As the spring semester ramps up, students are searching for budget-friendly spots to unwind, whether it’s a staycation, a sun-kissed beach trip or a peaceful nature retreat.
As many college students will admit, the spring semester tends to be more nerve-racking than its fall counterpart.
“The spring semester is more stressful. I attribute the weather to students getting behind with snow days,” said senior communications major Izzy Buzolich. “For some reason, mentally it is harder to come back for another semester after winter break.”
Spring break is the perfect opportunity to unwind after combating those negative feelings. For many UMKC students, a limited budget turns spring-break into a fun staycation in Kansas City, proving trips are still possible.
For UMKC freshman Ben Werner, his plans will hopefully be aided by the impending opening of the newest KC Streetcar extension. Werner names Downtown Kansas City as his go-to, budget-friendly spring break spot.
A Kansas City staycation could also bring students to dive in the city’s rich culture and history with the National World War I Museum and Memorial, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, or an afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.
For an affordable getaway , students can head to Silver Dollar City’s Theme Park in Branson, just 3½ hours away, or the Gateway Arch in St. Louis for stunning views.
For students looking to get a little more sunshine, UMKC music therapy major Josh Cuninngham plans to take a road trip with friends around the Lone Star State, dubbing it a “Texas Tour.”
While Cunningham’s “Texas Tour” is on the horizon, he is committed to keeping costs under $300—a budget he’s worked with successfully before, such as his trip to Naples, Florida, over the 2024 spring break.
The Sunshine State is the perfect low-cost spring break destination with hot spots like Destin, Miramar and Panama City Beach. All of which are within a day’s drive from Kansas City.
For students wishing to stay a little closer to home and enjoy the sounds of nature there are popular Missouri parks such as Dogwood Canyon State Park, Elephant Rocks State Park and Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Drive a little further south, and Devil’s Den State Park will be waiting in West Fork, Arkansas.
If that isn’t enough to fill the week-long reprise from college studies, Werner and Cunningham offered their top 3 wallet-friendly spring break spots nearby: Chicago, Oklahoma City and Colorado Springs.
Whether students plan to stick close to Kansas City, or travel the distance, there are plenty of spring break destinations that can be fun and cheap. Luckily for students, spring break, and much needed rest, is in sight.
