5 U.S. Alternatives to Spring Break in Mexico

Tequila shots. Wet t-shirt contests. Parties that last all night long. Normally, at this time of year, Mexico’s beach resorts are gearing up to welcome young crowds on that annual rite of drunken passage: spring break. But this year, the U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert warning travelers away from Mexico due to an escalation in drug violence and kidnappings. Uh-oh! Where’s a party-hearty spring breaker to go instead? No worries. The U.S. has got you covered. When that spring break fever strikes, here are five closer-to-home alternatives:

1. South Padre Island, Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and on South Padre Island wide stretches of sand host the spring break crowds. From party yachts to live concerts and from game zones to pub crawls, there’s plenty to keep the Lone Star State action going way into the wee hours. Here, you never know who you might run into--even reps from MTV might show up next to you at the pool.

2. Dewey Beach, Delaware
The Mid-Atlantic crowds flock here to rent cottages by the ocean, dig into all-you-can-eat crabs, and drink Dogfish Head ales at the Bottle and Cork and the Starboard. Live bands, house parties, and beach volleyball round out this region’s offerings, plus the Rehoboth boardwalk, with its salt water taffy and amusement park rides is within easy reach.

3. Panama City Beach, Florida
Calling itself the “spring break capital of the world,” Panama City Beach, or PBC, brings in national bands and celebrities--even former American Idol stars--to kick the party up a notch. When the sun goes down, the curtain goes up on multiple parties at area clubs and restaurants. During the day, pirate cruises, volleyball tournaments, and dolphin-watching reign supreme.

4. Las Vegas, Nevada
In Vegas, the party never stops, no matter how old you are. You don’t have to be a 21-year-old rat packer to enjoy this desert city’s spoils. Spring breakers are greeted with all sorts of neon-lighted entertainment, from bungee jumping off the Stratosphere to riding the rollercoaster at New York-New York, from all-you-can-eat buffets to sparkling swimming pools.

5. Palm Springs, California
Further west, the California desert crawls with partiers in Palm Springs, an oasis of spring-break fun along Palm Canyon Drive. Shopping, bar hopping, and just lazing around by the pool are some of the most popular activities, plus the casinos aren’t too far a drive away. Plus, nearby state and national parks call to the nature-lover within.