With March and April quickly approaching, I wanted to share a list of MY personal recommendations for great places to go in 2021 that are relatively accessible considering the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are not your MTV-esque Spring Break destinations, but they are places I am considering and would recommend to any of my family and friends.

As you will see, I gravitate towards destinations with nature, hiking, and beaches.

At the age of 44, I am no longer a party animal.  The fact that I just used the term ‘party animal’ pretty much solidifies that point!  However, I’m certain that anyone looking to party will find it at any of these destinations.

So…

Without further ado and, in no particular order, here are my recommendations:

NOTE:  I always recommend travelers stay up-to-day on the latest restrictions before going anywhere and always follow local health advice.

1)  Scottsdale, Arizona

 

As a Minnesota native, I have a lot of friends and family who “snowbird” or have moved to Arizona. As such, I have spent a considerable amount of time there myself, especially in Scottsdale, just outside of Phoenix…

Side note:  I flew from Florida to Phoenix yesterday and am finalizing this article from a beautiful vacation rental in Scottsdale.  That’s how much I recommend Scottsdale!  🙂

Pros

• Warm and sunny weather. The average highs in March and April are 78 to 86 degrees, low humidity, and typically rains only 3-4 days per month.
• Variety of food and drinks. Check out Old Town Scottsdale for a laid back vibe with tacos and local, live music. Or checkout The District for a high energy night with DJs and nightclub-hopping.
• Infinite number of things to do. I enjoy a mixture of shopping, golfing, soaking up sun by the pool, hiking local trails like Camelback, and/or catching an outdoor baseball game during Spring Training.  You can also take a day or weekend trip away from the city to nearby places like Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon for more fun adventures.
• Great airport. The Phoenix airport is always rated one of the top airports in the US.  It’s super easy to navigate and you can get in and out really quickly.  PHX is a great airport because it’s a Southwest Airlines hub, which is often the lowest priced carrier (especially for those with the SWA Companion Pass).
• Getting around. Having a car in Scottsdale makes it really easy to get around.  However, if you don’t want to rent a car there, services like Uber and Lyft are very reliable and plentiful.  You can even use them from the airport, which is very convenient.

Cons

• Not budget-friendly. Accommodations, restaurants, and bars can be pretty expensive.  If you’re staying for more than a week and want to save some money, I would suggest a vacation rental with a kitchen to cook your meals, and only rent a car the days you really need to.  Also, I had dinner last night with some friends at Cien Agaves in Old Town Scottsdale (a great Mexican restaurant) and mentioned Scottsdale is in my top destinations in the US but it can be expensive, especially eating out at restaurants.  Two of my friends instantly replied in unison: “…but our happy hours…” Apparently, Scottsdale is like the unofficial “Happy Hour Capital of the World,” so that is another tip for saving money when in Scottsdale.

2)  Utah National Parks

A few years back, I took an incredible 10-day trip to Utah to visit all 5 National Parks in Utah: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.  The trip was one of my most memorable, and I dream of going back some day!

Pros

• The beauty. Before going to Utah, my Dad said he didn’t think anything could top the scenery of Sedona.  His thinking has since changed!  It was also fun to experience the uniqueness and personality of each park.
• Hiking options. Along with all the beauty is infinite hiking possibilities.  A quick Google search is all you need to plan out a plethora of hikes!
• Good hiking weather. Typical high temperatures in March and April are in the range of mid-50’s to mid-60’s which is ideal for hiking.  I highly recommend dressing in lots of layers though.
• Limited crowds. If you explore these parks during the Spring of 2021, you will have significantly fewer tourists to deal with.  These parks get unbelievably busy during the summer months of a “normal” (aka non-pandemic) year.

Cons

• No beaches or pool weather. If you’re looking to lounge at the beach or around a pool, this is not a trip for you.  The temperature is way too cold for that.  However, you will be able to engross yourself in and hike some of the most amazing and unique natural features in the world.
• Small town vibes. We flew in and out of Salt Lake City which is a very large city.  (Also, home to my favorite Mexican restaurant, the Red Iguana).  However, once you’re outside the city and near the parks, the towns are pretty small and not very “cosmopolitan.”  If bustling urban life is your jam, this is not the right destination for you.  Utah is the perfect place for those interesting in decompressing and enjoying the laid back vibe.

3)  Siesta Key, Florida

I have enjoyed Siesta Key several times and look forward to going back again soon if I can.  My favorite visit and most relaxing visit was in May 2020 when we rented a condo about 500 yards from Crescent Beach.

Pros

• Beaches. The incredible turquoise water and white powder sand makes it a beach-lover’s paradise.  If you’re looking for a destination to just chill out in the sun and relax, this is where you need to go!
• Vibe. I love the laid back and chill vibe on the island of Siesta Key!  On the island, the vibe comes from the relaxed retirees living there and the unique local establishments.  Once on the mainland in Sarasota, you will find more of a busy vibe with lots of people and activity as well as more franchised/chain stores and restaurants. We enjoyed our morning walks around the island when it was especially quiet and relaxing.

Cons

• Cost. Siesta Key is not the most budget-friendly place to go.  Accommodations can be expensive this time of year but if you do your research, you can find some affordable options.  I also recommend finding a vacation rental with a kitchen and stopping at the grocery and liquor stores so you can cook some of your own meals and stir up some of your own cocktails.
• Beach Parking. If you are not located within walking distance from the beach, it can be a challenge to find parking at the beach.  Siesta Key has one really large parking lot toward the middle of the island.  It’s free but you will likely need to drive around waiting for a spot to open up.  Also, there are several smaller parking lots at the various entry points along the beach.  These lots are very small and fill up quickly but congratulate yourself if you score one of these coveted spots!  It also helps to have a small vehicle!  Based on our experience, the key to easy parking at the beach is it to get there early!

4)  Destin, Florida

I have only been to Destin one time – right after my last day of work in Corporate America.  I called that Monday my “Best Monday Ever”.

Pros

• Beaches. Just like Siesta Key, the beaches are AMAZING!  These are arguably the best beaches in Florida. I wish I could share with you ALL of the incredible pictures I took on our one weekend there.
• Attractions. There are a ton of things to do in Destin.  It felt very developed and commercial, with large resorts and chain restaurants and stores.  There are tons of shopping opportunities and just about every franchise restaurant you can imagine.  I would say it’s a very family-friendly destination.

Cons

• Cost. Accommodations in Destin can be expensive if you want to be close to the beach.  Resort costs can add up quickly this time of year, but there are strategies to make it more affordable.  Similar to Siesta Key, I recommend finding a vacation rental with a kitchen and cooking as many of your own meals as you can.
• Beach Parking. We had to drive around a while, but we were able to find affordable street parking relatively close to the beach.  If memory serves me, I think it was only $1 per hour.  Again, the key to easy parking at the beach is it to get there early!

5)  Sundara Spa in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

I have been to the Sundara Spa a few times. It has been a popular destination amongst my friends for girls’ weekends and it’s truly amazing.  Located in Wisconsin Dells, it is definitely not your “typical” spring break destination but it’s not your typical year so I highly recommend you consider checking it out!

Pros

• Pampering.  Sundara Spa is consistently ranked among the top spas in the entire US.  The spa ritual and staff are all top-notch.  Check out their website for more details.  Also, they have incredible outdoor, steaming hot tubs that are perfect for soaking when it’s a little cold outside.
• Winter beauty. There is often still snow on the ground in March and April in Wisconsin.  Therefore, those looking to experience snow without the awful January & February Midwest temperatures will love this destination.
• Local Attractions. While Sundara (and spas in general) are not the most family-friendly, there are plenty of other activities to do in Wisconsin Dells if you’re bringing the kids.  Other nearby activities include local vineyards and breweries, casinos, live music, and outdoor activities like hiking and biking (weather permitting of course).

Cons

• Not a beachy getaway. Wisconsin is NOT a warm weather destination in the Spring.
• Cost. Services at the Sundara Spa are incredible but a day of pampering can add up.  Keep your eyes out for deals and discounts online and call them directly to see if they’re running an specials.  It’s well worth the  experience at this world class spa.  Also, the onsite accommodations are amazing but if you need to save a little money, stay at the Wilderness resort and coordinate a private shuttle to and from Sundara.

6)  Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona

Check out this great video recap from my most recent trip to the Grand Canyon was in February 2020, right before all the chaos of COVID-19 hit the US. On this trip, we did a rim-to-rim day hike down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up to the top.  For several reasons, it was one of the most cathartic and life-changing experiences of my life.

Pros

• Scenery. It goes without saying the beauty in and around the Grand Canyon is spectacular.  Everyone needs to see it in person at least once in their life.  Pictures just don’t do it justice.  They don’t call it one of the “Wonders of the World” for nothing!
• Hiking & camping. While we did our rim-to-rim adventure as a day hike, I think the Spring (like March or April) would be an ideal time to hike down to the bottom and camp there for a night or two before hiking back up.  We hope to camp at the bottom of the canyon someday.
• Pleasant weather. Typical high temperatures in March and April are in the range of mid-70’s to low-80’s.  If you plan to just drive around the various overlooks and such, the temperatures are perfect.  However, this can be a little warm for hiking but if you are prepared, considerate of the time of day you’re hiking, and dressed in layers, it would be great.
• Limited crowds. Similar to the National Parks in Utah, if you go to the Grand Canyon during the Spring of 2021, you will have significantly fewer tourists and traffic to deal with.  You will also be more likely to chat with the park rangers to learn more about the history and get insider tips on things to do and see in the park.
• Nearby attractions. There are tons of other things to see within a 1-2 hour drive of the Grand Canyon.  I highly recommend stops to enjoy the scenery or hike at places like Sedona, the Little Colorado Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the Painted Desert, and Monument Valley.
• Off Season Savings. When we were there in February, we paid about $100 per night at the Grand Hotel which was just outside the park entrance.  Interestingly, a friend booked the same hotel a few months later in July, and it was over $300 per night.  I just looked on Hotels.com and they’re now offering rooms for $150 per night.  You can definitely save some money by going in the off season.

Cons

• Not a party scene. Similar to Utah, this is a destination in which to explore the serenity of nature. The Grand Canyon offers a completely different way to decompress and relax.  You will often find yourself amongst complete silence, which is incredible for recharging your batteries.  This is also a very family-friendly destination.
• Expensive food. While spending time in nature and visiting in the off-season are both budget-friendly things to do, we found restaurant prices in and around the park to be quite over-priced for the quality of food and service you receive.  For example, a local Mexican restaurant served mediocre food with entrees priced around $18-20 each.  We got a similar impression at our hotel restaurant.  Therefore, we bought groceries to eat in our hotel room instead of going out to eat at restaurants every meal.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading about my recommendations for some “less typical” Spring Break destinations.

I think these destinations are worthy of consideration for Spring Break 2021 but also for any time of year and in future years to come!

My questions for you are: 

• Where are you going for Spring Break this year?
• Are there any US destinations you think I should have included?

All the best,

Kristie