Spring vacation, also known as spring break, is a popular phenomenon in the USA. For many people elsewhere in the world, however, it is something seen mainly in films and TV shows, such as the famous spring break episodes of American sitcoms.
So what actually is spring vacation, where did it come from, and where do students go? This article explains all.
What is Spring Vacation?
Also known as Spring Break, the tradition of spring vacation in the USA goes back to the 1930s. It is a holiday/time-off period for schools, colleges and universities which tends to fall around Easter.
While the tradition started in America, it is a holiday period that is now observed in many parts of the world. The dates differ from country to country.
Why do we have Spring Vacation?
Essentially, Spring Break is a chance for students to take some time off, de-stress and enjoy some downtime before heading back to school, college or university for the end of the academic year. The final push of any school year is often the most difficult. This break allows students the chance to come back feeling refreshed and ready to work hard.
But Spring Break as we know it exists partly thanks to Fort Lauderdale and their Olympic-size swimming pool. Built in 1928, it was the first pool of its size in Florida. Because of this, and because class=”wpil_keyword_link” href=”https://tourismteacher.com/tourism-in-florida/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” title=”Florida” data-wpil-keyword-link=”linked”>Florida being the Sunshine State, the pool was a popular place for students to hang out during their break from school at this time of year. From 1938, college swimmers from across the US flocked to Fort Lauderdale for the College Coaches’ Swim Forum.
This tradition continued well into the ‘60s. By this time, swimmers had started to invite their non-swimming college friends with them to take part in this sunny recreation. Thus, what we now see during Spring Vacation was born.
What else popularised Spring Vacation?
In 1959, Time ran an article titled “Beer & the Beach”. It talked about Spring Vacation in Fort Lauderdale, and the thrills of it all.
Then a year later, MGM released the film Where The Boys Are. Starring Dolores Hart, Paula Prentiss, Connie Francis and more, the film follows four college-aged women spending their Spring Vacation in Florida. It was a film aimed at a teenage audience.
Where The Boys Are was also one of the first films to explore how attitudes towards sex, sexuality and morality were changing among the American youth at this time. The film was, naturally, the first to showcase Fort Lauderdale during Spring Break on the big screen. This, of course, caused a further surge in popularity and visitors continued to flock to Florida every spring throughout the 60s and beyond.
By the 1980s, Fort Lauderdale had had enough. In 1985, around 370,000 students descended on the city during spring break. Robert Dressler, the mayor at the time, imposed stricter laws around public drinking and appeared on Good Morning America to let students know they were no longer welcome for Spring Break. By this point, other destinations were hosting parties and events for students. More recently, Miami Beach followed a similar path: after years of overcrowding and violence, it introduced curfews and, in 2024, launched a campaign declaring that it was ‘breaking up’ with spring break.
Spring Break on the big screen
After the popularity of Where The Boys Are back in 1960, it is no surprise that many films over the years have followed suit and featured Spring Vacation.
Spring Breakers (2012) starring Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez features a gang of students who rob a diner to fund their trip.
And Spring Break (1983) sees two students – played by David Knell and Perry Lang – head to Fort Lauderdale for wet t-shirt contests, drinking and plenty of romance.
Cop comedy 22 Jump Street (2014) follows Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum on spring break, too.
The best places to visit for Spring Vacation
While celebrations have moved away from Fort Lauderdale over the years, many places still attract students (typically American college students) during this week of the year. As mentioned, other countries do have Spring Vacation too.
In the UK, many school boards have renamed the Easter holidays as ‘Spring Break’ – this is because the time off from studying does not always coincide with Easter. Portugal have their two-week Easter Holidays, and for many Catholic countries the time off from education fits around Holy Week.
But when we talk about Spring Vacation, it tends to be the US that springs to mind. So where do students from American colleges and universities go for their Spring Break – and why?
Cancun, Mexico
For sun, sea and sand, Cancun tops the list.
Cancun is a popular holiday destination for many, and especially for those looking for an amazing Spring Vacation. With all-inclusive resorts up and down the coast, there are many budget-friendly packages available to students at this time of year. With food, drinks and entertainment included, it is a popular choice.
Cancun’s beaches and seaside bars are popular during the day, and its nightlife is lively. Plus, for those looking to take a little break from partying, there are Mayan ruins not too far away. Spring break does not have to be all about partying.
South Padre Island, Texas
On the coastal tip of Texas you’ll find South Padre Island.
With warm weather and beautiful beaches, it makes for a popular Spring Vacation destination. There are 24-hour beach parties and plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options, making it popular with students.
It also has family friendly options, with plenty of activities for kids of all ages. Dolphin spotting, water sports and more are all on offer in this sunny part of Texas.
South Padre Island is only a day’s drive from cities such as Houston or Dallas, so local students who don’t want to splash out on flights tend to head to South Padre Island to soak up the sunshine.
Key West, Florida
Florida is still home to plenty of popular Spring Vacation destinations. Key West is one of them, with a huge array of bars and hotels ready to cater to students at this time of year.
Visitors can go snorkelling in clear blue water or take a champagne sunset cruise. There are also national parks, museums and places to shop for a change from the beach. Hot weather and plenty of accommodation make the area popular with those looking for somewhere to spend their Spring Break.
There are plenty of all-inclusive packages available for Key West, too. Some of these are specifically aimed at students, meaning they are often much cheaper.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Located in the Caribbean, many head to Punta Cana for hot weather and beautiful scenery.
With tens of thousands of hotel rooms, Punta Cana caters well to those looking for all-inclusive partying without having to venture away from their accommodation for the most part. Bars and restaurants sit within hotel grounds, opening out onto soft sandy beaches that lead into the most beautiful blue sea.
Water sports, beach volleyball and plenty of sunbathing spots? These make it a very popular destination. There is also an exciting nightlife in this Caribbean location, and student packages are available for Spring Vacation too.
Daytona Beach, Florida
The ‘Sunshine State’ really is the home of Spring Break. With 23 miles of beachfront, Daytona Beach has long been popular with students.
This popular Spring Break destination is only an hour north of Orlando, so many combine their party time with a trip to one of the many theme parks nearby. But Daytona Beach itself is definitely all about the atmosphere.
Many hotels offer student deals during spring break, although Daytona Beach, like many Florida destinations, has introduced stricter rules on behaviour in recent years.
Are there other options for Spring Break?
Of course, the typical Spring Vacation isn’t for everyone. There are those who don’t drink, aren’t into partying or simply wouldn’t feel comfortable somewhere with so many people drinking, dancing and getting too close to one another.
For American students who want to spend Spring Break with their family or simply want somewhere quieter, there are plenty of other options.
Panama
With beaches offering sun and sand, and plenty of history to be found, Panama is an amazing country. Its capital, Panama City, has plenty to see and do.
The country also has beautiful island groups, such as Bocas del Toro and the San Blas Islands, offering tropical weather and beautiful views. It isn’t as busy as many other Central American destinations, but is still well worth visiting.
There are places to party, of course, but as it isn’t one of the popular Spring Vacation locations, bars are rarely as crowded.
South Carolina
South Carolina is an up and coming destination for Spring Break. In particular, Charleston.
Charleston has an elegant French Quarter, which is why many liken it to New Orleans – another popular and busy Spring Break destination.
But Charleston is incredibly charming and much quieter, and beaches such as Sullivan’s Island are a short drive away. Charleston has a rich history and great food scene, and makes for a lovely calm Spring Vacation.
Cuba
Cuba is another Caribbean location that has plenty to offer.
There is nightlife and beaches as is typical with Spring Vacation destinations, but it’s never as busy as many of the places mentioned above. There are many quieter places to stay.
Visitors can explore limestone landscapes such as the Viñales Valley and the Spanish colonial architecture of Havana and Trinidad. However, US citizens cannot travel to Cuba purely for tourism under US law and must travel under one of the authorised categories, so Cuba is more accessible to Canadian and European students.
Interesting facts about spring vacation
- Spring break started in the 1930s as a swim coach’s idea to have his team train in Florida during their school break.
- Popular spring break destinations for US college students include Cancun in Mexico and Panama City Beach in Florida – although Panama City Beach has banned alcohol on its beaches during March since 2016.
- The term “spring break” is used primarily in the United States and Canada, while other countries refer to it as Easter holiday, March break, or mid-term break.
- Spring break is a peak travel period in the USA, with airlines, hotels and destinations seeing a surge in demand in March and April.
- Spring break is not just for college students. Families with children often take advantage of the school break to travel and spend quality time together.
- While spring break is traditionally associated with warm-weather destinations, some people choose to go skiing or snowboarding during this time of year.
- Some universities offer ‘alternative spring break’ programmes, in which students take part in volunteering or community service projects instead of a holiday.
- Some cities have major events that coincide with spring break, such as the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas.
- Many companies offer discounts and promotions specifically for spring break travelers, including airlines, hotels, and rental car agencies.
Spring vacation: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about spring vacation.
What is spring vacation?
Spring vacation, or spring break, is a holiday period for schools, colleges and universities in the spring, usually lasting a week, which in the USA is often associated with college students travelling to warm destinations to party.
When did spring break start?
Spring break began in the 1930s, when college swimming teams travelled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to train at its Olympic-size pool during their break. It became a mass phenomenon after the 1960 film Where the Boys Are.
Where do students go for spring break?
Popular spring break destinations include Cancun in Mexico, Panama City Beach, Daytona Beach and Key West in Florida, South Padre Island in Texas and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
Why did Fort Lauderdale stop spring break?
By 1985, around 370,000 students were descending on Fort Lauderdale each spring, causing disorder. The city introduced stricter laws and told students they were no longer welcome, and spring break moved elsewhere.
Do other countries have spring break?
Yes. Many countries have a school holiday in spring, often around Easter, which may be called the Easter holidays, March break or spring break.
Spring Vacation: Further reading
If you found this article on spring vacation useful, these articles may also be of interest:
- The fascinating history of tourism
- What is event tourism and why is it important?
- What is package tourism?
- Overtourism explained: What, why and where
- 21 fascinating types of tourists around the world
