by FOMO Girl
If there is one thing that you must-do as a college student then it is definitely the Spring Break vacation.

There are so many destinations across the USA where you can go for your Spring Break vacation.  

Always glad to see Spring Breakers, with over 27 miles of white beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast, Panama City Beach is the current hottest Spring Break destination in the USA.  Panama City Beach's close proximity to many southern colleges, moderate prices, outrageous nightlife and more liberal attitudes towards Spring Break activities, make it the major destination for Spring Break, with more than 500,000 students a year making Panama City Beach their Spring Break destination.  When people speak about Spring Break in the USA, they're often referring to Panama City Beach.

Only 30 minutes away from Mexico with the added potential of a Two Nation Vacation, South Padre Island in Texas is one of the hottest Spring Break destinations.  Proudly living up to the slogan "Everything's Bigger in Texas!", South Padre Island has been rated as one of the top beaches in the world and comes alive during Spring Break, hosting some of the most active and wildest events.  South Padre Island offers many beachside activities each day during Spring Break. Spring Break provides a welcome boost to the local economy and the town works together with corporate sponsors to create special Spring Break events.

Daytona Beach in Florida has become a major tourist destination with millions of visitors annually.  Daytona Beach is also close enough for daytrips to the theme parks in Orlando.  This amazing 23 mile stretch of wide, white sand beach has re-emerged as one of the hottest Spring Break destinations.  If you are looking for a Spring Break with a mix of beer, beach, parties and excellent tourist attractions, Daytona Beach is the place.  

One of the new up and coming destinations for Spring Break is Las Vegas. Remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas and this is never a truer statement than for Spring Break.  Another advantage of Las Vegas is that there is always something going on, so just because it is Spring Break time doesn't mean that hotel rooms are going to be sky high.  If the room rate plays a big part in making your Spring Break destination decision, you should look at Las Vegas.  

Fort Lauderdale's beach city to the south, South Beach Miami, is also becoming a popular destination with college students for Spring Break.

Outside of the United States popular Spring Break destinations include Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco in Mexico, as well as the Bahamas, Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.  One of the major factors for the increase in overseas destinations is the lower minimum drinking ages in these countries.

Wherever you decide to go - Just have a blast.

by FOMO Girl
American college students have participated in a travel vacation away during the spring break vacation period since the late 1800s, but it was not until the late 1950s that college students from all over the country were flocking to the beaches of Florida in March and Fort Lauderdale became the first Spring Break destination.

A student interviewed by Time Magazine at the time said that she had come to Fort Lauderdale because "this is where the boys are." This simple comment set the scene for the 1960 movie - Where the Boys Are, which premiered at Fort Lauderdale's Gateway Theatre on Sunrise Boulevard on 21 December 1960. The movie was a massive success and promoted across the country the annual mass migration of college students to the beaches of Fort Lauderdale. The "invasion" in March of 1961 saw over 50,000 college students arriving in Fort Lauderdale, overwhelming the 80,000 local residents.

In the early 1980s, Fort Lauderdale residents became upset at the damage done by Spring Breakers and in 1985 the local government passed laws restricting parties. As well, this was around the time that the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was enacted in the United States, which meant that Florida raised its minimum drinking age to 21. This encouraged many 18 to 20 year old spring breakers to travel outside the United States for Spring Break. By 1989, the number of spring breakers heading to Fort Lauderdale fell from 350,000 at its peak, to just 20,000.

However, a new hot spot was emerging just up the Florida coast in Daytona Beach. This was mostly because of MTV's first Spring Break from Daytona Beach in 1986. In the following few years up to 200,000 students headed to Daytona Beach for Spring Break. Daytona's local government undertook similar measures to Fort Lauderdale and the crowds of the mid-1990's and early 2000's had fallen away.

These days Panama City Beach is the destination of choice for Spring Breakers, making Spring Break a major factor in the city's economy. Panama City Beach in Florida has become the most popular Spring Break destination due to its relative proximity to many southern colleges, as well as the fact that the locals welcome Spring Breakers.

Other major Spring Break destinations in the USA are South Padre Island in Texas, Las Vegas, Miami's South Beach and Daytona Beach has reamerged as a Spring Break destination.

Spring Break international destinations, with their lower minimum drinking ages, are a major factor for the increase in Spring Breakers heading overseas for their vacation.

Internationally popular Spring Break destinations include Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatln, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco in Mexico, as well as the Bahamas, Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.

For the must-do event on any college students calendar do not forget Spring Break.