As the first several waves of midterms settle, students might feel like they desperately need to spend time at sun-soaked beaches, luxurious resorts and exotic getaways to destress from the demanding college lifestyle. Picturesque social media posts influence students into believing a memorable break requires jetting off to a faraway destination. Still, truthfully, you don’t need an extravagant vacation to have a fulfilling Spring Break.
Spring Break encompasses all forms of relaxation, such as exploring the beauties of Austin, which students otherwise might not have the chance to do during the semester.
“Staying local over Spring Break is such a great opportunity because … you can experience Austin at your own leisure and timeline,” said Kelsey Kennedy, creator of the Austin travel blog So Much Life. “Your schedule is yours, so it’s a wonderful way to get involved in the city and community and try something out that maybe wouldn’t fit your schedule normally.”
With approximately 70% of American schools and universities observing Spring Break, it’s unsurprising that nearly 1.5 million U.S. college students spend over $1,000 on Spring Break vacations, contributing 15 to 20% of annual tourism income for specific coastal communities. By planning a trip in Austin, students significantly save on travel expenses, turning their vacation into a far more affordable and rewarding expedition.
“You save all the money that you would spend on traveling, and you don’t have to deal with all the traffic and airfare,” Kennedy said. “Austin is one of the hottest destinations in the whole world. When I travel internationally, everyone (tells me they) want to come to Austin.”
South by Southwest has coincided with Spring Break in previous years, making Austin a hotspot tourist destination full of bustling crowds. However, with the event being held one week before Spring Break, Kennedy points out how navigating Austin without overwhelming tourist traffic further incentivizes a staycation in Austin. The only contention is Rodeo Austin this year, which arguably serves as a more local event to attend this break.
“You don’t have to deal with crowds and (quadrupled) Uber prices,” Kennedy said. “It’s much easier than normal to stay in town this year.”
While some argue that tropical and cruise vacations cannot be recreated by staying in Austin, students must recognize the cost-to-benefit ratio. Although you can’t remake a Cancun resort experience, you can find similar joys or forge new meaningful memories in the heart of Austin. Your experience is truly what you make of it, no matter the location or monetary investment.
Austin’s charm is rooted in local adventures, self-discovery and an intimate nature — whether it’s exhilarating expeditions like Lake Travis Zipline Adventures and Paddle SMTX or quaint shops like Lo-Fi Vintage.
“In college, you have (two or four) years to be in Austin, but I think this city truly takes five (or) six years to see everything,” Austin-based content creator Eleanor Lee said. “I guarantee even if you’ve grown up your whole life in Austin, there’s so much this city has to offer (and) an abundance of things to do. Your perk is to explore a little bit more of the city that you live in.”
With fewer crowds this year, students have the perfect opportunity to explore their city leisurely, all while saving money and avoiding the stress of travel. Take advantage of the local charm in your backyard that rivals any tropical Spring Break getaway. Whether it’s enjoying hidden gems or simply taking time for self-care, a staycation in Austin promises a break that’s both enriching and affordable.
Sometimes, the best vacation is the one you can have right at home.
Lam is a computer science freshman from Mansfield, Texas.
