Spring break on a budget with these fun spots

By Angelica Hernandez     3/11/25 10:43pm

Though it might not feel that way for those with midterms and essays due this week, spring break is approaching quicker than you may think. If your bank account tells you you’d rather stay home, check out these affordable spring break options. 

Austin, Texas

Austin is a classic spot for a reason: great food, great music and only a 3-hour drive from Rice. Take a couple of days to swim at Barton Springs, the natural spring right near downtown, try a few food trucks and get up early for some excellent barbeque. Austin has great public parks, hotels and Airbnbs for a wide range of prices. No matter your budget, you’re sure to have a fun time. 

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San Antonio, Texas

A less common spring break option, San Antonio has excellent food, sights and a great culture that anyone would enjoy visiting. If you’re not a Texas native, why not see the Alamo and find out why it’s such a fixture in Texas history or visit the only UNESCO world heritage site in Texas, the San Antonio Missions? Enjoy a vibrant nightlife and excellent restaurant scene, and maybe stop by Six Flags Fiesta Texas for some theme park fun. 

South Padre Island, Texas

A more classic spring break experience awaits — South Padre Island is everything you wish Galveston could be. A great party scene with pretty beaches, South Padre Island offers the Cancun spring break experience without convincing your parents to let you travel internationally. It’s a bit of a longer drive, but split a house with your friends, and you’ll have the time of your life for half the price of most other destinations. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a great city to explore if you want great food, culture and nightlife. Take your friends down to Louisiana and have a crawfish boil, some beignets and gumbo. Then, go and explore the French Quarter, walk down Bourbon Street and listen to some blues in its city of origin. If you’re looking for a more adventurous spring break and are up to driving a bit farther, New Orleans is an affordable but unique spring break experience.

Houston

The best place for spring break is one with no hotel payment necessary. Houston is full of new things to explore year-round, and why not take advantage of our home city’s more touristy spots when there’s no school to worry about?  The Houston Rodeo is in town from March 4 to 23, and for only $21, you can have a great time without breaking the bank. 

Another new attraction is MeowWolf Houston, which has a unique concept and Instagram-worthy backdrops. Take some time to explore the museum district and visit Houston’s eclectic mix of art and history museums. Finally, try some cute cafes, jazz bars and clubs in downtown Houston. Houston might not be your first idea of a good time, but spring break is the perfect time to explore the great city just outside the hedges. 

Alabama beaches

Another classic spot with white sand beaches and lakes, Alabama has some less well-known spring break spots. Enjoy some great beaches like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, which might not be as crowded as more famous counterparts in Florida. It’s a bit of a longer drive, so make sure to choose your road trip buddies wisely, but overall, it is an option that’s not too expensive, with some beautiful beaches and, depending on what coast you choose, the city of Mobile or Gulf Shores just a few miles away. 

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