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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Elon chapter.

It’s about that time of year again ladies! The start of the year has escaped by, and it’s time to start thinking about Fall break plans. It’s always a good idea to celebrate the kickoff of the fall season, and your survival of the first few weeks of school, with a quick getaway trip alongside your closest friends. Take a look at these four vacation locations which offer the perfect escape for you and your gal pals for the short break!

 

Asheville: 3 hours from Elon’s campus

Photo: NY Times

 

The perfect balance of rustic and contemporary, Asheville offers fantastic local shopping, adventurous hiking, art galleries and museums, and numerous other awesome attractions:

Treat yourself on unique goodies at boutiques found in the multiple shopping districts around the city.

Challenge yourself on one of the city’s many scenic, mountainous trails.

Get an immersive experience in the Asheville culture by taking one of their many guided tours.

 

Great Smoky Mountains: 3 hours 30 min from Elon’s campus

 

Photo: Rei Adventures

For a more immersive outdoors experience, take a look at the Great Smoky Mountains. A cozy Airbnb will bring you stunning sunrises and thrilling hikes along the many mountain trails. Head to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for some more thrilling activities:

Try white water rafting along the Pigeon River.

Stop by the Sugarland Vistor Center to learn more about the park’s history.

Greenville, SC: 3 hours from Elon’s campus

 

Photo: Atlanta Magazine

 

Similar to the attractions in Asheville, Greenville offers awesome local shopping and yummy restaurants to explore. Located fifteen minutes from Furman University’s campus, the city is historic yet full of new contemporary retail attractions. It sits on the Blue Ridge Mountains and features many breathtaking mountains, lakes and waterfalls!

You’ll want to spend time on Greenville’s Main Street which features many locally owned shops and boutiques.

Spend some quality time outside biking, visiting Cedar Falls Park, zip-ling, and more!

Check the calendar and get a ticket for one of Centre Stage’s professional productions or stop by one of Greenville’s many art galleries.

Charlottesville, VA: 3 hours from Elon’s campus

 

Photo: Long and Foster

The historic town of Charlottesville, VA has a vibrant culture and shopping experience and features many sights, landmarks, and museums highlighting the south’s historic past. Additionally, the home of the University of Virginia, Charleston has an exciting nightlife with yummy restaurants and bars.

Visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to get a look into life in the eighteenth century!

Pick up some unique gifts or antiques at one of the many shops found in the city, or stop by the city market every Saturday morning featuring local vendors selling handcrafted goods.

Gather your favorite snacks and have a picnic in one of the many city parks!

Emma Trimbur is studying Strategic Communications at Elon Univeristy. She is from Pittsburgh, PA and is thrilled about the opportunity to be writing for HerCampus. It is such an awesome experience to contribute to a platform with awesome girls from around the country!