By Lara Vukelich, on January 23, 2015

Best places to travel in March

Once you’ve made it through the holidays and the Earth has begun to thaw, Spring Break is just around the corner. March is an ideal time to explore, experience the changing of the seasons, and reboot before your hectic summer begins. To help spark your March vacation ideas, we’ve assembled the best places to travel in March, including ideas for families, couples, and the solo traveler.

Where to travel in March with your family

Maybe your family likes to soak in the last bit of winter chill. Perhaps you’re looking to get a bit of sunshine while winter peters out. Either way, a family-friendly March destination awaits.  

Mammoth, CA – Snow bunnies will thrive in Mammoth Lakes, California, often referred to simply as “Mammoth” by locals. March is the tail end of the snow season, when there is still plenty of white stuff on the ground but the crowds that roll in during the holidays have long since gone home. While some Spring Breakers may head to Mammoth during the month of March, your family should still have plenty of room on the slopes.

Mammoth has, you might say, a mammoth-sized terrain for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. Visit the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area to enjoy more than 100 trails on the 3,500 acres encompassed by the resort. For a slower-paced ski experience, take the gang to Tamarack Cross Country Center, where 19 miles of groomed cross country trails weave through pine trees and are rife with spectacular mountain views.

Palm Springs, CA – Palm Springs offers your family a friendly climate in March, especially when compared to the city’s summer temperatures that often exceed 100 degrees. Spring in Palm Springs is ideal for laying by the pool; because the tourism high season is winding down, you may have the hotel pool to yourself.

After time in the water, switch gears and get into some desert fun. Less than an hour’s drive from Palm Springs sits Joshua Tree National Park, which is rich with opportunities for hiking, viewing wildflowers, and identifying birds. Pioneertown, also just a short drive from Palm Springs, lets the family embrace a piece of Western history. Built in the 1940s, this town was once a used primarily for filming movies and TV shows. Today, you can walk the town, grab lunch, and enjoy live entertainment.

March holiday destinations for solo travel

Getting away from it all alone in March might just be the real break you need in the spring. Without other travelers chiming in about where to go, you can plan your ideal itinerary and enjoy a cold or warm adventure. 

Nice, France – As the capital of the French Riviera, Nice is a popular tourist destination. The good news for March travelers is that this month is one of the last chances to visit Nice while enjoying off-peak pricing. The temperatures are a bit cool at this time of year, so wear a jacket as you journey between museums, galleries, markets, and parks.

While you’re in town, take a solitary stroll through the Jardin Botanique, where thousands of Mediterranean plants are on display, many of which will be in full bloom in March. If you’re in the mood for some shopping, head over to the Marche a la Brocante Saleya, a secondhand market where you can sift through knick-knacks and other interesting French curios. Top off your day with a visit to one of Nice’s gourmet restaurants, where you can revel in a good glass of wine and Mediterranean cuisine.

Death Valley, CA – Springtime is a popular season to visit California’s Death Valley National Park, and for good reason. The mild winter season is just coming to an end, and the hot, dry summer climate has yet to roll in. The vast, quiet acreage here makes an excellent venue for a personal retreat. When winter storms were generous with rainfall, which is often, the wildflowers in Death Valley are remarkable. The floral display peaks in late March through early April. Bring your camera!

A number of short trails, each less than 2 miles long, provide a route for viewing dunes, animals, and volcanic craters. If you are a bit more adventurous, find some fellow hikers and take off together on one of the off-the-beaten-path hikes with no trail, such as along Fall Canyon or Little Bridge Canyon.

March vacation ideas for couples

A spring getaway as a couple is much deserved after you survive a hectic holiday schedule and dinners with the in-laws. Whether you want to have a warm, relaxing vacation or you wish to take off to a location that is still waiting for its first warm front, a March couple’s retreat awaits.

Carmel, CA – This Northern California town is known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, and is nestled along the shore of Carmel Bay. While you won’t find any snow here, temperatures in March can be a bit brisk. Carmel prides itself on sparking romance, and the atmosphere here definitely lends itself to feeling butterflies for your sweetheart again. After a day driving along the coast, take your pick of local wine tasting salons. Finish off your day with a bonfire on the beach and a peaceful walk under the stars.

Viewfinder Tip: SXSW takes place this year, March 13-25 in Austin, Texas.

Austin, TX – Austin is a welcoming destination for active couples seeking a warm Spring getaway in March. The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival takes place near the end of the month, and the city comes alive with music and film.  Rodeo Austin is also held in March; this quirky festival is “Where weird meets Western,” and features everything from a livestock show to a black tie gala event with live music. Of course, no trip to Austin would be complete without consuming some good old fashioned Texas barbecue at spots such as Franklin Barbecue and La Barbecue. 

What would be your ideal place to travel in March?