Need some inspo on where to take your family or how to occupy your kids for spring break this year without breaking the bank? We’ve got you covered!

If you’re looking to leave the city, here are a few one-tank adventures:

  • Visit a State Park

Alabama boasts 21 state parks, and many are just a quick drive away, including Oak Mountain State Park. Oak Mountain offers hiking, biking, fishing, and even a beach area for swimming. If you’re down for an overnight adventure, check out the camping reservations or snag a cabin or cottage rental for a fun, low-cost getaway. Rickwood Caverns and Cathedral Caverns even offer cave tours. Find the full list of state parks on alapark.com.

  • Chattanooga, TN

About two hours away, Chattanooga is packed with family-friendly attractions like the Tennessee Aquarium, Rock City, and Ruby Falls. Many outdoor attractions are free or low-cost. Not to mention it has a cute little downtown and some yummy restaurants. If you and your family have never been, it’s worth going to check out! And it’s just small enough that you’ll feel like you saw everything in a day.

  • Auburn, AL

This darling college town is beloved for a reason. Drive up in the morning, sip a Toomer’s lemonade while you eat at one of the local downtown staples like Big Blue Bagel, Irritable Bao, or Hamilton’s, then wander around campus. There is even family-friendly fun to be had at Hey Day Market, Auburn’s multi-concept food hall like cornhole, mini golf, and life-sized Connect 4. Plus, if dad takes the kids, mom might get to do some shopping at all the fabulous local boutiques for an hour or two.

  • Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is a bustling city filled with adventure spots, from the Atlanta Aquarium and Coca-Cola Museum to Piedmont Park. It’s a fun place for all ages! Stop by Ponce City Market for shopping and then walk the Atlanta Beltline. The hour time difference will have your kiddos falling asleep on the car ride home after a full day of play.

 

Staycation Fun in Birmingham

Who says you have to leave Birmingham to enjoy your spring break?! Our city boasts an endless list of things to do. If it’s rainy, check out our indoor places to play.

Enjoy hands-on science exhibits, an IMAX theater, and interactive fun for kids. (Check out this video for a sneak peek at the fun!)

  • Birmingham Zoo & Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Visit the zoo for a day of animal fun, then stroll through the free botanical gardens next door. (The Cherry Blossoms Festival is free to attend at the botanical gardens on Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.)

Pack a picnic and enjoy the green space downtown. Let the kids play while you sit back and watch them.

Hike, bike, or enjoy the zip lines at this massive urban park. It’s an affordable way to get active as a family!

  • Sweet Treats Tour

I scream, you scream, no kids scream when they have ice cream in hand…. Take the kids on a local ice cream adventure with stops at Big Spoon Creamery, Jeni’s, and Mountain Brook Creamery. (We recommend spacing it out to one a day or else the sugar rush might lead them to combust.)

  • Backyard Movie Night

Set up an outdoor projector, grab some blankets, and make homemade popcorn for a cozy (and free) family night. You can even “rent” the video for free from the library and maybe the equipment too at Homewood’s Library of Things.

  • Library & Museum Days

Check out free or low-cost events at Birmingham Public Library branches, or visit the Birmingham Museum of Art (which has free admission!). If you have a child with sensory issues, check out Birmingham Museum of Art’s Sensory Friendly Day.

All aboard this restored open-air and vintage enclosed railroad coach for an immersive family experience. Trains run at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays. 

Our calendar is filled with even more fabulous local activities. With all that’s going on in and around Birmingham, there’s no way you and your family can manage to not have fun on your staycation this spring break!