Spring Break Getaways in the U.S. for Every Travel Style

Spring break means something different to everyone. Some crave nightlife, others want beaches, hikes, or just a reset. However you define spring break, chances are the U.S. already has it waiting.

We’ve rounded up the best spring break getaways across the country, each paired with a Sonesta hotel nearby that fits the vibe.

From coastal escapes to music-filled cities, these spring break travel ideas come with tips straight from local Sonesta staff, so you can skip the guesswork and travel smart.

Discover 5 Best Cities to Visit in March: A Sonesta Guide

The coastline along South Florida in Fort Lauderdale, FL

1. Fort Lauderdale, FL – For the Nautical Socialites

Fort Lauderdale has long been a spring break favorite, and for good reason. With 23 miles of sandy coastline and a vibe that’s equal parts laid-back and polished, it’s the kind of place where beach days roll into boat rides, sunset cocktails, and nights out on the water.

What to Do

Fort Lauderdale lives on the water, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it:

• Snorkeling + Diving: Just offshore, coral reefs are teeming with marine life, an easy win for travelers who love the ocean but want to keep things budget friendly. It’s one of the best spots for shore-access snorkeling in South Florida.
• Jet Skiing + Parasailing: If adrenaline is more your thing, you’ll find no shortage of beachside rentals for a quick spin on a jet ski or a bird’s-eye view of the coastline while parasailing.
• Paddleboarding: For a little calmer adventure, paddle your way through the Intracoastal Waterway. You’ll glide past yachts, mangroves, and iconic waterfront homes Fort Lauderdale is known for.
• Water Taxi Bar Hop: Trade traffic for canal views by hopping aboard the water taxi. It’s a fun and very Florida way to check out Las Olas Boulevard’s best waterfront bars, all without touching the steering wheel.
• Charter a Boat: Grab your crew and head out on a catamaran for a half-day sailing party or book a fishing charter to reel in mahi-mahi and snapper.
• Dock–and–Dine Seafood Spots: Casual, delicious, and sunset-ready, Coconuts and 15th Street Fisheries are two local favorites where you can pull up by boat or just walk in off the sand.
• Tortuga Music Festival (April 10 – 12): If your timing is right, this three-day beachside festival is a spring break highlight. Big-name acts like Post Malone, Kenny Chesney, and Ice Cube headline this year, with the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop.
• Lauderdale–by–the–Sea (Map It): Need a breather? Head 15 minutes north to this low-key beach town for laid-back cafes, easy shore diving, and a slower pace that feels worlds away from the crowds.

Where to Stay

With a location just north of Las Olas and easy access to paddleboard rentals, beach bars, and Fort Lauderdale’s best nightlife, Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach offers a relaxed, stylish stay that feels worlds away from the party crowd while keeping the fun close.

Guests love the floor-to-ceiling ocean views, lagoon-style pool, and calm, coastal energy. It’s the perfect home base for spring breakers looking to enjoy both sides of Fort Lauderdale: lively and laid-back.

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Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach beachfront

Sonesta Staff Recommendations

We tapped our local Sonesta team for insider tips on doing spring break right. Here’s what they shared:

• Book Your Sonesta Stay Early: Reserve at least 2 months ahead for the best availability and rates during spring break season.
• Don’t Miss Elbo Room (Map It): A Fort Lauderdale legend for live music, strong drinks, and unbeatable people-watching on A1A.
• Use Rideshare at Night: With hotspots spread across downtown, the beach, and Las Olas, rideshare is the safest, simplest way to get around at night.

Isla Verde, San Juan, Puerto Rico

2. San Juan, PR – For the Island Explorers

If your version of spring break calls for island vibes without a passport, San Juan delivers. With turquoise beaches, a bold street scene, and temps in the low 80s, this Caribbean gem within the U.S. packs sun, surf, culture, and spontaneity into one easy-to-reach destination.

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What to Do

From late-night kayak tours to island day trips, San Juan is every adventure traveler’s dream:

• Bioluminescent Bay Kayaking (Map It): Just an hour from San Juan, the calm waters of Laguna Grande in Fajardo come alive at night thanks to bioluminescent microorganisms. Kayaking through the glowing bay is a surreal, only-in-Puerto-Rico experience and worth the trip.
• El Yunque National Forest (Map It): As the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, with jungle trails, hidden waterfalls, and misty mountain views, El Yunque is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into another world, less than an hour from San Juan.
• Old San Juan (Map It): You can’t visit San Juan without spending some time in the old city. The cobblestone streets are lined with candy-colored buildings, historic forts, and cute little shops where you’ll probably end up buying something you didn’t know you needed. Grab a piragua, snap a pic at El Morro, and just let yourself wander.
• Bar Hop at La Placita (Map It): It may look like a sleepy market during the day, but come Thursday night, La Placita flips into party mode. Locals and visitors pack the plaza for live music and dancing in the streets. It’s one of those “just go and see what happens” kind of nights.
• Day Trip to Culebra or Vieques: Want to level up your beach day? Take a ferry or quick flight to Culebra or Vieques. Think clear turquoise water, white sand, and a totally chill vibe, plus wild horses and fewer crowds. It takes a little planning, but once you’re there, you’ll wish you’d booked an extra day.

Where to Stay

The Royal Sonesta San Juan sits beachfront in Isla Verde, one of San Juan’s most desirable neighborhoods with quick access to the airport and Old San Juan. This lush oceanfront resort features spacious, modern rooms and suites, a lagoon-style pool, swim-up bar and private beach access.

Pool cabanas at The Royal Sonesta San Juan

Sonesta Staff Recommendations

Smart planning goes a long way in San Juan. Here’s what the front desk team at The Royal Sonesta San Juan recommends for a smoother spring break stay.

• Travel in Early March: Enjoy sunny skies, warm waters, and fewer crowds than late spring.
• Rent a Car: Having your own car gives you the freedom to explore Playa Escondida, the natural pools of Charco Azul, or even have a road trip to the southwest beaches of Cabo Rojo. Parking is available at the hotel for added convenience.
• Use Google Maps with “Popular Times” to Avoid Crowds: For attractions like El Yunque or La Placita, check peak times in advance. Go early or on weekdays for a more relaxing experience.

Austin Texas State Capitol

3. Austin, TX – For the Live Music & Budget Crowd

Austin trades traditional spring break scenes for something more original. Warm days, outdoor patios, and live music set the rhythm, while food trucks, vintage shops, and hole-in-the-wall venues offer something new around every corner.

What to Do

Austin is all about laid-back fun with a local twist, and the best experiences are often free:

• Kayak or Paddleboard Lady Bird Lake (Map It): Right in the heart of the city, Lady Bird Lake is where Austinites go to hit pause. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and cruise past skyline views, bridges, and maybe even a few turtles sunbathing on logs.
• Hike Mount Bonnell (Map It): It’s not a long hike, but the payoff is big. Mount Bonnell gives you one of the best views in the city, especially at sunset. Bring a snack, take a few photos, and soak up the breezy hilltop vibes.
• Bar Hop Dirty & East Sixth: Two blocks, two totally different scenes. Dirty Sixth is loud, messy, and fun in a dive-bar kind of way. East Sixth leans artsy and a little more chill, with live music and craft cocktails.
• Catch Live Music on South Congress (Map It): Music spills out of just about every doorway on South Congress. Wander past buskers, duck into a local venue, and catch a set from someone you’ll be bragging about discovering six months from now. Mohawk and Hole in the Wall are local favorites.
• Day Trip to New Braunfels (Map It): Grab some friends, rent a tube, and float down the Comal or Guadalupe River with a drink in hand. It’s a Texas spring break rite of passage, and yes, you can (and should) bring a cooler. downstream.

Where to Stay

Set just off I-35, Sonesta Select Austin North is a great home base for spring breakers who want easy access to both downtown Austin and Hill Country day trips. The hotel offers modern, spacious rooms, free parking, complimentary breakfast, and amenities like a 24/7 fitness center, outdoor pool, and a cozy lobby bar.

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Sonesta Staff Recommendations

Our Austin-based team shared their top tips for navigating the city and getting the most out of spring break.

• Time Your Trip Around SXSW (March 12–18): This citywide festival turns Austin into a 7-day hub for the Music, Film & TV, and Innovation festivals. The music lineup features over 400 artists, including The All-American Rejects, Fuerza Regida, and Lola Young, alongside major speakers like Michelle Obama and Ben Stiller.
• Pack for All Seasons: Austin’s spring break weather can swing from sunny to breezy and cool. Bring layers so you’re ready for patio dinners, river rides, and late-night concerts.
• Eat Like a Local: Hit the food truck parks. Try Veracruz All Natural for breakfast tacos, Dee Dee for Northern Thai, or Micklethwait for some of the best BBQ in the city.

Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA

4. San Diego, CA – For the West Coast Adventurer

Each spring break, San Diego draws hundreds of thousands of visitors all chasing world-class surf, Balboa Park’s lush gardens, and the famous La Jolla Cove. They come for the beach days and fish tacos but leave with tan lines, a slower pace in their stride, and at least one photo of a perfect sunset they’ll swear wasn’t filtered.

What to Do

A day in San Diego can move from laid-back to adventurous without missing a beat, with the beach never far from whatever you’re doing.

• Surf or Bonfire at Pacific Beach (Map It): Surf in the morning, nap in the afternoon, and wrap the day with a beach bonfire and a burrito. The crowd’s a mix of locals and laid-back spring breakers, which makes it easy to blend in.
• Snorkel La Jolla Cove (Map It): La Jolla Cove is basically a real-life aquarium. The water’s calm and crystal clear, perfect for spotting sea lions, bright orange garibaldi, and the occasional, totally harmless, leopard shark. Bring a waterproof camera because you’ll want pics.
• Explore Balboa Park’s Gardens (Map It): Balboa Park is one of the prettiest places in the city to slow things down. Wander through lush gardens filled with palms and fountains or find a shady bench and people-watch for a while.
• Hike Torrey Pines State Reserve (Map It): Sweeping ocean views, sandstone cliffs, and breezy trails just north of the city. Go at sunset for serious photo ops.
• Bike Mission Beach to Pacific Beach: Cruise the oceanfront boardwalk between neighborhoods. Bike rentals are everywhere, and the views never get old. The ride between Mission and PB is easy and filled with snack stops and plenty of people-watching.

Where to Stay

Located in a quieter business district just a short drive from the beach, Sonesta ES Suites San Diego – Sorrento Mesa offers roomy, apartment-style suites with full kitchens, separate living areas, and everything you need to feel at home. It’s a great option for friend groups or longer spring break stays. Bonus: there’s a pool, hot tub, and free breakfast to round things out.

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Sonesta Staff Recommendations

Here are top tips from our local Sonesta team to help you experience spring break like a true SoCal insider:

• Rent a Wetsuit: The Pacific’s colder than it looks, especially in spring. You’ll thank us later.
• Don’t Skip Balboa Park (Map It): Museums, gardens, and live performances in one of the most beautiful city parks in the U.S.
• Try the Local Tacos: Everyone has a favorite, but you can’t go wrong with Oscar’s, The Taco Stand, or South Beach Bar & Grille.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

5. Hilton Head Island, SC – For the Chill Coastal Crew

With more than 60 miles of flat bike trails, beaches where you can actually hear the waves, and a strict no-neon-sign policy, Hilton Head does spring break a little differently.

It trades the party scene for peaceful mornings, dolphin sightings, and long rides under moss-draped oaks. That’s exactly what makes it one of the most underrated spring break destinations in the Southeast.

What to Do

These places and activities tend to leave Sonesta guests with stories worth sharing.

• Bike 60+ Miles of Trails: Biking is the go-to way to explore Hilton Head. Rent a cruiser and ride under moss-draped oaks or along the beach.
• Kayak with Dolphins: Hilton Head’s calm marshes are perfect for paddling and if you’re lucky, a few dolphins might show up to glide alongside you. Guided tours will help you navigate the winding waterways and spot wildlife along the way.
• Zipline or Hike Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge (Map It): Just over the bridge from Hilton Head, this wildlife refuge is a great detour for travelers craving a little adventure. Zipline through the trees or take it slow with a peaceful nature walk filled with birds, gators, and wide-open views.
• Visit Harbour Town + Climb the Lighthouse (Map It): Located in Sea Pines, Harbour Town is one of the island’s most iconic spots. Grab a drink by the marina and climb the candy-striped lighthouse for panoramic views of the coast.
• Day Trip to Savannah (Map It): If you’ve got a car and a free afternoon, Savannah’s just under an hour away. Think cobblestone streets, live oaks, riverfront strolls, and plenty of places for a slow, Southern-style lunch under the trees. Easy and totally worth it.

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Where to Stay

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is a peaceful, beachfront retreat that fits perfectly with Hilton Head’s relaxed vibe. Tucked within the Shipyard community, the resort features a lagoon-style pool, private beach access, shaded hammocks, on-site dining, and bike rentals to help you explore the island like a local.

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Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island Pool

Sonesta Staff Recommendations

Nobody knows the island like the front desk team at Sonesta Hilton Head. These are the tips they had to share:

• Rent Bikes for Your Whole Stay: Most of the island is bike-friendly and it’s the easiest and most fun way to explore.
• March = Ideal Weather: Not too hot, not too crowded; just bring a light jacket for breezy nights.
• Avoid Driving Late at Night: Many roads are dark, winding, and not well lit. Stick to biking or ride shares when possible.

Travel Smart with Sonesta Travel Pass

Whether you go for the Caribbean vibes of Puerto Rico, the coastal calm of San Diego, or the live music energy of Austin, make every spring break stay more rewarding with Sonesta Travel Pass.

It’s free to join and gives you access to exclusive member rates, faster booking, and points on every eligible stay.

Redeem your rewards for future getaways, room upgrades, or a well-earned weekend escape.

Join Sonesta Travel Pass and start earning wherever you go.