Tropical resort with palm trees

March Break Escapes: Top Family Vacation Destinations

Published: February 29, 2024

As the March Break approaches, it’s time to toss the routine aside for some family fun! Whether you’re thinking of staying local, craving an international escape or something in between, we’ve got the lowdown on the best family destinations for everyone. Explore this guide for March Break ideas for everywhere from Niagara, Orlando, Tokyo and the best all-inclusive resorts and cruises for the whole family.

Begin your journey with UP Express, providing fast and reliable service from UP Union Station in Downtown Toronto to UP Pearson Station in just 25-minutes. Even better, ride with the whole family for a discounted fare with our Group Passes! UP Express Group Passes are offered online only and is perfect for groups of 3-5 people travelling together to Pearson Airport. Discover which UP Express fare is right for you and your family. We also know that travelling during March Break can be stressful, so we’ve got you covered with our best tips for airport travel during this time. And don’t forget, kids 12 and under ride on UP Express for free!

Local Family Vacations

Best Family Vacation Staying in Toronto

Downtown Toronto view look down Front Street at Union Station and CN Tower

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is a diverse atmosphere with endless family-friendly activities. Visit the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) for a fascinating journey through history. The whole family can use ROM’s PRESTO Perk for 15% off regular Museum admission rates, use promo code PRESTO online or show your PRESTO card in person to take advantage! There’s also plenty of other kid-friendly museums in Toronto for the whole family to check out. The Toronto Zoo is a must-see for families to get out of downtown and enjoy the wildlife in their immersive habitats.

Lastly, you don’t want to miss the iconic CN Tower, offering breathtaking views of the city that are sure to amaze the entire fam. With PRESTO Perks, get 15% off General Admission Timed Tickets when you show your PRESTO card. With its rich cultural scene, family-friendly neighbourhoods and dining, Toronto ensures an unforgettable March Break for the whole family. We’ve also got you covered for the best places to stay in Toronto for all budgets!

Family Vacation to Niagara

Niagara Falls

Niagara is a fantastic destination for families seeking some local excitement. Easily accessible from Toronto, UP Express and GO Transit have you covered for arriving to Niagara in a stress-free and easy way. GO Transit offers weekday and weekend services to Niagara Falls with the GO/WEGO Combo Pass and we’ve got you covered from Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls, perfect for a day trip during your Toronto vacation or make it a long weekend. If you’re travelling with friends or family from Pearson Airport, take advantage of UP Group Passes and save up to 36% when 3-5 people ride together.

Niagara Falls is just as magical in the spring as it is in the summer months. There are lots of ways to view and experience the Falls over a March Break getaway, venture behind the falls with Journey Behind the Falls or enjoy a stroll along the scenic Niagara Parkway. Don’t forget to check out the Clifton Hill for endless entertainment options with arcades, Movieland Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, mini golf and the Niagara SkyWheel.

International Family Vacations

Family Travel to Orlando, Florida

Entrance sign Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Ready for an action filled week? Orlando, Florida is known as the “Theme Park Capital of the World”. From the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, there’s an adventure for all families. Explore the enchanting Wizarding World of Harry Potter or witness the marine life at Discovery Cove. Beyond the amusement parks, there’s also plenty of family fun activities in Orlando. Check out the Orlando Science Center for a hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits and live demonstrations, suitable for all ages. Lastly, for the adventurous family, you don’t want to miss Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park Zip Line for a progressively challenging aerial course set high atop the trees in a natural pine forest.

Family Trip to Tokyo, Japan

Busy street crossing in Tokyo, Japan

For families seeking a unique cultural experience, Tokyo offers the perfect blend of tradition and fun. Explore the historic districts of Asakusa to really immerse the entire family in the Japanese culture. Next up, you don’t want to miss the iconic theme parks Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea that offer a magical experience for the whole family with a mix of classic Disney attractions and unique Japanese touches. Head to Ueno Zoo, one of Japan’s oldest zoos, home to a variety of animals and beautiful cherry blossoms during the spring. Lastly, you don’t want to miss Odaiba. This entertainment island in Tokyo Bay has attractions like TeamLab Borderless, Legoland Discovery Center, and Palette Town, which includes a giant Ferris wheel.

All-Inclusive Family Resorts

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts in Punta Cana

Tropical resort with palm trees

Head to Punta Cana to the Nickelodeon Hotel and Resort to discover a new kind of all-ages vacation! Imagine your favourite characters coming to life – SpongeBob, Dora, you name it. You can find them roaming around the resort for daily meet-and-greets. There’s plenty to do for the whole family right on the resort, the Aqua Nick waterpark has acres of adventure with waterslides and lazy rivers all surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Gourmet dining is also available 24 hours a day with many incredible restaurants, there’s something for the entire family. So, get ready for beach vibes, one-of-a-kind excitement and epic family moments that will have everyone talking for ages.

Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas

Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas

Head to the tropical paradise unlike none other, Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Not just a resort; it’s a whole universe of fun for the whole family. The Aquaventure Waterpark is a thrill-seekers dream with 141-acre waterscape for vacationers young and old from waterslides, a mile-long river ride with rolling rapids to nearly two dozen swimming areas and pools. Want to experience marine life right on the resort? Explore the world-class marine habitat dedicated to conservation, rehabilitation, and education. Swim with the dolphins or spend time with the sealions or snorkel through ruins. On top of all the things to do, stay in luxe rooms and indulge in gourmet dining with options suitable for all ages. It’s a Bahamian escape where every day feels like a chapter from a fantasy novel!

The Best Family Cruises

Family Cruises with Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean cruise family getaway in the ocean

Finding a cruise suitable for the entire family can be a feat but Royal Caribbean is known for delivering great family getaways designed to wow guests across multiple generations. Every ship in the fleet is packed with unique dining options, entertainment and unforgettable activities for all ages all included in the cruise fare. There’s plenty of options to keep the kids busy on-board from rock climbing walls, Broadway style shows, to waterparks. And who says a family vacation must be all about the kids? Parents can reconnect while the kids have a blast at the award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program. So, grab those sea legs and let the family adventure on the seas begin!

Disney Family Cruises

Disney Cruise ship on the water

Last but certainly not least, we’ve got Disney Cruises – where adventure meets the daring tales of classic Disney films and Disney Park attractions. Ideal for families of all ages, whether you’re cruising the Caribbean or sailing through Europe, Disney Cruises is a ticket to family enchantment. Check out the Disney Treasure, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, sailing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries beginning December 2024. With immersive dining at 3 restaurants, spirited entertainment, an exhilarating water attraction, elevated adult escapes, action-packed kid’s clubs and much more, there’s something for the entire family on this cruise ship. Get ready for your Disney fairy tale to come to life on the water!

March Break is the perfect opportunity to break free from the routine and dive into unforgettable family adventures. Whether you’re staying local in Toronto, chasing waterfalls in Niagara, feeling the magic in Orlando or Tokyo, or living it up at all-inclusive family resorts or setting sail on a family-friendly cruise, it’s all about creating memories. UP Express is here to make your journey from start to finish as enjoyable as possible with easy, fast, and direct route from UP Express Union Station to Pearson Airport. So, pack those bags, hit the road, and let this March Break be your family’s epic chapter – one filled with laughter, surprises, and tales to tell for years to come!