Kelly

Here in California spring break is usually either a week before Easter or the week after. (K through 12 grades) Colleges can vary even more depending on the dates of their semester break.
Ihave to go to Ft. Lauderdale in March or April--and can plan my trip to avoid the crowds.. Any suggestions???
Kelly

Lindsay

Kelly,
I'd recommend going in April. Most colleges have spring breaks throughout the month of March, and it can be pretty hectic, I've been there! The first or second week in April will probably be the best!

Joi

Varies by college. Some have semester systems, some are on the quarter system. Northern and Southern schools often break at different times, too.

a

why not go the first week of march or last week of april. those times should ensure a minimum of students.

Sara

As Easter is not until 4/20 this year so I think you are probably going to find crowd anywhere from the end of February to the week after Easter. I don't think you can avoid crowds in FL in either March or April except after 4/27.

xxx

Sara gives very good advice.

southern hospitality

We have spring break 3/17-3/21 and will be in Fla. depends on where you want to go there if their will be crowds, high schools in our area send students to northern to central FL, on different years.

Jen

I'd recommend the first or second week of April. Most colleges have break in March, most K-12 systems take either late March, Easter week, or (in the Boston area) the week of Patriots Day, which this year coincides with the week after Easter (4/20) and is therefore doubly to be avoided.

Jen

Just an afterthought: The reason that I specified the Boston-area vacation time is that about half the kids here seem to head to FL for their April vacation.

xx

All the Month of March I would avoid Fla. The hot spots seem packed with kids during that time.

Beachbum

Hi Kelly,
Most Alabama schools are out the last week of March. And Florida is a very popular destination. Of the March-April timeframe, your best shot may be the week of April 7th...after March breaks, and before the big Easter crush. Have fun!

buttercup

Try the Fort Lauderdale chamber of Commerce or police dept. Several years ago in Daytona I struck up a conversation with a police officer who told me they have a six-week season when they expect the most spring-breakers.

Jackie

Buttercup-Fort Lauderdale chased out the college kids years ago. They cracked down on open containers, partying, had mass arrests and tore down some of the seedier bars. The college kids moved up to Daytona and Panama City where they embraced them. Cancun is also the hot spot because 18 year olds can drink.

Kelly-What you have to worry about in Fort Lauderdale now is parents and kids. If you go the week after Easter you should be ok or even the first week of April.

lisa

I think Jackie is right. I was talking to a native Floridian not too long ago and was surprised to hear that Ft. Lauderdale is no long a huge mecca for Spring break college kids. Most go to Daytona. (and Mexico...) Not to say there aren't some Spring breakers there, but nothing like it used to be.