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Spring Break snuck up on me and now I only have a week to plan a trip. It will just be me (I'm the mom) and my 2 kids, 11 and 12 years old. We live in the Midwest and would like to go somewhere a bit warmer. We don't have current passports.
We like:
swimming
animals
nature (but aren't hikers/kayakers/thrill seekers)
Since budget wasn't specified, will assume that is relatively open.
To avoid crowds, to some extent, go off the beaten path. Research fast. If you only have a week, might suggest Carolina Coast. I'd go to one of the last minute travel sites. I'm not shilling for them, nor am I likely allowed to post their URLs, but there are a few. I've used several, sometimes they can be deals. I've taken personal (twice that I recall) and business (half-dozen) trips on three day's notice via some of those sites. It worked out OK. Only problem, and it's minor, is not getting TSA Pre: I do believe, though cannot confirm, they need a bit more notice for ticketing sometimes (always?). Oh well.
You may wish to invoke a travel agent for a package to cover all. I used an agent to do this when moving a group to India from Vancouver and Seattle to India (Chennai, specifically) back in 2008. It was worth the modest premium they charged. I did compare/contrast on her costs vs. DIY and was worth it. Consider...
I just returned from Chicago, to my home in Seattle metro, and snow is moving in(!) five days into Spring. "A lot", at this writing, plus it was 23F in the morning (though dry) a few days I was there last week. Welcome to the Midwest, where I lived my first c. 19 years but will never live again. But you do live there...point being, flee all that for Carolina or Gulf Coast (I think Pensacola Beach is rather fun, but I'd check on "tourist season"), possibly SW FL as well, though both those latter areas are more about sitting around with old people vs. actually doing anything.
Good luck, those are some close-ish options. West Coast is a bit far for you, unless you can get a direct flight from Chicago or similar to a place like LA or San Diego, though that does not sound like exactly what you want. It's still cold in the PacNW else I'd recommend Portland.
What's your budget/is money a big factor? Without a passport, and taking into account your family's likes and dislikes, you could always go to Hawaii (Oahu probably wouldn't be the best idea if you don't like big crowds, but one of the other islands would work), Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, etc. But such a trip would likely cost and arm and a leg (again, I don't know your budget, though).
If you're looking for something more manageable for most people in a financial sense, you could always visit New Orleans. Yes, parts of the city will have huge crowds/tourists, but I think it would still be a worthwhile place to see.
The sunshine is finally back in California as of this afternoon. Sunshine expected every day in the 10 day forecast. If you are on the coast, you might get some partly cloudy days, but no rain.
Monterey is nice. Not really crowded. Great aquarium, nice beaches that aren't really crowded (water is cold for swimming, though). Wouldn't be super warm, but still nice. Southern CA would be warmer, but more crowded at the beaches.
DC? Go to the National Zoo? Some of the schools in that area have spring break this week. I'm not sure how warm it is up there though. I know where you are and DC should be warmer than there.
How about down in the Ozarks - you could drive there. Old fashioned train rides, beautiful country with hiking, lakes, etc Branson for an evening or 2 of shows. Not far or expensive. Otherwise fly to Savannah GA.
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