Whether traveling as a family or as a college student on your school’s spring break, this general time off usually leads to higher levels of crowds. College students flock to the beaches and families travel to theme parks, making these areas full of tourists and a bit too overcrowded to enjoy to their fullest. However, many individuals still want to take advantage of this time off to vacation and look for a solution to this dilemma. Thankfully, there are countless areas of the world to travel to that are not prone to receiving the large number of tourists that the usual spring break destinations experience.

Check out some of these off-beat spring break destinations below!

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Although its March temperatures hang around in the mid-50s, these weather conditions and the daily sunshine are a breath of fresh air for northerners. Santa Fe is a unique spring getaway offering culture, unique architecture and Mexican cuisine without having to travel to a packed beach or city. Visitors to the region can engage in a large number of cultural activities and enjoy the thriving art scene that Santa Fe is known for. This off-beat spring break destination offers a wide-ranging music scene for those wanting to participate in nightlife during their travels.

Whistler, Canada

As Canada begins slowly awakening from its winter slumber, March poses an opportune time to visit one of its various beautiful regions while the snow is still present but the temperatures are a bit more bearable. Whistler is located in Western Canada and is home to a plethora of hiking trails, snowy mountains, turquoise waters and ski slopes. Travelers will get the perfect mix of powdery snow and sunshine, as well as arrive in town for some of the spring festivals that take place. While most travelers flock to the warmth this time of year, consider bundling up for an alternate type of trip.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Travel up north to indulge in some fresh lobster rolls and beat the summer crowds that come to Bar Harbor, Maine. This seaside town is ideal for those wanting to get a taste of a fisherman’s lifestyle and explore the small town scene to be found in the area. Located not too far from the downtown region is none other than Acadia National Park, a scenic area with rocky seaside cliffs and beaches, a lighthouse, various hiking trails and Cadillac Mountain. The park’s wildlife includes moose, bears and even whales, making it a prime spring break location for those wanting to immerse themselves in nature.