I know, I know. It’s January, and it’s cold and barren outside, and it feels like there’s nothing to look forward to or get excited about.
Sure, your football team might still be in the playoff hunt, or perhaps you are one of the smart ones who booked a post-holiday cruise. Even then, this time of year can be tough on the soul. But, I promise, there’s hope, and it comes in the form of planning for spring break.
It’s hard to believe, but we are only a couple of months away. That’s right, as we sit today, we’re about 10 weeks out from the highly coveted spring break season. Spring break means different things to different people, so I’ve put together a list of questions for you to be thinking about as you begin to make your getaway plans.
The dreary months of January and February won’t be so rough if you start posing these questions now. Where haven’t you been? Where do you want to get back to? How much time do you have? What’s your budget? As spring break planning takes center stage, I encourage you to think outside of the box. That could even include planning an enriching and creative staycation.
God knows, there’s no shortage of cool things to do in Memphis. Try one of our new hotels Downtown or head to Harbor Town for a riverside outing. While Downtown can be fun and lively, you might want to take it easy somewhere less raucous. With an array of local options, there’s something for everyone and every budget.
My wife is a teacher, so spring break has always been a thing for us, but ever since I started my own business a few years ago, I would now officially call us spring-breakers. Whether we stay close or fly to a faraway land, the mid-March reprieve we know as spring break is a big part of our year.
Last year, our family flew to Denver. The year before that, we flew to Seattle. While these big trips are incredible, they can definitely break the bank and wear you out. And traveling with small children has its challenges.
This year we are planning something a little more proximate to Memphis. Has anyone been to Eureka Springs? We hear it’s artsy and dreamy and full of good food and great music. We also have Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas, on our radar.
What we’ve realized these past couple of years as our kids have been getting older is that they love being a part of the planning process. Seeing museums and hot spots in other towns across the country energizes them, and helping choose stops makes them feel like a part of the process. The research and crowdsourcing with friends and family via social media adds to the excitement, too. Lists can prove handy, but they can also become a hindrance if you are a habitual list-checker — meaning you like to cross everything off.
Remember, vacation is meant to be fun and exciting, and, above all, relaxing and rejuvenating. Wherever you choose, the key is to create enough space and time to truly dive in and get the most out of your visit. After all, you only have a few days to take it all in. ⎢
Jeff Hulett is a freelance writer, musician, and PR consultant in Memphis. He lives in the Vollintine Evergreen neighborhood with his wife Annie, two girls Ella and Beatrice, and two dogs Chalupa and Princess Freckles.