Every March, us Hurricanes get asked the same question: “Why do you go away for spring break? You live in Miami!’” While many of us do choose to go away to have the typical college spring break experience, a lot of students do stick around for the week. While it is true that we do live in a spring break destination, it’s not like we have spring break every weekend. In fact, sometimes we’re so busy that we don’t get to do nearly half as many of the things this amazing city has to offer. Spring break is the perfect time to go out and explore the 305.

Fun in the Sun

One of the main reasons students want to get away for spring break is so that they can spend the week relaxing on the beach. While we do have the luxury of doing this every weekend, we really don’t go to the beach as much as our friends up north think we do. Miami has so many beaches, you could go to a different one every day of the week if you wanted to. Whether you want to hit up Ocean Drive or stay local in Key Biscayne, a cooler, towel and friends are the only things required for a successful beach day.

So maybe you prefer the pool to the beach. That’s fine, you still have options. Instead of making the 10-minute trek from your dorm to the UC pool, check out the Venetian Pool, located right in Coral Gables. The Venetian Pool offers the standard snack bar menu, so you don’t have to worry about bringing food and drinks. Bonus: admission for Coral Gables residents is only $5.50. Additional bonus: the pool is also reopening in March for the first time since November due to renovations, so it’ll be brand new for your day-trip!

Spring Break Diet

You are definitely saving yourself a large chunk of money by staying at The U for the week. There are so many upscale restaurants in the area that we would not normally go to unless it’s parents’ weekend. Take a night off from the dining hall or Chipotle and treat yo’ self.

Let’s be honest, there is no better meal than brunch. Unfortunately, the amount of work that we tend to leave off until Sunday kills our brunch vibe. Seize this golden opportunity to not have to limit your mimosas because you need to study afterwards. While Rokbrgr is the most common place to go for all your brunch needs (and rightfully so…who doesn’t love free mimosas??) there are definitely more places that will satisfy your bacon cravings. George’s is also a well-known brunch place among UM students. For some unknown and cruel reason, they no longer serve free mimosas with brunch, but their food is still amazeballs. Another great brunch, and food in general, spot is Whisk. PSA: the parking there kind of sucks, but it is worth it (Papa’s Buttermilk Pancakes are to die for). If you are looking for a more casual place than the three aforementioned spots, look no further than S&S Diner. It is right on Bird Road and definitely the most old school out of all of these brunch locations. Hint: it is hidden in a pharmacy with “DRUGS” in neon letters hanging above the door. If you don’t get the nutella pancakes, you’re doing it wrong.

Just Miami Things

A majority of our Saturdays are consumed by tailgates and darties. Spring break is the chance to take a break from the frat boys and do something different. Wynwood is such a cool, trendy area. There is hands down enough to do to take up an entire day and/or night. Art Walk is every second Saturday of the month from 6 – 10 p.m., meaning it falls perfectly on the second weekend of the break. Go during the day if you want to avoid the crowds and get your newest profile picture in front of the Walls, or plan a night out with your friends and hop around to all of the awesome bars that are located here. Whichever you decide to do, put on your trendiest outfit and explore!

The awesome part about living in Miami is that there are so many things to do all the time. While most of the students might be away and there will be no frat parties to attend, this does not mean you have to sit at home and watch TV all week. The clubs of South Beach are always popping, regardless if it’s a Monday or a Saturday. If you’re 21+, get a squad together and dance the night away.

Miami is actually known for its zoo. The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, known as Zoo Miami, offers a wide variety of animals, attractions and plants and gardens. Let’s be honest, when’s the last time you went to a zoo? Get in touch with your inner kid and go watch monkeys fling their poop at each other.

While this day excursion is a little more of a trek than the others, the Everglades is such a cool place. The park is so large, you definitely won’t be able to see everything in one day. But hey, you’ve got the whole week. The park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, but some entrances may be closed in the evening or during certain seasons. Explore by foot or by boat, just don’t get eaten by an alligator.

The Miami International Film Festival takes place during spring break. In fact, the festival starts a week before the break and ends perfectly on March 13. If you’re really into independent films, then you’ve already got your whole break set out for you. The films will be shown at different theaters all over Miami. The tickets are pretty inexpensive and vary depending on the film. PSA: UM’s very own Jim Virga and Dia Kontaxis worked on a film, “Sweet Dillard,” that will be shown in the festival on March 6.

While you may be bummed out at first about your friends going on cool vacations, you really don’t have to be. Use this week as the one chance you’ll get all semester to catch up on sleep, binge watch all 9 seasons of Friends, and be a tourist in your own city.

words_lizzie wilcox.