- Take the scenic route.Trees, Roadside in Autumn image by loongirl from Fotolia.com
The life of a university student is stressful on its own, and the best way to do break the stress might be to take a quick, cheap break. Whether you want to take a brief road trip to a nearby destination or a quick jaunt to a coastal locale, there is a way to do it without breaking the bank. - Stay in New Orleans's historical French Quarter.new orleans balconies image by Elly from Fotolia.com
Although the most popular time for students to visit New Orleans is during Mardi Gras, this colorful city flourishes all year round. Its mild, subtropical temperatures make it an appealing destination during the winter months. Its culturally rich history and curious past draw explorers to the port city, and they are treated to stories of rivalries, duels and spirits. In addition to the magnificent tales that lace the city, tourists discover spicy Creole dishes and charming Spanish architecture all around the French Quarter. New Orleans has many cost-effective train lines that connect it to other parts of the country. As of October 2010, hostels in the French Quarter and in the trendy Warehouse District start at just $15 a night. The Bourbon House Hostel offers free shuttles to and from both the Amtrak and Greyhound stations. Book early, though, as these rooms fill up quickly. - Be prepared to experience nature on her own terms.bison image by Melissa Schalke from Fotolia.com
Often overlooked as a mountain range, Oklahoma's Wichita Mountains are a majestic mountain range comprising massive boulders that you need to see to believe. This donation-only wildlife refuge is home to elk, bison, prairie dogs and the elusive black-capped vireo, among others. It's best to drive to this remote destination 40 miles west of Oklahoma City. Many camping sites in the refuge make this an affordable destination for mountain climbing and natural sightseeing. - Natural bridges of the Santa Cruz coastlinenatural bridges in santa cruz, ca image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com
Just north of Monterey Bay lies the modest-size town of Santa Cruz. While tourists flock to Los Angeles, visitors more keen on relaxing head to this progressive Spanish mission town. Santa Cruz is home to charming downtown shopping -- independently owned shops geared toward the student budget. Romantic beaches adorned with natural bridges spread along the coastline, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the oldest amusement park in the state, lies just behind. After sunning and playing on the beach, visitors can travel north of the town to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, home to the tallest trees in the world. In addition to nearby hostels in Santa Cruz, lodging communities and campgrounds exist within the park itself. Private hostel rooms in Santa Cruz start at $22, and camping in the Redwoods State Park is $35 per carload or $7 per bicycle. Prices are stated as of October 2010. - A modern Minneapolis skylinemodern minneapolis image by geophis from Fotolia.com
This economic city looks traditional, but behind its Scandinavian facade lies a vibrant artistic community and more theaters per capita than any other city after New York. It is also home to the Minnesota Fringe Festival, a performing arts festival that lasts 11 days in the first weeks of August, just before most schools begin. Because this celebration is, in part, created by students and performed in the University of Minnesota's Rarig Center for Performing Arts, a generous student discount is available, bringing the cost down to $10 per performance. A few minutes north of the university lies a hostel in a Victorian mansion. The Minneapolis International Hostel is open to anyone with a non-Minneapolis driver's license, and the rooms are made less expensive if visitors want to stay in more populated rooms. The Minneapolis artists' community and nostalgic riverfront shopping make Minneapolis an ideal city to visit before you head back to classes. - Make Atlantic City your East Coast destination.atlantic city, new jersey image by Pontus Edenberg from Fotolia.com
Although Atlantic City is often overlooked because of its flagrant reputation, this famously theatrical boardwalk town offers visitors a variety of attractions from antique shopping to an elephant-shaped landmark named Lucy. In a town where everything is taken to its maximum, it should come as no surprise to know that Mr Peanut originated on Atlantic City's boardwalk. Diversions including films, amusement parks and old-time sweets shops are sprinkled across the city's numerous piers. The historic hotels all allow visitors to step back to a time when grand parties were the epitome of fashion and hotel guests gambled to support their exciting, vibrant lifestyles. According to the hostel booking site hostels247.com, private rooms start at $15 on the boardwalk, and $12.50 if you prefer to stay a mile south. The city is connected to the Atlantic City Express Service (hosted by Amtrak) train line, making it accessible from the American Northeast. Travel prices start at $29 as of October 2010.
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