Watching Your Wallet: "Spring Break on a Budget"

Published on the Utah Statesman website on February 24, 2010.

Congratulations, Aggies. We've almost made it to March! If you can hold on through a few more weeks of bitter cold, smog and ice, it will be spring break – a gasp of fresh air for drowning, spring-fevered college students. When I think of spring break, images of cruises to Mexico or lounging on white sandy beaches in Florida come to mind, but for most, economically this just isn't realistic. However, you can still enjoy a break from the cold, or at least Logan, on any budget if you're creative and take time to plan. If you haven't yet made plans for the break, here are some ideas. Find something that fits your budget and go wild!

$$$$ (Not so cheap, but won't break the bank)

– Cruises: If you have the money, a cruise is the way to go. Cruises let you sit back and enjoy your vacation without the stress of planning where to stay, when and where to eat, how to be entertained and where to visit. They do all that for you! Plus, all-you-can-eat buffets. I can't think of anything better than no school and constant eating. Interested in a cruise? Check out Web sites such as http://www.cruisedeals.com, http://www.cruiseonly.com, http://www.cheapcruises.com or simply Google for cheap cruises. I found a three night Baja Mexico cruise from San Diego at $259 and a six-night Mexican cruise to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan from Los Angeles for $399. You will have to get yourself to the departing port, but if you can find a group of friends, carpooling to California won't be terribly expensive.

– Flights: If you have someone to stay with or can find a cheap hotel, flying can be a great spring break option. New York, $335; Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., $306 or Los Angeles; $186.

$$$ (Cheap)

– Road trip to California (Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Diego, San Francisco, among others) or Las Vegas with some friends. Split gas, find a cheap hotel and agree to spend as little as possible on food and entertainment. Spend time at the beach, Disneyland or Knottsberry Farm, shop or just relax.

$$ (Cheaper)

– For the week of March 14, St. George averages about 69 degrees. For only being about six hours away, that is some serious temperature change. Plan a smaller road trip to St. George, split gas, cheap hotel, the works and enjoy a little sunshine.

– Plan a camping and hiking road trip to Zions National Park, Bryce Canyon or Arches. Also a big temperature change but for a smaller cost because you'll be sleeping on the ground in a tent. Be sure to plan ahead because camping spots go quickly, especially for international renowned Zions National Park. For more information visit http://www.utah.com/nationalparks.

– Ski or snowboard? Plan a small ski trip to Salt Lake ski resorts such as Snowbird, Park City, Alta or Brighton. Stay with friends from the Salt Lake area to save.

$ (Cheapest)

– Don't have much cash to spend on a break? Make some day trips to local hot springs, rent from the ORC and go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, biking or hiking depending on the weather (www.weather.com predicts an average of about 50 degrees for Logan the week of March 14). Visit friends in Salt Lake City or Utah valley, if anything just to get out of Logan and take a break.