Spring Break Ideas That Don't Include the Beach

It’s the time of year when the cold winds and snowstorms start coming to an end. It’s the time of year when the temperatures start to rise. And it’s the time of year to take that annual rite of passage known as Spring Break.

Traditionally, thousands head to a beach of some sort for a week. Or, at the very least, some place warm. But if you’re not interested in that, there are plenty of other options out there for you to consider. Here are a few you may not have considered:
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Wine, beer, or bourbon: learn about what you drink from the bottoms up

Don’t confuse this with the “normal” way many (college aged) people spend the week. I’m not talking about doing a beer bong poolside. I’m talking about spending your Spring Break learning a thing or two about what you’re drinking. Take a week long tour of the Kentucky Bourbon trail. If Whiskey isn’t your thing head to Napa Valley and sample wine all week. Prefer beer? Portland is the place to be. I’ve written about them all before in more detail here. I highly recommend you check it out.


Get your fill of Spring Training

Big sports fan? I’d recommend doing this. Every MLB team trains in one of two states: Florida or Arizona. Go to one of those two states and you can hit up dozens of games in a matter of days. Fly into Tampa, and you can watch the Yankees, Blue Jays, Phillies, Tigers, Pirates, Orioles, Rays, Red Sox, and Twins within a matter of 2 or 3 days. And you can do the same thing in Arizona with the likes of the White Sox, Cubs, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Royals, Indians, and Brewers. The list goes on, but hopefully you get the idea. And for the baseball fan... it’s heaven.


Head for the big city lights

Go to the beach when it’s less crowded. Instead, head to the big city for a few days. And it doesn’t matter which one you choose. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans, and Minneapolis are only a few that come to mind. And you don’t have to stay at a hotel. Honestly, that’s so last year. Use Airbnb or other sites like it. You can save thousands by doing so. No joke.

Make your parents proud: volunteer

There are plenty of opportunities here that’ll make you feel good on the inside, as well as look good on a resume. One of the more popular alternative Spring Break trips is Habitat for Humanity. If that doesn’t pique your interest, there are plenty of other options out there.


Spend the week taking in the great outdoors

You’re not the only one who is sick of being inside a stuffy room all winter. Plus, there’s something about nature that is relaxing (or maybe that’s just me). What better way to do just that than go to one, or more, national or state parks. Go see the Grand Canyon, visit Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota, take in the breathtaking views at Glacier National Park in Montana, or spend the week exploring the different parts of Yellowstone. As you can tell, there are options galore when it comes to this.


Bottom line

Spring Break is traditionally a week of drinking, partying, and more drinking just to get rid of that hangover. Sure, head to Daytona and make stupid decisions. Generations of students already have. Might as well do it at least once just to say you did.

But Spring Break can also be so much more. Do something different with a few friends. And who knows? It may end up being one of the most memorable weeks of your life.

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