I like the motto coined by family adventure travel company Austin Lehman: Action over Atrophy! This year Spring Break = Action and Adventure. Families are taking off together or sending teens to destinations where they can learn something new. Hikers, bikers, and urban cowboys (and girls!) are replacing the couch potato and beach bum.

National Parks are a great idea if you’re a last minute planner: Get in your car and drive to one of these fantastic natural wonders. Team up with another family and rent a house on a lake, or better yet, rent a houseboat. A travel agent can help you find the right location and help you meet your budget.

If your teen is heading out on his/her own and you want to avoid the chance of drinking and driving, here are some tips: First, communicate with your holiday-bound young adult. Let them know that you expect to hear from them once a day. If a daily check in is too much for older kids, come up with a compromise, but be sure to set some rules. Second, make sure that you know where they are staying and who they are traveling with. Be sure that they are staying in a reputable hotel. (Translation: if you need to spring for some extra Spring Break cash to be sure your teen is at the Marriott instead of a no-name dive, do so.) Teens may complain about checking in or sharing their plans, but in the end, they will appreciate your concern. Make sure your teen traveler has a cell phone—and parents, don’t complain about the usage this month.

A great place to find some incredible deals at reputable, even luxury-level hotels is www.travelzoo.com. Right now, they have a special page dedicated to Spring Break, with hotel rooms in all the major cities (Miami oceanfront $109, Boston waterfront $149, San Diego $99, just to name a few!) The Travelzoo site also lists some terrific deals for adventures such as skiing in Crested Butte, CO, and taking off for Hawaii from the west coast. These deals are researched and test-booked by travel experts, but they sell out quickly. Remember, flexibility is the key to success when shopping online.

Options for families traveling together: Check out adventures at www.austinlehman.com (specializing in the western US, Alaska and international adventures in Peru, Costa Rica and the Galapagos), or at the following dude ranches: Red Horse Mountain in Idaho (www.redhorsemountain.com), Bellota in Tucson, AZ (www.bellota.com), Tanque Verde Ranch also near Tucson, AZ (www.tanqueverde.com) and Rancho de los Cabelleros north of Phoenix, AZ (www.sunc.com). These ranches offer everything from riding to branding to spa time to fly-fishing. There are family programs designed to keep every member of the family busy and motivated. Think: jeep tours, sunset hayrides, etc. Spring Break in the saddle – what a great concept!

I promote cruising year-round, and at Spring Break time, getting on the water is another fun and safe option. Do your homework online at places like www.cruisecritic.com, or www.cruiseone.com. You can check out itineraries, read ship reviews and even find an agent to help you plan your trip. Cruises mean no one is driving and these days the activity menu on board the ships will blow your mind. Many cruise lines offer special lounges designed just for teens, with computers, music systems and evening activities. Also, keep in mind there are cruises leaving from Houston, NYC, Tampa, etc. – it’s no longer necessary to fly to south Florida in order to set sail.

Another option for last minute planners: holiday in your own city! I have friends who do this at various times of year, to reward their kids for good behavior, or simply to give the entire family a much-needed break. Rent a movie, swim in the hotel pool and order room service!

If you’re headed to Florida, but don’t want to join everyone else on the planet, avoid Panama City, Key West and Daytona Beach. Those are meccas for the young and the restless. The Orlando area has many terrific options – Disney deals can always be found – and there are combination tickets that will let you visit several attractions for a discount. Go to www.orlandoinfo.com for more tips. The beaches that make up Florida’s Emerald coast are also an attractive option if you just can’t fight the urge to sink into a beach chair. Driving? Be sure to call 511 or logon to www.511FL.com for traffic info – it’s free and will help you plan your trip more effectively.

In any case, I wish you safe travels, and be sure to take your travelgirl magazine with you to read – whether you’re at the beach, at the ranch or en route to your Spring Break destination.