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How do you know where to go for spring break or what the hot spots are? Where do you go when you get there, and what are the best shops? It is hard to find answers to these questions if you don’t have previous experience there. Viewfinder asked three Grand View students who are from some common spring break locations what the best attractions are and then compared their answers to several travel websites.

Hawaii

Bright blue sky, clear oceans, mountaintops and surfing. These are just four things you could personally experience if you chose to travel to Hawaii for spring break. With an average temperature of 80 degrees in March, there aren’t many places warmer. According to TripAdvisor, there are plenty of things to do while visiting Hawaii. Some of the most popular attractions are the Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise, Paradise Cove Luau and tour of Pearl Harbor. Other websites such as National Geographic and Pride of Maui also included that snorkeling and attending a Luau is something visitors must do.

On top of what the internet says, it was important to get the opinion of someone who has personally experienced the area. DJ McInerny, a men’s volleyball player, was born and raised on the island of Oahu. He grew up in the city of Honolulu and came to GV last year. He has experienced much of what Hawaii has to offer and shared some of his favorites.

“Pipeline beach in the Northshore is popular for a lot of people that are pretty aware of the whole surfing aspect,” McInerny said. “Pipeline is one of those places where, one, it is beautiful, and, two, it is popular for surfers because there is a world competition held there every year. Surfing is something that everyone that visits Hawaii should at least try once.”
Another place to visit in Hawaii is Diamond Head Lookout. You can see across the horizon as well as look out at the ocean, where you are sometimes able to see whales. McInerny’s favorite place is the Makapu’u Hike, which is an ideal place to watch the sunrise.

“Whether you plan everything with a hotel or not, I believe everyone should be part of a Luau,” McInerny said. “It is a big dinner where they make a lot of Hawaiian food, and experiencing that at least once enriches you in the Hawaiian culture.”

According to McInerny, a less traditional food option is Duke’s. It is in the tourist area and offers all varieties of food. Duke’s is a buffet that allows you to try Hawaiian food but also has less traditional options. Another staple to Hawaii is Zippy’s, a neighborhood restaurant where local foods are prepared and served fresh.

Miami

Looking for a party spot and mile-long public beaches? Miami is the place for you. While the weather is warm yearlong, spring break seems to be the most popular time of the year for Miami.

Both websites Time Out and Miami and the Beaches agree on many travel ideas in the Miami area. Visiting the Miami Seaquarium as well as going on an Everglades Tour is highly recommended. GV wrestler and Miami native Haniel Suris agrees that tourists should make a trip there.

During spring break, the beaches are the busiest place to be. When talking about what beaches were the most popular, Suris brought up Miami Beach, South Beach, Hollywood Beach and Sunny Isles. He also mentioned that if you like long walks and camping, you should go to Key West Island.

“Something you must experience is Calle Ocho,” Suris said. “It is a carnival that is held every year along with a parade. A lot of people attend. The streets are full of people, and there are a lot of different things to see.”
Suris said that if you are into shopping and want to experience the high life, there is a place just for you called Deco Drive. He says it’s the best place to shop in Miami.

Latin America is a fast food restaurant that serves Hispanic food. Along the coast, there are several fast food restaurants called Checkers, which is like a replica of B-Bops. It serves burgers, fries, milkshakes and might be what comes to mind when you need a quick bite to eat.

Puerto Rico

The first time you go to Puerto Rico, it is a must that you go to San Juan.

According to GV men’s volleyball player Alejandro Alfonso, “it tells you the history of Puerto Rico and helps you better understand the place.”

If you are interested in hiking and exploring mountains, Puerto Rico is for you. On top of the beautiful sights you can see from them, they also house ziplines that go across the mountains.

Alfonso also recommends taking a trip to the capitol.

“It is cool to see where the Governor does his work,” Alfonso said. “And it is just a place that a lot of tourists go to when they come here.”

If you are wanting to get a taste of Puerto Rico, the restaurant El Bajo is full of traditional Puerto Rican food. The other popular place is El Patio De Sol. According to multiple online reviews, these two restaurants are very well known in Puerto Rico.

According to TripAdvisor and Travel U.S. News, San Juan and Isla Verde Beach are two of the top tourist attractions to visit in Puerto Rico.