✦ Thomas Family ✦ Trip Planning Guide

Spring Break
2026

7 people. 6 nights. Infinite possibilities.

📅 Mar 30 – Apr 5
👥 7 Travelers
🏠 3–5 Bed House
🏠 House: $500–$800/night
🏨 Hotel: $90–$200/night
📍 Leaving from Lorton, VA
Coastal Options

Beach Destinations

Three solid coastal picks ranging from 2 to 5 hours from Lorton. Weather comparison for your exact dates is key — NC wins on warmth.

Lorton, VA → Hamptons, NY
~48°F High · Possible rain/wind
Lorton, VA → Rehoboth, DE
~55°F High · Shoulder season cool
Lorton, VA → OBX / NC Beaches
~63–68°F High · Best weather of the three ✓
01
🗽 New York

The Hamptons

Southampton + East Hampton + Westhampton Beach
Drive Time 5.5 – 6.5 hrs
House Budget $500–$800/night
Hotel Budget $90–$200/night
Weather Risk ⚠️ Cold (46–52°F)

Where to Stay

  • Hampton Bays — Best value, 15 min from Southampton Village. 4BR house on Airbnb/VRBO in budget range. Search "Dune Rd" or "Ponquogue Bridge" area.
  • Westhampton Beach — Charming Main St, walkable, mid-range pricing. Filter for 4BR houses near beach access.
  • Southampton Village — Most iconic but pricier. Top of your budget; shoulder season helps.
  • Search: Airbnb · VRBO · Vacasa · LF Vacations
→ Search Airbnb Hampton Bays

Things To Do

  • Ponquogue Beach — wide ocean beach, late March walks
  • Cupsogue Beach — harbor seals in spring, dog-friendly
  • Meschutt Beach — calm bay water, family-friendly
  • Jockey's Ridge State Park (day trip south)
  • Southampton Village boutique shopping
  • Westhampton Beach PAC — check spring shows
  • La Parmigiana dinner — best Italian on LI
  • Shippy's biergarten — live music Fri/Sat

Projected Weather · Mar 30 – Apr 5

Mon
48°
🌬️
Tue
50°
☁️
Wed
52°
⛅
Thu
49°
🌧️
Fri
53°
⛅
Sat
55°
🌤️

Ocean wind makes it feel 5–8° colder. Not ideal for beach sitting but great for scenic walks and cozy house time.

🎵 Music & Events Near Dates

  • Westhampton Beach PAC — check spring concert calendar
  • Shippy's Restaurant — live music Friday & Saturday nights
  • 75 Main Southampton — live DJ/music brunch weekends
  • First Friday Manteo (if stopping through OBX on way)

Note: Hamptons live music season peaks June–Sept. Late March is quiet — more intimate house/restaurant scene.

🏠 House / Airbnb
$500 – $800/night
4BR in Hampton Bays or Westhampton Beach. Southampton village hits upper range. Filter Airbnb/VRBO for 3–5 bed. Late March = shoulder pricing.
🏨 Hotel / Inn
$90 – $200/night
Hampton Inn East End · Canoe Place Inn · Southampton Inn. Off-peak March rates well within range. Book 2 rooms for the crew.
💡 Best Approach
House = Better Value
At 7 people, a house pays off fast. Split $700/night = $100pp vs $150+pp for two hotel rooms.
⚠️ Hamptons cold late March — factor indoor amenities like fireplace, game room into rental decision
02
⭐ Closest Option

Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth + Lewes + Dewey Beach · Delaware
Drive Time 2.5 – 3 hrs ✓
House Budget $400–$700/night
Hotel Budget $90–$200/night
Weather 54–60°F avg

Where to Stay

  • North Rehoboth / South Rehoboth — 4BR houses near the boardwalk. $400–$650/night in late March shoulder season.
  • Dewey Beach area — More casual, party-adjacent, great value. 4BR homes under $600/night off-peak.
  • Lewes — Charming historic town, 5 min from beach. Very affordable. Family-friendly and quiet.
  • Best search: Mann & Sons · VRBO · Vacasa · Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Rentals
→ Search VRBO Rehoboth Beach

Things To Do

  • Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk — mile-long, shops & eats
  • Cape Henlopen State Park — trails, bird watching, beach
  • Delaware Seashore State Park — wild, uncrowded
  • Funland Amusement Park (opens spring weekends)
  • Jungle Jim's Water Park — great for the kids
  • Tanger Outlets — tax-free Delaware shopping
  • Rehoboth Bay kayaking tours
  • Junction & Breakwater Trail — paved bike/hike path

Projected Weather · Mar 30 – Apr 5

Mon
55°
⛅
Tue
57°
🌤️
Wed
58°
☀️
Thu
55°
🌧️
Fri
60°
⛅
Sat
62°
☀️

Late March brings cool but pleasant days. Good for boardwalk strolls and state park hikes. Ocean swimming too cold still.

🎵 Music & Events Near Dates

  • 🎷 Jazz Rehoboth Jazz Festival (late Oct) — not your dates, but check spring shows
  • Bottle & Cork — Dewey Beach's legendary music venue, spring schedule TBD
  • Clear Space Theatre — local productions through spring
  • The Milton Theatre — indie acts, 20 min away. Check April schedule
  • Sand Castle Winery — spring wine events nearby
  • Rehoboth Spring Restaurant Week — typically late April
🏠 House / Airbnb
$400 – $700/night
4BR near boardwalk or Lewes area. South Rehoboth & Dewey Beach neighborhoods offer best value. Check Mann & Sons, VRBO, Vacasa for March off-peak rates.
🏨 Hotel / Inn
$90 – $170/night
Cambria Hotel Rehoboth · Holiday Inn Express Rehoboth · Residence Inn. All under $200/night in March. Book 2 rooms for 7 people comfortably.
💡 Closest Option
2.5 hrs from Lorton
Shortest drive of all beach picks. If someone needs to leave early, it's easy. Tax-free shopping is a bonus for the ladies.
✅ Rehoboth is the most budget-friendly and closest beach — great value for 7 people in a 4BR house
03
🏆 Best Weather Pick

North Carolina Beaches

Outer Banks (Kill Devil Hills / Nags Head) · Surf City / Topsail Island · Emerald Isle
Drive Time 4.5 – 5.5 hrs
House Budget $450–$750/night
Hotel Budget $90–$200/night
Weather 63–70°F ✅ Best

Where to Stay

  • Kill Devil Hills / Nags Head (OBX) — Most iconic. 4BR houses start ~$500/night in late March. Search "Sound side" for better value than oceanfront.
  • Emerald Isle (Crystal Coast) — Hidden gem. 4.8-star rated beach. Wide clean sand. 4BR houses ~$450–$650/night. Highly recommended for families.
  • Surf City / Topsail Island — Most affordable option. Very laid-back. 4BR homes under $550/night all week long in spring.
  • Search: Vacasa · VRBO OBX · Outer Banks Blue · Carolina Designs
→ Search VRBO Outer Banks

Things To Do

  • Jockey's Ridge State Park — tallest sand dunes on East Coast
  • Wild Horse Tour in Corolla (4WD beach driving)
  • Wright Brothers National Memorial (Kill Devil Hills)
  • Cape Hatteras Lighthouse — iconic, family-friendly
  • Roanoke Island / Lost Colony Historic Site
  • OBX Aquarium on Roanoke Island
  • Kitty Hawk Kites hang gliding intro lessons
  • Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve — hiking
  • Fresh seafood at Basnight's Lone Cedar Café

Projected Weather · Mar 30 – Apr 5

Mon
63°
🌤️
Tue
65°
☀️
Wed
67°
☀️
Thu
62°
⛅
Fri
68°
☀️
Sat
70°
☀️

Late March / early April is prime in NC. Sunny and warm in the afternoons. Light jacket in the morning. Ocean around 58–62°F — brave souls can dip in.

🎵 Music & Events Near Dates

  • 🎸 Live OBX Brewing Station — live music most nights year-round, Nags Head
  • 🎵 Monthly First Friday Manteo — April 3rd! Street festival, live music downtown, all ages
  • Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head bars — local beach bands every weekend in spring
  • OBX Bluegrass Festival — spring (check exact dates)
  • Pat McGee Down The Hatch 2026 — OBX area spring event
  • Vetrans Band Aid Music Festival — OBX spring lineup
  • Corolla Chapel Hill outdoor concerts — check April schedule
🏠 House / Airbnb
$450 – $750/night
OBX: Search Kill Devil Hills "sound side" for best value (oceanfront adds 30–40%). Emerald Isle 4BR runs $450–$650/night. Surf City / Topsail often under $550 in late March. Carolina Designs · Vacasa · VRBO OBX.
🏨 Hotel / Inn
$90 – $180/night
Hilton Garden Inn OBX · Hampton Inn KDH · Comfort Inn Oceanfront Nags Head. Late March off-peak: rooms well within $90–$200 range. 2 rooms covers 7 people.
🏆 Best Weather Value
63–70°F Highs
Warmest of all beach options by 10–15°F. You'll actually be outside. Spend the budget on the house — you'll use the outdoor space.
🌡️ OBX late March is the sweet spot — warm enough to enjoy, uncrowded, and house rentals are at their annual low point before spring break rush
Virginia · Lake Towns

Virginia Lakes

These are close to home, budget-friendly, and drop-dead gorgeous in early spring. Perfect if you want to skip long drives and get into nature fast.

⭐ Top VA Pick
Smith Mountain Lake
Roanoke Region, SW Virginia · 500 mi shoreline · 22,000 acres
🚗 ~3 hrs from Lorton
Rentals ($300–$600/night)
  • SML Vacation Rentals (smithmountainlakerentals.com) — all waterfront with dock
  • Mariners Landing & Bernards Landing resorts — condos + resort amenities
  • VRBO & Airbnb: 4BR lakefront homes available March off-season
  • Westlake Waterfront Inn — hotel option if needed
Things To Do
  • Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding on the lake
  • Bridgewater Plaza — shops, restaurants, live music on weekends
  • Smith Mountain Lake State Park — beach & hiking trails
  • Lake Anna Winery day trip
  • Blue Ridge Parkway — 15 min away, stunning spring views
  • Roanoke City Market — great for a day trip (25 min)
🌡️ Late March: 55–65°F Mild spring, beautiful for lake views & hiking. Water too cold to swim but perfect for boating.
🏠 House (4BR+)
$300 – $600/night
Waterfront w/ dock via smithmountainlakerentals.com · VRBO · Mariners/Bernards Landing condos
🏨 Hotel / Inn
$90 – $160/night
Westlake Waterfront Inn · SML-area hotels in Moneta/Huddleston. Very affordable in late March off-season.
🎯 Closest VA Lake
Lake Anna
Mineral, VA · Central Virginia · 13,000 acres
🚗 ~1.5 hrs from Lorton
Rentals ($250–$550/night)
  • LakeAnnaRentalProperties.com — 70+ waterfront homes direct from owners
  • 4–5BR lakefront homes with private dock — extremely available in late March
  • Public side vs private side — both have great options for groups
  • Some properties sleep 10–12, great for 7 people
Things To Do
  • Lake Anna State Park — beach, fishing, 15 mi of trails
  • North Anna Nuclear Info Center — surprisingly cool for curious kids
  • Goodwin Gold Mine guided tour — unique experience
  • Lake Anna Winery — wine tasting with lake views
  • Cooper Vineyards & Castle Glen Estates nearby
  • Goochland Drive-In Theater (19 mi away) — retro family night
🌡️ Late March: 58–65°F Closest warm option to home. Best value house rentals of all picks.
🏠 House (4BR+)
$250 – $550/night
lakeannarentalproperties.com · VRBO. 4–5BR waterfront homes sleep 10–12. Best house value of all options — and closest.
🏨 Hotel
$90 – $150/night
Mineral/Louisa area motels + Fredericksburg hotels (30 min). Lake Anna is primarily a house-rental destination — house is strongly preferred here.
Scenic Virginia
Claytor Lake
Pulaski, VA · New River Valley · 21+ miles of shoreline
🚗 ~4 hrs from Lorton
Rentals
  • Claytor Lake State Park — family lodges available (6BR) for groups
  • VRBO / Airbnb lakefront homes in Pulaski/Dublin area
  • Off-peak March means excellent availability
Things To Do
  • Claytor Lake State Park — beach, boat launch, trails
  • New River Trail State Park — 57-mile rail trail
  • Fishing (crappie, bass, walleye)
  • Nearby Appalachian Trail access
  • Radford & Christiansburg for dining
🌡️ Late March: 56–64°F
🏠 House / Cabin
$200 – $450/night
State park family lodge or private VRBO/Airbnb cabins near Pulaski. Most affordable VA lake option.
🏨 Hotel
$90 – $140/night
Hotels in Radford or Christiansburg (15–20 min). Under $120/night most March dates.
North Carolina · Lake Towns

NC Lake Towns

North Carolina's mountain lake towns are stunning in early spring with blooming trees, lower rental prices, and far fewer crowds than summer.

⭐ Top NC Lake Pick
Lake Lure
Rutherford County, NC · Blue Ridge Foothills · Featured in Dirty Dancing
🚗 ~5.5 hrs from Lorton
Rentals ($300–$600/night)
  • VRBO & Airbnb: lakefront cabins and houses abound
  • 4BR lake houses with dock available in late March
  • Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure resort — full amenities option
Things To Do
  • Boat tours & kayak rentals on the lake
  • Chimney Rock State Park — iconic hiking, 404-ft waterfall
  • Bat Cave nature walk (near Chimney Rock)
  • Lake Lure Beach — public beach open spring
  • Dirty Dancing Festival site at Lake Lure Inn
  • Zip-lining at Treetops Adventure
🌡️ Late March: 60–68°F
🏠 House / Cabin
$300 – $600/night
VRBO / Airbnb lakefront cabins & homes. Rumbling Bald resort condos also available. Great off-season availability in late March.
🏨 Hotel / Inn
$90 – $190/night
Lake Lure Inn & Spa · Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure · Hotels in Chimney Rock village. Spring shoulder rates within $90–$200 range.
Mountain Beauty
Lake James
Burke County, NC · Pisgah National Forest · Morganton area
🚗 ~5 hrs from Lorton
Rentals ($280–$550/night)
  • Lake James vacation homes on VRBO — great availability in March
  • 4BR cabin rentals near Morganton/Nebo
  • Several Airbnb lakefront properties under $400/night in spring
Things To Do
  • Lake James State Park — hiking, paddling, beach access
  • Linville Gorge (30 min) — epic hiking gorge
  • Brown Mountain Lights overlook — unique natural phenomenon
  • Morganton's downtown breweries and restaurants
  • Blue Ridge Parkway access nearby
🌡️ Late March: 58–66°F
🏠 House / Cabin
$280 – $550/night
VRBO lakefront homes near Morganton / Nebo. Often under $400/night in late March. Very affordable for what you get.
🏨 Hotel
$90 – $150/night
Hampton Inn Morganton · Holiday Inn Express Morganton. 20–30 min from the lake. Well within budget.
Wake/Chatham County, NC · Near Raleigh / Chapel Hill
🚗 ~4 hrs from Lorton
Rentals (Near Raleigh)
  • Lake-adjacent homes in Apex, Holly Springs, Cary — great value
  • Less "lake house" scene, more suburban — best paired with Raleigh activities
  • 4BR homes near Jordan Lake $300–$500/night
Things To Do
  • Jordan Lake State Rec Area — boating, fishing, bald eagle watching
  • NC Museum of Natural Sciences — Raleigh (free admission!)
  • NC State Farmers Market — fresh local food
  • Historic Downtown Hillsborough day trip
  • Chapel Hill & UNC campus stroll
🌡️ Late March: 62–70°F
🏠 House (Raleigh suburbs)
$300 – $500/night
Apex, Holly Springs, Cary VRBO/Airbnb homes. Larger suburban houses for groups at great rates. Warmest NC lake area.
🏨 Hotel (Raleigh area)
$90 – $170/night
Cary, Apex & Durham hotels — tons of options well within $200/night. Courtyard, Residence Inn, Hilton Garden Inn all in range.
Maryland & Delaware · Lake Towns

MD & DE Lake Towns

Western Maryland and Pennsylvania border offer incredible mountain lake escapes just 2–3 hours from Lorton. Deep Creek is the crown jewel.

⭐ Best MD Lake Pick
Deep Creek Lake
Garrett County, MD · Western Maryland Mountains · 3,900 acres · 69 mi shoreline
🚗 ~2.5 hrs from Lorton
Rentals ($350–$700/night)
  • Railey Vacations (deepcreek.com) — largest local rental company, huge 4–6BR homes
  • Red Barn Vacations — premium lakefront homes
  • Timber Rock Village — purpose-built family vacation homes with boat slips
  • Vacasa & VRBO — extensive listings, lakefront with dock common
  • Late March = shoulder season. Ski crowds gone, spring pricing kicks in. Great deals!
→ Search Railey Vacations Deep Creek
Things To Do
  • Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding (spring launch mid-March)
  • Wisp Resort — skiing wraps up, then mountain biking season starts
  • Swallow Falls State Park — Maryland's tallest waterfall, incredible hike
  • Deep Creek Fun Zone — go karts, mini golf, arcade, bumper boats
  • Adventure Sports Center International — whitewater rafting nearby
  • Zip-lining at Garrett County Scenic Mountain Adventures
  • Oakland Historic Downtown — 8 mi, local shops & restaurants
  • Fishing — bass, walleye, trout (license required)

Projected Weather · Mar 30 – Apr 5

Mon
52°
⛅
Tue
54°
🌤️
Wed
56°
☀️
Thu
50°
🌧️
Fri
57°
⛅
Sat
60°
☀️

Mountain elevation means cool evenings. Perfect layered-up spring vibe. Waterfalls are at their peak flow in April!

🎵 Music & Events
  • Deep Creek Brewing Company — live music weekends
  • Garrett County events — spring season openers at Wisp Resort
  • Oakland local festivals — check Garrett County Arts Council
  • Wisp Resort spring concert series (check deepcreek.com events)
🏠 House (4–6BR)
$350 – $700/night
Railey Vacations · Red Barn · Timber Rock Village. Late March shoulder season — ski crowds are gone. Premium lakefront 4BR homes drop significantly from summer pricing. Many include boat slip.
🏨 Hotel / Resort
$90 – $200/night
Wisp Resort hotel rooms · Lake Pointe Inn B&B · Comfort Inn McHenry · Oakland-area hotels. Spring rates well within $90–$200. 2 rooms handles 7 guests.
Laurel, DE · Southern Delaware Cypress Swamp · Unique ecosystem
🚗 ~2.5 hrs from Lorton
Rentals (Nearby Seaford/Laurel)
  • Trap Pond State Park cabins — small, book early for spring
  • Stay in Lewes or Rehoboth (30 min) and day trip to Trap Pond
  • More of a day-activity add-on than a base destination for 7 people
Things To Do
  • Canoe/kayak through the bald cypress swamp — otherworldly scenery
  • Hiking and birding (spring migration peak in April)
  • Trap Pond beach and fishing
  • Nearby Bridgeville for dining
  • Best combined with Rehoboth or Lewes beach stay
🌡️ Late March: 55–62°F
🏠 House / Cabin
$150 – $300/night
Very limited lakefront cabins — best as a day trip from Rehoboth. Nearby Seaford/Laurel VRBO homes available at budget pricing.
🏨 Hotel
$90 – $130/night
Best paired with Rehoboth/Lewes stay. Seaford motels under $100/night but limited options for 7 people.
Allegany County, MD · Near Cumberland · Mountain setting
🚗 ~2 hrs from Lorton
Rentals ($200–$450/night)
  • Rocky Gap Casino Resort — rooms + villas on the lake (full resort option)
  • Rocky Gap State Park cabins — affordable family option
  • Cumberland area Airbnbs for groups
Things To Do
  • Lake Habeeb — swimming, boating, fishing in the park
  • Rocky Gap Casino — entertainment for adults in the evenings
  • C&O Canal Trail — historic trail along the Potomac (nearby)
  • Green Ridge State Forest — ATV & off-road adventures
  • Cumberland's Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
🌡️ Late March: 52–60°F
🏠 House / Villa
$200 – $450/night
Rocky Gap State Park cabins · VRBO near Cumberland. Very affordable. Best option is resort villas at Rocky Gap Casino Resort which include full resort access.
🏨 Hotel / Resort
$90 – $180/night
Rocky Gap Casino Resort hotel — on the lake, full casino entertainment, comfortable rooms. Spring rates well within $90–$200. Cumberland hotels even lower.