In most of parts of the country, spring is in the air. If you’re lucky enough not to be enslaved by little league baseball (or softball) season, this is a great time of year to take your family away for a few days. When it comes to spring break, you can choose cool weather or warm weather – it’s up to you.

Here are a few of our favorite cool weather destinations:

Chicago, Illinois
Highlights: Art, culture, and big city buzz
Stay: Homewood Suites Chicago Downtown

Big cities are fun, but seldom cheap. The Homewood Suites Chicago Downtown provides complimentary hot breakfast every day and complimentary dinner (with beer, wine and soda) four nights a week too. After a long day of sightseeing at Navy Pier, Lincoln Park and the Field Museum of Natural History, the whole family can relax in the hotel’s indoor pool.

Washington, DC
Highlights: The White House, Smithsonian Institute, and The International Spy Museum
Stay: Homewood Suites Washington

If you really want to impress your kids (and who doesn’t?) take them to stay at the Homewood Suites Washington DC, just blocks from the all the monuments that they’ve seen on television and in the movies.  A month wouldn’t be long enough to see everything, so you’ll have to pick and choose. Don’t worry if you only scratch the surface, our nation’s capital isn’t going anywhere.

Ready for some warm weather instead? We don’t blame you. Try one of these places:

Scottsdale, Arizona
Highlights: Warm weather, desert scenery, and historic Old Town Scottsdale
Stay: Homewood Suites Phoenix/Scottsdale

Spring Training is over, but that’s no reason to scratch lively, upscale Scottsdale off your list of possible destinations. Arizona is beautiful this time of year. You can explore the Desert Botanical Garden, eat enough authentic Mexican food to sink a ship and soak up enough sunshine to last you through the last cold weeks of spring. Don’t miss an ice cream sundae at The Sugar Bowl in Old Town Scottsdale. End every day with the other snowbirds with a cold drink around the Homewood Suites Scottsdale’s pool.

Miami, Florida
Highlights: Beaches, theme parks, and upscale shopping
Stay: Homewood Suites Miami – Airport/Blue Lagoon

If you’ve been to Orlando with your family a time or three, consider a trip to Miami this time instead. Explore the beaches for which this part of the world is justifiably famous. Swim with a dolphin at the Miami Seaquarium.  Catch a Florida Marlins baseball game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Santa Monica, California
Highlights: Movie star sightings, beaches, and the Santa Monica Pier
Stay: Homewood Suites Agoura Hills

Los Angeles, Hollywood and Beverly Hills are all household names when it comes to celebrities, but Santa Monica is a great place to spot movie stars too. Prowl around the pedestrian-friendly Third Street Promenade. Shop for fashion accessories at Fred Segal. Ride the ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier – you never know who you’ll see here. When you’re done, jump in the car for a day at Universal Studios Hollywood. Don’t miss the behind-the-scenes studio tour.