Cheap alternatives offer student travelers new spring break options without breaking the bank

02/09/10 - When I think spring break, I think of wet t-shirt contests, clubs, tan lines and crazy photographs that showcase the insanity that come along with a true spring break. However, while this may be the stereotypical idea of a spring break, most of us overworked and underpaid college students cannot afford the $1500 price tag stapled to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico.So bearing in mind that you can have a great spring break without breaking the bank, I have composed a list of the top five spring break ideas for those on a tight budget.

Number one is a road trip. Remember the movie, "Road Trip," with Tom Greene and Sean William Scott? Didn't you wish that you could just pack up, grab your buddies and venture off into the unknown? There is no destination, no set plan, and best of all, no worries! You decide the duration, the location and the cost. When you run low on cash, head home, but make it last-and remember, the compass means nothing. Just follow your intuition and forge forward to new experiences.

Another underutilized idea is to visit a major city. As college students, we always think that as soon as break comes we just want to get as far away from campus as possible. But maybe the major city within the state you attend school could house some pretty entertaining and cheap forms of entertainment. Providence, New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia are all relatively close to the University of Rhode Island and are youthful, urban, and eclectic places to spend break. There are bus tours that take you into these cities for a day trip and these tours are a cheap and interesting way to experience a city you have never seen before.

On another note, maybe you and your friends are avid snowboarders or skiers? Have you ever thought about renting a cabin up in Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or New York? Mountains usually offer students a discount if you provide your university student ID on everything from lift tickets to lodging and food. While the cost of a cabin may seem expensive, grab a bunch of people, buy snacks and booze from Costco or Sam's Club and you are all set for a break in the mountains.

Another idea I recently came across is alternative spring breaks. Through programs like Habitat for Humanity or Break Away, you can visit a city or country you have never traveled to before, while helping build houses, tutor students in English, register voters, or help the homeless. It's a way to be kind and selfless, meet new people, and basically leave the boredom-that would otherwise be spent at home in front of the TV-behind.

Lastly, it is possible to get last minute packages and travel plans through websites like Expedia.com and Travelocity.com. There are cheap flights to many destination cities in Florida such as Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. If you're 21 and able to get into the bars and clubs of South Beach in Miami, this sounds like an ideal setup.

But remember, the most important part of break is having fun and making memories. So, no matter what you do, enjoy the time you have off and do something that you will never forget.