Written by Miranda Mullings

We are only five weeks into the semester and it is still February, but that amazing weather a few days ago served as a reminder: it is about time to be booking spring break trips! At date of publication, spring break for Drury students is only three weeks away. Okay, so it is probably too late to book the trip of your dreams. However, it is not too late to plan something fun, especially if you plan on staying in the States.

Most people opt for a beach-y spring break trip to the southern states, Mexico, or even the Caribbean. Not feeling Padre Island or Cancun? Here is just a sampling of places college students can go over break without going where everyone else goes, and without breaking the bank.

Coastal

Want to live a week of beach life without being crammed on the sand with 20,000 other students? Give one of these beach cities a go.

1. Charleston, SC: 15 hr drive from Springfield. Average nightly Airbnb rate is $240. A beautiful, historical city with breathtaking scenery: Imagine cobblestone streets lined with beautiful Victorian mansions. Just outside the chic interior of Charleston are the massive swaths of beach, which are never crowded, even in the summer months. Stay in the city for the culture and shopping, or rent a condo on the beach. Either way, Charleston is a city to remember.

2. New Orleans, LA: 10.5 hr drive from Springfield. Average nightly Airbnb rate is $177. New Orleans proves that you do not have to go to Mexico or Miami for spectacular nightlife. New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz, hence the city’s famous music clubs. The city is famously French inspired, even boasting its own French Quarter. Go for the parties, and stay for the unique cuisine.

3. Chincoteague, Virginia: 18.5 hr drive from Springfield. Average nightly Airbnb rate is $135 Chincoteague Island is located off the coast of Virginia. Have you heard of the kids book Misty of Chincoteague, about the pony? It was one of my personal favorites. It turns out the book was set in a real place: Chincoteague Island, where wild ponies really do run free on the island’s National Wildlife Refuge.This island is the opposite of touristy, known for its nature and serenity. Looking for a peaceful and nature-centered getaway? Chincoteague Island may be the perfect unique spring break spot.

4. Captiva Island: 19.5 hr drive from Springfield. Average nightly Airbnb rate is $644 (but most rentals are entire [gorgeous] beach houses: bring a bunch of friends to split the cost!) For those who just cannot stay away from Florida, I suggest you at least go somewhere besides Destin or Tampa. Captiva Island is a quaint island in the Gulf of Mexico, the little ‘sister’ island to the more famous Sanibel Island. It really is a perfect place for a truly Floridian vacation, in which you just relax on the beach for a week. picturesque resorts, but an all-inclusive package is not necessary to enjoy your experience.

City Life

If the beach life is just too overrated or if culture is more important to you than getting your tan on, check out these famous American cities.

5. New York City, NY: 18 hr drive from Springfield. Average nightly Airbnb rate is $119.

Okay, so New York City is really known as the opposite of affordable, but there is so much exploring to do that one does not need a lot of money to entertain themselves. Explore all the neighborhoods and their unique vibes, get the most out of famous museums like MoMA, and enjoy Central Park: I once spent a whole day just getting lost in the nearly 850 acre oasis in the middle of the city.

6. Austin, TX: 9 hr 45 min drive from Springfield. Average nightly Airbnb rate is $75. Austin calls itself the “Live Music Capital of the World”. For sure, this millennial-infused city is known for its plethora of music and festivals. Besides music, Austin is full of culture, from street art to historical museums. The city is also laced with water for kayaking and trails for hiking; the locals love to be outdoors. Austin truly has something to offer for everyone.

7. Washington, D.C.: 16 hr drive from Springfield. Average nightly Airbnb rate is $164. DC is the nation’s capital and every political science major’s dream city, but it is much more than Congress and the White House. The city is home to a plethora of free things to do, from visiting breathtaking national monuments to just walking the city streets. One of my dream spring break trips is to spend the whole week just touring all the Smithsonian museums I possibly can.

Close to Campus

Don’t have the time, funds, or desire to leave the Midwest? Stay close to home with these spring break options.

8. Omaha, NE: 6 hr drive from Springfield. Average nightly Airbnb rate is $126.

Omaha is a truly unique city with a great history. I went there recently and mostly enjoyed the Old Market neighborhood, a cobblestone downtown-esque shopping and eating area with tons of local restaurants, high-class thrift stores, and horse-drawn carriages to show you around. The most interesting part of the city is Hollywood Candy, a giant candy store with a strange, magical feeling to it. For being a city as big as it is, Omaha is also kept extremely clean. For a unique outdoor experience, check out the Heartland of America Park, which has a 24-hour 320 foot, lit up water fountain.

9. Missouri state parks: Camping costs: varies. Drive: varies.

Missouri has tons of state parks to visit, where you can camp for nearly nothing. Each park has its own drawing point, so browse your options at mostateparks.com. Some of the most notable parks are Roaring River, Table Rock Lake, and Busiek. This is a very low-key spring break option, perfect for those who prefer spontaneity. Take your week off to get in touch with nature and try to enjoy not showering for several days.

10. Kansas City, MO: 2 hr 45 min drive from Springfield. Average nightly Airbnb rate is $64.

Though it may not be ‘under the radar’ for us Springfieldians, Kansas City is an easy way to experience a larger city without traveling too far. The city is busy but not claustrophobic, there are countless shops and restaurants, and beautiful architecture. For a free day out on the town, visit the Nelson Atkins art museum then walk around the Country Club Plaza.