As spring break rounds the corner, many students begin to arrange their last-minute trips. To avoid the frenzy of procrastinated planning, The Daily Texan compiled a list of affordable spots to visit this spring break.
Port Aransas, Texas (4 hour drive)
Stay: Affordable hotels include Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Aransas Pass/Corpus Christi at $84/night, Best Western Ingleside Inn & Suites at $118/night or Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Corpus Christi Aransas Pass at $127/night. Airbnb also lists homes ranging from $83-115/night.
Activities: Visit the six-mile stretch of Port Aransas beach, and rent a jet ski with Gettin’ Salty Watersports Inc., or ride a horse on the beach with local company Horses on the Beach. Experience the coastal charm by shopping in town or visiting the Port Aransas Art Center, which offers a variety of art classes.
Gulf Shores, Alabama (12-hour drive)
Stay: Spots less than 11 miles from Gulf Shores Beach include Days Inn by Wyndham Foley at $88/night, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gulf Shores at $95/night and Sugar Beach Condos by ALBVR at $99/night.
Activities: Enjoy the amusement/water park at Tropic Falls, capture fun pictures at Cool Shots Selfie Museum or experience the nightlife at The Wharf for dinner and shopping. For beach days, snorkel with 32 Charters, or sail with Back Bay Sailing Adventures.
Broken Bow, Oklahoma (6 hour drive)
Stay: Airbnb lists a range of cabins from $109 to $250/night. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Broken Bow prices $102/per night, and Hochatown Lodge prices $139/per night.
Activities: Take a hike on Cedar Bluff Nature Trail (Moderate), Friends Trail Loop (Moderate) or Skyline Trail (Hard). Rent a boat or jet ski at the Beavers Bend Marina, and go for a swim in Broken Bow Lake. Hit the town and antique at Vintage Mall, Once Upon A Time or Janet’s Treasure Chest.
South Padre Island, Texas (5 hours and 30 minute drive)
Stay: A five-minute walk from the beach WindWater Hotel and Marina prices at $149/night. For a beach view, South Padre Island Condos lists prices at $190/night, or for an affordable resort, Isla Grand Beach Resort prices at $212/night.
Activities: Enjoy the annual Clayton’s South Padre Beach Bash from Mar. 9-16. Buy tickets to watch special performances each day, which include Sheck Wes, Steve Aoki and Sexyy Red. Try surfboard lessons with South Padre Surf Company, and parasail or experience a banana boat ride with Sonny’s Beach Service. End the night with a dolphin watch, sunset and fireworks cruise wrapped in one with Captain Murphy’s Isla Tours.
