With Spring Break coming around, you are beginning to long for a tropical vacation that most likely consists of high expenses, well maybe you still can but save the extensive amount of money. If you are looking for a day trip or just a weekend getaway take a chance on these four destinations. All four locations don’t require a long drive or lots of planning considering all spots are between a 40 minute and 4-hour drive. Pack your bags, grab your friends, and rush into the car for an enjoyable road trip to one of these getaways.

Lawrence

When looking for a nearby, last minute vacation, Lawrence is an excellent choice. Whether you want to spend the weekend or just a day in this college-town with a hippy vibe, Lawrence offers a wide variety of activities. The only 40-minute drive from Shawnee, the downtown area from 11th to 6th Streets on Massachusetts is chock full of eclectic shops and restaurants. Clinton State Park, on the west side of Lawrence, just off 23rd Street includes playgrounds, disc golf, boating, rental boats at the marina ($300-$425), swimming, camping, and miles of hiking trails. If you have a fishing license you can take part in fishing at the lake that is well-known for its clear water. The forty-two acres of fishing ponds also require a license and is available for public use at the Pat Billings Dawson Nature Area. For the KU sports fans, The Booth Family Hall of Athletics, which opened in 2006, is on the University of Kansas campus. The cost for this hall will vary depending on what event you choose to partake in. Forty-two acres of fishing ponds are also available for public use at the Pat Billings Dawson Nature Area. Finally, if you want to stay in Lawrence, the Oread and Eldridge hotels would be interesting places today. The Oread is on the KU campus. The historic Eldridge Hotel in downtown Lawrence is another option. The hotels are a pricey, starting at $160 per night, but are worth the experience.

Snow Creek

If you have no plans for the first weekend of Spring Break, throw on winter attire and head down for a quick road trip. A drive of less than an hour will have you skiing, tubing, or snowboarding at Snow Creek Ski Area in Weston, Mo. Snow Creek opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. on March 10. On March 11, the park opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 pm. After these dates, the park has no times listed. Snow Creek uses man-made snow to create an experience similar to skiing in Colorado, except, well, no mountains or the extra travel and expense.The park offers including snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding. It will be around $120 for a day session including renting any equipment needed.

Big Cedar Lodge

To adventure a little farther but experience more, navigate to the Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Mo., near Branson. The lodge offers a serenity and beauty that Big Cedar Lodge is a little less than three and half hours from the Shawnee Mission Area. The lodge offers many activities that anyone can participate in, it includes a fitness center with available classes, a ski school, boat rentals, fishing guides, bow fishing, a marina, golfing excursion, and an adult spa. The cheapest room available during this time is $158, this includes the resorts extra amenities and lodging. Big Cedar Lodge offers cozy lodges similar to hotels as well as houses of various sizes. You will end up spending a larger amount of money than a day trip but won’t miss out on the better activities and extra amount of time to get away and bond with your friends.

St. Louis

A little less than four hours away, St. Louis is home to many famous attractions. the assortment of activities that the beautiful city of  St. Louis offers will keep you and your friends busy.. The Gateway Arch is a 630-ft.-tall monument to  U.S. western expansion. The view of downtown St. Louis from the top of the monument is impressive and only costs $13. The Missouri Botanical Garden is a greenhouse dome that spreads across 79 acres. You will explore, learn and discover an abundance of plants. You will be looking at around $2o for a ticket to wander the garden. Forest Park is a 1,371-acre park that includes many museums, a zoo, athletic fields and golf courses, and best of all, it’s free of cost to get in. The City Museum is an art installation and gigantic McDonald’s Play Place all rolled into one. playground and discovery center made from random objects. The Fabulous Fox performing arts theatre is a former playhouse with amazing structure and beautiful architecture. Hotels in St. Louis run anywhere from $39 to $150+. St. Louis is very diverse and has many different activities for young children to adults.