7 Off-Beat Destinations For a Mindful Spring Break Escape

Mid-semester getaways are starting to switch-up the party-hard image set by our millennial predecessors. Work-weary and overloaded by our digital consumption, we’re looking for something that allows us to experience a more personalized form of adventure, something that speaks to the senses as well as the soul. 

Here are our recommendations for where to go for spring break 2022 taking a more mindful approach.

Charleston, South Carolina

Although a relatively small town, the pastel-colored beach houses, water-front views, and thriving foodie scene make Charleston ideal for a chill spring break with friends. Spend time watching the world go by as you sample artesian coffees in the French Quarter, update your journal under the ancient boughs of the Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island (said to be 1500 years old), or head to Folly Beach to swim in the ocean and practice yoga on the sand.

Lake Tahoe, California 

Paddle the crystal-clear waters of North Lake Tahoe or hit the trails of the Sierra Nevada (Eagle Falls in South Lake Tahoe) and reboot your system with a much-needed digital detox. Here the views are so epic you’ll forget all about updating your Instagram feed. The region’s rejuvenating hot springs and lake-front dining options will leave you feeling refreshed and restored. 

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona’s warm climate and picturesque landscapes make it one of the best spring break destinations for a wild escape. Immerse yourself in nature and choose to camp at Manzanita campground just outside Sedona. Here you’re just 10 feet away from the banks of Oak Creek which cascades down a limestone canyon. 

Drive two hours north of Sedona and you’ll find yourself soaking in the unbeatable vistas of the Grand Canyon. Here the ancestral heritage of the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes will enrich your understanding of the region.

Looking for a camping bag? Try our Good Vibes Gear Hauler.

Asheville, North Carolina  

Home to artists and hard-core hippies, Ashville is known for its vibrant live music scene and small mountain town vibe. Offering easy access to all kinds of outdoor adventures, you’ll also find endless wellness-led experiences and classes, like guided forest bathing and nature therapy, that are sure to enrich both mind and body. 

Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Take time out and focus on your wellbeing in one of the country’s top wellness destinations, Colorado Springs. Treat yourself to a massage with a mountain view, sign up for a yoga retreat, or simply spend your time here hiking the numerous trails that wend their way around the towering rock formations in the Garden of the Gods Park. Here fresh air and fresh local produce will inspire you to focus your attention inward and practice a little self-care during your stay.

Need a lightweight hiking pack? Try our Gnarly Gnapsack 30

St. Louis, Missouri 

Visit St Louis for a sports-themed spring break and catch a hockey play-off or basketball game at the iconic Scottrade Arena. In between games, explore the city’s cultural highlights like the cherry blossoms on show at the Botanical Garden, the 70 works of large-scale outdoor sculpture in the Laumeier Sculpture Park, or the animal-inhabitants of the St Louis Zoo.

Whatever your plan for spring break, travel light, take only what you need and leave no trace to reduce the impact your adventures have on the planet.

Have your own mindful spring break ideas? Share them with us on social media using #LifeUnzipped.