Seven Riverfront Spring Break Destinations

There's nothing like spring on the river, as the water begins to rise from its wintertime low and flowers reappear in bursts of color and fragrance on its banks. Whether you've set aside a week or a day for your spring break trip, the river towns below offer great scenery and activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Guntersville, AL

If you're eager to get back on the lake after a long winter, look no further than Guntersville. A charming community on the banks of Alabama's largest lake, Guntersville consistently ranks as a premier fishing spot and one of the country's best lake towns. There's truly something here for everyone — spending the day on the water, hiking or horseback riding at the adjacent state park, shopping in the specialty stores downtown — and, even better, spring temperatures in the 60s and 70s ensure a comfortable environment for whatever you choose. If you need a break from the lake, Guntersville is an easy drive from family-friendly tourist sites like the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

(l) Lake Guntersville, (r) U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Helen, GA

If you can't jet off to Europe for spring break, this tiny town in north Georgia might be the next best thing. Designed to look like a Bavarian village dropped in the Appalachian Mountains, Helen has no shortage of activities for the whole family. Think mining for gemstones, riding ATVs through the mountains, exploring a castle, tubing down the river, or meeting a kangaroo — and that's in addition to all the German-inspired shops and restaurants downtown! For a nostalgia-inducing experience on your way out of town, stop by BabyLand General Hospital, where Cabbage Patch Dolls are still being born and adopted.

St. Augustine, FL

Located on Florida's east coast, where two rivers meet the sea, St. Augustine is a great option if you want the beach without the crowd. As the country's oldest continuously inhabited European settlement, it also has its fair share of Spanish-inspired architecture. While you could easily spend the whole week lounging by the beach or admiring the aforementioned architecture, St. Augustine also offers a good blend of modern-day tourist attractions (like Ripley's Believe It or Not) and historical sites. You can even take a sip from Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth!

Louisville, KY

Look closely at Kentucky's largest city, and you'll find a place rich in culinary and sports history. Whether it's meeting a racehorse at the home of the Kentucky Derby or getting your very own Louisville Slugger after a bat factory tour, the city offers a plethora of interactive experiences for sports fans of any type. Louisville is also known for its grand hotels, with the Seelbach Hilton (rumored to have inspired parts of The Great Gatsby) and the Brown Hotel (birthplace of the Hot Brown sandwich) being just some of your many options. If that's not enough history for you, consider a sunset cruise on the Belle of Louisville or a walk down West Main Street, home to one of the country's largest collections of cast-iron architecture.

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Travel Tip:

For the complete Thoroughbred experience, spend a day out in the countryside, which is full of working farms and the famed Kentucky bluegrass. Just over an hour away in the "Horse Capital of the World," Lexington, you'll find the Kentucky Horse Park and Keeneland.

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(l) Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, (r) Churchill Downs

Williamsburg, VA

History comes alive in Williamsburg — literally. At the heart of this former capital lies Colonial Williamsburg, the world's largest living history site, where costumed interpreters invite visitors to participate in daily activities of the 1700s. You might even meet George Washington, himself! Once you're ready to step back into the present, you're less than 10 miles from the rides and performances of Busch Gardens, "the world's most beautiful theme park." Or, if it just wouldn't be spring break without seeing the ocean, Virginia Beach is only an hour away.

Chattanooga, TN

A city located where the Tennessee River meets the Cumberland Plateau, Chattanooga manages to bring small town charm to its most touristy of attractions. Whether your idea of the perfect spring day involves riding a vintage train, touring a mountain fairyland, walking in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers, or exploring one of the country's top aquariums, you'll find it in the "scenic city." If you're up for a challenge, the Chattanooga Tourism Co. has several scavenger hunts to take you on unique tours of the city — complete one, and you might just win a prize!

(l) Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, (r) Rock City Gardens

Bonus: Cruises

Call me biased, but taking a cruise is a great way to maximize the number of places you can visit during spring break — while minimizing the driving! With shore excursions in a different port every day to onboard activities for every member of the family, cruises offer something for everyone, even if that something is just sitting on the balcony, watching the water. Spring break cruises range from a couple days to a whole week and from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, meaning there's sure to be an itinerary for every type of traveler and every type of budget.

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Travel Tip:

To get the best bang for your buck, pay close attention to what's included in your fare. While all-inclusive cruises are almost always more expensive than their a la carte counterparts, the price difference grows smaller when you consider that you don't have to pay extra for meals, activities, and many shore excursions. Also keep an eye out for flight packages, which can include discounts all the way up to complimentary airfare.

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