Safe and Fun Family Vacation Destinations for 2021 Spring Travel

Spring is right around the corner, which means that it's almost the time when people want to escape to new locales. Traditionally, this would cause no problems, but with the pandemic, there are a few more challenges travelers need to face when they decide to travel. It's also spurring more interest in private vacation rentals, cabins and more outdoorsy, less crowded destinations. Scroll through this slideshow to get some ideas for spring travel.

Duck Key is a small island in the Florida Keys, easily accessible from both Miami International Airport and Key West International Airport. The island is home to Hawks Cay Resort, which offers plenty of family fun, such as dolphin-watching experiences, astronomy and environmental education lessons, as well as plenty of other outdoor activities. With 250 two- and three-bedroom private villas with private laundry facilities and full kitchens, social distancing is easy. This is a perfect destination to travel to if you're a fan of the Caribbean but aren't too sure about traveling out of the country just yet.

Watch the world awaken and bloom in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, a smaller town located in the middle of the state just southwest of Stevens Point. Sand Valley Resort offers beautiful four- or eight-bedroom lodges, as well as traditional rooms. With three gorgeous golf courses designed to work with central Wisconsin's natural sand dune environment and ample outdoor activities like bird-watching, hiking, stargazing and fishing, there's no shortage of adventures to enjoy. Sand Valley is a safe destination to just relax and enjoy watching the world thaw and grow.

Jacksonville, Florida has over twenty-two miles of incredible beaches, as well as ample opportunity for boating and water activities. Check out Boneyard Beach, where you'll find spindly driftwood in droves. With the largest park system in the country, you'll find there's no lack of spaces to have fun outdoors and social distance. For a luxurious stay, try the dog-friendly One Ocean Resort Hotel & Spa on Atlantic Beach.

Watch winter melt into spring in Salt Lake City, Utah. Visit the incredible desert salt flats, hike through the incredible natural scenery and enjoy everything Salt Lake City has to offer. In the mornings, hit the slopes skiing or snowboarding, then stretch out those sore muscles on the golf course later in the day. The best of winter and spring activities are available here. From luxurious chalets to rustic cabins and everything in between, Salt Lake City's tourism website has some awesome vacation rentals for maximum social distancing.

Flagstaff, Arizona is known as the "City of Seven Wonders," and it's no surprise why. Being located within driving distance of the Grand Canyon National Park, the Wupatki National Monument, Oak Creek Canyon, the Sunset Crater Volcano, the San Francisco Mountain Peaks, the Coconino National Forest and the Walnut Canyon makes Flagstaff the perfect vacation destination for avid outdoor explorers. With so much to see and do in the natural wilderness, you may even forget there's a pandemic. Just remember to wear a mask when you go indoors.

Watch the cherry trees blossom this spring in the nation's capital (pro tip: peak blooming season is between April 2-5). Walk through the city's many parks and outdoor areas, visit the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and experience a bit of American history. Museums and other attractions are currently limiting the capacity of exhibits and are no longer offering guided tours, but the smaller sizes make the museums more intimate. The city's travel guidelines require that travelers test negative up to 72 hours prior to arrival and that they be tested again three to five days after arrival. While the Smithsonian may be closed, there are other museums open, such as the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden.

More than 800 hotels, attractions, restaurants and other businesses in Broward County, Florida, where Fort Lauderdale is located, have taken the Visit Lauderdale Safe + Clean Pledge, which is a commitment to follow CDC guidelines, like wearing masks and social distancing, as well as providing contactless payment options. For a full list of hotels that have taken the pledge, please click here. Fort Lauderdale has eight beaches to explore and plenty of water activities to enjoy, as well as safe shopping and dining experiences. Starting around March, sea turtles swim up to Fort Lauderdale's beaches to lay their eggs in the sand.

Fans of Corvettes and caves beware: you might not want to leave Bowling Green, Kentucky. Mammoth Cave National Park, home to one of the largest cave systems in the world, is located here, as well as the National Corvette Museum. This beautiful city with small-town charm features great food, charming people and ample historical attractions, too. The Hotel SYNC offers modern accommodations with eat-in kitchens, so guests can cook their own food and ensure a bit more privacy.

Winter may be ending soon, but not in Vail, Colorado. If you've been itching to hit the slalom course or take some snowboarding lessons to impress your friends, you'll be able to do it here, even in the spring! In between skiing and snowboarding, visit Vail Village, a charming European-style village with great restaurants and shops. Even more incredible is Lionshead, a Bavarian-style village that will transport you to Europe, where you'll find an ice skating rink and more awesome eateries and cafes. Visit the Discover Vail website to narrow down your search to the accommodation type of your choice.

Reno is one of the best places to launch your exploration of the stunning and photo-worthy Lake Tahoe. Hike through alpine forests, experience a fun time at one of Reno's casinos and enjoy a relaxing retreat at one of Reno's rental properties, some of which are even located on the beautiful shores of Lake Tahoe itself. The mild weather, beautiful scenery and an environment springing back into life will energize even the most indoorsy individuals.

Where sea and sky seem to meld into a mysterious mist, this terrain of bluff cliffs and redwood forests is truly a magical place. Explore the unique environment at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, or rough it at Fernwood Resort, Big Sur Campground or Riverside Campground, where you'll find cabin rentals and other secluded accommodations nestled within forests. Splurge and stay at Post Ranch Inn, or indulge your inner free spirit and try out sleeping in a yurt at Treebones Resort.

Kiawah Island is located south of Charleston, South Carolina. Within the brilliant coastal waters lies an oasis of calm, where maritime forests, sand dunes, salt marshes and ten miles of pristine beaches are located. If you're a fan of encountering wildlife, you'll find no lack of animals, from ospreys and sandpipers to bobcats, deer and dolphins. The island is currently under a mask mandate for indoor public spaces. The island's website has a host of vacation rental options to explore, but check out the Kiawah Island Golf Resort for a resort stay. The resort also features villa and condo rentals for added safety.

In between Cancun and Playa del Carmen is the beachside town of Puerto Morelos, home to stunning turquoise waters and its own collection of beautiful resorts. The Grand Residences features its own private beach area for guests to enjoy, as well as fun activities for adults like Spanish and Zumba lessons. With children under twelve staying for free, along with an incredibly fun kids' club that lets children explore the local culture through games and crafts, it's a great place for the whole family to enjoy. The resort also offers free antigen testing for guests, as well as several vacation packages for solo or family all-inclusive travel.

Quintana Roo, the state most famous in the Mexican Caribbean for the resort destination of Riviera Maya, is home to incredible Mayan ruins, biodiverse tropical rainforests, stunning coral reefs and brilliant turquoise waters. Here is home to Hotel Xcaret Mexico, an all-inclusive resort that features incredible experiences with Xcaret parks, like Xel-Ha, where families can snorkel with local fish, swim in mysterious cenotes and more, with access to more than eight parks and tours available with the all-inclusive resort pricing. Hotel Xcaret Mexico is also offering free antigen testing, as well as PCR tests that can be purchased for $140.

Almost completely ringed by soft white-sand beaches, Providenciales is an island located in Turks & Caicos. With two coral reefs that are perfect snorkeling and scuba spots, along with the Chalk Sound National Park, there's no shortage of outdoor activities here. Ocean Club Resorts offers suites with kitchens, a washer and dryer and a private porch. With free breakfasts, a flexible cancellation policy and a concierge service that assists travelers in getting COVID-19 tests on the island, Ocean Club Resorts is a great place to spend your family's spring break.