Spring break officially begins Friday afternoon, and students are ready to kick back and enjoy the week without classes.
Las Vegas ranked as the No. 1 spring break location with Miami Beach, Key West and Panama City following close behind, according to studentuniverse.com.
With Florida’s shimmering beaches only about four hours away, many University students plan to spend their spring breaks along the Florida coast.
“Based on historical trends, Florida is the most popular travel destination for college students,” said Don Redman, spokesman for AAA Louisiana.
Sarah Finnegan, civil engineering sophomore, and Jacob Pruitt, landscape architecture freshman, said they plan to vacation at a beach near Gulf Shores, Ala.
“We found a condo near the beach, and about 12 of us are going,” Finnegan said.
Drew Baccich, accounting sophomore, and about 30 of his fraternity brothers rented a house in Gulf Shores for a week.
“Gulf Shores is the place where all the sororities and fraternities go,” Baccich said. “We plan on meeting with more LSU students once we get to the beach.”
Devin Klein, marketing sophomore, said he also plans to spend his spring break in Gulf Shores.
“About seven of us are renting a condo,” Klein said. “Gulf Shores is one of the cheapest and closest beaches to home. It was very last minute, but I’m very excited about it.”
In addition, some students are taking trips alternative to the beach.
Dylan Andre, construction management junior, said he plans to go turkey hunting in Kentucky with cousins during spring break.
Andre said he leaves Thursday and will stay for a few days.
“I’ve never been yet, but I’m excited to go,” he said.
After spending some time in Kentucky, Andre said he may spend some time in Gulf Shores but has no definite plans yet.
“I could get a hotel or sleep in my truck,” he said. “I’ll just see how it goes.”
Leslie Steele, travel agent at Pearson’s Travel World, said she found many students are traveling to the Bahamas and the rest of the Caribbean this year.
“The cruises are popular just because the prices are so good right now,” Steele said. “I would say that this is the trend for this year.”
However, many students are looking forward to returning home for the break and visiting family and friends.
Jael Wheeler, international studies sophomore, and Stacee Jones, elementary education sophomore, said they plan to spend their spring breaks relaxing and catching up on studying.
“I plan on doing some homework and going to a crawfish boil or two,” Jones said.
Brittany Price, finance junior, said she is preparing to return home and stay with her family in Texas during the break.
“I’m really just planning on hanging out with friends, and I’ll maybe even go to a Rangers game,” she said.
 
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Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]