It seems like everyone has exotic spring break plans and is ready to get away from Minnesota’s unpredictable weather. Still, about a third of Minnetonka High School students plan to stay in the cities this year. With temps in the 40s and little snow on the ground, there are plenty of reasons to stay, but for 71% of MHS students (according to a recent survey), spring break is the time to hop on a plane or commit to a road trip. Many people are planning fun vacations to explore new places, but others are taking time to see family.

Charlotte Timba, ‘25, said she usually travels to California to see family. Liliana Head, ‘25, said one of her favorite trips was to Colorado because it’s home to her. 40% of MHS students plan to travel domestically, most commonly to Florida, Hawaii, and Colorado; 31% of students plan to travel internationally, most commonly to Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. Timba is switching things up this year to celebrate her senior year and will be going to Mexico, hoping to soak up the sun and come home with a tan. Head is also traveling internationally but is headed to Brazil to explore the diverse wildlife of the rainforest and the golden sands of Rio de Janeiro.

As bad as a 12-hour flight to Brazil might sound, some students are taking over 20-hour flights to places like Thailand and Kazakhstan. The travel time of these faraway destinations eats up multiple days of the week-long break, and Maddy Clough, ‘25, doesn’t want to spend her break on a plane. She said she enjoys the “one long break before we’re swung back into everything” and will stay in Minnesota. Instead of long flights or boring car rides, she’s planning on going to a local cat cafe and trying to enjoy Minnesota’s “bi-polar” weather.

Wherever you are, spring break is meant to give you time away from school to destress and relax. The best way to accomplish this is to find enjoyable activities and to seek out people you want to spend time with.