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Top 10 places to party on spring break
Lake Havasu
While Las Vegas is an all-time spring break favorite, the Arizona desert destination of Lake Havasu, some three hours southeast of Sin City, is also gaining major partygoer appeal, thanks to its array of after-dark action, stunning scenery, and its main attraction, the eponymous lake itself. Nestled amid craggy mountain peaks alongside the Colorado River, and commonly referred to as the "personal watercraft capital of the world," Lake Havasu boasts over 400 miles of coastline and water sports galore — think fishing, skiing, kayaking, and boating (lots of boat and jetski rentals are also available for those of you without your own vessels). Havasu's on-land activities span from beach bumming, off-roading desert treks, and golfing, to horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, rock climbing, and biking. There’s plenty of nighttime action to keep spring breakers playing long after dark, too: Several clubs and bars boast killer views of the Colorado River and some even offer outdoor parties on the river itself.
Miami
The long, skinny island of Miami Beach — and specifically image-conscious South Miami Beach (that’s South Beach or SoBe in short hand), with its charming Art Deco District and sizzling dining and club scenes, has for the past decade reigned as one of America’s capitals of cool. It’s the kind of place where you might spot Cuban boat people washed up on Ocean Drive or a guy walking a leashed mountain lion on Lincoln Road. Sure there’s some pretty interesting and even cultural stuff to do out here, but it’s really all about “the scene” — by day, sun and sand amid scantily-clad, hard-bodied roller-bladers and volley-ballers, by night, dining and partying amid a mix of the rich, famous, and fabulous. For spring breakers, this sprawling, sexy, sun-splashed resort playground is the quintessential glamorama party capital: a posh combination of sun, sand, and hedonism.
Montreal
While spring break has long signaled a south-of-the-border migration for some guaranteed Mexican mayhem, those with a nose for the north will find all of the essential ingredients for a bit of debauchery à la française just above the Canadian border. Of course, you’ll have to forego beaches and bikinis here, but with alcohol consumption and casino gambling (check out the chic Casino de Montréal) open to the 18-and-over crowd, scintillating nightlife (try Boulevard St-Laurent or Crescent Street for the best action), strip clubs galore, and a certain je ne sais quoi, Montréal’s appeal reels in its fair share of spring breakers all the same. A popular road-trip pilgrimage for East Coast collegians (it’s about 375 miles from Manhattan or 310 miles from Boston), bargains abound on everything from lap-dancing strippers to nightclub covers. For the more sophisticated spring breaker, there’s plenty to pique your interest, too: Check out the historic center of Vieux-Montréal, take in a view from the summit of Montreal’s emblematic Mont-Royal, or catch the last of ski season at several prime resorts within an hour’s drive.
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While there are quite a few Mexico hot spots favored by spring breakers, no place other than Puerto Vallarta combines a raging nightlife scene with a colorful colonial village imbued with old-world ambience. Indeed, Puerto Vallarta's appeal is undeniable: The city proper, a fabled hillside hamlet, brims with muddled alleyways, red-tiled roofs, and balconies draped in bougainvillea. Miles of golden seafront, dotted with newer towns and resorts, stretch to its north and south, while the local color of an old Mexican fishing village mingles with modern upscale influences. The famed malecón — a waterfront boardwalk that stretches from the center of town towards the Hotel Zone — is dotted with shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, and street artists. The lively promenade is always hopping and perfect for grabbing a drink or a bite during the day and after sunset. Plus, come nightfall, you can revel in trendy lounges, rowdy pubs, surfside watering holes, and romantic taverns. Most of the worthy nightlife is located along a three-block stretch of Calle Ignatio L. Vallarta, on the south side of the river, where everything from mariachi music and sports bars to salsa clubs and discos is found.
San Diego
Plenty of sun, beaches, and bars make San Diego the ultimate spring break spot. Mild spring weather is perfect for strolling downtown city streets, cruising the boardwalk at Mission Beach, hitting the surf, enjoying a few beers at one of the many outdoor beach bars, or spending the day at nearby SeaWorld. A happening club scene draws spring breakers to the Pacific Beach neighborhood, where dozens of bars are strung along Grand and Garnett avenues; downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter offers a cosmopolitan evening out; and hipsters flock to the W Hotel’s rooftop beach bar where ladies can cool their heels — sans stilettos — in wall-to-wall sand. But, if you and your crew would rather rage on the beach till dawn, you’re in luck, too, since most city sands have facilities to encourage bonfire booze-fests. Plus, with the Mexican border just down the road, you can continue the party south of the border, in Rosarito Beach, where a slightly less debaucherous scene prevails.
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