March is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start drifting away from our studies and begin plotting our escape as we enter spring break zone. Now that our parents are on the cusp of financially disowning us, the concept of planning a vacation is somewhat difficult after calculating the costs. Lower your standards everyone (but not your class) and check out these suggestions for a fun, budget-friendly spring break!
Overnight Camping Trip
Before you claim you’re “not a nature person,” you should go camping with your friends. Load up the car with flashlights, tents, water-proof bags, jet-puffed marshmallows, and your Disney princess sleeping bag from the 3rd grade for a wild weekend in the wilderness. Check out these camping spots if you’re looking for a scenic yet warm place to stay. Some places include:
- Carolina Beach State Park (Carolina Beach, North Carolina). Hiking, fishing, camping galore. Call 1-877-722-6762 for reservations and start practicing your best campfire ghost story.
- Hanging Rock State Park (Danbury, North Carolina). Hike the cliffs and witness the cascading waterfalls, beautiful plantains and quiet forests for miles. Rent a boat, go for a swim, and rock climb for unforgettable an unforgettable spring break experience. Call the number above for reservations.
- The Appalachian Trail (Springer Mountain, Georgia). Those who know something about backpacking are best suited for the Appalachian Trials. These trails are a little longer, so if you’re looking to achieve the “spring break bod” post spring break, you’ve come to the right place.
- Turkey Run State Park (Indiana). Go for a hike or go horseback riding for easy distances. Online reviews say the weather is warm in the spring, so rent a canoe for some dysfunctional fun on the Sugar Creek river. Stay at the Turkey Run cabins or rough it on the campgrounds.
An overnight camping trip offers the perfect active day/lazy night combo that you and your friends will never forget. One thing to keep in mind amongst all the fun, the campfire, and the beer: these nature parks have a strict leave-no-trace policy. Your campsite has to look like God made it yesterday by the time your party leaves.
Beach
For those of you dying to be tan again, there is always the timeless beach vacation. Though these trips are a little pricier, the populated scene under the sun is guaranteed to be a good time. You and your biffs should definitely check out:
- South Padre Island, Texas.
South Padre is a huge stop for college kids on vacay. The Isla Grand Beach Resort charges just $29 per person for a night in a cabana, or split the price of $259 between your friends for four nights in the hotel, two dine out meals, live performances on the daily beach stage, beach parties, nightclubs, and utter chaos. “You must be 21 to drink, 18 to party.” (Call 1-800-821-2176 to book)
- San Diego.
The lesser-known beach vacation of San Diego’s is finally making its debut. Visit Mission Bay or Pacific Beach go water-skiing, boating, fishing, or just to lie out in the sun. If you’re like me and think scuba diving with your best friends sounds hilarious, check out La Jolla Cove to rent out snorkeling or scuba gear, or even take some kayaks out into the ocean.
These two hot spots give you the traditional beach experience without the horror stories of Panama City!
Paradise
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The Ibero Star Hotel.
According to the reviews online, Ibero Star hotel is extremely tolerable of loud college kids wreaking havoc all over their beautiful beaches. If you’re a cranky 30-something year old with three kids, this is not the place for you. Fortunately for us, the Punta Cana is becoming known as the new college-vacation setting, so the possibility of making new friends after one too many kamikazes is highly probable. The price for 6 days at the Ibero Star Hotel is a $2000 trip, including the plane ride, meals, and drinks. This one is more on the pricey side, but still a bargain for the amount of guaranteed fun. Deal sealer: the drinking age is 18.
Wildcard
Nashville, Tennessee.
Demumbreum Street is a must for college kids visiting Nashville, particularly on Thursday or Saturday nights. The nightlife is plentiful and the bouncers are lenient. Some of the bars include Tin City, which has a live band every night and all around awesome atmosphere; Red Rooster and Dan McGuinness are some other great bars on this street. If you’re not looking to get carded, Lonnies is a karaoke bar to stop for a beer and embarrass yourself on stage. Nashville is a great town to explore during your week off with plenty of flea markets and farmers markets to stop by during the day. Broadway Street has a great nightlife as well and plenty of shopping stops. Vanderbilt’s #1 recruited baseball team is in season over spring break, so if you’re looking for some good ole fashioned American fun stop by one of their games. If you’re still not convinced, check out the infamous Nashville Pedal Tavern to rent out a bar on wheels that you pedal across town with your friends. Drive responsibly?
http://www.nashvillepedaltavern.com/galleries/rides.html
Roadtrip to Nowhere
When it comes down to it, all you need to have a fun vacation is to be surrounded by your closest friends. Don’t underestimate you and your friends’ ability to make the best/weirdest/most unforgettable memories while on the road going nowhere. Make a list of the things you’ve always wanted to see in the country (or beyond, if you have the gas money) and explore. Some spots on my list include:
- The Grand Canyon. Each person is charged $25 for admittance. Strap some bikes onto the back of your car and test them out on the trails.
- Mammoth Caves National Park. Ever wondered what “spelunking” meant? Explore these caves with an entre fee of just $12 per person to find out, or get an “Introduction to Caving” tour for $23. Only four hours away from Greencastle!
Before you hit the road, go buy as many disposable cameras as you can fit in your Walmart shopping cart. The low-grain quality and eccentric scenery of your pictures will give you that granola-hipster vibe on Facebook you’ve always wanted.
Sooner or later we will all be tied down to a job and won’t have time for these unnecessary shenanigans. Carpe diem while you can. Safe travels!