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March and April in Colorado are, you know, fine. They can be wintry or springlike, and hiking season is just a bright dot on the horizon. The skiing is OK, if you’re willing to dodge Texans like pinballs and wait in the season’s most atrocious lines. The kids have a week off school, which means you’re fielding work emails while keeping the minions entertained .(One more episode won’t hurt them, you tell yourself for the fifth time.) On second thought, maybe it’s best to get outta Dodge.
Unsure where to go? We can help. Read on to find eight destinations for skiers, nature lovers, families, and couples—all a nonstop flight away from Denver International Airport.
Jump ahead:
- Best for animal lovers: Monterey, California
- Best for bougie globe-trotters: Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Best for sports enthusiasts: Phoenix (and Scottsdale), Arizona
- Best for beach bums: Cancún, Mexico
- Best for skiers: Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
- Best for families: Toronto, Canada
- Best for learners: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Best for everyone: Amelia Island, Florida
Monterey, California
Direct flight to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)
Best for: The traveler who loves nature
Because: You won’t find gray whales, sea otters, or bloodybelly comb jellies in the Centennial State.
Begin your trip by jumping directly into the deep end–or at least boating over its surface. An excursion with Princess Monterey Whale Watching delivers a 99 percent success rate of spotting humpbacks, orcas, Risso’s dolphins, or any of the other swimming species that call the 12,743-foot depths of Monterey Bay home. Once you’ve met some of the locals from a distance, get up-close and personal with the harbor seals, great whites (herons, that is), and an anemone or two during a guided kayak tour of Elkhorn Slough with Monterey Bay Kayaks (kiddos and beginners welcome). Just be careful not to distract the sea otters from their tasty lunch of giant innkeeper worms. For waterfalls and redwoods, hop on Highway 1 and head south toward Big Sur, where a dramatic coastline offers numerous Insta-worthy overlooks.
No trip to Monterey would be complete without a visit to the city’s acclaimed aquarium, where more than 80,000 creatures swim, wriggle, and writhe. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which served as the inspiration for the Marine Life Institute in Finding Dory, you can see crystal jellyfish put on light shows, watch a giant Pacific octopus vanish into its surroundings, and, if you time it right, grimace as the leopard sharks gobble bits of squid.
Where to stay: Want to start each morning with a beachside stroll and watch the waves roll out every night? Then the newly redesigned Monterey Beach Hotel, part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, is the lodging you’re looking for. With expansive views into Monterey Bay from the casually luxe lobby (and your room, if you spring for ocean-view accommodations), the hotel boasts 192 thoughtfully appointed rooms with D.S. & Durga’s Big Sur After Rain bath products, sea-inspired decor, and a pair of Nocs binoculars perfect for porpoise-watching. Guests also get free access to the hotel’s fleet of e-bikes and a $25 credit to the wine wall per night.
What to eat: You came to Monterey for the seaside town’s access to aquatic life. So, in addition to spotting dolphins, smelling the briny air, hearing the grumpy gulls, and petting a bat ray in one of the aquarium’s touch pools, be sure to taste your way through the area’s edible marine delights as well. Abalonetti Bar & Grill, located steps from your whale-watching cruise on Old Fisherman’s Wharf, offers its calamari fried, buffalo-style, on a bun, or in numerous other forms. For award-winning lobster bisque, creamy crab carbonara, or buttery wild halibut, head to Flaherty’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar, found five miles outside of Monterey in the quaint artist’s hub Carmel-By-the-Sea. When you’re sufficiently sick of seafood (if that’s even possible), try a morning bun from the Power Plant Coffee, hot apple pie from Big Sur River Inn Restaurant, or the artichoke cupcakes available along the Artichoke Trail in nearby Castroville, dubbed “The Artichoke Center of the World.” Nibble an order of sweet potato fries from Woody’s at the Airport, voted “Best Airport Restaurant” in 2023 and 2024 by USA Today, to tide you over on the three-hour flight home.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Direct flight to Liberia Guanacaste International Airport (LIR)
Best for: The luxury-loving traveler
Because: Sometimes you just have to treat yourself. When you’re ready to swipe that Visa with abandon, do so at the brand-new Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property just 45 minutes outside of Liberia, Costa Rica.
You’ll hop on your nonstop United flight and, in just a touch over five hours, be transported from the Centennial State’s high desert climate to an upscale jungle oasis found within the protected Peninsula Papagayo’s 1,400 acres of tropical dry forest. Don’t fret: Despite the moniker, the region has a delightfully humid climate (especially compared to Colorado’s aridity) sure to soothe your chapped lips and knuckles. If the moisture in the air doesn’t quite do the trick, simply book a treatment at Nekajui’s 27,000-square-foot Nimbu Spa and Wellness center.
When you’re not relishing a Flor de Juanilama massage or soaking in Latin America’s largest hydrotherapy pool, try one of the resort’s more adrenaline-inducing activities. Paddle through the walking palm trees of Palmares or take a two-hour guided aerial experience across ziplines and rope bridges.
Where to stay: Ocean views from a room that’s at minimum 873 square feet? Ocean views from a luxury suite with an outdoor shower and separate living room? Or ocean views from one of the three luxury treetop tents built into the cliffside? Decisions, decisions. Each option comes with an expansive terrace or balcony and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors to ensure full enjoyment of said vistas, along with rich teak wood decor that’s an authentic representation of Guanacastecan architecture. Book one of the “plunge” accommodations, and you’ll have a four-foot-deep patio pool all to yourself.
What to eat: Seven different on-site dining options serve up delicious meals from dawn to dark. Start the day by imbibing Costa Rica’s famed coffee culture via a single-origin pour-over from Café Rincón, named after the Rincón de la Vieja volcano visible from the resort. For lunch, choose from Mediterranean fare served seaside at Niri Beach Club or order a tuna poke bowl (and probably a rum-forward Manga Electrica to go with it) poolside. With world-renowned chef Diego Muñoz, who’s known for incorporating multicultural influences into traditional Peruvian cuisine, at the helm of Puna, where to eat dinner just might be the easiest decision of the day.
Phoenix (and Scottsdale), Arizona
Direct flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Best for: The traveler who wants to watch (and wager on) games of all kinds
Because: The nation’s fifth largest city hosts more than the Super Bowl (though it’s done that four times). Phoenix offers nearly every major North American sport in a professional setting between February and May, which means that no matter what shape of ball strikes your fancy, the newly dubbed “Championship Valley” has it.
Rockies loyalists keen to get their first look at Kyle Freeland’s fastball will have plenty of opportunities during the Cactus League season, which runs through March 25, while basketball lovers can catch one of the Phoenix Suns’ home games for pro-level dunking. Alas, it’s not the right time of year to catch a Cardinals home game, but football fans can still get their fix with the Arizona Rattlers, the region’s indoor football team. Prefer a more refined athletic pastime? Watch the pros hit balls (not each other) at the LPGA Ford Championship.
Budget-conscious travelers can score cheap tickets (starting at $15) to watch Phoenix Rising FC on the pitch or elite athletes bounce a green (yellow?) ball back and forth at the 2025 Arizona Tennis Classic (tickets starting at $20). Those who like to put a little skin in the game have sportsbook options aplenty, including the 17,000-square-foot BetMGM Sportsbook at State Farm Stadium.
Where to stay: If you’re looking for luxury (and a little gambling), book a room at Talking Stick Resort, conveniently located right across the street from the Rockies’ spring training stomping grounds at Salt River Fields. If you’d rather have easy access to two golf courses, multiple tennis and pickleball courts, and seven pools, post up at the Arizona Biltmore.
What to eat: Owned by former Suns standout Dan Majerle, Majerle’s Sports Grill has earned a spot on numerous “best sports bars in America” lists. The reasons? A friendly environment and on-point entrées like the Sir Charles chicken sandwich. The Old Town Scottsdale location of Daily Dose, which serves brunch favorites like banana bread French toast and chile verde huevos rancheros, is another home run worth hitting before a Rox game. Then again, at the Vig’s multiple modern taverns, you can join the athlete ranks yourself with an assortment of lawn games. Just looking to raise a glass to your team of choice? Head to Pedal Haus Brewery’s Phoenix location for its rooftop patio and award-winning beers.
Read more: Heading to Rockies Spring Training? Here’s Where to Eat in Scottsdale, Arizona
Cancún, Mexico
Direct flight to Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Best for: The traveler looking for a beach (but not just a beach)
Because: We love a slice of sand and a steamy beach read as much as the next person, but contrary to the saying, life’s more than a beach.
Three airlines offer nonstops from Denver to Cancún (including Frontier, which could get you there for around the price of a burger if you have the GoWild! Pass). Upon arrival, no question, you should spend time admiring the turquoise waters and lounging beneath an umbrella at your all-inclusive hotel’s private beach. But then, get off your towel and explore. Go snorkeling along the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest in the world, to swim with sea turtles and see a shipwreck. (Check out Total Snorkel for guided tours.) Visit archeological site Yamil Lu’um to explore stone remnants of the Temple of the Scorpion, and dip into the Maya Museum of Cancun. Finally, catch the sunset from a seagull’s eye view on Sky Wheel Cancún, a massive ferris wheel that towers over the Caribbean.
Where to stay: In Cancún, it’s hard to resist the ease of an all-inclusive—just be sure to pick one with more than a plot of sand. At Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort, guests can enjoy two pools (including a family-friendly splash pool with waterslides), 12 on-site dining experiences, Maya art and jewelry-making classes, sand volleyball and soccer games, and nightly entertainment with its fiesta show. Just plan to get off-property to mingle with the locals.
What to eat: At Hilton Cancun, try a wood-fired pizza at La Luce. Keep an eye on the kids when they enter La Churrería, an all-you-can-eat ice cream and churro joint. Venture beyond the hotel walls to try the tuna saku tartar and Caribbean ceviche at Fred’s Seafood & Raw Bar or something fresh off the grill from La Vicenta.
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
Direct flight to Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM)
Best for: The traveler who hasn’t yet gotten their ski fix
Because: Anyone looking to ski over spring break comes to Colorado—which is exactly why you shouldn’t. Book a nonstop flight to Redmond, Ore., and just one hour after touchdown, you’ll be schussing the slopes of Mt. Bachelor. The seventh-largest ski resort in the United States, this Ikon Pass–affiliated destination boasts more than 100 runs, 4,323 acres of terrain, and 360-degree descents from a volcanic peak. Yet, because there aren’t any main highways to link Oregon’s metropolitan areas to Mt. Bachelor, the resort remains relatively crowd-free. For the most part, you’ll be sharing the mountain’s bevy of blue runs (don’t worry, there’s expert and extreme terrain to be had as well) with the friendly locals. Expect them to offer up restaurant recommendations as soon as they notice you’re skiing on rental gear.
Make sure to jump aboard the Summit lift when you can—windy conditions may close her down—to snag a selfie from Mt. Bachelor’s 9,065-foot apex and the bragging rights that go with skiing off the top of something that once blew up. While you’re there, look out to the north to see a cluster of fellow volcanoes, the Three Sisters. Legend has it, those sisters fought over their neighbor, the “bachelor,” giving the volcano its name.
Traveling with nonskiers? They can spend the day exploring a lava tube or enjoying a Shoes, Brews, and Views snowshoe tour with Wanderlust Tours. The group naturalist will dig the mix of wildlife, local history, and art on display at the High Desert Museum.
Where to stay: Unless you’re renting a rig and sleeping overnight in Mt. Bachelor’s parking lot (which, yes, is allowed—and 20 spots in the West Village lot have electrical hookup capabilities), you’ll want to book a few nights in nearby Bend. Our pick: the Oxford Hotel, which positions guests right in the heart of this bustling mini-Boulder. The eco-chic, AAA Four-Diamond hotel offers rooms with plush bathrobes, a comfy seating area, and fresh-ground local coffee. Organic mattresses and a complimentary pillow menu (choose from foam, feather, and other neck support options) ensure you’re well-rested for your next day on the hill.
What to eat: Boasting around 20 breweries within city limits (and lots more nearby), Bend is rightfully known for its beer culture. And while yes, you should après at least once at a watering hole like Deschutes Brewery, don’t miss out on Bend’s foodie scene. For a casual ambience with high-class eats, opt for the Drake. We recommend sharing a slew of starters (Bang Bang Shrimp, anyone?) and saving room for the to-die-for ricotta doughnuts. Plan another night around cocktails at the Lady Bird Cultural Society. The sexy, French-inspired aesthetic (think: black, tasseled light fixtures and gilded mirrors) pairs well with a gin-forward Pink Lady Sour and wood-roasted aged duck.
Toronto
Direct flight to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Best for: The traveler planning a fun-filled family vacay
Because: When you hear “family-friendly spring break,” no doubt a Magic Kingdom, gaggle of princesses, and jolly mouse spring to mind. But trust us, there are other kid-focused trip ideas that don’t involve standing in line for an hour for a three-minute Dumbo ride and shelling out $15 for a balloon (which apparently is one of the least expensive souvenir options). Head to Toronto instead.
Any trip to the city known as 6ix (a reference to the six municipalities that formerly comprised metro Toronto) should begin with a glass elevator ride 1,465 feet (or 447 metres, if you will) up to the SkyPod, the highest level of the CN Tower. Look out over Toronto’s full cityscape, catch a glimpse of Niagara Falls nearly 100 miles away (if it’s clear), and pay no mind to the swaying you feel. It’s just the tower moving with the wind.
If heights aren’t your family’s thing, then get your bearings on Toronto with a visit to the Legoland Discovery Center. Among its numerous attractions is Miniland, a map of Toronto built with more than 500,000 Lego bricks. From there, pop into another small-scale ode to the Great White North at Little Canada. From March 10 to 14, guests can create their own miniature tree at one of the daily drop-in workshops. (For each tiny tree created, a real tree will be donated and planted in “Big Canada.”) For more fun, snap a pic with the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame, check out the more than 800 model specimens in the Bat Cave at the Royal Ontario Museum, and visit the nearly 200,000-square-foot castle built in 1914, Casa Loma.
Where to stay: Book the Family Fun Package at Hotel X Toronto (located on the Lake Ontario Waterfront) and get a signature guest room with two queens, child-size plush robes and slippers, and one keepsake item per child. The deal also facilitates some alone time for the ’rents with the inclusion of 1.5 hours of complimentary childcare in the property’s 10XTO Play Centre, a kid-focused zone with four video game consoles, a sport court, and more.
What to eat: In a city the size of Toronto, there are plenty of options to appease even the pickiest of eaters without succumbing to the convenience of fast food. Try Pizzeria Libretto for Neapolitan-style pies, Barque Smokehouse (where kids eat laid-back barbecue for free on school nights), and Ed’s Real Scoop for small-batch gelato.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Direct flight to Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD)
Best for: The traveler determined to give their kids an educational experience
Because: Cram some experiential learning into your kids’ week “off” with a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Up first? Math class at Falls Park, the town’s namesake geologic feature. Here, around 7,400 gallons of water plummet over the 100-foot terraces each second. (So, kids, how many gallons gush down in a minute?) Walk among more than 800 free-flying butterflies at the Butterfly House and Aquarium for a hands-on biology tutorial. Finally, art class involves a stroll past nearly 80 bronze, leopard stone, and stainless-steel displays on the SculptureWalk, including the signature Arc of Dreams that spans the Big Sioux River.
Where to stay: If all you need is a reasonable rate, comfy bed, pool, and free breakfast, book a stay at Hyatt Place Sioux Falls or the Sioux Falls Clubhouse Suites. Or, opt for the Historic Victorian Inn (built in 1888) to sneak a history lesson into your lodging experience.
What to eat: What’s a trip to South Dakota without experiencing chislic, the official state nosh? You’ll find these tasty cubes of fried meat on many local menus, but try the Barrel House for a seven-ounce, prime USDA house cut chislic paired with one of the whiskeys, ryes, or bourbons available on their extensive list.
Amelia Island, Florida
Direct flight to Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Best for: Those who want to experience a little bit of everything during their getaway
Because: Florida is the spring break spot, but that doesn’t have to mean morning mimosas followed by day-drinking followed by bar-hopping. Amelia Island offers a culture-rich respite away from Florida’s hoards of not-quite-sober college students.
Like any island vacation, a trip to this coastal gem offers plenty of opportunities to sip a fruity cocktail (do so at Sandbar), lounge on pristine stretches of sand (in this case, fine natural quartz that resembles grains of sugar), and bemoan the time wasted in Margaritaville.
However, given Amelia Island is the only place in the United States to have flown eight different flags of dominion, you’re bound to soak up some history along with the sun. Start your trip back in time at the Amelia Island Museum of History. Here, you’ll meet the Timucua people, descendants of Paleo-Indians who inhabited the island 4,000 years ago, as well as the French, Spanish, English, American, and still other nations that had a reigning presence on this 18-square-mile expanse. Fancy a more spirited dive into history? Join the museum’s 2.5-hour Pub Crawl Tour that includes three to four stops at Fernandina’s historical pubs. Civil War aficionados should be sure to tour Fort Clinch State Park, which was controlled by both Confederate and Union soldiers during different years of the Civil War. (Visit on the first weekend of the month to see a soldier garrison fire one of these powerful pieces of artillery.) American Beach, formerly a safe haven and beach destination for African Americans during Jim Crow–era Florida, is another historical touchpoint. Experience what founder A.L. Lewis (Florida’s first Black millionaire) called a place for “rest and relaxation without humiliation,” and then pay a visit to the A. L. Lewis Museum to dive deeper.
Where to stay: You can’t go wrong with the Four Diamond–rated Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa, which boasts the largest pool deck in northeast Florida and a Pete Dye–designed championship golf course. To stick with the throwback theme, however, book a few nights at the Amelia Island Williams House, an award-winning bed-and-breakfast built in 1856 that historians believe served as a safe house on the Underground Railroad.
Where to eat: You could take the direct route from Jacksonville International Airport and arrive at Amelia Island within 30 minutes. Instead, opt for a more scenic drive (it’s just 30 minutes longer) along State Road A1A, which was lovingly renamed A1A Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway after Bubba’s passing in 2023. On this route, you’ll cruise right to the doorstep of Palms Fish Camp Restaurant, part of the recently launched Mayport Shrimp Trail (so you should definitely order the locally caught prawns). Once on the island, there are more than 100 restaurant options from which to choose. For linen tablecloths and multiple courses, make a reservation at newly renovated AAA Five Diamond restaurant Salt, located in the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. Try the paella Valencia at España Restaurant & Tapas for a taste of the island’s Spanish heritage.
