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Columbia Barnard | Life

Last Minute Spring Break Trips from NYC

Alyssa Finigan Student Contributor, Columbia University & Barnard College
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Columbia Barnard chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Haven’t planned a spring break trip yet? Stuck on the best places for escaping the New York City cold? Don’t worry, I, too, want a break from the windy, icy weather and have compiled a list of five spring break trips you can book for you and your friends today, along with hotel recommendations and must-do activities + restaurants.

  1. Cancun

While it may seem obvious, this might be your best bet for a good time and decently priced flights. For under $300, you can get a one-way flight to Cancun International and spend the second half of break back home with your family. If you are struggling to find a hotel that allows Spring Breakers under 21, I’ve got you covered. Check out:

Pretty much every other hotel in the city will have hidden spring break policies so make sure to give the hotel a call before booking. Upon arrival, you’ll mostly spend your days tanning by the pool, eating slightly better-than dining hall food, and hanging out in the hotel’s nightclub. If you choose to venture off-property, here are our personal recommendations:

  • Chichén Itzá
  • Xcaret Park
  • El Parque de las Palapas
  1. Ibiza

Calvin Harris, Zedd, David Guetta. What more could you ask for during a spring break trip to Europe? If you want to go international, Ibiza could be the perfect place for you. Between relaxing on the beach and partying till sunrise, Ibiza has it all. While slightly pricier, this can be made up for by cheap hostels and free club—if you can find the right promoter. Here are the cheapest hostels without bed bugs or mold:

The March lineup is looking pretty stacked, with clubs like Hï Ibiza, Amnesia, and Club Chinois often pulling in record-breaking numbers. After all the late nights, take your pick from the city’s best brunch spots:

  • NOMAD BRUNCH & COFFEE IBIZA
  • Brunchit – Ibiza
  • On The Beach Ibiza Restaurant
  1. Los Angeles

Now I might be biased coming from LA myself, but nothing is better than the West Coast. There’s the best food you could possibly want, a beach just steps away, shopping galore, and perfect weather. Even better, it’s just a domestic flight away from NYC so no passport is needed and flights are cheaper than Europe! LA is huge so knowing what neighborhoods to stay in will make or break your trip. Here is the rundown:

  • South Bay: the best area, by far, with coastal towns, local boutiques, and a tight-knit community.
  • Brentwood: Erewhon, PopUp Bagels, Go-Greek Frozen Yogurt. All the influencer food that you want, at your fingertips.
  • Beverly Hills: You’ve seen the shows, you’ve seen the movies, now you can see it in real life!

While some might argue that NYC has the best food in the world, I would say with confidence that LA actually does. The city speaks for itself with its highly acclaimed Mexican restaurants, along with perfectly-nostalgic brunch diners. So, courtesy of my Beli, here are my favorites: 

  • The Kettle, Manhattan Beach
  • Tacos El Goloso, Hermosa Beach
  • Jon & Vinny’s Italian Restaurant, Beverly Hills
  • Community Goods, Los Angeles
  • Courage Bagels, Los Angeles
  1. Italy

Yes, I put the entire country down, because it is not enough to just go to one region. While the locals will call this a touristy take, I personally believe that the holy trinity is Rome, Florence, and Venice. It is unlikely that you will be able to throw in Milan or Amalfi in just a week, but you could always save that for next year. While I could provide you with hotel recommendations, I think the better focus is on the best gelato, so here’s my top spot in each city:

  • Frigidarium, Rome
  • La Strega Nocciola Gelateria Artigianale, Florence
  • Suso, Venice

While gelato is an important aspect of your trip, another is all of the adorable stores you will stumble upon walking down the cobblestone streets. To save you from endless TikTok scrolling, I did the work myself. Here are my favorite small shops that are worth your souvenir money:

  • Gran Café Marcel, Rome
  • Adam’s Leather Shop, Florence
  • Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice
  1. The Bahamas

Want a vacation that is close to NYC, filled with sunshine, gorgeous beaches, and an entire resort built for fun and adventure? The Bahamas is definitely for you, with a stay at Atlantis Paradise Island waiting for you. You’ll have the opportunity to tan in eleven different pools, relax on their private beach, swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cay, or gamble in their massive casino. If that alone does not sound enticing, here are the off-resort amenities you can enjoy:

  • Marina Village
  • Sunset Cruise
  • 18-hole Ocean Club Golf Course

Furthermore, you might be wondering about the Bahamas food situation, and, let me tell you, you will be dining in luxury! The cuisine is a blend of Carribean, African, British, and indigenous influences, with dishes such as conch salad, Bahamian stew fish, and guava duff. To truly take in the authentic food, here are some restaurants to check out:

  • Nobu
  • Fish by José Andrés
  • Café Martinique
Alyssa Finigan

Columbia Barnard '29

Alyssa Finigan is a driven and thoughtful student whose academic interests and personal experiences are deeply rooted in leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. She is a freshman at Barnard College of Columbia University, where she plans to major in Political Science and Human Rights with a minor in Psychology. Alyssa is highly motivated to attend law school and aspires to become a criminal defense lawyer, with a particular interest in advocating for equity and fairness within the justice system.

Recognized as a Milken Scholar, Alyssa has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence while actively pursuing opportunities to make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom. Her passion for civic engagement began early, as she founded a debate club at her local middle school. Through this initiative, she introduced students to world geography and global politics while helping them build confidence in public speaking, critical thinking, and respectful discourse. This experience reinforced her belief in the importance of education as a tool for empowerment.

In addition to her educational outreach, Alyssa volunteered with the Beach Cities Health District, where she advocated for increased attention to youth mental wellness. Her work emphasized the importance of accessible mental health resources and proactive community-based solutions, further shaping her interest in the intersection of policy, psychology, and social justice.

At Columbia, Alyssa serves on the recruitment committee for Phi Lambda Sigma, a pre-professional society for students interested in policy, politics, and government, and is also an active member of the university’s pre-law society. Outside of academics, she enjoys exploring New York City, discovering new food spots, and spending time in Central Park observing its wildlife. Alyssa is motivated by growth, curiosity, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the communities she is part of.