It seems like just yesterday we were all yearning for cooler temperatures and changing leaves. Once the frigid winter sets in, the mood invariably changes and one desires an escape to warmer climes…or at the very least, an escape to a place that offers an escape from the traditional Oklahoma landscape.
Washington, D.C.
With a direct flight from Tulsa on American Airlines, you can go from the Capital of Route 66 to the Capital of the United States in less than three hours. If you've never visited Washington, DC, you're in for a treat. There are more museums and monuments to visit here than you can imagine. It's impossible to see everything in one trip, so it's best to focus and make the most of your time. Planning a visit to the United States Capitol is worth it; you will need to book in advance via visit thecapitol.gov. Several specialist tours are also available, subject to availability.
The Smithsonian is actually a complex of multiple museums – you could spend a whole week exploring them. The National Museum of Natural History is especially popular with children, and the National Museum of the American Indian has many interesting exhibits, but I have a soft spot for the National Museum of American History. There is an exhibit there that features Route 66…literally! An original concrete slab from Mother Road was removed near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, several decades ago and donated to the Smithsonian. Tulsan Cyrus Avery is also featured in the exhibit – which is fitting since he is known as the father of Route 66.
Whatever you do, you'll do it among some of America's most beautiful flowers. Spring in Washington is when the cherry blossom trees bloom, transforming the National Mall into a beautiful tapestry of pink and white. Be sure to take the time to sit outside and simply admire the natural splendor.
Southwest Missouri
The Ozark Mill Restaurant at Finley Farms near Ozark, Missouri
Closer to home, the great outdoors of southwest Missouri invites you to enjoy a variety of activities. Springfield is a good place to start. Nearby Fellows Lake is an excellent local fishing spot with several trails and the area is full of attractions for those who want to vary their vacation.
Fantastic Caverns lives up to its name and is open year-round. This is a tour experience, so everyone can participate in the wonder of this natural cave. In nearby Ozark, a historic site was completely refreshed.
Finley Farms is centered around a mill from the 1800s (which only stopped operating in the 1990s and was fully restored in 2018). This 40-acre destination is the perfect detour for a unique dining experience. The restaurant is supported by the on-site urban farm. In addition to the farm-to-table restaurant, there is also a fine dining restaurant and speakeasy at Finley Farms – reservations are recommended.
If like me you love history, you can also visit the historic mill. A little further south, the Busiek National Forest and Wildlife Reserve provides a more primitive hiking experience that also allows for overnight camping. It's an ideal place to disconnect and get away from it all.
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Canaveral National Seashore in Florida
Don't underestimate the appeal of a traditional beach vacation during spring break. There are countless resorts and beach towns to choose from, but keeping with the overall nature theme, you should visit the Canaveral National Seashore. This sanctuary, designated a National Park Service unit in the 1970s, is “the longest stretch of Florida's undeveloped Atlantic coast.” Due to its somewhat remote location, it is one of the state's sanctuaries. The beaches are calmer and have a better chance of observing marine life in its natural habitat.
If the family's idea of a Florida vacation is a little more active, the town of Lakeland has a little bit of everything to complement your time soaking up the sun. It's further inland, but Madeira Beach (among others) is about an hour west and easily accessible by car for a day or two at the beach supplemented by other activities.
Silver Moon Drive-In
Lakeland has a great children's museum and the LEGOLAND theme park for kids; for adults, there are a ton of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture (with tours!) and a strong craft beer scene. Circle B Bar Preserve is a protected park where you can walk and observe some of the Sunshine State's natural creatures such as cranes, alligators, and otters.
No matter what you do to fill your day in the Lakeland area, end it with a visit to the Silvermoon Drive-In. This theater has been showing outdoor films since 1948 and is only one of four remaining statewide.
New Mexico Mountains
Magic Circle of New Mexico Scenic Byway
If, by any chance, you're not yet done with winter, New Mexico offers a plethora of fun and culturally significant options. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an 84-mile loop around Wheeler Peak that will take you to numerous ski resorts as well as other great sites along the way. Starting in Taos, the Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a visit here will give you a solid grounding in the history of the area.
Questa is known as the gateway to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, which offers a variety of outdoor activities that change with each season. Red River Ski Resort has been a family-friendly recreation center for more than six decades. The town of Red River was built as a mining town and still has a bit of that Wild West vibe.
Elizabethtown, a ghost town further down the road, continues this frontier feeling. There are more skiing opportunities at Angel Fire as well as a beautiful Vietnam Memorial developed by the Westphall family. There is a chapel, gardens, an amphitheater, a visitors center and much more.
On the way to or from the Enchanted Circle ride you will pass through Santa Fe and it is also a great place to spend a few days and explore. A special thank you to The Pantry restaurant, which has been a welcome comfort destination for me for many years.
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