by Janeane Lage > William Jewell College

Finally! You’ve finished your midterms and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Spring Break is here: one whole week devoted solely to returning to a sane state of mind. Need someplace to go? We’ll tell you where to stay and what to do to help you plan the hottest vacation escape.

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, ME

The best way to get away from it all is to literally get away from it all. Take the bare essentials, load up your car with friends, and go camping. Acadia National Park in Maine provides a few days of peace and quiet. But even though it’s in the middle of nowhere, there’s still plenty to do. Visit the west side of Mount Desert Island for guided trails and the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, or explore the park by bike or horse-drawn carriage. And for maximum entertainment, hop on the boat cruise.

Accommodations:
Blackwoods Campground ($20) and Seawall Campground ($14 with walk-in tents), are two primary camping sites, both wooded and only a ten-minute walk from the ocean.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
Known as the “Venice of America” because of its extensive canal system, Ft. Lauderdale is the perfect balance of culture, nightlife and relaxation. For more than sunbathing, check out the water sports: kite surfing, sailing and diving. For some dry options, Las Olas Blvd. offers boutiques, art galleries, spas and restaurants. By night, relocate to Riverwalk of the Ft. Lauderdale beaches for live bands, a hot crowd and a margarita or two.

Accommodations:
The Ft. Lauderdale Beach Hostel and The Deauville Hostel and Crewhouse are both near the water and have beds available for $22/night.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC
The Grand Strand is a 60-mile span of white sand beaches with Myrtle Beach as its central hub. The area’s known for its incredible seafood, unique shops, cruises and fishing. Explore the cobblestone streets of downtown historic Charleston too. For nightlife fun, sign up online for the $10 Myrtle Beach VIP Card and be covered for admission at the area’s best nightclubs.

Accommodations:
The ADA Motel, located one block from Myrtle Beach, features spring break specials of rooms starting at $30.

KILLINGTON, VT
Sipping hot chocolate and hitting the slopes may not have spring break written all over it, but don’t be so quick to overlook this cold weathered option. Killington, VT has a natural annual snowfall of 250 inches and the Killington Ski Resort has a full-time snowmaking staff of sixty-five armed with 1,435 snow guns, guaranteeing great skiing conditions. There are also plenty of shops and off-mountain snow activities to tempt even the diehard skiers away from the slopes for a day.

Accommodations:
The Cortina Inn and Resort, located near the Pico Mountain at Killington resort, has rooms with two double beds for $99/night. Also, the Killington Pico Motor Inn has double rooms for $59 midweek and $115 on weekends (includes breakfast as well).

SAVANNAH, GA
Not only does Savannah offer the second largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the country, but its picturesque streets boast a ton of quirky shops with distinct artistic flair. Don’t let the historic reputation and the relaxed atmosphere of the city fool you though—there are tons of different clubs and bars to haunt. From jazz clubs to Irish pubs to sleek lounges, there’s something for everyone.

Accommodations:
The newly built Microtel in Rincon is located a short drive from downtown Savannah and features rooms starting at $55/night.