Sandy beaches, turquoise water, half-naked, bronzed, young people and solo cups are the traditional images that come to mind when “Spring Break” is mentioned. Halfway through spring semester, college students everywhere jet off to beautiful hotspots such as Florida, Mexico and Panama.
This year with rising gas prices and a slow economy, students may have to look towards closer, easier options. Luckily for Floridians, a plethora of locations across the state offer interesting, off-beat alternatives to expensive international trips or cruises.
1. St. Augustine– Approximately 145 miles from USF, St. Augustine is the oldest established city in the U.S. Founded by the Spaniards, the historic district of the city features many Spanish colonial-style buildings and historic landmarks, especially along St. George Street. The beautiful city offers many options to tourists such as beautiful beaches, ghost tours. the Ripley’s Museum and sightseeing at the fort and other historic sites.
2. Key West– Approximately 245 miles south of USF, Key West offers visitors Florida’s own islands – the Florida Keys! The beaches offer the opportunities to swim, sunbathe, snorkel and enjoy water sports in the Gulf of Mexico. There are opportunities to swim with dolphins and manatees, animals native to Florida. For literature or history buffs, the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum offers a step back in time into the place where the famous writer spent much of his time.
3. Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp– For the slightly more adventurous, Cassadaga, located approximately 95 miles from USF, offers an interesting alternative to relaxing on the beaches for spring break. Cassadaga is a spiritualist community established in 1894 in Central Florida for a community of like-minded individuals. The camp advertises certified psychics, spiritual healings and church services. For those interested in exploring spirituality, Cassadaga could make an interesting destination.
4. Merritt Island– Located on the east coast approximately 250 miles from USF, Merritt Island offers a traditional spring break experience with a twist. Featuring great east coast beaches perfect for water sports and surfing, Merritt Island is the home of a national wildlife refuge and NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center. With the downsizing of the shuttle program, this could be a great time to visit the historic Space Center and learn about the space program. North of Merritt Island is the popular destination, Daytona Beach and close by is also Cocoa Beach, home of Ron Jon’s Surf Shop.
5. Sanibel Island– On the west coast of Florida, approximately 150 miles south of Tampa, is Sanibel Island, another popular vacation spot. Sanibel is known for its wildlife refuges, beautiful beaches and its magnificent variety of shells. Shelling has become a popular pastime on the island as the beaches are littered with them. The island also offers a historical village and a variety of museums and theaters.
For those trying to escape the water or the beach scene, there are many other options Florida has to offer. Travelers can head to Orlando and spend the weekend in action-packed theme parks such as Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Miami and Fort Lauderdale are popular party spots with their beautiful beaches and great club scene.
In Tampa there are also great places to visit for a low-key, close to home experience. Busch Gardens is our resident theme park and the Lowry Park Zoo is a favorite. Just a half hour to 45-minute drive away is the new Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, free to USF students with their student ID.
No matter what your interest, Florida offers a great variety of places to spend time unwinding and having fun this Spring Break!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at USF chapter.