Top 10 College Spring Break Locations

By Jenna Simsen

What better time for college students to take advantage of free time off than spring break, so why not take a break from the real world and visit some place new? Whether it is the day of, the week before or months in advance, the search for the perfect spring break location takes careful thought. Most want to consider the cost, location, warmth and access to entertainment. This is a top ten list of great spring break locations for college students to consider visiting during their week off from school.
10 Austin, Texas - Known as the music capitol of Texas, and only 300 miles or so from the greater Houston area, Austin is an ideal spot for spring breakers to go out on the town and listen to some great live music at a number of clubs and bars. The big entertainment scene can be found downtown near well-known 6th Street, where the majority of Austin’s clubs and bars are located. While in Austin, visitors can get some sun at Barton Springs, a man made pool and popular recreation spot with water feeding from Edwards Aquifer. Home to the University of Texas, Austin has a lot of affordable entertainment aimed toward college-aged students.
9 New Braunfels, Texas - Just a little more than three hours northeast of Houston, New Braunfels continues to be a popular spring break location. With the famous Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in close proximity to the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, New Braunfels is a great place to float the river, relax and get some sun. The well prepared may even think to secure a separate inner tube for an ice chest filled with their beverage of choice!
8 South Padre Island, Texas - With past broadcasts by MTV live from South Padre Island, this spring break location has proven itself to be one of the nation’s best. This small town has been a host to college kids and families alike for years. With its long stretch of beaches and activities like bungee jumping, water skiing, fishing and dolphin watching at a visitor’s disposal, SPI offers great activities for anyone looking to have a great time or simply relax on a great Texas beach.
7New York City, New York - Although it may not be the first place that comes to mind during spring break, New York City is becoming a popular destination for college students to spend their week. A visit to the Big Apple can be ideal for anyone looking to fill their days with endless activities. New York City has many fun things to offer including high-end shopping, classy restaurants, Broadway plays and a great music scene. A visit to great American landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building can provide great memories for anyone looking to have a different experience.
6 Malibu, California - Anyone who loves the beach life can find himself in heaven in the beach of all beaches - Malibu. In the heart of Southern California, Malibu is one of the most famous destinations to visit if one is looking for the ultimate beach scene. Home to Pepperdine University, Malibu has loads of shops, multiple beaches and unique restaurants such as the local favorite, Dukes, where visitors can mingle with people their own age and enjoy the hills and sunsets of So Cal surrounding them.
5 Lake Tahoe, Nevada/
California - Straddling the state line of California and Nevada, the largest alpine lake in the United States, Lake Tahoe sits surrounded by mountains  at the town’s low elevation, Lake Tahoe offers many shops, restaurants, hotels, outdoor and water activities. At higher elevations, Lake Tahoe is home to Heavenly Mountain Resort, a popular skiing and snowboarding destination with a season that runs through late April. On the Nevada side of the border, many hotels also double as casinos with gambling, clubs and stage shows.
4 Miami, Florida - Located on the southeastern tip of Florida, the entire city sits on the edge of Atlantic Ocean. Rich in history and culture, Miami is home to some of the most famous nightclubs, bars, shopping and music scenes. Tourists looking for the club scene can find it in the famous South Beach area loaded with nightlife entertainment. Besides its glamorous amenities, the city has many museums, parks, entertainment venues and art districts for visitors to enjoy.
3 Mykonos, Greece - With a lot of advance planning and a fairly generous budget, any college student can enjoy one of the most amazing spring breaks ever on this small island off the coast of Greece. With access only via boat or plane, Mykonos is a unique getaway with homes embedded into the mountainsides overlooking Paradise Beach and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea.  With day cruises to other nearby Greek isles, Vespa rentals to ride the native way through town and ancient cultured scenery to surround, this island is a breath of fresh air from any place ever visit.
2 The Bahamas - Located off the tip of southern Florida, the Bahamas are a grouping of nearly 700 islands, some of which are host to major tourist resorts. If the crystal clear waters aren’t enough to captivate visitors, the Bahamas offer water sport rentals, exotic restaurants, ocean side bonfires and bars as well as boat tours, fishing and shopping. The Bahamas are home to Disney’s luxurious Atlantis Hotel and Resort on Paradise Island and Nassau’s famous straw market.
1 Las Vegas, Nevada - Students looking to have the time of their lives and throw inhibitions in to the wind will fulfill their destiny in Las Vegas. With hundreds of exotic bars, famous nightclubs, casinos, shows and music, Las Vegas is truly the ultimate place to explore one’s wild side. An open and friendly atmosphere surrounding the entire Strip makes Vegas a great place to make new friends, create crazy memories and experience new things. This fast-paced town is ideal for college kids looking to party, dance, shop and anything in between for 24 hours a day. With popular shows like Love, Thunder from Down Under, and famous nightclubs like Pure in Caesar’s Palace and LAX in the Luxor, there is never a dull moment in this town.
*This list was compiled with research from TripAdvisor.com, TravelZoo.com, Eftours.com, Reference.com and Travelocity.com