If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. The best spring break destinations are shining examples of one of the greatest travel hacks out there: waiting for the transitional months before tackling that trip on your bucket list. Make it past the summer and winter peaks of travel, and you'll find March and April in the valley of shoulder season, shimmering with potential for budget-friendly, less crowded travel.
Spring break is back, but the good news isβthere's no need to go back to school. These destinations are imbued with mild weather and major landmarks and attractions you might just get all to yourself. Having once held a year streak as the fastest growing metro area in the country, the hype for Austin is still going strong.
For those more inclined towards a slower pace, Texas Hill Country is just a stone's throw away a minute drive, that is from downtown and yet feels a world away. Life in the rolling hills embraces slow beauty, which you can find in grand valleys and humble tumbleweed towns alike. Once winter's frost thaws, the region's bluebonnet fields step into the spotlight. From mid-March to mid-April, the land blooms into nature's paint palette with vibrant blues, yellows, and reds springing from the bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and black-eyed Susans.
We recommend heading to the Ennis area, which will host a festival celebrating the bloom from April 11 to 13 this year and has a regularly updated app guiding visitors to over 40 miles of scenic trails. You're never too far from the outdoors here, with a gorgeous oasis of herb gardens, porch swings, and ancient oak trees on a six-acre property with six boutique suites.
With a glass of local wine in hand, let yourself sink into the solace of Hill Country. Stay here: Cozy, private, and well-designed, Orli La Jolla is a boutique hotel utilizes technology to make guests feel like royalty in the heart of La Jolla. With only a handful of rooms, this brother and sister-managed boutique hotel is a chic way to explore luxe La Jolla and have a home base with all the Instagrammable creature comforts waiting for you, like a moody library with cozy royal blue velvet loungers or self-serve brew bar with cold brew on draft.
