Why not turn your attention somewhere else than the overdone spring break destinations?
Whether you have a family that wants to travel together during spring break or you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and there are a lot of deals around spring break, don’t fall for the cliche! Sure, beach holidays during that time of the year are great, but do you really want to fight with the hoards of students that will inevitably be at the destination as well?
This is why we are suggesting to you some of the best alternatives that can turn out to be even better than the beaches and seaside spring breaks! After all, if you are looking for a relaxation oasis, you will not find it in between five other people on the beach and surrounded by loud music and individuals!
Make sure you keep your options for a spring vacation open. Here are some of our top choices for an amazing spring break away from the sandy beaches!
#1 Churchill, Canada
When we talk about Churchill, Canada, we are only speaking of three seasons, not four. And this has nothing to do with the weather. They have seasons with amazing boundaries, such as whale-watching season, polar bear season, and aurora-lights season. And you probably guessed which one happens to fall during spring break: the one with the northern lights!
While this small town is underrated and also known as the world’s polar bear capital, you will definitely have a grand time here. Not only can you see the light from various locations throughout the city, both indoors and outdoors depending on your preferences, but you can also do so from a traditional yurt!
As we all know, the snow will not be gone by spring, so you should definitely book a dog sled ride in advance, and if you are going around March, you should definitely set aside some time to see the annual dog sled race! The best thing yet? You can easily get there by plane or by train if you want to take the scenic route!
#2 Mammoth Lakes, California
A lot of non-Californians tend to forget that the golden state of California is not just that. It does actually snow in California, and if you have never been to Northern California, then you should definitely set some time aside during your spring break to go there! Not only is Mammoth Lakes a popular skiing destination, but you will also not be rushing to catch the last of the snow: this skiing resort is open all the way through June, so you will be able to take your time and not fight other tourists!
Other activities that you can do include cross-country skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing. They are very organized, so you will be visiting a trail of historical cabins, beautiful mountain lakes, and Amish forests! You could even do some of the trails on a fat bike, as they offer that as well!
Believe us, you will not be bored here, and you can take the time to reunite with nature and relax!
#3 Breckenridge, Colorado
Whether you will be traveling with friends, a loved one, or family, you will not have to do much convincing to get on board with coming to Breckenridge, Colorado. Probably one of the most famous destinations on our list, you will be able to have a grand time here no matter if it is the peak of winter or spring break. This is one active spring break that you cannot miss and should experience at least once if you can!
Besides the renowned snow and skiing trails, you can also go hiking, snowshoeing, or hiking, as besides the amazing slopes, Breckenridge is also known for the hundreds of trails in the area. And while you can also come hike in the summer when the snow is gone, you will not be able to see the amazing frozen landscape, which is definitely worth experiencing at least once!
You can also ride the tallest chairlift in North America and enjoy the scenery if you do not want to do any winter sports!
#4 Iceland
While freezing Iceland may not be what you had in mind when we were talking about spring break, you should keep an open mind! Yes, the country is indeed one of the extremes: in the winter, you do not get much daylight, and the temperatures are hard to bear if you are not a local. However, summer can be just as bad in some ways. That’s when the sun doesn’t actually set, and while there are better temperatures, that’s when everyone else is going to visit too. This leaves you with spring as the perfect time to travel!
You will be able to see the best of this beautiful country, including the fjords, lunar landscape, and incredible mountains, but you will also be able to see something that not everyone gets to see. In spring, puffins come back to the coast of Iceland, and believe us, if you get to see a puffin colony, it is absolutely amazing and you will never forget it!
You will not get bored here, with multiple sites to visit, outdoor experiences, and amazing city life if you want to partake in that activity as well. You should also not miss the hot springs, along with the other natural wonders that you shouldn’t miss: black sand beaches, geysers, canyons, and a lot of wonderful waterfalls!
Are you not convinced yet?
#5 Monticello, New York
If you are truly looking to get that Daytona Beach rush for spring break, then you shouldn’t be running to Monticello, New York. After all, the place is more oriented toward wellness trips and nature trails than it is toward hoards of students looking to get drunk and party all night. In the end, if you are looking for a quaint trip that will give you time to relax, enjoy your time in nature, and focus on yourself and your loved ones, then this unassuming town in the Catskill Mountains is definitely for you!
The town is actually fairly small, with only 6,000 residents, but they are famous for their huge spa center, which is sitting on about 1,300 acres of mountain land! This resort is called YO1 Health, and it will offer you everything you can expect and more from a spa that is this well-known! You can even treat some health concerns here with holistic treatments and acupuncture if you are into those things.
Otherwise, there are plenty of things to do in and around Monticello that do not involve needles or spending all of your free time inside the resort. You can go to Thompson Town Park, where you can enjoy either some cross-country skiing trails or just go onto one of the normal hiking trails. If you are a fishing enthusiast, then you can go to one of the various small lakes around or even go camping if you are more adventurous!
With a city slowly decompressing after a long winter, you will be able to take in nature and even admire the local flora that is just now starting to peak out during spring break! Make sure you bring your camera, as you are bound to take some amazing shots here!
#6 Quebec City, Canada
If the other Canadian destination was a bit too adventurous for you, you can always just hop over the border and visit Quebec. It is just an eight-hour drive from New York City, and an even shorter time if you choose to fly in! Quebec is the perfect destination if you want to get a little taste of Europe but do not have to travel across the Atlantic in order to do so. It is a charming city with a lot of historical buildings and amazing cobbled streets, and everything is overseen by the huge Château Frontenac, which you cannot miss!
Whether you choose to spend the whole spring break here or you are just going for a few days, there are tons of things you can do. From visiting museums, the castle, and other attractions to making the most of the independent shops, bistros, and cafes are hidden away on small, still snow-covered streets, The city is magic, and if you are up for it, you can even go ice skating on the yearly erected ice skating rink in the middle of the city or even brave the ice toboggan that will have you flying across the river!
There are a few well-known spa resorts in the area, and there is even easy access to a skiing resort if you want to make the most of the Canadian snow! Whoever said you can’t ski during spring break didn’t know what they were talking about!
#7 Fairbanks, Alaska
Speaking of winter activities during spring break, you should definitely not rule out Alaska as a possible spring break destination! While most people would tell you that this is the worst spring break destination in the entire United States, they are completely wrong!Fairbanks is actually amazing to visit during spring because you can still catch the Aurora lights, which appear every year between August and April if you are lucky.
If you go during peak summer, you will not be able to see them at all. And from Fairbanks, you are just a 20-minute walk away from the best place to see them, Aurora Pointe (suggestive name, we know!).
Otherwise, during spring break, you will probably still be able to catch the snow, yet the temperatures are predicted to be milder than they would be in the middle of winter. Not only are there a ton of indoor activities and attractions you can visit, but you can also partake in a lot of outdoor ones as well. From dog sledding trips to ice fishing to snowmobile tours, you just have to be open to it and you can find anything!
At the end of the day, you can unwind at Chena Hot Springs! Sounds like heaven to us!
And if you’re still looking to plan ahead for next year’s winter wonderland destination, make sure you check out our recommendations here!
