For many college students, Spring Break means taking a week-long vacation to hit the slopes or lounge on a beach somewhere with friends. As wonderful and insta-worthy as these Spring Break getaways are, not everyone can afford to visit these mountainous and tropical destinations. 

Even if you’re not traveling, that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a staycation during your school recess! 

Consider a few of these ideas that don’t include travel:

Spa day(s) – Look up the best spas in the area and book a facial or full body massage! You could also purchase new nail polish and clay face masks at the drugstore for a luxurious home DIY spa day. Just heat up some towels and slice a cucumber and you’ve got a relaxing spa at home. 

Catch Up On Your Reading/Movie List – That list has been growing and now is the time to check a few books and movies off! If you don’t have a movie list or you’ve already finished it, you could watch all of the movies nominated for Oscar Best Picture before the Academy Awards.

Tour A Local Museum 

  • Iowa City
    • University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
    • Old Capitol Museum
    • University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art
    • Antique Car Museum of Iowa
  • Madison
    • Chazen Art Museum
    • Wisconsin Veterans Museum
    • UW Geology Museum
    • Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
    • National Mustard Museum
    • Wisconsin Science Museum
    • Wisconsin Historical Museum

Plan A Paint And Sip – If you like wine and creative designs, this activity could be a great get together with friends or even a way to make new friends. 

Host an Online Gaming Night or Board Game Night – Jackbox is a digital gaming platform with the hit party games YOU DON’T KNOW JACK, Quiplash,  Fibbage, Drawful, and Trivia Murder Party. The games can be played on PC/MAC, Playstation 3 & 4, XBOX 1, and Nintendo Switch.

Popular board games include:

  • Monopoly
  • Catan
  • RISK
  • Hanabi
  • Exploding Kittens
  • Debatable
  • Cards Against Humanity
  • Code Names
  • Visit A Zoo Or Aquarium 

    • Iowa City
      • Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines
      • National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Dubuque
    • Madison
      • Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison
      • Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee
      • Reiman Aquarium, Milwaukee

    Go To An Arcade Or Bowling Alley – Get a group of friends together for friendly competition!

    Go To The Movie Theater – Although we have access to Netflix and countless other streaming services, sometimes actually going to the theater can add to the movie watching experience. And the theater popcorn always tastes better for some reason! 

    Go For A Hike at a State Park – Get some exercise and fresh air!  

    Take A Class – Even though it’s Spring Break and your college classes are on pause, you could still choose to attend a cooking, art, or photography class just for fun!

    Attend A Local Concert, Music Scene or Comedy Show – Show support for the local artists and comedians by attending a show! 

    Spring Cleaning – This is at the bottom of the list for a reason! Getting ahead on your spring cleaning and organizing might not sound like the most fun pastime, but it can bring a sense of peace for later and by cleaning up your space it might make spending Spring Break at home more relaxing. 

    Rather than lamenting the lack of travel for Spring Break, make the most of down time and play tourist locally!