The time is now to plan your Spring Break getaway!  Here are my top five recommendations for an unforgettable vacation.  Book now for the best deals. 

• Sun and Sand 

Mexico, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, anywhere in the Caribbean will feel like paradise!  Click HERE to view the 17 best resorts in the Caribbean for families of all ages in 2024 according to US News and World Reports.

I would recommend the Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton: Curacao.  This resort provides excellent value, family style rooms, great dining, a full waterpark, and beautiful beach access.  This resort provides a vacation of relaxation and thrills all in one. 

• Cruise from Local Ports

Perhaps you still want to soak up the sun in a beautiful tropical destination but don’t want to take on all of the hassle of flying, look no further than a cruise leaving from the tri-state area from NJ or NYC.  In addition, Baltimore and Boston have some more options too!  Cruise lines like Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Carnival all offer cruises from our area.  Check out this Cruises.com to find cruises that best fit your family’s needs.  

My pick here is the MSC Meraviglia cruise from Brooklyn, NYC.  This cruise sails to Port Canaveral (Florida), Nassau and Ocean Cay Bahamas.  Ocean Cay is MSC Cruise Lines privately owned island.  From personal experience, MSC prides themselves on great value vacations with a luxurious feel while being mindful and respectful of the environment.

• Head Abroad

For under $600 roundtrip per person, you can fly nonstop to cities like London, Paris, Barcelona, and Rome.  Spring break is a great time to visit Europe as crowds are far reduced compared to the summer.  Flight prices are also much lower as every state in America has different spring breaks.  Head over to Google Flights to begin finding amazing deals!  

I suggest Barcelona, Spain for beautiful sights enriched with culture in a tropical climate.  La Sagrada Familia and the city’s varying architecture is incredible and the food is delicious.

•  East Coast Road Trip/Staycation

Whether you just have a few days, or the entire week, there are some great cities on the east coast to visit during spring break.  Boston, Washington D.C. and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to name a few.  All of these cities are within just a few short hours of Central NJ.  You can even take an Amtrak train from Metropark station in Edison to all of these cities.  I recommend Boston, and the InterContinetal Hotel on the Boston Harbor.  Definitely purchase the GoCity Boston Pass – it includes Whale Watching, aquarium, bike rentals, historical museums, etc.

Short on time?  Visit NYC on NJTransit from Little Silver, Long Branch, or Red Bank.  Be sure to check out Edge NYC for jaw-dropping views.  Try to book a time slot around sunset and arrive early to get the best pictures.  However, all times of the day offer a great view and a cool experience.

•  Snow trip out west

If you want to stay in slightly colder weather, try a ski trip in Colorado before all of the snow melts!  You can fly into Denver.  There are many ski resort areas within about a two hour drive of the Denver airport including Winter Park, Breckenridge and Loveland Ski Areas.  Also, spend some time in Denver to experience all that the Mile High City has to offer!  

My choice would be to check out Denver for a few days, then rent an Airbnb in Breckenridge and be on the slopes in 2 hours.   You’ll be able to walk to the chairlift and to the cool downtown area for shopping and dinner.

Trends have shown that the Newark (EWR) Airport is not always the most economical option for travelers.  Although in many instances Newark does offer competitive fares, other times it does not.  While you are searching for flights on Google Flights, also check out other surrounding airports such as New York’s JFK and LaGuardia Airports and Philadelphia International Airport.  You can even explore Atlantic City and Trenton airports for east coast travel (these airports offer great flight options specifically to Florida without all of the hassle)!

If you do end up at EWR, the NEW Terminal A is a nice plus.  It is very modern and contains new food options like Playa Bowls, Jersey Mikes, and NJ inspired art, the Statue of Liberty, and a big Rutgers University “R”.

These options include something for everyone’s mood and budget.  You simply cannot go wrong with exploring a new place.   According to Forbes Magazine, 49% of Americans plan to travel more in 2023.  Let’s increase that number even more in 2024 and get out there!