The longer days and mild weather are signs that spring in Utah has definitely sprung.

With the Spring Equinox officially behind us, you may be looking for fun Spring Break excursions that won’t break the bank.

Charlene Christenson, director of services at the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, suggests having a “staycation” by taking advantage of the family-friendly activities available locally. The bureau promotes travel and tourism in Utah County and maintains the website www.utahvalley.com.

Here are some things Christenson suggests putting on your to-do list for Spring Break:

1. Spend the day at the beach. The Provo Beach Resort, that is. “The Provo Beach Resort is a unique venue providing entertainment options for all ages and is a great place to have fun as a family,” Christenson says. Young children can enjoy Toddler Town, while older kids may enjoy surfing the indoor Flowrider wave machine. Prices vary depending on activity. The Provo Beach Resort is in The Shops at Riverwoods, 4801 N. University Ave., No. 210. For more information, visit www.provobeachresort.com or call (801) 224-5001.

2. Explore Africa in Utah Valley. The Brigham Young University Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum is featuring a new exhibit: “Into Africa: Exploring Nature’s Interactions.” Says Christenson: “This exhibit takes a look at how all the different plants and animals interact with other groups and invites visitors to learn about the tropics, Savannah and wetlands of Africa.” Children and adults alike will enjoy seeing Africa’s wildlife, including hippos, alligators and baboons. There is no charge for admission to the museum, which is at 645 E. 1430 North in Provo. For more information, visit mlbean.byu.edu or call (801) 422-5051.

3. Add a touch of CLAS. CLAS Ropes Course of Provo offers a four-hour family retreat, which includes a ropes course and canoeing on the Provo River. Call and reserve a day to take your family out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. The cost is $19 per person and the retreat is best suited for ages 5 and older. CLAS Ropes Course is at 3606 W. Center St. in Provo. For more information, visit www.clasropes.com or call (801) 373-8897.

4. Enjoy the colors of spring. The Gardens at Thanksgiving Point are spectacular in April. Depending on when your spring break falls, you may be able to catch the venue’s Tulip Festival, which runs April 13-28. During the festival, Thanksgiving Point features 250,000 tulips spread throughout its 55-acre gardens. Garden tours run Monday through Saturday. On Fridays and Saturdays during the festival, The Gardens have music, vendors and food. “Though there are hundreds of volunteers and staff working behind the scenes to create the festival, make no mistake about it: Mother Nature is in charge of the show,” says Christenson.

Admission to The Gardens is $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 3 to 11. This pricing remains the same during the Tulip Festival. Thanksgiving Point is in Lehi at 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way. For more information, visit www.thanksgivingpoint.com or call (888) 672-6040.  

5. Immerse yourself in beautiful art. “There is so much to see and learn about at the Springville Museum of Art,” Christenson says. The museum, which has been around for almost 100 years, was Utah’s first museum for the visual arts and features more than 2,000 pieces. The impressive collection consists of 150 years of Utah fine art, 20th-century Russian and Soviet Socialist Realism, and American Realist art. Admission is free, and the museum is at 126 E. 400 South in Springville. For more information, visit www.smofa.org or call (801) 489-2727.

For more ideas of spring activities, Christenson suggests stopping by the bureau’s Visitor Information Center in downtown Provo, where you can find plenty of brochures and maps, as well as staff to assist you with any questions. You can also visit the bureau’s website at www.utahvalley.com.