Spring Break Getaways For The Family

By Mark Guillory

Spring Break is coming next week and students are planning their getaways.
University of Houston-Clear Lake students have plenty of options for getaways in their own state. Galveston and South Padre Island are two of the more popular spring break getaways.
Many college students will travel outside of Texas in search of vacation destinations. Daytona Beach, Cancun, Panama City are just a few of the cities expecting to be overrun with hoards of college – aged students.
Traveling to exotic locations for spring break can be an enjoyable experience for many college students. These types of getaways are, however, suited more for traditional college students, younger students who want to party.
Non-traditional college students, who are married and have children, would probably prefer to stay away from locations like South Padre Island and Cancun during spring break – even if work and children’s school schedules would let them.
Fortunately, non-traditional college students with a family can still find affordable getaways close to the house. The Houston Zoo, Space Center Houston, Houston Children’s Museum and other venues provide a fun day out for the entire family.
The Houston Zoo, located on 6200 Golf Course Dr., is a perfect getaway for the family. Children and adults of all ages will be entertained by all the different wildlife exhibits offered by the Houston Zoo.
Not only is the Houston Zoo an enjoyable getaway for the  family, it is also very affordable.  “Customers will receive a discount if they buy their tickets at any of the 33 Fiesta Mart stores across the Houston area,” said Houston Zoo employee Kathy Kuntz.
At the reduced rate; adult tickets are $8 while tickets for children ages 2 to 11 are $5. Adults over age 65 and children under the age of 2 enter the zoo for free.
Another possible family getaway is Space Center Houston, located at 601 NASA Parkway. Just like the Houston Zoo, Space Center Houston is for people of all ages.
“During spring break there will be dive shows, pirate shows, and a costumed Sponge Bob character,” said staff member Connie Harless.
Space Center Houston will be open all week during spring break from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Customers will receive a solar savings discount of $3 if they order their tickets online at www.spacecenter.org. Adult tickets are $16.95, children 11-14 $12.95, seniors $15.95 and children under four are free.
As entertaining as the Houston Zoo and Space Center Houston may be, they are not the only options for a family getaway during spring break. There is also the Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Children’s Museum of Houston and the George Ranch Historical Park.
These attractions are open to the public through spring break and are all affordable, especially with a City Pass purchased at www.citypass.com. A City Pass allows admission to all six of these attractions at a rate of $34 for adults and $24 for youth ages 4 – 11. The pass is valid for nine days.
For those spring breakers who are looking for a little more upbeat action, try the Kemah Boardwalk. Kemah will have a weeklong celebration of spring break starting March 14 - 22, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The weeklong celebration will include plenty of live music. March 17 is Family Day – come dressed in green for this St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
There is spring break fun for everyone but students should find activities that best fit their situation. So whether the spring breaker is a traditional college student or a non-traditional college student with a family, everyone deserves to get away for spring break.