Spring Break Getaways

Want to get out of the house for spring break without turning it into a stressful, cross-country mission? Here are family-friendly places to go within 10 hours of driving from Fort Smith, organized by easy day trips (3 hours or less), about 5 hours, and up to 10 hours.

For each destination, you’ll also see a kid-friendly lodging pick (great for overnight stays and close to the main attractions). 

Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic and where you start in the Fort Smith area.

Easy Day Trips (3 hours or less)

Tulsa metro (Tulsa + Jenks + Broken Arrow), Oklahoma (about 1 hr 45 min)

Do this:

• Gathering Place: A massive, free riverside park with playgrounds your kids will actually talk about afterward.

• Tulsa Zoo: Classic zoo day with plenty of shade and walkable paths.

• Oklahoma Aquarium (Jenks): Sharks, rays, and a great rainy-day option.

• Tulsa Air and Space Museum: Hands-on exhibits for kids who love buttons, planes, and “how does this work?” questions.

Stay here (kid-friendly + central):

• Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown (walkable downtown base; easy drives to the zoo, Jenks, and parks)

Oklahoma City metro (OKC + Edmond + Norman), Oklahoma (about 2 hr 45 min)

Do this:

• Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden: One of the easiest “full day” wins for families.

• Science Museum Oklahoma: Hands-on, high-energy, and perfect for curious kids.

• Scissortail Park: Downtown green space with room to run and reset.

Stay here (kid-friendly + central):

• Omni Oklahoma City Hotel (downtown, walkable to Scissortail Park; straightforward access to the zoo + Science Museum)

Branson area (Branson + Hollister + Table Rock Lake), Missouri (about 2 hr 30 min)

Do this:

• Silver Dollar City: Rides, shows, and that springtime theme-park energy.

• Titanic Museum Attraction: Surprisingly engaging for older kids and parents.

• Branson’s Promised Land Zoo: A smaller zoo option if you want something quicker.

• Table Rock Lake / lakeside parks: Pack a picnic and let the kids burn off steam.

Stay here (kid-friendly + close to the action):

• Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing (walkable to Branson Landing; easy drives to Silver Dollar City and the main “strip” attractions)

Hot Springs area (Hot Springs + Lake Hamilton), Arkansas (about 2 hr 30 min)

Do this:

• Hot Springs National Park: Short hikes, scenic overlooks, and a fun “we went to a national park” badge.

• Bathhouse Row: Great for a stroll and a history moment that doesn’t feel like school.

• Mid-America Science Museum: Hands-on exhibits that work well for elementary ages.

Stay here (kid-friendly + right where you’ll be):

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs Hotel & Spa (downtown near Bathhouse Row; easy access to the park + quick drive to the science museum)

Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville + Rogers + Fayetteville), Arkansas (about 1 hr 10 min to 1 hr 30 min)

Do this:

• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: Art + trails + kid-friendly spaces.

• Scott Family Amazeum: A must for hands-on play and learning.

• Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Fayetteville): A calmer, beautiful stop when you need a slower pace.

Stay here (kid-friendly + good “between-cities” base):

• 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville (walkable Bentonville location; easy drives to Crystal Bridges + Amazeum, and a straight shot down to Fayetteville)

Worth the Drive (around 5 hours)

Dallas–Fort Worth metro (Dallas + Fort Worth + Grapevine + Arlington), Texas (about 4 hr 45 min to 5 hr)

Do this:

• Dallas World Aquarium: A big “wow” day with animals and indoor exhibits.

• Perot Museum of Nature and Science: If your kids love dinosaurs, space, and interactive exhibits.

• Fort Worth Zoo: A full-day zoo that feels like a real trip.

• Fort Worth Stockyards: A fun, uniquely Texas experience (and great photos).

• Arlington theme park day: If your crew wants rides, this is where you’ll find the big-name parks.

Stay here (kid-friendly + central to the metro):

• Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine (indoor waterpark resort that can be the whole trip)

• Hyatt Regency Dallas (downtown Dallas base; manageable drives to Perot + the Aquarium, and a straight shot to Fort Worth)

Kansas City metro (Kansas City, MO + Kansas City, KS + Overland Park), (about 5 hr)

Do this:

• Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium: A solid family day with lots to explore.

• Science City at Union Station: Hands-on exhibits in a building that feels like an adventure.

• Legends Outlets (KCK) + kid-friendly dining: Easy add-on for shopping, treats, and a change of pace.

Stay here (kid-friendly + near the action):

• Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City (indoor waterpark resort; easy to build the whole trip around)

• The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center (family-friendly complex area; easy access to Union Station and a reasonable drive to the zoo)

Memphis metro (Memphis + Germantown + Southaven), Tennessee/Mississippi (about 5 hr)

Do this:

• Memphis Zoo: A classic, kid-friendly day.

• Pink Palace Museum & Planetarium: A great mix of history + science.

Stay here (kid-friendly + convenient):

• The Guest House at Graceland (easy logistics, family-friendly, and a simple drive to the zoo + museums)

Wichita metro (Wichita + Derby), Kansas (about 4 hr 30 min)

Do this:

• Sedgwick County Zoo: One of the best zoo options in the region.

• Exploration Place: Hands-on science and kid-focused exhibits.

Stay here (kid-friendly + close to both):

• Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview Wichita (downtown riverfront; easy drives to the zoo and Exploration Place)

Big Spring Break Adventures (up to 10 hours)

San Antonio metro (San Antonio + New Braunfels), Texas (about 9 hr 30 min to 10 hr)

Do this:

• San Antonio Zoo: A great “anchor” activity for a multi-day trip.

• The DoSeum: A children’s museum built for hands-on fun.

• River Walk + boat ride: A low-effort way to feel like you’re on vacation.

• Natural Bridge Caverns: Underground adventure that feels totally different from home.

• New Braunfels day trip: Great add-on if you want a smaller-town feel near the city.

Stay here (kid-friendly + River Walk access):

• Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk (prime River Walk location; easy access to downtown fun and reasonable drives to the zoo/DoSeum)

Austin metro (Austin + Round Rock), Texas (about 8 hr 30 min to 9 hr)

Do this:

• Thinkery: Hands-on science and play for elementary kids.

• Zilker Park: Big open space, playgrounds, and picnic potential.

Stay here (kid-friendly + central):

• Hyatt Regency Austin (easy access to downtown + parks; good base for quick drives to Thinkery and Zilker)

St. Louis metro (St. Louis + St. Louis County), Missouri (about 7 hr 30 min)

Do this:

• Saint Louis Zoo: A top-tier zoo and a great value.

• Saint Louis Science Center: Hands-on exhibits that can fill a whole day.

• City Museum: Not a “museum” in the usual way—more like a giant indoor adventure playground.

Stay here (kid-friendly + central):

• Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch (easy downtown base; straightforward drives to Forest Park attractions and City Museum)

Nashville metro (Nashville + Franklin), Tennessee (about 7 hr 30 min to 8 hr)

Do this:

• Nashville Zoo at Grassmere: A great family day with plenty of walking and animals.

• Adventure Science Center: Hands-on science exhibits and fun demos.

Stay here (kid-friendly + convenient):

• Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown (walkable downtown base; easy drives to the zoo + Adventure Science Center)

Alabama Gulf Coast (Gulf Shores + Orange Beach), Alabama (about 9 hr 30 min)

Do this:

• Beach days: The simplest spring break plan that still feels like a big deal.

• Gulf State Park: Trails, nature center, and space to explore.

• Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo: A fun add-on between beach time.

Stay here (kid-friendly + great location):

• The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel (right by the park; easy beach access and a simple drive to the zoo)

New Orleans metro (New Orleans + Metairie), Louisiana (about 8 hr 30 min)

Do this:

• Audubon Aquarium: A strong rainy-day (or too-hot-day) option.

• Audubon Zoo: A full-day zoo with lots of variety.

• City Park: Room to run, playgrounds, and a great reset when kids get overstimulated.

Stay here (kid-friendly + central):

• Hyatt Regency New Orleans (easy access to downtown; straightforward drives to Audubon attractions and City Park)

Quick tips for a smoother spring break trip

• Pick one “anchor” activity per day (zoo, aquarium, theme park) and keep the rest flexible.

• Pack a car kit: snacks, wipes, a small trash bag, a first-aid kit, and a backup hoodie.

• Plan for downtime: even big kids melt down when every minute is scheduled.

 Want to Stay Home?

If you are looking to stay close for Spring Break, check out our blog Spring Break at Home: 15 Fun Ideas That Don't Involve Screens