We're looking for an off-beat spot for spring break! Suggestions??
 

We've been doing spring break for years and have done 3 cruises, Florida-Gulf Side multiple times, Caymans 6 times, Aruba 3 times, St. Bart's, Costa Rica and Cancun. We've decided we'd like to try something different this year with our 20 year old college student daughter. Flying out of Washington Dulles where would you recommend? We're open to various parts of the south and southwest and want someplace warm (70's+). We're open to drive a bit to get to a destination. Is there a community that might not be on most people's top 10 list that we should consider? We enjoy history, museums, nice meals (gourmet as well as comfort!) Any suggestions Fodorites?

Barcelona.

I would consider Buenos Aires, Argentina, Santa Fe, New Mexico (tho won't be as warm as you are looking for). we have been to Florence Italy in Feb - not warm weather of course, but... NO LINES at museums, wonderful food... inexpensive flights, reasonable rates at hotels etc. Really any city in Europe would be great, excepting for the weather consideration! I am trying to talk to my husband into a winter trip to northern Norway, above the arctic circle to city of Tromso - to see the northern lights - now that is off beat!

How late in March is her spring break? Or is it April. Warm 70's in the southwest in March really limits your choices.

Sedona? Might still be on peoples list but maybe not as many as say Las Vegas or PAlm Springs..

Sedona
Cabo San Lucas
Puerto Vallarta
Hawaii

San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico
M

If you want to take a break from a beach-y locale.....this is not very exotic, but definitely off beat....Austin, Texas. Not sure what the weather is like during Spring.

I had no idea what Austin was all about and we took our first trip there in November and I was blown away. It has all that you are looking for. Art, History, Food, Culture, etc. Upscale or Bohemian, whatever you're up for. You can do some great day trips to Hill Country for shopping in a historic district or hit Bandera County for a dude ranch experience. For outdoor appeal, kayak or walk jog around the river through town or take advantage of all the hiking. And did I mention...the variety of music, bars? You can easily do a few days in San Antonio which was a bit busy and "disneyland-like" for my taste, but enjoyable.

Another possibility might be to do a Southwest loop with the Grand Canyon and stay at the Historic El Tovar Hotel. Take a raft tour down the Colorado river. Go through Sedona, Prescott and Jerome. If you want to add a little luxe....stop in Scottsdale. A road trip would be such a memorable experience with your 20 yr old.

Have fun!

Sedona

We're looking for ideas either in the south or southwest U.S. Break time is the week of March 12. I like the Sedona idea---can someone tell me what conditions are like typically in mid-March a bit north of there at the south rim of the Grand Canyon?

The south rim of the grand canyon in March could be still quite cold and have snow, Highs in 50s, lows in 20s. See http://www.climatrac.com/CoolBlue.asp

S_S is right about the cold..mid March in Sedona doubt it will top out at 70 degrees..
Think you need to go further south..
I think your 20 year old daughter will love someplace like Cabo..water is gorgeous for snorkeling and swimming, lots of fun things to do.
Food is outstanding and a fun place to go..
Its a less than 2 hour flight from SD.