The long-awaited Spring Break is coming up for Carmel. Students from elementary school up to high school are counting down the days until their time becomes a little less busy with school. Spring Break is always a time to regroup, rest, explore and much more. Many families find the time to take a trip, whether local, regional or international. Other families find it more beneficial to enjoy a “stay-cation” and a break from the everyday routine. Whatever plans await, Spring Break is very welcome amongst the students, parents, teachers and faculty.
Below are just a few popular travel destinations that typically pique the interest of the Spring Breakers all around America. Whether you are already booked up for next week or planning for the next year, here are some ideas for upcoming trips and destination vacations.
Local:

Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
The Great Smoky Mountains are a beautiful mountain landscape with the North Carolina entrance in Cherokee, North Carolina. It is a great place to travel if you enjoy hiking, exploring and all other sorts of outdoor activities.
The Outer Banks is a historical place that is filled with all sorts of vacation fun! This includes many beautiful experiences like the beach, monuments, views and destination restaurants that attract all sorts of people.
Oak Island is a small Island town that has a beautiful beach and all sorts of local events. The beach is less popular, which provides a clean, solitary environment. The town hosts all sorts of events, especially during the holidays. Some examples of their events are easter egg hunts, which are perfect for those visiting this Easter season, outdoor animal events and local bonding experiences.
Wilmington is another beach town, on a larger scale, that attracts people with beautiful beaches and shopping experiences! It has a certain amount of southern charm and coastal beauty that draws people in. There are many outdoor activities and mass cultural attractions to visit while there. They have many galleries and museums that preserve a fun, touristy environment. Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina Wilmington, which is a highly popular “next step” for many Carmel graduates.
Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and is known for its innovation and is full of diverse opportunities. It is also full of many local and creative sites that are great for vacation opportunities. Apart from these things, it has an attraction for hosting all sorts of sports games.
Regional:
Charleston is a beautiful town that offers all sorts of things for entertainment. It is known for its large market and multiple boutiques. The Charleston market is a large line of local stores where people sell are variety of beautiful artworks that you can indulge yourself in. Other than shopping, Charleston is also known for its beaches and water experiences. It has all sorts of water experiences like kayaking, paddle boarding and boat renting that allow you to experience the outdoors in such a beautiful place.

(Photo taken by Matt McIntosh)
The Florida Keys are known for their many tropical experiences. They have multiple opportunities to experience this through snorkeling, diving, walking through towns and visiting their beautiful, blue beaches. The colorful coral reefs and blue water bring people to the tropical experience that they offer.
New Orleans is known for its rich history and dramatic culture, which offers a unique experience for many tourists. The city invites you to jump into the local environment, welcoming anyone willing to experience something new. Its rich food and jazz music submerge visitors into the mixed Creole culture.
Nashville is a city full of rich creativity, especially when it comes to music. The city of Nashville revolves around music, always able to be heard. You can spend your days eating food and supporting upcoming musicians as the city presents its heart to you. Nashville is also a great place to visit when looking for good shopping and tourist opportunities. There are all kinds of local stores and people who are willing to welcome you if you visit.
San Francisco is a beautiful city full of spirit and nature. There is a rich culture there that you can easily experience through many restaurants and sites. There are multiple things to see, such as a floating prison, food festivals, cable cars and all sorts of outdoor concerts and festivals.
O’ahu is the third-largest Hawaiian island and is known for its diverse population and cultures. It is an attractive place to vacation due to its tropical climate and mix of modern and historical exploring opportunities. O’ahu is also home to a large part of American history, as you can visit Pearl Harbor and take a peek into American life during WWII.
International:
Paris is known for its romantic atmosphere and rich, preserved history. It has many different historical and cultural sites that you can visit, such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre, The Grand Palais and The Pont Alexandre III.

Rome is known as a strong-standing city, for its long-lasting history and its grand monuments that dot the terrain. Rome is the third most visited city in Europe and attracts people from all over the world with its monuments such as the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Vatican City and the Forum. All of these sites were central parts of Roman life and inspire historians and tourists to visit, looking for a peek into life during the reign of Rome.
The Maldives are known for their picture-perfect blue waters and white sand beaches that draw people to relax on the shore. The Maldives offer a mix of experiences, from exploring to scuba diving in the ocean, and there are many opportunities for people to indulge in the festivities of vacation. There are many beautiful resorts and tropical paradises to explore while visiting the Maldives.
Huayna Picchu is a beautiful 8,835-foot mountain that offers stunning views. It is a popular site located in Machu Picchu that prompts tourists to submerge themselves in nature. There is a common hike up the mountain that many people take.
Athens is a historically important city as well as a beautiful place to visit, as it is known for its more authentic spirit. There are many historical sites that you can visit while there, like the Acropolis, as well as many wonderful beaches to lounge on. Athens has a slower lifestyle that appeals to the vacation mindset, as well as having a cultural appeal as a politically and culturally important place.

Tahiti is a large chain of islands that make up French Polynesia. Tahiti has many beautiful islands that you can visit while indulging in the beautiful, blue waters that surround its islands. It is known for its beautiful resorts and many recreational activities. There are many hiking trails, snorkeling opportunities and many other water experiences that draw people here. Tahiti also has many city landscapes that you can explore while you are there.
Elizabeth Losh • Apr 9, 2025 at 11:26 am
I’ll definitely be checking out the Great Smoky Mountains during break!