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Best Summer Break Destinations for University Students

Relax by the pool and enjoy the beauty of nature while on your summer break.

Going on vacation with your best friends from college is almost a rite of passage. What better way to celebrate the end of the school year than to hop on a bus and head to the ocean? Deciding to make the most of your summer break with an out-of-town vacation is the first step and planning it is the second. If you haven’t yet figured out where you’d like to go, consider one of these three great summer break destinations.

1. Myrtle Beach

When it comes to a killer vacation for the younger crowd, no one does it quite like Myrtle Beach. Although the balmy beach weather and sandy shores are certainly inviting, there is so much more to be done once you get tired of working on your tan by the ocean. Check out Downwind Sails Watersports to get in on the parasailing or jet skiing action. Or, for something more laid-back, the rental company also has banana boats and kayaks that anyone can take out on the water for a few hours.

Once you’ve had enough fun on the water, get on dry land and explore the many beautiful piers around Myrtle Beach. Surfside Beach Pier is a small quiet pier ideal for anyone interested in fishing or watching the sunset over the ocean. A more festive pier is the Apache Pier, where live music is played every night starting at 8 p.m., providing the perfect scenery to dance the night away over the ocean.

2. Daytona Beach

If you are planning a summer break on a budget, Daytona Beach has got your back. There are plenty of things you can do in the area without spending a dime. Go on a chocolate factory tour any day of the week (except for Sundays) at Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory and sample some delicious chocolate on your way out. Spend the day (or several days) hanging out on Daytona Beach playing beach volleyball, and walk the Daytona Beach Pier and the Daytona Boardwalk, where you’ll hear live music and find incredible seafood joints along the way.

Even the downtown area of Daytona has plenty to see and do. You can grab ice cream at one of the many parlors that line the streets, sip a coffee at a café, and check out the many boutique shops where you can score unique souvenirs and handcrafted items that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. A spring break vacation wouldn’t be complete without plenty of good eats, so carve out some time to experience the local dining scene in Daytona. Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club is a great spot for cheap food and live reggae right by the waterfront. For Caribbean cuisine, try Caribbean Jack’s Restaurant Bar, which is situated right on the beach and provides lots of live music to go along with your meal. On Friday nights, Tia Cori’s Tacos is the place to be for mariachi music and great food on the outdoor patio.

3. South Padre Island, Texas

A less obvious summer break destination is South Padre Island, just off the coast of Texas. The fact that it’s not a well-known spring break spot makes it an even better place for a college getaway. The island has a handful of amusement parks like Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Beach Resort, known for its massive indoor and outdoor slides and pools, and Gravity Park, home to go-carts, putt-putt golf, bungee-jumps, and iconic amusement park rides. South Padre National Seashore is a great place to pitch an umbrella, lay down your beach blanket, and work on your tan—or to try some more active recreation like ATVing across the beach or grabbing some surfboards and hitting the waves.

Another way to experience all the beauty that the Gulf of Mexico has to offer is to rent some canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards through Southern Wave Sailing Charters. When it comes to food, South Padre Island certainly knows how to impress visitors. For a proper surf and turf experience on a waterfront deck, eat out at Laguna BOB, where you can feast on fresh seafood and giant burgers. If you’re craving some serious Tex-Mex, check out Señor Donkey and enjoy the famous enchiladas and steaks.

Decided where you’d like to spend your summer break vacation? Make it official by buying your bus ticket from BusTickets.com today!

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