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Spring break began as a collegiate rite of passage, anchored by frenetic beach parties and beer kegs – but it’s evolved.
Now, it’s a six-week-long coast-to-coast travel surge across America from March through mid-April that sees not just students seeking loud music, neon lights and powdery sand, but parents looking for family fun and others heading into the wilderness for thrilling activities or the chance to simply get away from it all and reset.
The 10 destinations we present here cover all of the above.
We’ve pinpointed party hotspots in Florida and Mexico, as well as destinations in the Sunshine State and California ideal for family getaways.
Arizona and South Carolina offer unforgettable breaks for scenery and reset energy, while we recommend heading to Utah and the Golden State for top-quality adventuring.
And we know the perfect place to go in Alabama if it’s just a classic, relaxing beach break that appeals.
Best for partying
Miami Beach, Florida
The vibe: Glossy, glamorous, and intensely energetic. South Beach is party-central during spring break season, so expect DJ sets springing up on rooftops and terraces, and bronzed bodies packing out the renowned flour-soft sands.
Top things to do: Miami Beach always has an air of see-and-be-seen, so claim a patch of sand and people-watch with a mojito in hand. There’s also a stunning Art Deco district to explore, where around 800 preserved Art Deco buildings are packed into one walkable square mile.
Great place to stay: Marseilles Beachfront Hotel (rooms from $230) has beguiling Art Deco aesthetics, 112 bright and airy rooms, and is just steps from the bars and golden grains.
Read more: I stayed in a Miami hotel with the chicest Art Deco-inspired interiors
Panama City Beach, Florida
The vibe: Neon T-shirts and pumping parties. Panama City Beach (aka “PCB”) on Florida’s Gulf Coast, about 100 miles southwest of Tallahassee, has long had a reputation for a raucous spring break atmosphere. There is still a lot of energy here, but it has calmed down slightly, with alcohol restrictions and a heavy police presence during peak weeks.
Top things to do: The coastline is spectacular, with a postcard-perfect white-sand beach and emerald waters. That makes sunbathing and swimming perennially inviting. For something a little more exotic, take a boat out to Shell Island, an undeveloped barrier island. There are also dolphin-watching cruises to enjoy, pontoons to rent and open-air shopping and relaxed dining are available at Pier Park, just steps from the beach.
Great place to stay: Hyatt Place Panama City Beach (rooms from $250) is located right on the beach, with hypnotic Gulf views and a lazy-river style pool.
Read more: Chilled-out Pensacola is the underrated Miami alternative everyone should consider
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The vibe: Lively, sun-drenched, and safe. Cabo, on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, is an established spring break favorite. The 30 or so beaches are premium, the water is clear and the nightlife is buzzy rather than boisterous. Think beach clubs and boat parties rather than raucous street drinking.
What’s more, it’s a tourism enclave with visible policing — Mexico’s security issues are elsewhere.
Top things to do: Hang out on Medano Beach, which has reliably swimmable water, enjoy a snorkeling excursion and take a water taxi to El Arco (or “Land’s End”), a breathtaking 200-foot-high rock arch that marks the point the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
Great place to stay: Marina-adjacent Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa (rooms from $200) features five outdoor pools, three restaurants and a spa with a saltwater hot tub.
Read more: Eight of the best Mexico beach towns for crowd-free escapes
Best for families
Orlando, Florida
The vibe: Non-stop family fun — Orlando is the world’s theme park capital — with non-stop sunshine: this is one of the USA’s most reliably sunny destinations, with average March highs of around 77F.
It’s always busy, but Orlando has long-running expertise at marshaling crowds.
Top things to do: Divide time between Walt Disney World — which has over 120 attractions, including Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain — and Universal Orlando Resort, home to rides such as Curse of the Werewolf and Jurassic World VelociCoaster — but don’t overlook non-theme-park offerings. For a change of pace, head 45 minutes east and have a beach day on Space Coast, or ponder the infinite at the Kennedy Space Center.
Great place to stay: JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa (rooms from $300) has family-friendly pools, spacious rooms, and is a short drive from Disney and Universal.
Read more: See Miami in a new light: Six neighborhoods that might just surprise you
San Diego, California
The vibe: California-casual. Here, it’s boardwalk energy rather than hedonistic college antics, with balmy spring weather that hovers around the 66-68F mark. Warm enough for the beach, but rarely uncomfortably hot.
Top things to do: Explore La Jolla sea caves by kayak, stand-up paddleboard in Mission Bay, hang out on glamorous Coronado Beach, wander along the pier at Pacific Beach and explore lush Balboa Park and its 17 museums. There is also great seafood to indulge in —try Point Loma Seafoods by the America’s Cup Harbor.
Great place to stay: Polynesian-themed Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa (rooms from $250) is located in Pacific Beach, set amid palm trees, tiki torches, koi ponds and waterfalls.
Read more: The 9 best California cities and towns to visit, from LA to Santa Barbara
Best for scenery and reset energy
Sedona, Arizona
The vibe: Cinematic. If you need a spring break without beach bustle, where you can take a deep breath and reset, Sedona, in northern Arizona, is an ideal spot. Think vast red-rock amphitheaters, epic horizons and star-filled skies. And spring weather that hovers around the 70F mark.
Top things to do: This is hiking heaven, with trails for all abilities and stunning rock formations, such as Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock, to head to for social-media-igniting photo opportunities. Too weary to walk? Take a Jeep tour along a desert trail, or embrace the city’s reputation as a New Age wellness hub and book a yoga or meditation session.
Great place to stay: Sky Rock Sedona (rooms from $250) occupies hillside real estate and offers priceless views, including from an outdoor pool, without ultra-luxury pricing.
Read more: 12 state parks that are just as beautiful as national parks — and they’re free
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
The vibe: Bucolic and low-key — a watercolor brought to life. Hilton Head, off the south coast of South Carolina, shuns neon and megaclubs, instead offering relaxing and picturesque scenery, from dreamy beaches to moss-draped live oaks. Spring break here leans towards multi-generational family trips, with all ages enjoying March highs in the low 70s.
Top things to do: There are over 60 miles of biking trails, championship golf courses, tidal creeks to paddle along, sandy beaches to build sandcastles on, a striped lighthouse in Harbour Town to climb, and dolphin-watching cruises that are always popular with kids. Plus, you can learn about the history of the West African slave descendants who settled here at the Gullah Museum and Coastal Discovery Museum.
Great place to stay: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa (rooms from $290), in the Port Royal Plantation area on the northeast coast, has several pools, direct beach access, and a pleasant air of seclusion.
Best for adventure
Moab, Utah
The vibe: Otherworldly and adventure-driven. Moab, in eastern Utah, is a mecca with a Martian-like landscape for hikers, bikers, and whitewater rafters, who arrive to test their mettle against jaw-dropping geology. And enjoy the unforgettable views.
Top things to do: Moab is the gateway to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, both of which are saturated with opportunities for off-road adventures. There’s a thriving culinary scene in the laid-back town, from food trucks to upscale dining.
Great place to stay: Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton (rooms from $250) is within walking distance of Moab’s shops and restaurants and just 10 minutes from Arches National Park. Decompress in the pool and spa after a day of sinew-stretching activities.
Read more: Seven remote luxury hotels in America — where wilderness meets five-star comfort
Lake Tahoe, California
The vibe: One trip, two seasons. Lake Tahoe in spring break is a blend of winter sports and lakeside beach lounging, with enough snow for a proper ski trip, and enough sunshine to roll up your sleeves by the water.
Top things to do: Hit the slopes at Palisades Tahoe or Heavenly Mountain Resort. The former is one of the snowiest resorts in the U.S., and both have seasons that run into May. Away from the slopes, you can go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, relax on a boat trip, hike through forests, or drive the 72-mile scenic loop around the lake.
Great place to stay: The Landing Resort & Spa (rooms from $300) has alpine-inspired interiors and sits right on the waterfront.
Read more: 6 of the best ski resorts in the US for late-season snow
Best for classic beach (but quieter)
Gulf Shores, Alabama
The vibe: Uncomplicated beach break. The coastal city of Gulf Shores delivers white quartz sand beaches, turquoise waters — and a more relaxed atmosphere than some of the spring break hotspots in Florida. It gets livelier in peak weeks, but this is distinctly family-friendly territory.
Top things to do: The sugary sands deserve plenty of attention, along with swimming, surfing and kayaking in the azure waters. At Gulf State Park, meanwhile, there’s a butterfly garden, lake fishing and miles of backcountry bike trails. Carve out time for the 20-acre Waterville water and amusement park, while at The Wharf, there’s a Ferris wheel to ride and bustling shops to explore.
Great place to stay: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel (rooms from $250) has immediate beach access and boasts a coast-facing infinity pool and 24-hour fitness center.