With Spring break starting this weekend, you can bet we’ve been getting many questions about our travel plans. Believe it or not, our current plan is to stay home! Wild, I know! We’ve got a list of things that need to be done around the acreage, so we’re hoping for good weather. But just in case you have that itch for a quick getaway, we’ve put together a quick guide to direct flights from Springfield, Missouri.
Surprisingly, our little airport is very well connected and there are thirteen direct flight destinations within 1-4 hours of the middle of the country. If those thirteen aren’t your jam, you can bet on finding a connection to somewhere that is!
Let’s go!
Chicago, IL
Airlines: United Airlines & American Airlines
Chicago is probably the city we see the most in all our travels. It’s a big hub for us in the Midwest, especially if you’re headed to Europe or the East Coast. But get this, we’ve never actually stepped foot in the city of Chicago, it’s always just a passthrough for us! If we did, you can bet we’d be trying out the deep-dish pizza, walking all over to find things like the Bean, and taking a stroll down to the edge of Lake Michigan! If the Windy City is your final destination, be sure to check out the tourism board website for things to do in Chicago.
Atlanta, GA
Airline: Delta
We’re also very familiar with Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson Airport as this was our home airport when we lived in Auburn, Alabama. It may be the busiest airport in the country, but we also think it’s the most organized. Grab a cab or jump on the metro to get to downtown Atlanta and see things like Olympic Park, the world-renowned Georgia Aquarium (it really is amazing), the Newseum, or the Coca-Cola Factory. If none of that sounds up your alley, check out the Atlanta tourism website for more ideas!
Charlotte, NC
Airline: American Airlines
Charlotte has me thinking of theme parks, the Nascar Museum, and the Appalachian Mountains. We’ve been through there a time or two for conferences and treks to the northern east coast. With the mountains so close, we would definitely rent a car to find the best hiking trails. How could you resist!? Check out Charlotte’s tourism website for more ideas – there are a TON!
Tampa, FL
Airline: Allegiant Airlines
Beaches, food, and sunshine have been our experience with the Tampa area. Even when we’re busy with conferences, it’s easy to get away to the plethora of beautiful beaches that are just a short drive from the city! Theme parks, museums, golf, outdoor adventures – the list goes on and on and on. Check out the Tampa Bay Tourism website for even more ideas!
Destin, FL
Airline: Allegiant Airlines
Can you believe we’ve never been to Destin? We are big fans of nearby Pensacola Beach and spent MANY weekends there while Jason worked on his Ph.D. at Auburn University. Given that, we can only assume Destin is just as beautiful with its pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear water. I can’t think of anything better to do than walk on the beach as the waves lap at your feet or kayak along the beach. But just in case you need more ideas, check out the Destin Tourism webpage. They’ll know.
Orlando, FL
Airline: Allegiant Airlines
Ah yes, Orlando. Home of the mouse, the boy who lived, and insanely muggy summers. We recommend going now while you can still breathe. If theme parks aren’t your thing, surprisingly, there is actually more to do in Orlando. They have a great food scene, breweries, wineries, golf courses, spas, museums…ok the list is endless and continues on the Orlando Tourism website. But seriously, don’t go in the summer unless you truly love the heat. It’s oppressive.
Punta Gorda, FL
Airline: Allegiant (seasonal)
I admit, we have never been to the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach/Ft. Meyers area of Florida, but after one look at their tourism website, I’m reconsidering that decision to stay home for Spring Break. It looks absolutely beautiful! You’re in luck, flights are currently flying to the Punta Gorda/Ft. Meyers Airport on Mondays and Fridays (obviously I checked). Sunshine, waves, beaches, and outdoor activities…mmm.
Houston, TX
Airline: United Airlines
Alright, back to the middle of the country. While Houston is a huge, bustling city (4th largest in the country in fact) with endless things to do, you can still find your way to the beach outside the city in areas like Galveston if you wish. Or stay in the city and visit NASA, the Planetarium, or the endless number of microbreweries. The Houston Rodeo is going on right now through March 19th. Attend or find yourself a nearby country honky-tonk and learn the Texas two-step while your favorite country singer encourages you from the stage. I could go on but Houston’s Tourism website has all the tea.
Dallas, TX
Airlines: United Airlines & American Airlines
Our knowledge of Dallas only involves the airport and Dallas Market Center which we frequent to buy inventory for our women’s boutique. Turns out, there’s a lot more to do in Dallas than shop all day and stuff your face before you collapse for the night. I will say though, the food is amazing and we never leave hungry! There are several interesting-looking museums like the George W. Bush Presidential Museum, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Museum of Illusions. Check out the Dallas Tourism website for more ideas, I can’t even begin to name them all!
Denver, CO
Airline: United Airlines
We love Denver, the mountains, the culture, the food, and the beer. The home of Coors Brewery is in Golden, just outside the city, along with the breathtaking Red Rocks Amphitheater. Journey up Lookout Mountain to the Buffalo Bill Museum and gaze across the mountains and plains. Use The Mile High City as a base camp to explore the surrounding mountains or stay put and enjoy the museums, food, culture, and music. You won’t be a bit disappointed. Check out Denver’s Tourism website for more ideas – they’re all great!
Phoenix, AZ
Airline: Allegiant Airlines
Near the top of our list of places we’d like to visit is Phoenix. We keep hearing amazing things about the restaurant scene, hikes, resorts, and golf. We’re terrible golfers, so we’ll probably stick to hiking or a stroll through the Desert Botanical Garden – it looks so interesting! A quick look at the Phoenix Tourism website is making me hungry and want to check out all the cute little shops. I think this place just moved up the list a notch or two for us! Right now flights from Springfield fly on Saturday, Sunday, and Thursday!
Las Vegas, NV
Airline: Allegiant Airlines
Ok really, what isn’t there to do in Las Vegas? This is another place we’ve been to multiple times for conferences and boutique shopping trips. In August it’s extremely hot, in January it’s quite pleasant. The Las Vegas Tourism website can give you an endless number of things to do from the wild side of shows and gambling to the calmer side of eating, museums, and shopping. Our favorite thing to do is take a little drive outside the city to Red Rock Canyon National Park. It’s a surprising oasis of calm just outside a city constantly alive.
Los Angeles, CA
Airline: Allegiant Airlines
Hollywood, beaches, celebrity spotting, Rodeo Drive shopping, the Walk of Fame, and huge wholesale warehouses (clearly I own a boutique) are just a few things that come to mind when I think about L.A. The prospect of sunshine year-round sounds pretty nice to us Midwesterners right about this time of year. Fun fact, the Hollywood sign is officially 100 years old this year! Grab a chance to learn about making movies on a film set, visit a theme park or stroll down the beaches. A wealth of information can be found on the Los Angeles Tourism website, including information on the In-N-Out Tour of L.A. I’m told this is a must for fans of the famous burger chain.
After all that, I’ve got at least thirteen new trip ideas to hash out. If that sounds like you too, head to the Springfield-Branson Airport’s website for more information or Google Flights to book your flight! You’ll be so glad you did. See ya out there!
