While Spring Break isn’t an official holiday, many families make traveling between mid-March and April an annual tradition. AAA Central Penn travel booking data shows many Central Pennsylvania Spring Break travelers are eager to depart for warmer weather, with Florida ranking as a top destination and cruise bookings up 10% over last year.
AAA travel booking data reports that Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa are among the top 10 most popular domestic Spring Break destinations. This holds true regionally, too, as AAA Central Penn reports that Florida is a top Spring Break destination for Central Pennsylvanians.
“With top-tier theme parks, white-sand beaches, extensive resort-style hotel options and a reliably warm climate, Florida has something for everyone,” said AAA Central Penn Vice President of Travel Allison Villasenor. “Orlando is the top destination for families, while Key West and Miami are popular with relaxation seekers and cruise travelers.”
Ocean cruising is setting records this year as AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will take cruise vacations in 2026. Many families book cruises over Spring Break to get the most out of the week, with Caribbean itineraries departing from Florida, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas being the most popular. AAA Central Penn reports that bookings for cruises by Central Pennsylvania travelers are up over 10% from 2025. No-fly cruises leaving ports in New York and New Jersey are also notably popular among Central Pennsylvania travelers.
“These close-to-home cruise options allow for all the benefits of cruising without adding airfare and additional travel logistics,” Villasenor said.
AAA Central Penn reports that travelers to other domestic and international destinations can expect to pay slightly less for airfare. Economy class tickets have trended down 7.16% for international routes and down 3.51% for domestic travel compared to 2025, making this year one of the best-value spring travel seasons in recent years.
According to AAA Central Penn, international destinations that are gaining popularity for 2026 include Japan, France, Italy and England. The 250th anniversary of the United States is also prompting more travelers to explore domestically. National Parks, California and Alaska are favorites for Central Pennsylvania travelers, AAA Central Penn reports.
