Living in Florida has never been a bore, especially around spring break time. I moved down to Tampa three years ago and it’s the greatest thing my parents could’ve possibly done for me. Where I live, the beach is a half an hour drive, and the city is only 15 minutes away. With such short distances, I can engage in many variations of activities this spring break. I’m here to share a couple of my favorite activities you or your friends can participate in during spring break 2024.
- Brunch
Brunch is a simple thing to plan with your friends or even family members. My favorite spots to grab brunch are Olivia, Oxford Exchange, On Swann, and Luv Child. If you’re with your friends, you can decide whether to dress up or wear something casual. Personally, I live for events where I can dress up and get ready with my friends. If you have the funds for a cute brunch date, I totally recommend it.
- Sunset watching
Watching a sunset doesn’t have to mean going to the beach but it can be right in the heart of Tampa Bay! There are tons of spots you can go to for sunsets if the beach is an inconvenience. Bayshore Boulevard, Picnic Island, Ballast Point, or even open bay spots in your area are all perfect spots to watch the sunset. What I do with my friends is we pick up some food or ice cream and sit in the trunk of whoever’s car we drove there in, and we watch the sunset and talk. It’s the perfect moment for deep conversations and even some fun laughs. This is one of the easier activities to do that require minimal amounts of energy and planning. All you must do is shoot a quick text saying, “Do you want to get food and sit at sunset spot?”
- Beach day
This event requires a tad bit more planning and effort but is worth the work. If you’re planning to go with a big friend group, I would make a group chat planning everything out like food, designated driver(s), times and when everyone is free to go. My favorite beach spot is Anna Maria Island though it is a bit of distance. Anna Maria, in my opinion, has the prettiest sunsets and it gives off a small beach town vibe. There’s a bunch of cool places to explore down there as well like The Donut Experiment, Rod and Reel Pier, Dips, Poppo’s Taqueria and much more. Sometimes Anna Maria will have food or art festivals which are always a good time with friends or family.
- Shopping
It’s swimwear season and if you need to update your wardrobe, spring break free days are the perfect time to do it. A trip to the international mall or Hyde Park Village with friends or family could be a nice way to spend your spring break. I usually go shopping with my friends in the afternoon because then we can get coffee or a boba and walk around and also enjoy the sunlight.