Ahh, Spring Break. That time to escape the everyday and spend some well-deserved time at the beach, a seaside restaurant, or a few days immersed in nature to truly log out of your work computer. With this annual extravaganza coming around the corner, we’ve decided to round up some top-notch destinations within the US where you can have the Spring Break you’ve always dreamed of.
For the party people
Las Vegas, Nevada
A classic destination that needs to be on the spring break list despite how cliche, Las Vegas is the star of the show, the friend who never loses stamina throughout the night, the friend who urges you to have one more drink and stay out for one more hour. Las Vegas is the home of the pool party and up to 80,000 spring breakers every year, proving its strong standing. If you’re heading there, be sure to check out Marquee Day Party at the Cosmopolitan and TAO Beach at the Venetian.
Do you want to travel through the USA being part of a small group tour? Check our options here.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Rowdy is the word that comes to mind when talking about Myrtle Beach. It will cater to everything you want and be loud about it: huge malls, lots of mini-golf courses, water parks, arcades, and bars upon bars. Even the beach is dynamic and full of life, with distant screams coming from banana boats, the buzz of jet skis, and a huge inflatable slide that the mere sight of encourages drunken tomfoolery. Whether you stay on the north or south end or somewhere in the middle, there are plenty of bars and clubs along the way, like Pirate’s Cove and Senor Frog’s.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Not only is New Orleans a beautiful city, with its charming French Quarter and jazz bars, but spring break is also the perfect time of year to visit due to Mardi Gras. The celebration lasts for two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday and is famous around the world for its parades and parties. Get showered with multi-colored beads, don an alter-ego at a masquerade, and drink your way down Bourbon Street in this frenzy of tastes, sights, and sounds.
For the beach bunnies
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii. Do I really need to say anymore? Oh, alright then. Honolulu, on the island of Oahu (or if you’re looking for more laid-back, head to Maui, Kauai, or whichever island your heart desires) is the ideal beach for spring break: delicious food and laid-back bars for the nightlife; diving, snorkeling, hiking, and surfing for the adventures and simple, classic sunbathing for the sun-seekers. When everything comes with a view of vibrant blue water, swaying palms, and pinch-me moments, what more do you need to convince you?
San Diego, California
In San Diego, it’s less like you and your squad are bringing the spring break vibes and more like you’re just joining them on their perennial Spring Break. Whether you want to kick back and people-watch from your beach towel or make that start towards becoming a surfing pro, San Diego’s beaches are glorious enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. And after a day at the beach, you’ll be itching to take your sun-kissed glow on a night out.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
That’s right, Americans don’t even need a visa or passport to visit this Caribbean destination, making it an almost too convenient choice for spring break. How can having fun possibly be this easy? The routine here is simple: sun yourself all day on the beach, take a break (if you choose) for 3 pm happy hour, and then take your pick from San Juan’s plethora of nightlife options for dinner and drinks. So…it seems like having fun really is that easy here.
For the luxury lovers
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is its own little world; like a kid in a candy store, there are dazzling options everywhere you can set your beady eyes. Hollywood clubs, beautiful beaches, hiking trails, art galleries, or sophisticated cocktails, there’s something for everyone and more than one way to do it.
And if you can’t live your wildest luxury dreams in LA? Live through the real rich and famous and take a Hollywood Movie Star Homes Tour – after all, stalking is just a sign of love (we’re kidding, please don’t stalk people).
Miami, Florida
Miami is an absolute classic for spring break, and because it’s reigned supreme for so long, it’s had time to build up some solid options for those looking for sunny views. South Beach is where students should go, with hostels popping up more and more for those on a budget and luxury options for those looking to splurge. All in all, with its soft beaches, vivacious nightlife and stunning sunsets, Miami is the definition of glamour.
New York City, New York
When you think of luxury and splurging, a trip to New York City is very likely to be high on the list. Sure, you can do this on a budget, but grabbing your friends and channeling your inner Gossip Girl makes this city even bigger than you could imagine. There are tons of choices of what you can go big on: a hotel, a top-notch restaurant, world-famous cocktails (New York bars frequently dominate Best Bars in the World lists) or go that step further and book a helicopter ride over the city.
For the adventurers
Yellowstone, Wyoming
America’s first national park and still going strong, Yellowstone is a great destination year-round, but is also ideal for spring breakers who want to delve more into what the US landscape has to offer rather than what’s included in the next bar’s happy hour (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Here, on top of what is essentially a super volcano, you’ll have views of stunningly vivid and powerful geysers, impressive wildlife and plenty of recreational activities to choose from. Take your pick from kayaking and whitewater rafting to hiking.
Yosemite, California
While others are deafening themselves over the heavy bass in a club, you only have to contend with the sounds of surging waterfalls and the whistle of the wind in your ear. Yosemite is a perfect escape where you can be as adventurous or as relaxed as you like. Hike trails such as Four Mile Trail, which gives extra motivation to reach the summit – aside from the views of Sentinel Dome, El Capitan and Half Dome – with the ice cream served at the visitor’s centre. To reward yourself even more, pig out on a delectable meal at The Ahwahnee Hotel or Yosemite Lodge.
Havasu Falls, Arizona
If you’re heading to the Grand Canyon (an amazing trip on its own) why not extend the adventure to hiking to Havasu Falls, within the canyon itself? It’s a photographer’s dream, with milky turquoise water against ragged dusty-red cliffs and the hike itself is the prettiest obstacle course you’re likely to come across. Start the hike very early as it gets extremely hot here and stay at Havasupai Lodge or the campground overnight (you’ll have to call early as it books up in lightning speed).
