No matter how old I get, it's always exciting to plan a little vacay in the spring. Spring Break is right around the corner, and since we are so close to the Gulf Coast, it's an easy and cheap way to get some beach time in.

US News Travel has some suggestions for Top Spring Break Destinations, based on best hotels, flights, and things to do. Check out their list below

 

  • Miami Beach - fabulous beaches, great night life
  • Cancun - most popular Spring Break destination in North America
  • Bahamas - Caribbean culture and cheap lodging
  • Cabo San Lucas - party capital of southern Baja
  • Maui - not the cheapest, but affordable in between seasons
  • Puerto Vallarta - lots of outdoor activities, and great club scene
  • South Padre Island - the only time of year that this low key location isn't filled with families on the sand
  • Playa del Carmen - affordable accommodations, and lots to do for the 20 something crowd
  • Jamaica - great aquatic activities, and lots of bars for night time fun
  • San Diego - great boardwalk, and lovely Mission Beach

 

My Top 10 Favorites are below, based on cost, and how close they are to my home base in Louisiana

  • Gulf Shores, Alabama - six miles and soft, sugary-white sands on the Fort Morgan peninsula
  • Destin, Florida - My own personal favorite, and a short 6 hour drive from Lafayette
  • Siesta Key, Florida - part of the barrier island’s 35 miles of coastline, along with Turtle Beach and Crescent Beach
  • West Ship Island, Mississippi - Part of Gulf Shores National Seashore
  • Galveston Island, Texas - Close to Houston, with 32 miles of sandy beaches and lots of local flavor
  • South Padre Island, Texas - a haven for spring breakers for decades
  • Marco Island, Florida - one of the largest of Florida’s 'Ten Thousand Islands'
  • St George Island, Florida - between the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola Bay
  • Orange Beach, Alabama - bordering Florida’s Perdido Key along the Emerald Coast
  • Panama City Beach, Florida - just a short 40 minute jaunt from Destin, along the Florida Panhandle

More From 97.3 The Dawg