What are y’alls plans for Spring Break this year?! With Heirloom House opening so very soon, planning our usual March getaway has fallen to the wayside. Now that we’re a month out, I’m scrambling, exploring our options and figuring out how we’ll spend that precious week away from school.
If you happen to be in the same boat – here’s to hoping I can help you out with destination ideas today too. I’m rounding up 5 getaways – 5.5 hours or less – from Memphis.
We’ve been to all of the below in the last few years and my favorite spots / must see’s and do’s are included.
1. St. Louis, Missouri (4.5 hours)
It seems like it would be a much farther drive doesn’t it?! St. Louis has oodles to offer families. It’s also a great budget-friendly destination, with several attractions, like the St. Louis Zoo, free of charge. We absolutely loved the City Museum, a larger than life imaginative playground with tunnels, slides, and climbing structures. Pro tip, bring a head lamp for the caves (yes you read that right lol) and parents, climb at your own risk haha.
For outdoor adventure, visit Forest Park, home to the free St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri History Museum, and the St. Louis Science Center. We loved our lunch outside under the sun at the Boat House right in the center of the park.
A visit to St. Louis isn’t complete without a ride up the Gateway Arch for those stunning views of the city and the river Mississippi.
A few more favorites:
frozen custard at Ted Drewes
Anthonino’s Taverna for Italian food on The Hill
shop the Cardinal’s team store & see the stadium
Accommodations: AirBNBs are abundant. We stayed at this one and tbh I think it is one of the best AirBNB experiences we have ever had! The home was like a vacation destination in itself. The playroom and toy closets were beloved by all.
2. Nashville, Tennessee (3.5 hours)
You know our big city neighbor just “up the road” on I-40 had to make this list! Music City isn’t just for country music fans these days —Nashville has family-friendly fun galore and is so much more than the honkytonks on Broadway.
Annie and Bennet adore the Nashville Zoo. The playground is brand new, larger than any I’ve seen before now that I think about it, and is worth the zoo ticket itself. The animal encounters and overall theming is very different from the Memphis Zoo and you’ll really have that feeling of being in some place new. Centennial Park is home to another fun playground and makes for a great place to picnic, run around and snap a photo in front of the Parthenon replica. The Parthenon tours are a treat too!
We’ve never been before, but we’ve heard wonderful things about the Adventure Science Center, where kids can explore exhibits on space, physics, and health. A great option for a rainy day.
A few more Nashville favorites:
Cheekwood Gardens
Loveless Cafe
a stay at The Graduate Hotel or Union Station
catching a show at The Ryman
the indoor waterpark at Opryland
Three Daughters Bakery
Sharing much more of our favorite things to see, taste & do & in Nashville and Franklin: in this Travel Guide.
3. Hot Springs, Arkansas (3.5 hours)
An easy and scenic drive to a destination that feels like worlds away! Hot Springs is most known for its historic bathhouses and scenic mountains, but its also is a great spot for families who enjoy exploring nature with a dose of history mixed in. Spring is the best time of year to visit Garvan Woodland Gardens, when their trails of tulips are in full bloom. The gardens also has an amazing four story treehouse play area where kids could spend hours and hours adventuring.
If hiking is your thing, Falls Branch Trail is a two mile loop that takes trailblazers past a waterfall towards the end. It’s very moderate and easy for all ages – we hiked it when Annie was just three years old and Bennett a newborn! See more details on the trail in my Falls Branch Trail blog post.
A less intense outdoor activity: take a stroll through Hot Springs National Park. It’s nestled right in the middle of town and winds through the historic bathhouses. You can even try a thermal hot springs bath at one of them with kid-friendly options available too.
For a more detailed look into our Hot Springs favorites, including restaurant and hotel recs, check out my Hot Springs Travel Guide.
4. New Orleans, Louisiana (5.5 hours)
New Orleans isn’t just for the grown ups. It is one of our favorite family getaways, usually opting to visit at least once a year.
A few things our children love just as much as we do:
- a steamboat ride city tour on the Mississippi River
- spending a morning at Audubon Z00 – we recommend adding on the train tour!
- feeling the breeze through the open windows while riding down St. Charles in a Streetcar.
- grabbing beignets at Cafe du Monde in City Park. We usually do a quick playground visit then hop over to Storyland amusement park – a literal GEM of a playground for younger children. Admission is only $6 a person, and worth every little penny!
- for older children, the National WWII Museum is an incredible experience. You could easily spend an entire day here with the many exhibits to peruse and on site restaurants to enjoy.
Find more of our New Orleans favorite in my New Orleans Travel Guide. Mardi Gras recs? I’ve got you with this post too!
5. Ocean Springs, Mississippi (5.5 hours)
We spent a few days in Ocean Springs over fall break and immeditalyt fell in love. I have no idea how this special spot was off my radar for so long!?! I feel called to do my due diligence as an influencer, to hopefully influence you all to visit too!
Nestled on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Ocean Springs is a charming beach-town with much more to offer than sand and water. Colorful boutiques shops and outdoor bistro tables that adjoin the many delicious dining spots dot the center of town. Spanish moss is every where you look adding a majestic feel to this special place. We felt as if we had jumped into the pages of Southern Living Magazine the further we explored the streets of Ocean Springs.
A few things to do: Gulf Islands National Seashore is perfect for exploring nature trails, spotting dolphins, and playing on the beach. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art celebrates local coastal culture with vibrant artwork. A visit to The Pascagoula River Audubon Center allows kids to learn about native wildlife and explore the river by kayak or boat tour.
For foodies, I highly recommend Tatonut for donuts and coffee and Phoenicia Gourmet for their out of this world Chicken Shwarma dish.
Oh, and Miner’s Toy Store is a must!
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happy travels!
xo, alice