It is that time of year again where everyone is planning their spring break trips. Florida beaches and tropical islands will be flooded with college students looking to have a good time.
In theory, a beach vacation for spring break seems ideal. But in reality, the cost of the trip can often keep many people away and stuck at home. Instead of spending a lot of money to go to the beach like everyone else, these day trip locations will ensure fun is had while also being cheaper and closer than a tropical vacation.
Lake Martin, just a 45-minute drive from Auburn is a great place to catch some sun and enjoy time in the water without the hustle and bustle of the beach crowds. Wind Creek State Park is nestled on the shore of Lake Martin and offers swimming and day-use access to the lake for just $5 per person.
With picnic tables and grills, the site offers many amenities including fishing, boat rentals, putt-putt and even zipline canopy tours. A visit to Lake Martin will allow for the feel of the beach without breaking the bank.
For animal enthusiasts, the Birmingham Zoo located in Birmingham, Ala. has over 500 different animals to observe. The Birmingham Zoo is about a two-hour drive with tickets costing $19.95 for general admission. College students are given a discount with a valid student ID when tickets are bought in person. This makes the zoo a cheap and relatively close day trip spot with a lot to see.
“It was a great experience to get outdoors and experience some wildlife in Alabama,” said Zach Gast, freshman in business.
For an additional cost, the zoo also offers multiple tours and behind-the-scenes visits with elephants and giraffes. Spend time outdoors while also experiencing unique animals in their habitats. Gast said he got to ride a camel and would go back but advises visitors to be prepared for a heavy walking load.
“Be prepared to walk a lot and experience a lot of different smells,” Gast said.
Another way to experience unique animals is by visiting the Georgia Aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, Ga. is just under a two-hour drive. Although the tickets are a little pricier at $49 per person, with a large number of animals and interactive activities to do, the fun outweighs the cost.
“It was a lot of fun and I would definitely recommend others to visit at least once. If you’re an animal lover or have any appreciation for nature in general, it’s a great place to go and admire aquatic animals,” said Lily Hunt, freshman in wildlife ecology.
The Georgia Aquarium offers seven different galleries with hundreds of species of fish and other aquatic animals. With a separate purchase, they also offer multiple types of animal encounters such as swimming with sharks and stingrays.
The aquarium itself has many different features such as the underwater moving tunnel where animals are surrounding the room while customers ride through.
“My favorite exhibit was probably the all-glass tunnel. It has an electric sidewalk that you can stand on while you make your way through, seeing all different kinds of sea creatures to the left, right and above you,” Hunt said.
For thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies, Six Flags Over Georgia is another day trip idea with many different rides and experiences. Also located right outside of Atlanta, GA, just a two-hour drive away, Six Flags offers something for everyone.
Six Flags 2024 opening day is Saturday, March 2, just in time for spring break. Tickets are $40 a person but are valid all day and with over 30 different rides, the money is well spent.
"My experience at Six Flags was absolutely amazing. It’s a must-visit destination for unforgettable experiences and last memories,” said Jayden Green, freshman in supply chain management.
Six Flags is only open on Saturdays and Sundays during the spring but spending a Saturday at an amusement park could be a fun getaway for the day. With summer months being their busiest season, going in the spring would allow more time for rides and less time in line.
“I visited in April and the lines did not take awhile and moved very fast. They were very good at getting their customers on and off rides to give everyone the best experience possible,” Green said.
For a localized activity, CyberZone Entertainment in Opelika, Ala. offers a variety of arcade games, laser tag and more. With everything at one location, spending a day at CyberZone Entertainment would keep customers from traveling back and forth to multiple locations if they wanted to do more than one thing.
The price of the arcade is dependent on how many credits are put onto the arcade cards, so prices could be kept low if desired. Laser tag is only $9 per game per person, making it a cheap and fun way to spend some time.
Cyberzone also offers Virtual Reality Experiences and Esports ranging from $5 to $8. Looking for something close by and inexpensive, CyberZone Entertainment is a place that checks all the boxes.
Whether it’s spending time on the lake or braving roller coasters at Six Flags, there are many budget-friendly things to do as a spring break alternative to going on an expensive vacation. With all places being under a two-hour drive, finding entertainment is easier to do than imagined with fun waiting to be had around every corner.
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