Spring break is just around the corner! We can get through these exams and deadlines together, somehow. But have you and your friends made plans to hang out together over Spring Break? Maybe you booked your tickets months ago, or maybe you were totally planning on winging it. Either way, if you are in need of some last minute inspiration, I’ve got you covered! Since we all have a different range of available funds, time, and energy, I’ve compiled a list of great destinations where your friend group will make incredible memories, ordered from most expensive to least expensive. No matter where you go or what you do, you can totally have the best Spring Break ever just by being able to spend time with the ones you love without the stress of schoolwork and club activities putting a strain on your relationships. Check out these amazing destinations!
1. Thailand
I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Thailand, and from what I’ve heard, it’s one of the best vacation destinations for a group of friends. The street food, the temples, the beaches, the hiking, the nightlife; Thailand has it all! Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui are the most popular destinations, and there are always cheap hostels or hotels available, depending on how lavishly or frugally you are looking to live. As long as you are staying safe and with your friends at all time, you should have an amazing time immersing yourself in the beautiful Thai culture that this country has to offer. Check out Google Flights to book your ticket now!
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2. Costa Rica
When I think of some of the most amazing vacations I have ever taken, Costa Rica is one of the first places that come to mind. This tropical destination is amazing if you are looking for something a little less risky than Thailand, and it’s a lot warmer than some of the other destinations on this list. There are so many crazy adventures to be had in Costa Rica, such as ziplining, snorkeling/scuba diving, hiking, and simply getting a taste of the local culture. Stay at an all-inclusive resort, which offer some great deals on rooms, food, and activities! Get a taste of that salty Pacific air and imagine that you are tropical goddess soaking up the Caribbean sun.
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3. London, England
London is another destination at the top of my travel bucket list. This city has so much incredible history, cuisine, architecture, and entertainment! Knowing someone who lives there is the best way to see the city, but there are dozens of different travel guides online and off to show you the best spots to see. Check out Buckingham Palace and see if maybe the Duchess is looking for a royal nanny! Go take a fun (albeit expensive) ride on the London Eye! Go see a show at the Globe Theater and take in all the Shakespearean language and spectacles! Attend a circus! Go to a classic English pub! Just stand on a street corner and listen to the wild accents! The possibilities are endless in this wonderful metropolis.
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4. Florence, Italy
You can find tickets to Florence for pretty cheap, and it may even be cheaper to fly into Rome and take a train to this spectacular destination. Florence is possibly my favorite city in the entire world; it really is the epitome of Italian history and culture. Each winding street is filled with stores, both brand new and over 600 years old, and the architecture is simply to die for. Check out the Pitti Palace, which was home to the great Medici family. Go see the views from the top of El Duomo, where dozens of Italian historical figures were baptized centuries ago! Order a Margherita pizza to split with your friends and get a complimentary glass of limoncello (the most disgusting yet surprisingly charming liquid you’ll ever taste). Florence has so much to offer and is a great place to spend time with your friends.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Engel
5. Miami, Florida
Okay, back to the mainland for some cheaper spots this break. Are you tired of the cold, Northeast weather bringing you down? Haul you and your friends down to the Miami beaches! There are so many fun party spots for your squad to go out, and there’s so much to do in the daytime, like parasailing, taking a boat ride, going to the pier, or just lounging around, listening to the waves crash against the sand. Take a walk on the coastline at sunset with your friends, and take that time to really take in how wonderful they are. Friends are really just the best. Let them know that with a pina colada in hand!
Photo courtesy of Kelly Russo via Unsplash
6. Orlando, Florida
Is Miami not really for you? Heed not, and head to Lake Buena Vista with your friends for some crazy adventures at Disney World and/or Universal Studios. Pool your money together for some fast passes and head to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the likes for some fun times! Everyone there wants to sell you something, but at least they’ll be doing it in an elaborate costume with a smile on their faces. At night, watch the beautiful fireworks and remind your friends again just how much you love them.
Photo courtesy of Troy Jarrell via Unsplash
7. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
This is the part of the list where it really starts to get a lot cheaper, especially for those friends that do not have unlimited funds for travel. Cape Cod is a great place to spend time with friends on the beach without breaking the bank! The food alone is a great reason to come here, with the never-ending supply of lobster rolls and clam chowder. There’s also some gorgeous architecture, including lighthouses that look like they belong on the cover of a romance novel! It won’t be totally warm this time of year, but check out the beaches and maybe even have a bonfire at night with your friends! Roam through the streets of Provincetown or take a day-trip to the beautiful Martha’s Vineyard.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash
8. Adirondack Region, New York
As a native Upstate New Yorker, I’m definitely a biased writer when I say that the Adirondack region is one of the most beautiful destinations in the entire world. Choose a couple of the 46 High Peaks and go on a crazy hike with your friends! There are mountains for all types of hikers at all levels of difficulty, so if you’ve never even been on a mountain, have no fear! There are so many great vacation spots by the many gorgeous lakes, such as Old Forge or Inlet. Get a bunch of food and a deck of cards at the nearest grocery store (which will probably be pretty far depending on where you stay) and you’re in for a wild night of fun after your long hike.
Photo courtesy of Austin Ban via Unsplash
9. New York City
We’re just a quick trip on the LIRR from the Big Apple, and if you have limited time or funds to take a trip somewhere exotic with your friends, you should definitely take advantage of this. There is a never-ending amount of fun to be had in New York, and you can totally plan your day however you want depending on what you and your friends’ preferences are! Check out the Highline and Chelsea Market for the day, hop onto a train to Brooklyn and get some pho at a local restaurant, walk through Central Park and have a competition to see who can pet the most dogs, or spend the day museum-hopping from the glorious Met to MoMa to the Museum of Natural History! New York City really has so much to offer; it’s impossible to get bored of this place.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Engel
10. The Couch, with some UberEats on the way
At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter where you go during this break, it’s who you spend it with! Get your friends together, put on a movie, take out a deck of cards, play hide n’ seek, or maybe even be so bold as to break out a 2,000-piece puzzle! You finally have a couple of days to just simmer down and relax from the crazy amount of stress put on you during the semester, so take this time to remind yourself that you are not just a cog in the academic machine but a real person with hobbies, friends, and a lot of love to give. Have a wonderful Spring break, and remember to tell your friends just how much they mean to you.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Engel