3 Offbeat Spring Break Ideas

There’s more to spring break than swim-up bars and hangovers. From yoga retreats to dog-sledding to getting your hands dirty, try one of these getaway alternatives.

Relax and renew
Skip high-paced party destinations in favor of a getaway that’s refreshing for the body and mind. Master your downward dog at a yoga retreat or book a spa retreat for a week of pampering. The best part: there are relaxing retreats all over the country, so you can go local and skip the hassle of air travel, too.

Chill out
Avoid the tourist rush of warm weather destination and bundle up for a chilly getaway. Try the likes of Canada or Alaska this year—accommodations will be cheaper than destinations hosting beach bunnies...and if dog-sledding doesn’t make for the best “what I did on my spring break” story, then we don’t know what does.

Give back
Skip bottomless margaritas in favor of working on your vacation from work? Seems counter-intuitive, but hear us out: if you’re not finding your job to be terribly fulfilling, why not use your free time to do something that is, in a major way? Look into work exchange programs that allow you to live and eat for free at beautiful locations around the world—in return for your sweat, like helping out on a host family’s farm.

- Contributed by Diana Vilibert