Spring always seems to take forever to arrive in the Capital Region. When friends further south are posting pictures of their daffodils in bloom (showoffs), we’re still waiting for some hopeful green shoots to finally pop through the soil. You’re probably eager to escape the cold and soak up some sunshine yourself, so why let those college kids have all the fun? Retirees deserve a spring break, too, to recharge, explore new destinations and enjoy a well-deserved getaway. The trick is to pick a location where you can avoid the overcrowded beaches, late-night parties, and noisy college kids. Here are a few of our favorite recommendations.
Treat Yourself in Sedona, Arizona
Like many places in Arizona, Sedona enjoys an unfair amount of perfect sunny days (278 out of 365, on average). And this time of year, the temperatures are just about perfect, ranging from mid-60s to low 80s during the day, and refreshingly cooler temps at night.
In addition to being the location of some fantastic outdoor activity opportunities — like exploring Red Rock, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend — Sedona is a beautiful place to sit back and relax. Home to dozens of upscale spas and resorts, you can indulge in some primo pampering and a round of golf or even practice wellness tourism at one of Sedona’s famed vortex sites. (Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon are all believed to be powerful vortexes, or places with natural radiating energy. Tours and guided meditations are offered by several companies, but as the official website says, you could just “show up with an open mind and see what happens.”)
Go Shelling in Sanibel
If you want a classic beach vacation without the college crowds, Sanibel Island is the perfect Florida getaway. With sugary white sand beaches, clear blue water and all the tropical foliage a tourist could love, Sanibel has surprisingly cozy small-town vibes. The island preserves this atmosphere with careful regulations to restrict building heights and even landscaping, so the area is refreshingly devoid of the commercialization found in some other touristy beach towns.
In addition to being astonishingly beautiful, Sanibel also has a reputation for being one of the best places in the world for shell hunting. If you enjoy a good beach stroll looking for treasures, pack accordingly: Make sure you have a bucket, net bag and scoop, and plenty of room in your suitcase.
Tour Historical New Orleans
New Orleans in the springtime is a town for history enthusiasts, music aficionados, architecture appreciators and foodies.
Now that Mardi Gras is over, you can comfortably stroll through the French Quarter without dodging hordes of drunken revelers and enjoy the talented street musicians who have resumed their busking. Walking tours are one of the best ways to explore this historic area, and they are available for just about every possible interest (although the literary tours, ghost tours, and cemetery tours are probably the most popular). In the evening, a show at Preservation Hall is an absolute must, although you’ll be able to find live music on almost every street corner.
Hop on a streetcar and gawk at the mansions lining St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District, and enjoy authentic Creole food and boutique shopping on Magazine Street. Tremé, New Orleans’ oldest historically Black neighborhood, is home to numerous art installations and museums that celebrate the unique heritage of the city’s inhabitants.
Go Bird Watching in… Ohio?
OK, so Ohio may not sound like the sexiest spring break destination, but if you enjoy bird-watching Magee Marsh Wildlife Area is supposed to be top-notch. Nestled on Lake Erie’s southern shore, Magee Marsh “protects 2,202 acres of Ohio’s finest remaining wetlands” that transform into a veritable birder’s paradise, according to the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). In early May, the area hosts a 10-day birding festival as part of a celebration called The Biggest Week in American Birding, complete with organized field trips, workshops and presentations.
Festival headquarters are located at the Maumee Bay Lodge in Oregon, Ohio, but events take place at several locations in addition to Magee Marsh, including Black Swamp Bird Observatory and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. While you’re there, you can expect to see more than 20 types of warblers during the course of a day, including ceruleans, Cape Mays, and black-throated blues. According to the ABC, you’re also likely to see swans, herons, egrets, thrushes, orioles, vireos, sparrows and many more.
Spring in northern Ohio can be a bit volatile, so the ABC recommends that you hope for the best in terms of lovely weather — but prepare for the worst by packing plenty of layers.
All images via Canva.com: Top, Monkey Business Images; Sedona, DOUGBERRY from Getty Images Signature; New Orleans: Kruck20 from Getty Images Pro.
