Spring vacation could be a fantastic time away from school and work that, in fact, does not involve taking jello shots on a beach, and is an opportunity for you to do something outside of the box. If you avoid the most popular spring break destinations, you will also sidestep the crowds and inflated prices. Whether you are interested in travel, volunteering, resting, the outdoors, or more, we have listed some creative ideas to inspire your favorite spring break yet.

Visit a National Park

Getting active in the great outdoors could be a great way to spend a spring break, and the United States’ stunning national park system makes this extremely accessible to you. There are 63 national parks within the country, each as different as can be, from alpine forests to glaciers to snow to desert to swampland to volcanoes to caves to sand dunes. Exploring a national park over your spring break is a rejuvenating opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and away from a spring break stereotype.

Check out our article on five national parks you should add to your bucket list for inspo.

Tour Your Home State's Parks

The national parks get all the glory, but the truth is that the state parks are often far underrated, hidden gems: quiet, peaceful, and without the crowds that national parks draw. There are over 6,600 state parks in the country, and odds are you haven’t seen every parks within your own state lines. Why not get to know your home state and all the beautiful unique outdoor adventures it has to offer locally?

Work Abroad in Exchange For Room and Board

Why not work and experience a foreign culture simultaneously this spring break holiday? There are a ton of structured programs that provide international connections and short-term opportunities where you work a few hours a day in exchange for room and board. That is a sweet deal, especially when considering you are basically accepted as a local in a new country for a short amount of time, allowing you to open your eyes to see how people live on an intimate level. You will have access to experiences and information that you simply wouldn’t as a tourist visiting the same destination. 

Here are three helpful resources to get you started: 

• Workaway

• HelpStay

• WWOOF

Check out our article on reasons to volunteer through WWOOF (World Wide Organization of Organic Farms).

Volunteer

If dedicating your free time to an altruistic mission appeals to you, consider spending your spring break holiday as a volunteer. There is no lack of volunteer opportunities abroad, in different parts of the US, or even local to you. Check with your school for any upcoming opportunities because, more likely than not, they have several organized options for volunteering over spring break.

Check out Volunteer HQ’s list of resources or Volunteer Solutions’s best opportunities for spring break volunteering alternatives.

Plan a Staycation

Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, you can oftentimes take your hometown and area for granted, not having ventured out of your way to be a “tourist” in your own town. A staycation spring break could be your opportunity to pretend that you are new to the area and to get to know both the hidden gems and popular landmarks of your city. This spring break alternative is easy on your budget and will also expand your appreciation for where you live! You could select one or two places every day that you haven’t previously taken the time for, such as a popular pretty city park, a farmer’s market that you’ve heard about, art and history museums, thrift stores, or historical sites. If it’s within your budget, it could be a fun opportunity to get an Airbnb in another part of the city to put you in full vacation mode.

Go On a Road Trip

Ah the American classic: choosing a road trip as your mode of travel and adventure. Road-tripping through the US is under-appreciated as a whole, but is also a fantastic way to see the country with your own eyes and experience unexpected pieces of American culture. You can pack in a ton with a road trip: pit stop in small towns, follow Route 66, see a diverse range of landmarks, and have the freedom and flexibility to design your own adventures along the way, as opposed to sitting in an airport or sitting at a beach bar for the entirety of spring break (though that has its charm too, we admit).

Check out our article on the ideal road trip through the American Southwest.

Shred the Slopes on a Ski Trip

You may think that the best snow is melted and gone by spring break, but actually, ski resorts are often open through May (and beyond). Heading to the slopes for a mountain getaway is a great option to get active, be outdoors, and work on your shredding skills in a beautiful area.

Head to an Unconventional, Budget-friendly Spring Break Destination

When it comes to traveling to spring break destinations, many spring breakers put their sights on the quintessential hotspots like Florida, Mexico, and Hawaii. But there is an entire world full of destinations that could offer you a sensational alternative spring holiday, with fewer crowds, a lower price tag, and a more unique spring break experience to remember and cherish.

Some unconventional ideas that could provide a fantastic spring holiday, both international and in the country:

International:

• Reykjavik, Iceland

• Dublin, Ireland

• Chiang Mai, Thailand

• Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

• Negril, Jamaica

• La Paz, Bolivia

In The United States:

• Sedona, AZ

• Asheville, NC

• Austin, TX

• Salt Lake City, UT

• New Orleans, LA

• South Padre Island, TX

Rest

Finally, maybe rest is more necessary than an adventure. Peer pressure often forces people out of their budget and out of their last reserves of energy, if they have been giving their all to their studies and work. Rest and relaxation could be your perfect way to spend spring break—reading the novel you’ve been putting off for ages, and doing a face mask every day.