Spring break is a great time for college students. A week long vacation away from the never-ending cycle of classes, exams, and papers? It’s a dream come true. Whether you enjoy parties, relaxing on the beach, visiting museums, or anything in between, this is a time to get together with friends and find something fun to do-- free of responsibilities for a little while.
But if you’re a college student, chances are you’re a bit tight on money. It might not be feasible to travel very far, especially when you factor transportation and lodging costs. Despite all the spring break locations on your bucket list, you might find yourself obliged to stay right where you are for the week.
Or you could take your college’s location into consideration when deciding where to attend. Lots of great schools are situated right in the middle of popular spring break spots-- and when you already attend a school right in the middle of your favorite city or just down the street from your favorite beach, you can save yourself and your friends a lot of headache.
So, here are some of the best colleges situated in the most ideal spring break locations:
The Best Colleges to go to for Spring Break
New York University
New York City is one of the most popular spring break locations in the country-- and it’s no wonder, given how much it has to offer the curious wanderer. New York University is a great college located primarily in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village and downtown Brooklyn. The school itself offers a rich campus life-- with several speakers visiting per semester, multiple theaters putting on plays, concerts, and recitals, and plenty of school clubs and traditions, students have a wide variety of ways to entertain themselves during the semester.
Outside of the school itself, though, there’s just as much to do, if not more. Greenwich Village is one of the most historical neighborhoods in New York City, and it’s full of small, community-centric businesses in cool old buildings-- perfect for students who want to go exploring during their spring break.
For those who love the nightlife scene, Bleeker Street is teeming with restaurants, bars, and shops. Fans of the TV show Friends might enjoy visiting the apartment building featured in the show. Greenwich Village is also home to interesting museums, like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Illusions-- a must-see for anyone who loves puzzles or riddles. And, of course, Washington Square Park-- one of the most beloved and historical parks in NYC-- is easy to walk through and always full of fun things to do, often for free.
University of California-- Los Angeles
Located in Los Angeles, UCLA also offers a rich campus life for students looking for something to do during the semester. The campus itself is beautiful, often called a “college in a garden,” and there are over a thousand clubs and organizations to get involved in. UCLA has great sports programs available, and it’s also an excellent place to get involved with the arts-- it’s considered one of the best art schools in the country, and there are plenty of galleries to walk through and theaters to attend.
Off campus, there are lots of fun things to do during spring break, too. The famous Santa Monica Pier is just a short drive away from campus, for those who want to spend their week at one of the amusement parks located on the pier or just taking in the sights of the beach. If you’d rather spend your free time shopping, Westfield Century City is a huge, two-level mall nearby, and you’ll be sure to find something interesting there. Or if museums and art galleries are more your speed, be sure to visit the Hammer Museum or the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden. Not to mention, there are some beautiful parks in the area, such as the Getty Center, that are definitely worth visiting.
University of Miami
Miami, Florida, like so many coastal areas, is an extremely popular spring break location. And the University of Miami, with its variety of campus events and organizations, is situated not far from the beach-- although students will find it useful to have transportation of their own if they want to fully explore the area.
If you do have transportation, though, there’s plenty to see during your spring break. The Lowe Art Museum offers a variety of modern art and cultural art exhibits. There are plenty of gardens to visit, like the John G. Gifford Arboretum and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. If you’re looking for shopping opportunities, visit the Shops at Sunset Place. And for the beach-goers out there, La Islita Miami Beach is just twelve miles away-- easy enough to get to with a car, and oh-so-beautiful.
University of Pennsylvania
With all of its history, Philadelphia is among the most popular spring break locations for college students, and the University of Pennsylvania-- a prestigious institution-- is situated right in the middle of it. Here, during your free time or spring break, you can visit historical landmarks like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, choose from a variety of museums on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and climb the famous “Rocky steps” outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Locals also say that trying an authentic Philly Cheesesteak is a must-- rival restaurants Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks are a great place to look.
Vanderbilt University
Speaking of prestigious schools located right in the midst of ideal spring break locations, Vanderbilt University is located right in Nashville, Tennessee-- the capital city of country music. If you’re looking for nightlife, Nashville has it, with its overabundance of bars and clubs featuring live musicians. Local college students enjoy bar-hopping, getting a sense of the variety of musicians performing at each venue as they try different establishments on for size.
If the noise and commotion of the local bars isn’t for you, the city features plenty of beautiful parks, including the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, modeled after the National Mall in Washington, DC. Nashville is also home to museums like the Country Music Hall of Fame and the National Museum of African American Music, for those who love music and history. And there are plenty of shopping opportunities, too-- including several marketplaces like the Nashville Flea Market or the Nashville Farmers Market.
Johns Hopkins University
Located in beautiful Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins University is another prestigious college located near the coast-- perfect for spring break. History buffs will find themselves more than satisfied with their options-- you can tour Fort McHenry, explore historical ships, visit Edgar Allan Poe’s grave, or walk through one of Baltimore’s many museums, such as the Baltimore Museum of Industry. There are also plenty of great restaurants in the area and ample opportunities for nightlife.
Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University is one of the best places to go to college if you want to spend your spring break at the beach, but don’t want to pay through the nose to get there-- although you’ll want transportation of your own in order to get around to the best sites. The college is located a half hour’s drive away from Myrtle Beach, which is perhaps the most popular beach in the country during the week of spring break. Away from the party scene on the beach, there are also plenty of art museums in the area, and you can even visit the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum-- a great place to explore with friends.
Savannah College of Art and Design
The Savannah College of Art and Design is, of course, more niche than most undergrad schools, but we couldn’t leave it off of this list-- it’s located right in the middle of Savannah, Georgia, an excellent place to visit for spring break. The city is beautiful, featuring plenty of lush, well-shaded parks. The streets are lined with a great variety of small shops and boutiques, offering plenty of things to catch a window shopper’s eye.
Tybee Island, a beautiful, peaceful stretch of beach, is only twenty minutes away. And the nightlife is lively, too-- head down to River Street in the evenings to find an eclectic collection of restaurants and bars, all teeming with people and music, along the beautiful Savannah River. Best of all, the city itself is entirely walkable, making most of its sights accessible to anyone.
Tulane University
Tulane University is a great school for anyone who wants to experience the life and culture of New Orleans, Louisiana. The city is home to museums like the National WWII Museum and the Newcomb Art Museum. If you enjoy interacting with nature, visit the Audubon Zoo, or spend time at Audubon Park for a peaceful walk in the shade of the Spanish Oaks. Visit the Bywater for authentic local food and galleries, or eat at The Court of Two Sisters-- rumored to have an excellent brunch. Or for a taste of New Orleans’ famous nightlife scene, visit Bourbon Street with all of its bars, restaurants, and music.
Those are the Best Colleges to go to for Spring Break
There are lots of things to keep in mind when applying to and choosing a college-- available programs, academic reputation, your family’s finances, and scholarship options, for example. But it’s also important to find a school in a location that you like. If you’re looking for an ideal spring break every year during your college career, the schools on this list are great places to look into!
