Wednesday might seem a bit late in the week to focus our editorial spotlight on spring break. Or perhaps, it couldn’t be timelier.
In the days following our seven-day-reprieve from classes, your social media streams, feeds and timelines are most likely being littered with photo albums or slideshows in which the photographed partiers are wearing bikinis and board shorts. You’ve probably never “Liked” or “Unsubscribed” from so many posts in the same day. There’s so much sand, sun, skin and drinking.
As the pictures and memories develop, they remind us of why we went where we did (or didn’t) and where we want to go again. For this reason, we have compiled a list of the best and worst spring break destinations. We broke this list up in two categories of desirability and ranked the destinations accordingly: party destinations or scenic trips outside of the Valley.
Best places to party: Southern California or Lake Havasu. This is where the photo slideshows might serve multiple purposes: making your social media friends jealous while simultaneously providing explanation of your “no tan lines” policy, finally giving you license to use the caption “I’m on a boat!” or perhaps serving as more than a sentimental reminder of your vacation, but also in the literal sense.
Worst place to party: Alpha Drive. The former home to ASU fraternities got this title because it technically doesn’t exist anymore. The boarded-up or condemned houses would be better suited as the set for one of those “adopt a starving puppy” commercials. (You know, the ones with Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” playing in the background.) That’s not to say that if the streets were still inhabited we would be advocating a spring break trip there. That would be an experience easily substituted with a few episodes of “Blue Mountain State” and a case of Monster energy drinks.
Most scenic getaway: Sedona. The landscape, climate and geographic diversity of Arizona are perhaps why some people might consider the entire state a scenic getaway. Sedona, however, is a whole different story. The red rocks and the creeks that cut through them to form natural waterslides or the numerous hiking trails and breathtaking views provide new discoveries with each visit. The free-spirited culture might offer a refreshing break to the hustle and bustle of our 9-to-5 lives here in the Phoenix grid.
Least scenic getaway: Rainy beaches. It’s called spring break, not, “Go somewhere that looks like Cleveland” week. What good is spending all of January and February dieting to fit in that new bikini if you can’t even take a new default picture for your Facebook while you’re on the beach? Placing your phone on your chest and photographing your legs as they contract melanoma will receive much less “Likes” if the sky in the background looks like you let Tim Burton book your travel plans.
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