Top 10 U.S. Spring Break Destinations
During the month of March, thousands of colleges and universities close their classrooms and more than 12 million students head out for spring break
Ready to be rid of dreary winter weather, the majority of spring breakers head to warm weather climates in the southern half of the country. Start planning this year’s getaway with a list of the best spring break destinations in the U.S.
Flash and Glam
Miami's South Beach—also known as SoBe—is famous for its, neon-lit nightclubs, Art Deco architecture, Cuban cuisine and fashionista flair. While older travelers expect to drop a small fortune in the city, college kids on spring break somehow manage to do it on a shoestring budget. The secret? Walk a few blocks from the beach to hotels that serve up free breakfast buffets at hours when you won't have to roll out of bed at dawn. Bring your best duds—SoBe door gods let only the most fashionably well-dressed patrons get past the velvet ropes at the top nightclubs.
Head Straight for the Capital
Not to be confused with the nation's capital, Panama City on Florida's panhandle lives up to its reputation as the Spring Break Capital of the World. Each March, the city's 27 miles of white-sand beach become obscured by wall-to-wall college students. Live music on the beach and a relatively casual atmosphere make it a popular, and less expensive, alternative to South Beach. If nighttime clubbing floats your boat, you won't be disappointed—hop on over to La Vela, the country's largest nightclub. The club has room for 6,000 partiers, and ten theme rooms satisfy a wide range of musical tastes. You'll find the legendary bikini and male hard-body contests here, as well as a daytime pool party that never stops.
Start Your Party Engines
Rounding out the Florida trifecta of the best spring break destinations, Daytona Beach's spring break season revs up immediately following the famous Daytona 500 motor race. Forget about finding parking spots—sport your wheels as you roll down the drivable beach with the windows down and the music up. Try your luck at the boardwalk arcades or scream your way through the thrill rides. Start off the night with a beach party at the Ocean Deck, then club hop your way down Seabreeze Boulevard. Need more fun? Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios are within an hour's drive.
Party Bigger: Island Style
South Padre Island enjoys a much-deserved reputation as the Lone Star State's spring break headquarters. The 30-mile-long barrier island is the longest in the world, and you'll have no trouble finding plenty of entertainment and places to party. Groove to the beat of free daytime concerts at Clayton's Beach Bar or boogie on down to Rockstar Beach—formerly Coca Cola Beach—for the Ultimate Beach Party. Looking for tamer action? Drift down a lazy river at Schlitterbahn Water Park or head to nearby nature reserves to view dolphins and sea turtles.
Getting Weird in Austin
Deep in Texas' interior, Austin's reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World and its flair for eccentric cultural fusion create the ideal spring break environment. Head downtown to sample the sounds at dozens of bars and musical venues. When you need a break, pop over to Gourdough's Public House (209 W. 5th St., Austin) for a doughnut sandwich—order the Drunken Hunk with meatloaf entwined in bacon, a fried egg, a potato pancake, candied jalapenos and a tangy hard cider sauce. Still need sand between your toes? Enjoy windsurfing, swimming or beach volleyball at Windy Point Park on Lake Travis.
The Other West Coast
It might sound strange to head into the heart of the desert for a beach party, but Lake Havasu on Arizona's famed "West Coast" rolls out spring break action to rival any seaside venue. Rent a party barge, speedboat or pontoon, and Havasu's spring break world is your oyster. Tie up along Bridgewater Channel to party with wall-to-wall beachgoers—enjoying the iconic London Bridge as your backdrop. Motor down to Copper Canyon at the lake's south end to mingle with partyers and cliff jumpers who leap from 60-foot heights into the blue water below or venture 60 miles upstream to try your gambling luck in Laughlin, Nevada.
What Happens in Vegas
Even if you're not a gambler, you'll never run out of things to do during spring break in Las Vegas. The city houses an assortment of amusement rides, faux beaches, party pools and free attractions nestled among numerous casinos on the Strip. At night, get dressed up and hit celebrity hot spots like Ghostbar or relax in a more casual atmosphere at the Rockhouse Bar. You can also throw some snowballs on Mt. Charleston 15 miles west of the city and rent a boat to explore Lake Mead just 30 miles east.
Rocky Mountain High
If you don't like the feel of sand in your shorts, you're a prime candidate for spring break in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Even though you'll be surrounded by snow, you can still get your swim on at area hot springs. Old Town Hot Springs has a 25-yard lap pool, water slides and a climbing wall. But the real draw is the ski area—nearly 3,000 acres of terrain for every skill level. As for nightlife, this is no sleepy mountain town. Dance to the beat of national acts at Schmiggity's, then head to Brooklyn's Pizza to quell the late-night munchies with a signature cheese steak pizza.
California Dreamin’
Why should spring break be different from any other day in SoCal? Huntington Beach has party vibes that never stop, from hanging ten on an early morning wave to late-night bonfires at one of the 500 beach fire pits. Rent a board and take to the waves, or strap on some skates to explore 10 miles of beachside pathway on the Ocean Strand. If you’re up for a nightlife adventure, start by trying your skill on Bodacious, the mechanical bull, then shake it on the city's largest dance floor at Black Bull Chop House. A bonus: A bevy of nearby attractions offer student discounts, including Disneyland, Universal Studios and the Grammy Museum.
Take a Break in Paradise
Have you been envying those selfies with the palm trees and Waikiki Beach waves in the background? You can take your own during spring break in Honolulu, but you just might forget. Oahu brims with spring break activities, from beachside parties to learning to surf or paddle an outrigger canoe. Swim with the sharks along the island's North Shore or head out on a whale watching tour. Dared to jump off a cliff? You can do it time and again at Waimea Bay when the surf is calm—when it's not, watch surfers tackle the 30-foot waves. After the sun goes down, party all night at nightclubs that stay open until 4 a.m.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in South Beach, Panama City, Daytona Beach, South Padre Island, Austin, Lake Havasu, Las Vegas, Steamboat Springs, Huntington Beach, Waikiki Beach.
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