Where to Go for Spring Break 2024
When the dreariness of winter fades into the possibilities of spring, it feels as if the best way to celebrate is to take off for somewhere else. You likely want a place that makes you breathe in fresh air, taste delicious food, and have a story or two to tell friends upon your return. Or, if you’re like me, you just want a location that’s not your couch. For anyone who has ever stared at those first days of longer nights on their calendar, this much is true: Deciding to go on spring break is easy. It’s figuring out where to go that’s the challenge.
There are endless options available for your first extended vacation of the year. And while I love the idea of going somewhere really far away to shake off the winter blues, it’s probably not a good idea to cross too many time zones in the name of a brief stay. Depending on where you are in the country — and yes, I’ll keep my picks to the contiguous United States — you can get the same feeling of refreshment with only a few hours of travel time. Let’s make the most of your time off!
If you’re planning where to go for spring break 2024, these are my four picks for travel destinations, what to do while you’re there, and why it’s worth your attention. And, just so you know: I chose warm climates that will feel like spring, even though the season may be just getting underway. To me, that’s what spring break is all about.
Ojai
For those living in my hometown of Los Angeles, Ojai presents the perfect opportunity for an easy yet transformative escape: It’s less than two hours away from the city (traffic permitting), but feels far more removed from its pace and density. Here, you can actually smell the sage on the mountains and listen to the birds in the trees. Here, stop lights briefly pause a slow stream of cars. Here, you can dress like Stevie Nicks and everyone will get it. Essentially, it’s small-town Southern California at its best.
Surely, Ojai has gotten popular in recent years for all of the aforementioned reasons, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. I would stay at The Capri Hotel — a midcentury modern property that was entirely renovated in 2020 — and stop at beloved Bart’s Books one afternoon. For lunch, I’d get tacos at Farmer and the Cook, and I’d probably splurge on a spa service at the Ojai Valley Inn. Man, it feels like a spring break vacation just mentioning these spots.
Austin
When I went to Austin with friends last February, spring seemed like it was much too far out of reach. We landed there during a surprisingly cold weekend — so cold that news stations were actually telling people not to travel there — and we kept saying how lovely the Carpenter Hotel was but how much more fun it would be if we could actually swim in its pool. I want you to have that for (an actual) spring break!
We loved the suites, especially the all-over saturated tiles in the bathrooms, and had breakfast and happy hour at the restaurant and bar each night with a few locals. Of course we went down South Congress and Sixth Street, but our favorite stop was at Barton Springs. It’s just up the road from the hotel, a major perk, and wasn’t even a consolation prize as far as backstrokes were concerned. Don’t worry, you won’t have a problem finding good tacos nearest you, but as something slightly fancier, I’d also grab a table at Birdie’s.
Savannah
I have been patiently waiting to revisit Savannah for quite some time, simply because I want one thing and one thing only: A seat at The Grey. Ever since I read the book by its owners, Johno Morisano and Chef Mashama Bailey, and watched Bailey’s episode on Chef’s Table, I’ve been hoping to relish a feast of her making. So, suffice it to say, I hope you get a seat there as well, and I see no shame in planning a spring break trip around it.
I’d likely book a room at the Drayton Hotel, which is just on the edge of the city’s historic district, since it’s clear that I can’t resist a stylish hotel bar and guest rooms. My family looks back fondly on a ghost tour we took in Savannah years ago, as funny as that sounds, so I’d include that in my itinerary to be sure to see the sights. After all, the city’s stunning architecture deserves some appreciation, with a side of scary.
Miami
Miami is an obvious spot for spring break, but I wouldn’t go there with a plan to spend all of my time on South Beach. In fact, I’d probably question even driving through it — if you’ve seen flashy cars and neon signs, you’re already well acquainted. Instead, I’d stay closer to South Pointe Beach (or SoFi) and Nikki Beach for a calmer vibe with beautiful views that won’t have the same pressure to see and be seen. I can’t visit this city and not go to Macchialina, though, which has such a solid grip on Italian food that you’ll be smiling blissfully with each bite. And while my favorite hotel, The Confidante, is currently undergoing a renovation that’ll be completed later this year, I’d either pack my patience or sleep at The Goodtime.
Let me know in the comments where you’re planning on going for spring break 2024!
Related: The One Restaurant in Miami I Always Recommend and Four Things That Make Traveling So Much Easier
