Spooky Cities To Visit | Spring Break Part 2

Spring Break is a coveted time of year. Students, teachers, and anyone needing a break from the mundane use it as an opportunity to escape life. Tropical destinations, desert retreats, and everything in between have become hotspots for tourism. From Las Vegas, NV, to St. Augustine, FL, you can piece together the perfect Spring Break itinerary. Especially if you’re looking to stay in some of the spookiest Spring Break destinations the nation has to offer.

These destinations are steeped in haunting history and riddled with spectral visitors. They’re ideal for transforming Spring Break 2025 into something extraordinary and new. Don’t just follow the crowds to beachy getaways in the Caribbean. Instead, pick somewhere that caters to your preferences while teetering on the edge of the realm of the dead. The following four cities offer plenty of activities for a memorable Spring Break.

In them, you can top the springtime fun with a tour that walks the very thin fabric of our reality. Book your Spring Break ghost tour to hear nightmare-inducing tales of lost souls and search for ghastly apparitions.

What are Some of the Best Spooky Spring Break Destinations?

Some people choose Cancun, Key West, or Cabo San Lucas as their Spring Break destination. Others find them too bright and bubbly. Rather, they want to explore where there’s a hint of darkness. A spot that causes thrills and chills with stories rooted in an oft-traumatic past. 

To accompany your Spring Break fun with spooky delights, you have to consider St. Augustine, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, or San Diego. Each does Spring Break well in its own way. These cities offer the added perk of haunting tales and scary stories to close out a day of partying, adventuring, or lounging under the sun.

St. Augustine, FL

On its surface, St. Augustine may not seem like the ideal Spring Break destination. Its notable attractions are an old Spanish fort and a haunted lighthouse. Look past the history, and you’re treated to a coastal paradise that bolsters Spring Break delights. St. Augustine’s beaches and clear waters are an ideal retreat from the stresses of school. The city is also more than just coastline and dusty buildings, though.

Along with its beachside delights, St. Augustine caters to a diverse crowd. It features activities that are fit for the young at heart and older souls. Both can meet in the middle at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. A little more thrilling than a typical zoo, the farm gives a first-rate glimpse at one of nature’s oldest predators — and some of its wildlife friends. 

Museums are also in abundance. Some of the most engaging include the Pirate & Treasure Museum, the Shipwreck Museum, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, and the gory Medieval Torture Museum.

If there’s one thing St. Augustine does, as well as compile historical relics, it’s keeping visitors fed. Hole-in-the-wall joints like Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ, St. Augustine Fish Camp, and The Ice Plant are a must-try. The city has plenty of spots to help you recharge while you decide how else to fill your day.  

Come nightfall, that itch for something spooky is sure to hit. Why not mix the thrill of the hunt for active haunts with a Spring Break staple: alcohol? 

The Old City Ghosts Booze and Boos Haunted Pub Crawl is a two-hour excursion into the unknown, complete with libations to lighten the mood when tales of horrifying specters get too heavy. It’s a trip into the past with a spine-chilling twist.

Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs, a picturesque West Coast destination, has a much different vibe than Los Angeles. Still, it’s well-equipped for Spring Break. Whether you dedicate your entire stay or want to make the 1.5-hour LA to Palm Springs trip, you won’t regret your time in the “golf capital of the world.” With over 100 courses, golfers are spoiled for choice.

Palm Springs weather averages milder temperatures for Spring Break. It can dip below acceptable pool weather, so don’t expect to be splashing at the hotel pool daily. On those days, you can explore the Whitewater Preserve north of Palm Springs. If you’re not afraid of heights, marvel at the panoramic views aboard the Aerial Tramway.

The city’s downtown is a shopping and dining mecca that can fill an entire day. It’s quaint and charming, with boutique retailers and locally owned eateries. Enjoy the locally owned Clandestino or local favorite El Patio. 

They’re a great way to recharge, especially if you embark on a desert hike. Be sure to save some endurance, though. You’ll need it as the sun dips below the horizon for a wholly unique addition to your Palm Springs Spring Break.

A place as pristine and pretty as this desert playground definitely has skeletons in its closet. There’s darkness brewing beneath the surface, and much of it comes to light with a Palm Springs Ghosts tour. From spooky theaters to an art museum with a malevolent presence, the city is teeming with eerie ghost stories. 

If you want to extend your ghostly encounters, we recommend a stay at Andreas Hotel & Spa or the La Quinta Resort & Club. Who knows what spectral delights you might conjure up at two of Palm Springs’s most haunted places?

Las Vegas, NV

While Vegas can be a suitable vacation spot throughout the year, Spring Break is when it truly shines. The temperatures are mild, and the pools are open. There’s also no worrying about Las Vegas Boulevard being closed due to Formula One. 

The resorts along the Strip cater heavily to the Spring Break crowd. Las Vegas pool parties are the go-to for the season. Locations like the rooftop Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan, MGM Grand’s Wet Republic, and the sandy Mandalay Bay Beach bring in the industry’s most notable DJs and performers. 

Take advantage of the coveted premium bottle service. It’s a luxury purchase with high returns that will ensure you get the most out of your Las Vegas Spring Break.

The Sphere Las Vegas brings visual thrills to Spring Break. Visionaries like Darren Aronofsky craft must-see immersive, multi-sensory exhibits. Desert adventures abound with local ATV experiences in nearby sand dunes. 

Alternatively, you can enjoy a milder thrill on the slow-moving High Roller. Both can be enjoyed at night if you’re not too busy taking advantage of Vegas’ inherent party atmosphere. Nightclubs are a Spring Break staple, as are more low-key spots like Beer Park outside The Paris.

The shimmering lights of Las Vegas burn bright year-round. Still, some spots of Nevada’s city of sin are shrouded in darkness. Within these pockets, a ghost tour uncovers the ghouls and ghosts tying 21st-century Vegas to its mob-ruled roots.

Since you’ll be spending your Spring Break days at the clubs, take a night off with Vegas Ghosts: Gangsters, Glitz, and Gore Ghost Tour. Through a chronicling of Las Vegas’ often tragic history, you’ll get to know the spirits and apparitions that tend to get lost in the city’s faster pace and ever-changing landscape.

San Diego, CA

America’s Finest City is overflowing with ways to turn Spring Break 2025 into one of the most unique yet. Mild temperatures make beach-going an option; just don’t expect too much of a tan. Instead, enjoy the comfortable temperatures and explore the city’s fun, if not slightly youthful, attractions.  

There is a laundry list of fun things to do in California. Top of that list is a no-brainer for baseball fans. Spring Break usually kicks off around the start of the baseball season, making a Padres game a huge possibility. 

After the game, Belmont Park is a century-old crowd-pleaser. It amps up the thrills with amusement park rides while catering to empty stomachs with on-site dining at Beach House or Cannonball. Of course, animal lovers should keep the San Diego Zoo on their radar.

For accommodations, staying within the Gaslamp District, the heart of San Diego’s history is a must. The Sofia Hotel offers the kind of luxury you can’t wait to return to, all within walking distance of more restaurants and bars you’ll need. 

The Residence Inn by Mariott and the Hotel Indigo are all within range, offering easy access to all the Gaslamp District has to offer — even something on the spookier side.

The Old Cali and War for the West: Gaslamp District Experience has a two-fold benefit. First, and most importantly, you get to see the historic buildings of Downtown San Diego and hear about the ghosts still tying the city to its Wild West roots. Second, while walking between destinations, you can pick out where to dine or shop the following day at San Diego’s Gaslamp District.

Within the historic district, you can share a drink with the undead at the Prohibition Lounge or join the party at Parq Nightclub. 

Book Your Spooky Spring Break 2025 Experience

Spring Break is one of those things you don’t want to wait on. With many travelers out and about, experiences can book up quickly. Even ghost tours. After all, who doesn’t want to venture out into the unknown and uncover a city’s darkest secrets? Whether it’s Sin City or Old City, book your descent into the spirit world with a ghost tour at your Spring Break destination. 

Want to know more about your spine-tingling destination? Check out our blog, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

Sources:

• https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm
• https://palmspringsweddinghouse.com/history-of-palm-springs
• https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/blog/post/downtown-palm-springs-guide/
• https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/la-quinta-resort-and-club/
• https://news3lv.com/news/local/list-of-closures-during-formula-1-race-week
• https://www.belmontpark.com/restaurants-san-diego-ca/cannonball