel like its own city [there is even a mini Riverwalk in the hotel!] but close enough to venture out to see what the rest of the area has to offer.
Bonus Family Spring Break in Texas Destination: Frisco, TX! It is located in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area but really is a destination all its own. It’s quickly become one of our favorite cities to visit in Texas. Check out this list of things to do with kids in Frisco to fall in love with the city too!
FAMILY SPRING BREAK IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS
What to Do
inner daredevil at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, remember the Alamo, and learn all about the dynamic complex history of Texas and its Mexican roots. San Antonio is also home to Morgan’s Wonderland, the country’s first Ultra-Accessible amusement park. If you’re willing to travel a bit outside of the city limits, you’ll find even more delights like Wildlife Ranch Texas and Natural Bridge Caverns.
Where to Stay
FAMILY SPRING BREAK IN CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS
What to Do
Corpus Christi is one of the premier places for a family spending spring break in Texas. Located on the coast of Texas, Corpus Christi is home to the Texas State Aquarium, the USS Lexington, the original Whataburger [it counts as a landmark — ask any fellow Texan], several dynamic parks city-wide, and the ever loved Schlitterbahn water park. You can spend your family spring break in Texas doing everything in the city or just relaxing on the beach.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Corpus Christi, it is hard to beat the Schlitterbahn Resort Corpus Christi. A resort with a built-in water park? It sounds like a win to me!
FAMILY SPRING BREAK IN WACO TEXAS
What to Do
Waco, TX is more than just the home of Chip and Joanna Gaines and there is plenty to do here! Check out the Mammoth National Monument with real-life mammoth bones, visit the Dr. Pepper Museum, or see the Baylor Bears on campus. And of course, no visit to Waco is complete without checking out the infamous Magnolia Silos. Check out this full list of things to do with kids in Waco.
Where to Stay
If you want the full Waco experience for spring break, consider staying in a property from Chip and Joanna Gaines’ show Fixer Upper. There are quite a few listings on Expedia for properties that were featured on the show like.
Also, consider a farm stay for a truly unique family spring break in Texas idea! We stayed on a ranch during our visit to Waco with kids and it was so much fun.
FAMILY SPRING BREAK IN HOUSTON TEXAS
What to Do
Houston isn’t just the birthplace of the infamous Beyonce Knowles-Carter. It’s also a first-rate Texas family spring break idea! Within the city, families can enjoy Hermann Park [with a mirthful roll down Hippe Hill], visit the highly-rated Houston Zoo, partake in a number of world-class museums, and catch a professional sporting event [after all Houston is home to a basketball, baseball, soccer, football, and hockey team]. Attractions like the Kemah Boardwalk are only a short drive away too. Not to mention all the water parks and attractions just a short drive away in the suburbs. Balling on a budget during your family spring break in Houston? We’ve got a list of free things to do in Houston with kids that are unique to Texas!
Where to Stay
Houston is a large sprawling city with fun things to do in every quadrant. Our favorite areas to stay are downtown, the Galleria, and the Memorial/CityCentre area. If you’re okay with staying in the suburbs and are looking for a resort hotel [with a water park], then the Woodlands Resort is your best bet.
FAMILY SPRING BREAK IN NEW BRAUNFELS TEXAS
What to Do
New Braunfels is known for the natural spring that runs through the city and connects with the Guadalupe River. As such, there are a ton of water related activities in this quaint city like tubing at the New Braunfels Tubing Chute, wading in the Lake Landa, or fishing at Landa Park. The city also has antique shops, natural caverns, nature trails, and more.
New Braunfels is also the origin city of water park mega-giant Schlitterbahn. Unlike other locations, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is built around miles of river and it is actually incorporated into many of the rides. If you’re considering the city for spring break in Texas for 2019, they are also opening a new section of the park called Blastenhoff during spring break!
Where to Stay
FAMILY SPRING BREAK IN SOUTH PADRE ISLAND TEXAS
What to Do
Fair warning on this one: South Padre Island is a popular option for spring break in Texas for everyone – especially college students. Meaning not everything there will be 100% kid friendly. That being said, it is still a great family Texas spring break idea. The main attraction to this beautiful city is of course its expansive beach. Nature loving families will also love their sea turtle sanctuary, their birding center, and numerous fishing piers.
Where to Stay
Water park mega-giant Schlitterbahn has a location in South Padre too – which actually includes an indoor water park. The cool news is that you can stay on property at the Schlitterbahn Resort South Padre Island!
FAMILY SPRING BREAK AT JELLYSTONE PARK TEXAS
What to Do
There are seven total Yogi Bear Jellystone Parks in Texas:
- Lone Star Jellystone in Hempstead, TX
- Canyon Lake near San Antonio, TX
- Rustic Creek Ranch in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
- Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg, TX
- Whispering Pines in Tyler, TX
- Coyote Ranch in Wichita Falls, TX
- Guadalupe River in Kerrville, TX
Each has different amenities available but all have playgrounds, planned family events, and a theater. Spend spring break communing with Texas nature while having a blast with the family!
Where to Stay
Here, of course! Depending on the location you select, there are a variety of housing options. From RV hookups to fully furnished cabins, Jellystone Park has you covered.
FAMILY SPRING BREAK AT BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK IN TEXAS
What to Do
Located in far west Texas on the very edge of the state, Big Bend National Park is as authentic Texas as you can get. Explore the expansive Boquillas Canyon, trek the many nature trails in the park, camp under the stars [while singing “The stars at night are big and bright” — don’t leave out the claps!], kayak the Rio Grande, or horseback ride through Study Butte. Either way, it is a fabulous way to spend your family spring break becoming one with the nature of Texas
Where to Stay
Lodging within Big Bend National Park goes fast! Due to the brutal temperatures of the summer, spring break is one of their busiest times of the year and places to stay are in high demand. If you can swing it, the Chisos Mountains Lodge is highly recommended. The Big Bend National Park has a handy lodging chart available too.
FAMILY SPRING BREAK AT DIXIE DUDE RANCH IN TEXAS
What to Do
There are very little experiences in Texas as Texan as staying at a dude ranch. So why not spend your family spring break in Texas at the Dixie Dude Ranch? Horseback riding, home cooked meals, and horseback riding [did I say that twice?] await you in this Western wonderland. Guests can partake in swimming, fishing, campfire sing-a-longs, hayrides, and more. Massage therapists are also available for those in need of relaxation. The Dixie Dude Ranch is autism friendly as well.
Where to Stay
It wouldn’t be a complete dude ranch experience without a stay in one of Dixie’s accommodations. From rooms to duplexes to cabins, they have a variety of lodging options to fit every family.
FAMILY SPRING BREAK AT PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK
What to Do
Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States and is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Texas. It is in the panhandle near Amarillo, TX and offers more than 29,000 acres of fun for the family. Spend the week exploring via automobile, hiking the nature trails, biking the canyon, or horse back riding. Spring break is one of their busiest seasons so they even have special events planned guaranteed to be fun for the entire family.
Where to Stay
There are campsites and cabins available to rent at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. If you’d prefer to stay outside of the park, however, there are many family friendly options in the area.
FAMILY SPRING BREAK IN EL PASO TEXAS
What to Do
Hike the mountains, visit the city zoo, ride the aerial tram, and explore the trails at Franklin Mountains State Park. Kiddos interested in law enforcement can also visit the Border Patrol museum to learn about all things related to keeping our borders safe. El Paso maintains its Native American roots as well and is home to the Tigua Indian Cultural Center and Museum where kids can perform traditional social dances to Tigua songs in the plaza.
Where to Stay
El Paso is a pretty large city and the attractions are pretty spread out. Best recommendation would be to pick a place to stay based on your ideal itinerary. The Wyndham El Paso Airport is a family favorite with its own water park.
Have you visited any of these places or have other Texas family Spring Break ideas? Share them below!
