1. Florida: Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale

The Sunshine State serves up a wide array of marvelous beach hot spots for sunbathing junkies. Among them are Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale, both of which grace balmy South Florida. With exception to glitzy Las Vegas, you’d probably be hard-pressed to think of a place better known for its picturesque beaches, pulsing nightlife, fine dining and trendy shops than Miami. Lincoln Road is a pedestrian shopping district boasting a wealth of art galleries, theaters, and entertainment venues, while Ocean Drive is renowned for its outdoor cafes and Art Deco architecture. Included among some of Miami Beach’s most distinguished Art Deco hotels are Nash Hotel South Beach, Hotel Victor, South Beach Hotel and Chesterfield Hotel and Suites. Nicknamed the “Venice of America” for its gorgeous inland waterways, Fort Lauderdale will easily turn into a home-away-from-home for those craving fun in the sun. Hotels like the oceanfront Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel and Red Carpet Inn Fort Lauderdale Airport are on or near the beach and minutes away from fashionable Las Olas Boulevard, Galleria Mall, and entertainment and shopping galore at The Gallery at Beach Place and Las Olas Riverfront.

2. California: Los Angeles and San Diego

Nothing spells sizzling fun on the west coast like a weekend spent taking in the sun at one of SoCal’s famed beaches.  Travelers planning to visit Los Angeles can check out the shops on Rodeo Drive, dine in one of Beverly Hills’ celebrity-frequented restaurants, or while the afternoon away with a drink on Venice Beach (a short drive from the Custom Hotel).  Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach make up LA’s principal beach cities, each popular destinations year-round for beach volleyball, surfing, biking and other activities. San Diego, roughly a two hour drive from Los Angeles, is yet another mecca for beach goers. Spend a lazy day in the sun or jump on a surfboard and head out into the shimmering blue waters of Mission Beach, just one mile from The Dana on Mission Bay. Alternatively, travelers can bask in  sunshine at Del Mar Beach in San Diego, on which you’ll find Del Mar Motel on the Beach.

3. South Carolina: Myrtle Beach

If Myrtle Beach is on your summer travel itinerary, it’s a safe bet you’ll be visiting the world-famous Grand Strand, which sees more than 14 million visitors each year thanks to its wide array of beaches, restaurants, shopping complexes and nightclubs. Set on 350 acres near the Ocean Park Resort, Broadway at the Beach has grown into one of South Carolina’s premier destinations for shopping and leisure. Moreover, the oceanfront Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort by Westgate Resorts is conveniently located to Grand Strand attractions including Ripley’s Aquarium, Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Myrtle Waves Water Park.

Whether you’re a sunbathing enthusiast, a long-time admirer of the ocean, or a travel maven yearning to get away from it all, why not head to the beach for some serious fun in the sun this summer?

Party in Miami

Known for its pearly white sand beaches and booming nightlife scene, everything about South Beach oozes fun and vibrancy. Fashion shoots and star-studded events are standard here, thus earning Miami a reputation as an oasis for the fashion forward. Shopping options are endless, from the popular Dolphin Mall in Doral to fine boutiques on Ocean Drive to a wide collection of stylish designer stores in the heart of the Collins Avenue Fashion District. Then there’s scores of chic, Art Deco hotels nestled on South Beach, each within minutes of the city’s hippest attractions. Among them are the trendy Whitelaw Hotel;  Hotel Chelsea, an Art Deco fixture since 1936; the Beach Paradise Hotel, whose design was inspired by Spanish mansions of old; and the Deauville Beach Resort, which over the years has attracted the likes of celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

Let Loose in Los Angeles

I’d be remiss to discuss Los Angeles shopping and nightlife without highlighting Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. The former includes world-famous Rodeo Drive, a shopping district famous for its upscale boutiques and shops. Passing through West Hollywood is the Sunset Strip, an area where colorful and expansive billboards are easy to find, as are various restaurants, nightclubs, and – if you’re lucky enough – a celebrity or two. Like Miami, Los Angeles is a playground for beachgoers as thousands flock to Venice Beach, among the city’s other sizzling beaches, to catch some rays or hang ten. Hotel Angeleno – a Joie de Vivre  Hotel – and Hotel Beverly Terrace, two boutique properties in close proximity to Beverly Hills and Hollywood, make great places to unwind after a day of non-stop action in SoCal.

Live it up in Las Vegas

Dazzling lights and an ever-festive ambiance make Las Vegas a popular vacation hot spot year year-round, and spring break is certainly no exception. With scores of famous casinos, towering hotels, fine shops and renowned restaurants, it’s no surprise the city has been dubbed “The Entertainment Capital of the World.” Most of the world-famous Strip’s best shows and attractions are found on the resort properties that line it. Take Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower. Aside from boasting the largest observation tower in the United States, it proves that Florida and California are far from the only places for theme park thrills. Guests can enjoy heart-pounding rides including X-Scream and Insanity, both of which propel you anywhere from 27 to 64 feet over the edge of the Tower. Racing aficionados will love Speed – The Ride, a state-of-the-art rollercoaster at Sahara Hotel and Casino’s Nascar Cafe Entertainment Center.  If your idea of fun involves getting wet, guests should not miss Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, winner of the AAA Four-Diamond Award each year since 1977. The Tank is a $30 million complex featuring a shark tank, private cabanas and an exhilarating 3-story waterslide.

Tour NYC’s Stellar Attractions

Though New York City likely won’t sit atop your list of top beach destinations anytime soon, it nonetheless has enough attractions to keep travelers, no matter their age, well-entertained over the course of spring break. Catch a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, photograph the Statue of Liberty, watch a show on Broadway, tour the Museum of Modern Art, spend an afternoon unwinding at Central Park, or delight your palate at one of Chinatown’s many fine restaurants. Your options for things to do and places to see are endless. Within walking distance of these attractions is the Belvedere Hotel, an Art Deco style hotel that features a state-of-the-art fitness center and popular Rodizio-style steakhouse, Churrascaria Plataforma. Other notable properties include Affinia Shelburne at Lexington Avenue and the Eastgate Tower Hotel in Murray Hill.

Explore Europe

If you’re looking to break out of your usual routine and travel abroad for spring break this year, you’ll find a wealth of fun things to do and landmark attractions to gawk at in Europe. Among travelers’ favorites: the Louvre and always-striking Eiffel Tower in Paris, the historic Coliseum in Rome, and Museumplein, a spacious square along which four museums are set in art-rich Amsterdam. If you’d rather be doing something a bit more lively, each city hosts tons of exciting events year-round and features plenty of nightclubs, shops, restaurants and sporting venues to suit different tastes. Properties to check out include Villa Eugenie and Tonic Hotel Du Louvre, two of Paris’ finest; Hotel Savoy and the Ripa Hotel, two four-star gems in Rome; and Grand Hotel Amrath, a 5-star masterpiece nestled in the historic heart of Amsterdam.

It’s no surprise, moreover, that such water sport activities as scuba diving, canoeing, jet skiing, sailing and surfing are among the area’s most popular draws. Avid shoppers can revel in the hustle and bustle of Coastal Grand Mall, the largest mall in South Carolina. Park goers flock to Myrtle Beach State Park, whose Nature Center includes everything from live reptiles and saltwater aquariums to natural history displays. Set on 350 acres in the heart of Myrtle Beach, Broadway at the Beach is reputed as one of the area’s premier shopping and entertainment hot spots, as it is home to 17 restaurants, 3 theaters, several nightclubs and more than 100 specialty shops. If you’re a golf fan, you can practice your swing on a bevy of world-class golf courses found throughout the city; those traveling for business can always hold meetings at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Started in 1951, Myrtle Beach’s annual Sun Fun Festival is the longest running event in the city’s history and includes two days of free live entertainment, professional sporting events, concerts and kids’ activities.

Whether you’re planning a family vacation or romantic getaway, the Atlantic Breeze Ocean Resort offers all the comforts of home plus exquisite ocean views. However, one needn’t leave the property to enjoy a good swim: The resort features a large oceanfront pool, lazy river, glass enclosed indoor pool and kiddie pool.

If you have kids and a pet in tow, the oceanfront Ocean Park Resort should not be missed. One pet is allowed per room, and kids under 18 stay free. Travelers can sunbathe on one of two outdoor decks before cooling off in any of the resort’s indoor or outdoor pools.

Kids under 18 also stay free at the Patricia Grand Resort Hotel, located among such popular attractions as Broadway at the Beach, Nascar Speedpark, and Freestyle Music Park. Grand Central Station, the property’s brand new restaurant, offers the perfect place to please the senses. What better way to enjoy your steak or salad than while gazing out at the stunning Atlantic Ocean?

Plus, if you’re in town for business, you’ll want to check out the Bay Watch Resort & Conference Center, where you can take advantage of ample banquet space for meetings and events of all sizes. However, it’s not all work and no play here; a fitness center, game room, restaurant and lounge/sports bar are on site to keep you well entertained.

So what do you get when you couple superb oceanfront views with a wealth of recreation, entertainment and lodging options, minus all the congestion typically found in bigger cities?  Sounds like a memorable trip to Myrtle Beach indeed.