13 Cheapest Places to Travel for Spring Break in the U.S. and Mexico This Year
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Spring break may be one of the busiest travel windows of the year, but that doesn’t automatically mean paying peak-season prices. To identify where travelers can still find value, Kayak analyzed flight and hotel searches made between September and mid-December 2025 for trips scheduled from March 1 through April 30, 2026, focusing on average round-trip economy fares and nightly hotel rates for standard double-occupancy rooms. The result is a list of places in the U.S. and Mexico where demand hasn’t yet pushed prices out of reach, from laid-back Florida beach destinations to Colorado mountain towns and colorful cities across Mexico.
Boise, Idaho
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Average flight + hotel cost: $483
Boise isn’t a traditional spring break destination, which is precisely the appeal. Spring days are well spent biking or strolling along the 29-mile Boise River Greenbelt or hiking in the foothills just beyond downtown, while crowds—and prices—remain refreshingly low. The city is also an under-the-radar wine gateway, with easy access to the Snake River Valley AVA and a growing cluster of tasting rooms in neighboring Garden City. Back in Boise proper, don’t miss the Basque Block and Basque Museum or the ever-changing outdoor murals at Freak Alley Gallery. Finally, for an extra dose of festive energy, plan your visit around spring events like Treefort Music Fest or the Boise Flower & Garden Show.
Seattle, Washington
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Average flight + hotel cost: $496
Sure, spring in Seattle comes with showers, but summer crowds have yet to arrive—which means the city is easier to explore at a slower pace. Longer days bring some of the region’s most anticipated blooms: cherry blossoms at the University of Washington Quad and Washington Park Arboretum (typically peaking in late March or early April), followed by the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, an easy day trip north. Another easy excursion is a day trip to Leavenworth, the Bavarian-inspired town in the Cascades, which hosts Maifest each May, a lively celebration of traditional music, dancing, and beer. Spring also signals the return of early-season whale-watching tours in Puget Sound, making it all the more enticing a time to visit.
Portland, Oregon
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Average flight + hotel cost: $496
Spring is when Portland fully leans into its nickname, the City of Roses. As winter rain eases, the city fills with blossoms—cherry trees along Tom McCall Waterfront Park bloom in late March and early April, followed by tulips (the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in nearby Woodburn is a great detour) and roses (of course, don’t miss the International Rose Test Garden). Mild temperatures also make it an ideal time to explore what’s widely considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in the U.S., with miles of dedicated paths along the river and beyond. Add in Forest Park hikes and stops at the Portland Japanese Garden, and spring offers a relaxed, colorful way to experience the City of Roses.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Average flight + hotel cost: $505
An outdoor lover’s oasis, spring is a great time to visit Colorado Springs for hiking, biking, and rock climbing, especially at Garden of the Gods, known for its striking red rock formations. And although Manitou Springs offers a relaxed detour with its historical streets and naturally carbonated mineral springs, downtown Colorado Springs certainly holds its own, too. The Tejon Street corridor—where restaurants, breweries, galleries, and shops cluster within a compact, walkable stretch—is a must.
Denver, Colorado
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Average flight + hotel cost: $505
Spring marks a turning point in Denver, when the city begins to shift back outdoors. Baseball returns downtown, signaling the start of the season, and warmer days make Denver’s walkable neighborhoods—most notably RiNo, LoHi, Cherry Creek, and Capitol Hill—easy to explore on foot, with restaurants, shops, and galleries clustered close together. Concert season ramps up at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, while the Denver Botanic Gardens begin to show early blooms.
St. George, Utah
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Average flight + hotel cost: $511
Set between the Mojave Desert and the Pine Valley Mountains, St. George is best experienced in the spring, before the sweltering summer heat sets in. Cooler days make hiking and mountain biking pleasant, from the lava fields and sandstone trails of Snow Canyon State Park to routes leading toward Zion National Park just up the road. Downtown, meanwhile, is compact and easygoing, with plenty of independent cafés, boutiques, and galleries to peruse in between activities.
Chicago, Illinois
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Average flight + hotel cost: $517
Once winter eases, the Windy City feels far more enjoyable to explore. Architecture boat tours return to the Chicago River, giving riders a clear, close-up look at the city’s landmark buildings from the water. Over in Lincoln Park, the lakefront paths finally feel comfortable to stroll without the need for heavy layers, and the Lincoln Park Zoo becomes a must-see as the weather warms. Even popular attractions like the waterfront Navy Pier and Riverwalk are calmer ahead of the summer crowds, while rooftop bars and patios begin reopening across the city, signaling the return of Chicago’s outdoor season.
Fort Myers, Florida
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Average flight + hotel cost: $519
While Fort Lauderdale and Panama City Beach draw the spring break crowds, Fort Myers offers a more relaxed alternative. Beaches a short drive away are pristine, wide, and well-maintained, making them well-suited to long walks, shelling, and unhurried days by the water. Nearby barrier islands like Sanibel, Cabbage Key, and Captiva add to the appeal, with scenic bike paths, wildlife refuges, and smaller communities that feel residential rather than resort-driven. Out on the water, boating and sunset cruises are popular ways to pass the afternoon, and, back on the mainland, visits to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates offer a quieter counterpoint and a dose of history.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
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Average flight + hotel cost: $520
With over 70 parks and 35 miles of trails, Chattanooga offers a more laid-back, outdoorsy alternative to Nashville. Just outside downtown lies Lookout Mountain, which offers waterfall hikes, cliffside viewpoints, and nearby attractions like Rock City and Ruby Falls. If the weather’s warm enough, paddle down the Tennessee River by kayak, tube, or paddleboard, then grab a drink at one of the bars and restaurants lining the revitalized riverfront, like Scottie’s on the River. Alternatively, make a beeline for the Tennessee Aquarium or Creative Discovery Museum.
Jacksonville, Florida
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Average flight + hotel cost: $529
Jacksonville is anything but your typical Florida beach city—and that’s precisely what makes it so special. With 22 miles of Atlantic coastline, there’s plenty of room to roam along the sand, from the quieter shores of Little Talbot Island State Park to the laid-back surf towns of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. Spring is a particularly comfortable time to move between the coast and the city, whether that means getting out on the water, exploring downtown’s arts scene, or museum-hopping.
Mexico City, Mexico
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Average flight + hotel cost: $563
From its Michelin-recognized dining scene to major cultural landmarks like Chapultepec Park, Chapultepec Castle, and the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City offers plenty to see, do, and explore. Beyond museums and fine dining, the city is known for its street food culture—think: tacos al pastor at neighborhood stands, late-night tamales, and casual markets—as well as its sheer density of galleries, boutiques, and bookstores. Plus, leafy, walkable neighborhoods such as Polanco, Condesa, and Roma make it easy to move between destinations on foot.
Mérida, Mexico
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Average flight + hotel cost: $679
Known for its pale stone buildings and colonial-era architecture, the Yucatán capital lives up to its nickname, La Ciudad Blanca (The White City). It also offers an eclectic mix of old and new, with landmarks like Mérida Cathedral and Casa de Montejo situated alongside cafés, galleries, and local markets to keep things buzzy. Mérida also works well as a base for exploring Chichén Itzá and Dzibilchaltún, both of which are reachable as day trips. Evenings, meanwhile, are best spent back in town, where plazas host music, open-air dining, and seasonal events, particularly around Semana Santa (Holy Week).
Oaxaca, Mexico
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Average flight + hotel cost: $729
Named one of the top five cities in Mexico in the 2025 World’s Best Awards, Oaxaca draws food-focused travelers first, with everything from massive markets like Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juárez to mezcal bars and bakeries spread across the city. But the appeal goes beyond what’s on the plate and in the glass: Indigenous culture remains central to daily life, influencing everything from market goods to local festivals and traditions. Much of that activity plays out in the historical center, particularly around the Zócalo and the Santo Domingo Cultural Complex. Just a few blocks away, however, neighborhoods like Jalatlaco feel noticeably quieter, with residential streets, cobblestones, and colorful facades.
