By Kimberly Dijkstra
Spring break, the raucous rite of passage for college students, comes around but once a year. Make the most of this break from school at a warm and sunny locale, where you can lounge by the pool, party on the beach, and leave all your worries behind.
Here are the Top 10 hottest spring break spots around the US and beyond.
Miami, Florida
One of the first places to come to mind when you hear the words spring break, Miami has everything you could hope for in a vacation spot. South Beach, famous for its all-night parties, is a top destination for spring breakers. The Art Deco District features stylish sidewalk cafes, world-class restaurants, and a nightclub for every personality.
Miami Beach is a good choice if you want all the sun and sand of Miami, with a slightly more chill atmosphere. The hotels in this area are just a short taxi ride from the action.
If you’re lucky, your break will fall during the Ultra Music Festival in March, an event that draws thousands of dance music lovers every year.
New Orleans, Louisiana
While New Orleans is a great city to visit any time of year, it offers a unique experience for students on spring break. In the French Quarter, you’ll find live music, craft cocktails, and dancing in the streets.
The dazzling atmosphere of Bourbon Street is a huge draw, but the Big Easy has even more to offer. A foodie city unlike any other, New Orleans expands culinary horizons with dishes from every culture that has ever called the city home. It expands minds too with historic tours through some of the oldest mansions and gardens in the nation.
Spring break often coincides with Mardi Gras, but even if yours doesn’t, there will still be plenty of celebration going on. Wanderfest, an outdoor travel festival for women, and the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival also take place in March.
South Padre Island, Texas
Renowned for its nightlife and natural beauty, South Padre Island has long been a favorite for spring breakers. A barrier island along the Texas Gulf Coast, South Padre is a beacon for adventurers who love swimming, fishing, kiteboarding, boating, and wildlife watching, and in the springtime it is a beacon for thousands of college students looking to blow off steam.
Clayton’s Beach Bar hosts crowds as big as Texas who dance from dusk ‘til dawn. “The largest and best party in the nation'' happens at Isla Grand Beach Resort, with nighttime pool parties, live DJs, and all inclusive access for resort guests. Inertia Tours offers packages for beachfront condos, concerts, yacht cruises, and more.
Palm Springs, California
Due to its warm weather and abundance of resorts, Palm Springs is a booming spring break destination. Colorful and photogenic, you’ll want to pack your most Insta-worthy outfit for the trip. Swim and sunbathe by day, dance and party by night, you’ll return to your studies refreshed and restored.
Proximity to both the mountains and the desert makes Palm Springs attractive to nature-loving vacationers as well.
Every Thursday night, enjoy Village Fest, a street fair with vendors, food, and entertainment.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas is a playground for partiers 24/7, 365 days a year, so it is naturally the ideal place to spend your spring break. Instead of spending a week at the beach, enjoy the glitz and glamor of the Strip. Each hotel has a different theme, and you can stroll between the canals of Venice, the pyramids of ancient Egypt, and the streets of Paris all in one day.
There are always shows to see in Las Vegas, whether you and your friends are in the mood for live music, stand-up comedy, magic, or acrobatics. A number of nightclubs and entertainment venues are friendly to the under-21 crowd, and there are activities fun for all ages, like billiards, axe-throwing, bowling, and mini golf.
On the first Friday of every month, the Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas has a street festival with art on display, vendors, food trucks, and performance artists. Sports fans can get up to some March mayhem during March Madness, and don’t forget that March is the start of pool season in Vegas, so pack that bikini!
Panama City Beach, Florida
“The Spring Break Capital of the World,” Panama City Beach has everything you’re looking for – golden sunshine, sugar-white beaches, and accommodations for every budget. Located on the panhandle of Florida, the waterfront town has attracted spring break crowds since the late ‘90s and was the setting for the MTV reality show ‘Floribama Shore.’
Get ready for world-class DJs and glow-paint dance parties. While the nightlife is outrageous, daytime activities are in abundance. The mild subtropical climate means watersports are always in season. You can rent jet skis, sailboats, and go parasailing in the emerald waters of the Gulf.
Panamaniac is a huge beach bash and a number of VIP cards are available for purchase to get access to the best clubs, restaurants, concerts, and parties all March.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
An alternative to the sandy beach destinations, Lake of the Ozarks offers students a budget-friendly vacation with all of the fun they’re looking for. With 1,100 miles of shoreline, outdoor recreation opportunities abound.
Party Cove, known for its pontoon boats and wild parties, has been called “the oldest established permanent floating bacchanal in the country” by the New York Times. Some waterfront restaurants have swim-up bars for multitasking spring breakers.
If your break coincides with St. Patrick's Day, you’ll be able to catch the annual St. Patrick’s Water Parade.
Cancun, Mexico
A favorite destination for young adults, Cancun attracts spring breakers from all around the world. A gorgeous paradise in Mexico, the resort district is the perfect place to soak up the sun.
Cancun comes alive at night with an array of clubs offering light shows and dance parties. Hotspots like Coco Bongo, Sweet Club, and Palazzo have live bands, DJs, contests, and the extravagant atmosphere you desire. Take the guesswork out of vacation planning by purchasing an all-inclusive package.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
No passport? No problem! Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and only a plane ride away. San Juan, the capital of this captivating island, provides a one-of-a-kind spring break experience.
There are a number of tropical beaches to pick from, whether you’d like to sun tan or get into the water. Flyboarding is popular and lessons are available for beginners. Just across the bay, the Casa Bacardí offers rum tasting tours and mixology classes. Nearby tropical rainforests offer adventures like zip-lining and horseback riding.
Old San Juan is where you’ll find bustling nightlife and restaurants that showcase all of Puerto Rico’s many cultural influences.
Afronation, the world’s biggest afrobeats festival, will take place in San Juan in March. Also look forward to the National Rum Festival, National Salsa Day, and major musical acts on tour.
US Virgin Islands
Another Caribbean destination with no passport required for US travelers, the US Virgin Islands are full of historic, cultural, and ecological attractions.
While all three main islands – Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas – have a lot to offer and island-hopping is always an option, the best spring break locale is St. Thomas for its active nightlife.
The communities of Havensight, Charlotte Amalie, and Frenchtown have popular bars and restaurants. Red Hook has more of a block party vibe where bar hopping is easy. Most resorts and hotels will offer activities for guests, such as karaoke, pool tables, beach volleyball, and calypso music.
In March, catch the excitement of boat races at the annual St. Thomas International Regatta.