Spring has arrived, which means it’s time to start planning your spring break vacation. But we’re not talking about party daze in Cancun or Cabo, we’re talking about adult spring break vacations in Colorado and beyond. Who says college students get to have all the fun?
As warmer temperatures arrive, kids and college students are now back in school, and summer crowds have yet to descend, April and May present the perfect time for adult spring break vacations. Welcome to the world of grown-up getaways—when the shoulder season offers budget-friendly travel options, uncrowded destinations, and the chance to explore without the chaos of college spring breakers.
Colorado
Sticking close to home, these are a few of our favorite spots to check out this year for adult spring break vacations, whether you want a weekend getaway or a memorable road trip.
Ouray
Cast your travel net a bit further and venture to the small town of Ouray. Known as the Switzerland of America, Ouray is set amongst the scenic San Juan Mountains and grounded by a network of geothermal hot springs, make it one of the most beautiful towns in Colorado. With temperatures cold enough to enjoy a 108-degree soak on a sunny spring day, Ouray is one of our favorite spots for an adult spring break vacation in Colorado. Begin your healing journey with a dip at the adult-only soaking area at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool for a little peace and serenity.
Where to stay: Give your vacation the upgrade it deserves and check in at the Western Hotel and Spa. Built in 1891, the historic hotel recently completed its two-year restoration project, where the spirit of the Wild West blends seamlessly with a bit of European glamour. But what lies in the shadows underneath—the grotto spa— is where the hotel really shines. Relax and rejuvenate in the spa’s large soaking hot tub, revive your senses in the cold plunge and release toxins with a few minutes in the dry sauna. Guests receive free access to the grotto and the ability to book spa treatments.
Pagosa Springs
Speaking of hot springs, Pagosa Springs is home to the most geothermal hot spring pools in Colorado, including the world’s deepest geothermal spring. Check out the Springs Resort, where dozens of soaking pools are terraced along the San Juan River and where you’ll find “The Mother Spring,” reaching 1,002 feet deep.
Where to stay: April 15, 2025, the Springs Resort and Spa will debut its expansion with a newly relocated spa, double its geothermal mineral soaking pools, 78 new guest rooms, a new culinary experience, new wellness amenities, a two-story thermal spa and a panoramic sauna. Perfect for your adult spring break, the resort will also feature a brand-new adults-only soaking area. The new Springs Resort will be located downriver of the current property and will overlook the dozens of new soaking pools terraced along the San Juan River.
Discover more of our favorite places to soak with our list of Colorado hot springs.
Minturn
Soak up the last bit of spring skiing with a stay in the small town of Minturn. A favorite amongst Colorado locals for its chill and unpretentious vibes. If you’ve got the skills, take your vacation “out of bounds” and shuttle up to Vail and shred the gnar back to Minturn via the famous “Minturn Mile,” topping it all off with an apres drink at the Minturn Saloon—across the street from the Eagle River Inn.
Where to stay: Skip the over-priced parking and accommodations and opt for the recently refurbished historic hotel nestled in the tiny town of Minturn. A short 10-minute drive from Vail, the Eagle River Inn has pulled out all the stops when it comes to enjoying little luxuries in the mountains. The cozy inn offers riverfront views, spa-like rooms with robes and slippers, decadent continental breakfast, cozy corners by the fire and a hot tub for soaking those sore muscles after a day of skiing.
Colorado Springs
Explore the Pike’s Peak region with a weekend getaway to Colorado Springs. Ride the cog railway to the top of Pikes Peak and admire the views that inspired the “America the Beautiful” song, hike amongst the iconic red rocks of Garden of the Gods, or take in a concert at the new outdoor Ford Amphitheater.
Where to stay: The Mining Exchange Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs dusted off its boots last year with a stunning renovation and new look, capturing the spirit of the Wild West with a chic and modern design. This spring, the property introduces Oro, an exciting new dining concept that celebrates Italian cuisine while paying tribute to Colorado’s rich cultural heritage.
Fort Collins
An hour north of Denver, Fort Collins is the small cow town that inspired Disney with its quaint streets and storefront facades. Recently named “the most peaceful place to live,” Fort Collins offers so much more than shopping and dining in Old Town. Put a little spring in your step and visit Colorado State University’s (CSU’s) Annual Flower Trial Garden, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025. Or visit one of 50 natural areas and open spaces like the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, where you can see all descendants of genetically pure bison.
Where to stay: If you’re looking to stay in the heart of it all, the Elizabeth Hotel in Old Town offers plenty of style and room to round out your stay. Or if you desire something more rugged than refined, check out the new Riverside Colorado hotel. Located in the Poudre Canyon, three miles from the Mishawaka Amphitheatre, this eco-friendly retreat features fully furnished canvas wall tents, tiny homes, cabins and VIP lodge quarters.
Road trips from Denver
Hit the road and venture outside Colorado with these destinations that will fuel your wanderlust.
Moab, Utah
For most Denverites, Moab is a popular destination with its six-hour drive time, stunning red rock formations and endless outdoor recreation possibilities. Explore the arches at Arches National Park, the deep canyons at Canyonlands National Park and scenic views of the Colorado River from Dead Horse Point State Park. And with fewer crowds and manageable temperatures, springtime is the ideal season to visit.
Where to stay: While you’ll find plenty of lodging options in town as well as ample campground companions, if you’re looking to upgrade your stay from sleeping on the ground or cheap chain hotels in town, live the life of luxury amongst the red rock landscape at Ulum Moab. Brought to you by the same group that practically invented the concept of glamping, Under Canvas, this desert resort ramps up the luxury with its tented stays equipped with everything you’ll find in a luxury hotel room, except for canvas walls and the occasional uninvited insect.
Bryce Canyon Country, Utah
Spend the day walking amongst the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park, repelling into ravines or squeezing through slot canyons in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
Where to stay: Sticking with the “glamping in the desert” theme, add to your road trip and experience the best of Bryce Canyon Country with a stay at the Bryce Canyon Under Canvas. Think of Under Canvas as your budget-friendly alternative to Ulum. Still enjoy the luxury of these tented camps, but minus a few details like USB charging packs and solar lanterns vs. electricity.
If you want to stretch your wings a bit further, check out Under Canvas’s newest locations opening two new camps in 2025 — Under Canvas Yosemite (May 22, 2025) and Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge (May 29, 2025).
Casper, Wyoming
Find unexpected beauty and adventure with a trip to Casper, Wyoming. Located within a four-hour drive from Denver or a quick direct flight from DIA), Casper is a destination that often gets overlooked by its neighbors to the west. Experience the last of the Western Frontier with Casper’s small-town charm, take a ride inside a covered wagon along the old Oregon Trail, learn to fly fish in the Blue Ribbon waters of the North Platte River and kayak in the Alcova Reservoir between the jagged cliff walls of Fremont Canyon.
Direct flights for easy getaways
Lucky for Denverites, it’s easy to travel beyond the peaks of the Rocky Mountains with so many direct flights from DIA. So, for those who prefer a more direct route, discover these direct flight destinations for your adult spring break vacation.
San Diego, California
Spring is a perfect time to enjoy what makes San Diego “America’s Finest City.” With consistently good weather, it’s easy to enjoy the sand and surf with a weekend getaway to San Diego. No matter your vibe, San Diego has it all. Explore Balboa Park and its endless green spaces, gardens and the San Diego Zoo, which announced in 2025 that the pandas are back. Or soak up the nightlife in the downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter. Or chill out and enjoy the beach life with morning surfs and sunbathers along Pacific Beach.
Where to stay: Luxuriate at the iconic Hotel del Coronado where recent renovations to the 135-year-old historic property make it look like new again. Opening in May 2025, Nobu at Del—the newest addition to the world-renowned Japanese restaurant empire by Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro, marks the completion of the hotel’s more than $550M reimagination that began in 2018.
Tucson, Arizona
With manageable temps and blooming cacti, the spring season is the perfect time to dip into the desert for an adult spring break vacation. Skip spring training in Scottsdale and hike amongst the saguaro cacti in Arizona’s second-largest city. Tucson beckons travelers with its ideal spring weather, towering saguaro cactus and the city’s notable culinary scene and the UNESCO food heritage site. Take in the scenery with hikes through the Saguaro National Park, bask in the beauty of the area’s botanical gardens and soak up Southwest art at the DeGrazia Museum.
Puerto Rico
For somewhere that feels far from Colorado without all the hassle of international travel, United offers a daily direct flight from Denver to San Juan, Puerto Rico, that makes airport travel feel like a vacation itself. Find yourself walking amongst the historic cobblestone streets of Old San Juan with colorful building facades and scenic stops at almost every street corner. Continue your historic overview of this U.S. territory at the Castillo San Felipe del Morro— a six-level Spanish fortress thought to be unconquerable in the 1600s and 1700s. Take your island tour off dry land and sail the open sea with a snorkeling and yacht charter. At night, discover the glow up from under the water’s surface with a bioluminescent kayak tour.
Where to stay: Stay at one of the most famous hotels on the island, the Caribe Hilton Hotel. Known as the place where the Pina Colada was invented, the hotel recently completed renovations and modern upgrades since two hurricanes hit the island in 2017.
Monterey, California
The shores of California’s Central Coast beckon, from the rugged coastline of Big Sur to the tidal salt marshes of Monterey Bay. A three-hour direct flight from Denver to Monterey reveals a world of wildlife encounters, kayaking with sea otters and seals in Monterey Bay, wine tasting in Carmel Valley, coastal hiking in Big Sur, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and exploring historic Cannery Row.
Where to stay: Soak up the best of the central coast with a stay in Monterey’s only beachfront hotel. The Monterey Beach Hotel is the only hotel that rests along the shores of Monterey’s scenic beaches and is just minutes away from the historic Cannery Row and many other area attractions.
Maui, Hawaii
Hop on an easy 6.5-hour direct flight from Denver to Maui, and before you know, you’ll be living the island life. For a quiet island retreat, explore and stay in Kapalua Bay. Located on Maui’s northwestern shore, Kapalua Bay is one of Hawaii’s most beloved coastlines. Snorkel with sea turtles, explore tide pools, sail away on a sunset cruise, and hike the island’s scenic coastline for an epic adult spring break vacation.
Where to stay: Treat yourself with a stay at the Montage Kapalua Bay. Resting on the shores of Kapalua Bay, this prestigious resort offers many ways to enjoy both the beauty and the bounty of Hawaiian culture. Relax at one of the resort’s many pools, enjoy spacious and high-end accommodations, rejuvenate with a luxurious massage in your private hale and cheers to a beautiful time in Maui with a champagne toast on the coast.
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Spring breakers are certainly familiar with the party scene in Cabo San Lucas, but for your adult spring break vacation, San Jose del Cabo is the place to be. Relax and unwind amongst San Jose del Cabo’s laid-back vibe while you spend your days exploring the historic main square, strolling through the art galleries in the Gallery District, tasting farm-to-table dining at Flora Farms and basking in the sun at one of the tranquil beaches.
Where to stay: Retreat to the historic boutique hotel of Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts. Scenic walkways, flowering trellises, local art and oceanfront views culminate to create a one-of-a-kind stay in Mexico.
Montana
With direct flights from Denver to Missoula, Kalispell, Great Falls, Helena, Bozeman, Billings and most recently, Butte, exploring Montana’s wild lands and scenic landscapes is only a few hours away.
This spring, see the wildflowers in the Gravelly Mountain Range, just southwest of Ennis, with a direct flight to Bozeman. Or hop on a direct flight to Kalispell and explore the rugged landscape of Glacier National Park, which is both a designated International Dark Sky and one of the last remaining quiet spaces in the world. Explore the remote lands of eastern Montana and some of the world’s most impressive dinosaur remains along the Montana Dinosaur Trail with a direct flight to Billings.
Just launched, United Express will offer direct flights from Denver to Butte, Montana. Once called the “Richest Hill on Earth,” its uptown is full of historic buildings, local shops, restaurants, a distillery and more. Explore the outdoors right from your doorstep with 13 trailheads accessible from town, skiing at Discovery Ski Area, fly-fishing on blue-ribbon trout streams, abundant hot springs and enjoying wide-open spaces and quiet trails.
Rapid City, South Dakota
A quick 1.5-hour direct flight from Denver to South Dakota’s second-largest city shows visitors there’s much more to see than just the chiseled heads of dead presidents at Mount Rushmore. Discover Rapid City’s culinary scene that is just as diverse as the surrounding landscape, where you can hike amongst the beauty of the Black Hills, see roaming bison and iconic monuments that capture the heart of America.
Where to stay: Revel in the city’s history with a stay at the historic Hotel Alex Johnson. Or stay at The Rushmore Hotel where you can see the world’s most advanced marble floor of Mt. Rushmore.
Fargo, North Dakota
If you’re looking for a fun and funky road trip, then be sure to take the drive from Fargo, North Dakota, to Theodore National Park. A quick, direct flight from Denver to Fargo allows you to hit the ground running in under two hours. Spend a few days in Fargo tasting Scandinavian dishes and exploring the college town’s art scene. Then hit the road and split up the five-hour drive across the mostly flat state of North Dakota with a stop along the Enchanted Highway and stand next to the world’s largest bison at the North American Bison Discovery Center.
Where to stay: Begin your adventure with a luxe stay at the Jasper Hotel. You’ll love the well-appointed rooms with a view, a fresh take on local cuisine at its on-site restaurant—Rosewild. End your road trip with a stay in the Old West town of Medora, your basecamp for exploring the badlands of Roosevelt National Park and where the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library is set to open in 2026.
Boise, Idaho
Often compared to Denver, Boise, Idaho features similar qualities to the Mile High City, including its culinary scene and access to outdoor recreation, where you’ll find hiking and biking trails within a 20-minute drive from the city. A city with a vibrant downtown where the state’s culinary landscape continues to gain national recognition with Idaho’s first James Beard Award winner, a unique culinary spotlight of the Basque culture, all of which complements the area’s wine and craft beer establishments.