Key Takeaways
- If you’re planning to travel this spring break, whether you’re hoping your destination will be tropical, mountainous, urban, a theme park, or a national park, we’ve got plenty of options to help you narrow it down!
- For some, staying home or on campus during spring break is what feels the most relaxing. Explore your college town or practice self-care—whatever helps you recharge.
- An alternative spring break idea that might not be typical—but is productive—is getting ahead on schoolwork. This also includes searching for an internship for the summer, volunteering, and applying for scholarships.
Great Spring Break Ideas for College Students in 2025
Spring break is finally here after what feels like a long spring semester. You’ve been working so hard over the last few months, and now it’s time to decide—how are you going to spend your spring break in 2025? The ideas for your spring break activities are truly endless, but we’ve gathered a list of our favorites to help you narrow down your choices so you can make the most of your well-deserved time off.
What Is Spring Break?
Spring break is a much-needed pause in the academic year, typically falling in March or April. During this time, students can choose how to recharge before tackling the rest of the semester. Whether it’s heading to the beach with friends, adventuring to a new city, or hanging out at home with family, this is your time—so choose what feels best for you!
Our Favorite Spring Break Ideas
When it comes to spring break, there is something for everyone. The most important thing is that you choose something that is going to refuel you. So, whether you’re traveling, staying local, or using the time to get ahead, we’ve got ideas for you:
1. Spring Break Ideas for Traveling
During spring break, many students are itching to travel somewhere that is not on campus, and it’s the perfect excuse to get out of town. If you’re ready to pack your bags and go, here are some top travel ideas based on what kind of trip you’re looking for:
Beach Destinations
For those wishing for beachside destinations and beautiful oceanfront views, check out these destinations:
- Florida: You’re never too far from the beach in Florida! Choose from a variety of popular vacation spots, including Clearwater Beach, Destin, Key West, or Panama City Beach.
- Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts: If you’re looking for a beach getaway with a more quaint and charming aesthetic, try Martha’s Vineyard. You’ll experience coastal views, lighthouses, seafood restaurants, boutique shops, and scenic trails. It’s considered a slower pace compared to other spring break destinations, but if you want to get away and relax, you can’t go wrong with the East Coast. Keep in mind that while this is a beach destination, it will likely still be cool, so bring warm clothes.
- San Diego, California: You can never go wrong with a trip to sunny and warm California. Whether you want to see a Padres game, bike along Coronado Island, or shop and dine in La Jolla Cove, there is something for everyone.
- International Destinations: Whether it’s Cancun, Punta Cana, or the Bahamas, book an all-inclusive resort so you can sit back and enjoy your time. With the white sand beaches, turquoise water, unlimited food, and various activities, you’ll have plenty to experience—including snorkeling, fitness classes, entertainment, and more!
Mountain Destinations
For those who love outdoor adventures and breathtaking views, visit one of these beautiful mountain states:
- Colorado: Love to ski? Choose from picturesque mountain towns like Aspen, Breckenridge, or Vail and enjoy both adventure and relaxation.
- Utah: Whether you want to see the red rocks, travel down world-class ski slopes, or hike scenic trails, Utah has it all! Popular cities include Moab, Park City, and Salt Lake City.
- California: Explore the outdoors with destinations like Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, and Mammoth Lakes.
City Destinations
For an exciting urban adventure and never-ending things to do, plan a trip to one of these well-known cities:
- New York City, New York: Catch a Broadway show, visit a plethora of museums, and explore iconic landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, or Times Square.
- Chicago, Illinois: Savor Chicago’s iconic deep-dish pizza, stroll along the riverfront, take a boat cruise, and don’t forget to see the infamous “Bean.”
- Austin, Texas: “Keep Austin Weird” is a popular slogan that celebrates the unique character of Austin, Texas. Be prepared for live music, great food, and a fun nightlife.
- New Orleans, Louisiana: Wander the historic French Quarter, soak in jazz music, and feast on Creole and Cajun flavors. If you’re there at the right time, you might just get to experience the famous Mardi Gras celebration.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Want to experience the city that never sleeps? Visit Las Vegas and experience live shows, casinos, and non-stop entertainment around every corner. That’s not all though, Las Vegas is also known for its outdoor adventures.
- Nashville, Tennessee: Take a trip to the home of country music and experience the iconic Broadway Street, lined with live music and southern charm. Make sure to save room for southern BBQ and Nashville Hot Chicken.
- Charleston, South Carolina: Stroll through Charleston’s cobblestone streets, where Rainbow Row and historic homes create the perfect backdrop. You can dine in some of the most renowned southern restaurants and then hit King Street for some shopping.
Theme Parks and Attractions
For an action-packed spring break, check out these theme parks and attractions. They’re a great way to still have fun without having to take a week-long trip:
- Zoo: Animal lover? Take a day trip to a zoo close by and hang out with the wildlife. Check out zoos like the San Diego Zoo or the St. Louis Zoo.
- Waterparks: If you live in the heat, grab some friends and head to the waterpark for the day. Enjoy waterslides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.
- Theme Parks: Whether you’re there for one day or five days, theme parks offer loads of fun for everyone. Look into parks like Disney World, Six Flags, or Universal Studios.
- Mini Golf: If you’re looking for a more affordable activity over spring break, play a round (or two) of mini golf with your friends or family. Find an indoor or outdoor course and make the most of it!
National Parks
For those looking to mark off some bucket-list places this spring break, look into visiting one of these iconic National Parks:
- Grand Canyon National Park (Near Flagstaff, Arizona): You can only imagine how big it is until you see it in person! Hike along the edge of the Grand Canyon or head down into it on one of the many breathtaking hiking trails.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Near Gatlinburg, Tennessee & Cherokee, North Carolina): Whether you are camping, hiking, fishing, seeking waterfalls, horseback riding, or looking for wildlife, the Great Smoky Mountains have it all.
- Zion National Park (Near Springdale, Utah): Zion is known for its towering red, pink, and cream-colored cliffs, narrow canyons, and unique geological formations. If you’re feeling brave, try hiking Angel’s Landing!
- White Sands National Park (Near Alamogordo, New Mexico): Want to see sand that resembles the look of snow? Head to White Sands National Park where you can bike, sled, hike, horseback ride, and more on the stunning sand dunes.
- Joshua Tree National Park (Near Palm Springs & Joshua Tree, California): Visit this diverse ecosystem in southern California, distinguished by unique trees and rock formations. While many come for that alone, the real showstopper is the night sky—stay and stargaze under some of the clearest night skies around.
2. Staycation: Recharge Without Leaving Town
If your semester has been exhausting, don’t feel guilty about slowing down. Taking some time to relax and recharge is the perfect spring break idea—especially if you don’t have the means to travel this year. Staying at home, or on campus, is a great way to spend the week. Here are some ideas to help you recharge without needing to pack a bag:
- Visit local coffee shops and markets
- Take a day trip to a nearby city
- Go on a scenic hike or check out a new park
- Host a backyard BBQ or game night with friends
- Sleep in
- Read—but just for fun!
- Binge-watch a new show
3. Alternative Spring Break Ideas You Might Not Have Thought Of
Not feeling the typical spring break plans? Here are some productive (and still rewarding) ways to spend your week:
Get ahead on Schoolwork
Even though we encourage you to relax and recharge for your spring break, we know that some students just don’t like to do that. If you want to be more productive, then getting ahead on your coursework is a great idea for spring break! Since you already have your syllabi, you can see upcoming assignments and readings that you need to do after your break. You don’t have to have your nose in the books, but browsing your coursework and softly starting your assignments will help you get ahead for the rest of the semester.
Get an Internship or Start Looking for One
An internship is a golden ticket for many college students, especially if you plan on going into the workforce right after you graduate. A great idea for your spring break is to get an internship or start looking for one to do during the summer. But how do you even secure an internship? Using resources like Handshake and LinkedIn are great ways to find open positions for the companies you want to work for. Spend a few hours a day applying for and researching internships in your related field so you can get the experience you need to enter the workforce after you graduate.
Volunteer
If you’ve already exhausted all of the previous spring break ideas, then consider signing up as a volunteer somewhere. This may not be the most popular spring break idea, but it’s one that will tug on your heartstrings. Look up local shelters, soup kitchens, or animal rescues to spend your spring break helping those in need. Volunteers in these places are what help them run and, in the end, help those who need it most. After spring break is over, you can volunteer a few times a month and then start back up in the summer once the semester ends!
Apply for Scholarships
Take advantage of the downtime you have during spring break and apply for scholarships! Scholarships offer free money that you can use for your tuition and other school-related things. There are millions of dollars of scholarships available, ranging from merit-based to simple sweepstakes. Use College Raptor’s scholarship search tool to find all the scholarships you’re eligible for so you can start your fall semester without loans!
Planning a Spring Break Trip
If you are planning a spring break trip, whether with friends or family, it’s important to focus on your safety and of course—sticking to a budget. Here are some planning tips that are helpful to keep in mind:
- If you are spending the majority of your spring break outside, make sure to check the weather for the spring months.
- If you don’t want to plan too many activities, consider booking an all-inclusive resort. Once you pay, you don’t have to worry about spending additional money while you’re there.
- If you travel internationally, be sure to check your passport expiration date before booking your spring break getaway.
- If you plan to travel, try to book your flights and accommodations in advance to save money.
- If you want to stick to a budget, set a daily spending limit for food, activities, and transportation to avoid unexpected costs.
- If you are traveling to a new destination, always travel in groups and stay aware of your surroundings.
Relax and Spring On!
Ideas for spring break are never-ending, but browsing this list will help you narrow down your choices to see which is best for you! You can see nearby attractions, eat at a new restaurant, or take a scenic drive. From a spring break visit to a productive spring break, we’ve got you covered. Enjoy this week off of college to clear your head and come back ready to finish the semester strong. After all, the semester isn’t over yet—so enjoy the break while you can!
