Finally. You made it. The long, long weeks between starting the spring semester and your first multi-day break from campus are OVER. You’ve arrived at Spring Break and, as a college student, you can’t afford to go just anywhere. Why not strategize your spring break as brilliantly as you planned that hour gap between your afternoon classes so you have time to nap in the student union? These unique destinations take our votes as some of the best-bang-for-your-buck vacations.
It may seem obvious, but considering the price of gas and travel at the moment, the easiest way to save money would be to stay put! Stay-cations are a great option if there’s not a whole lot of wiggle room in your budget and can become surprisingly refreshing. With a stay-cation, you have completely unique design ability for your dream break - balance time with friends also staying in town and having some guilt-free Netflix binging. We would also do a simple Google of local favorites in your town or a city nearby; you may be surprised how much you can find to do near you! Between restaurants you’ve been wanting to try, relaxing parks, and local shops, odds are you’ll find something totally new to love.
Tucked in the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg is a tourist town to be sure, but filled with fun things to discover. The Great Smoky Mountains are a beautiful place to explore and there are many trails to hike. Bonus, you can even follow a piece of the famous Appalachian Trail! If you’re not big on nature, there are shops as well as oddity museums, aquariums, and more. Check out some of our favorite Comfort Colors tees to add to your packing list, they’d be a great option to go from hiking to shopping in the same afternoon.
The Big Easy is a city overflowing with trendy culture, food, and new things to see. Why not use your week off of college to do a long walking tour of the Creole cottages and famous St. Charles Avenue mansions. Since sightseeing is free, we would recommend dedicating a large portion of your budget to food. Get authentic Cajun cooking and let yourself really relax, slow down, and enjoy the meals. New Orleans is a city unlike any other in the US and worth exploring! Be ready, rain or shine, with one of these great caps to add to your packing list.
All right, all right, for all you diehard beach bums, you’re most looking forward to doing zip on your break from classes. Look no further than PCB - with its soft sand beaches and affordable area, you’ll have nothing standing between you and the ocean. And since PCB is on the panhandle of Florida, not only is the drive considerably easier than many of the more southern beaches, but the water on the gulf will be warmer than the Atlantic. Grab yourself a tank and get out there in the sunshine.
If mountains are more your style and you find the Great Smoky Mountains little more than hills, give the Rockies a try. Nestled on the east side of the mountains is Colorado Springs, a town full of outdoor activities and beautiful views. Be prepared for both weather extremes (we’d recommend bringing a jacket along) and enjoy your days outside. With nearby destinations like Gardens of the Gods and the Seven Falls, you’ll have your fair share of beauty to explore. Also check out Glen Eyrie, a Tudor castle where you can have afternoon tea, and the Ghost Town Museum, that chronicles the local gold rush.
Happy planning!