Associated Press

Even if you didn't book a trip to Cancún, Daytona Beach or some other faraway place months in advance, that doesn't mean your Spring Break has to be a total bust. With Spring Break just a couple of weeks away, here are five in-state options at which to enjoy your weeklong vacation.
 

PORT ARANSAS
 
DRIVING DISTANCE: About 180 miles

WHERE TO STAY: Port A sits on the north end of Padre Island and is about 40 miles east of Corpus Christi. You can stay at one of the many hotels in Corpus, but for a more intimate setting and to be closer to the beach, rent a small condo for almost the same price. If you get a group of friends together, the price is even cheaper. A three-bedroom condo at Beachgate, which sleeps up to 12 people, runs $255 — that's about $25 per person! For even less money, you can camp out on the beach just south of Port A at Mustang Island State Park. Primitive sites run just $8, and campsites with electric and water hookups are $16 per night.

ATTRACTIONS/HIGHLIGHTS: With a lively dance floor, pool tables and drink specials, Sharkey's is the ultimate Spring Break meat market. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the dress code is beach-wear comfortable. No need to dress up here; rinse off after your days in the sun and relax with a cold beer or margarita.

HELPFUL WEB SITES: portaransas.org; beachgate.com; sharkeysbeachclub.com; tpwd.state.tx.us

Joaquin Herrera | 210SA
 

AUSTIN
 
DRIVING DISTANCE: About 80 miles

WHERE TO STAY: Spring Breakers take note: South by Southwest (SXSW) promises to make the Austin area inaccessible as far as lodging and accommodations go. However, it might be a treat to stay in a less-crowded hotel/area located around Austin, such as the Spring Hill Suites or Radisson located on 1-35 before a slew of downtown exits. These locations are ideal since they're still a short driving distance before the big attractions on 6th Street. If a bed and breakfast sounds better, the Austin visitors guide has a list of choices.

ATTRACTIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS: Before hitting the streets for free SXSW shows, consider eating at local favorite Kirby Lane, an Austin eatery that serves up stacks of famous pancakes and even better tortilla soup. Another option is Stubbs Bar-B-Q, a music venue as well as a Texan barbecue lover's dream. Art fans can take in both modern and contemporary pieces at the Blanton Museum of Art. For an outdoor adventure, go horseback riding at the ColbertRanch or get a bird's eye view of Lake Travis on an Airscape Parasail adventure.

HELPFUL WEB SITES: austintexas.org; sxsw.com; unknowncity.com; ridecolbertranch.com; airscapeparasail.com

Jenina E. Hernandez | 210SA
 

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND
 
DRIVING DISTANCE: About 290 miles

WHERE TO STAY: South Padre Island isn't at a loss for hotels, with everything from the Sheraton to the Travelodge (a full list is available on the city's Spring Break Web site), though landing a room could be tough during this busy Spring Break season. Should you find yourself out of luck for a hotel room in South Padre, Port Isabel — a small town just over the bridge — also has plenty of lodging available.

ATTRACTIONS/HIGHLIGHTS: Louie's Backyard — probably the most popular night club in South Padre — will feature a number of high-profile concerts during Spring Break, including Chamillionaire (March 10), Paul Wall (March 14), Amber Pacific (March 18) and the Ying Yang Twins (March 20). The Mexican border town of Matamoros is only 25 miles away, so some tourists use that proximity as an opportunity to drink on the cheap, not to mention bringing discounted trinkets back across the border. Daily events during Spring Break in South Padre include kiteboarding, surfing, windsurfing and dolphin watch cruises.

HELPFUL WEB SITES: springbreak.sopadre.com; portisabel-texas.com; lbyspi.com

Clint Hale | 210SA
 

GALVESTON
 
DRIVING DISTANCE: About 250 miles

WHERE TO STAY: The island's 32 miles are lined with hotels and condos for rent. Although many hotels are booked, recent searches on sites such as priceline.com and hotels.com found affordable rooms still available on Seawall Boulevard.

ATTRACTIONS/HIGHLIGHTS: The seawall is where most of the action is. Rent a bike or surrey for a few peddlers for easier navigation. East Beach will host the larger Spring Break concerts and contests. You can also take the ferry over to Boliver Island (if you don't mind waiting in your car for several hours) to go to Crystal Beach. Check out The Strand for shopping, restaurants and treats such as saltwater taffy made in front of you at La King's Confectionary. Yaga's Café offers a laid-back Jamaican atmosphere with live music, and Twenty-One is a hot spot for anyone who has celebrated that particular birthday.

HELPFUL WEB SITES: galveston.com; thestrand.com; galvestonchamber.com

Jennifer McInnis | 210SA
 

MARFA

DRIVING DISTANCE: About 400 miles

WHERE TO STAY: When Marfa plays host to some of its big events, grabbing a room can be a task. However, few events are slated for March, making the month an ideal time for a quick desert getaway. The Hotel Paisano is near the town square and was recently renovated to its former glory, which was when it played host to the cast during the filming of the 1950s West Texas movie “Giant.” Expect beautiful woodwork, tile floors, a welcoming fireplace and an open-air courtyard that's perfect for a drink. The Thunderbird Hotel also underwent a recent renovation that “transformed the structure into a model of modern design and livability while maintaining the original hotel's bygone feeling of leisure,” according to its Web site. If you are looking for something simpler, check out the Riata Inn, a hotel that offers cheaper bunks on the outskirts of town.

ATTRACTIONS/HIGHLIGHTS: If you've seen 2007's “There Will Be Blood” or “No Country For Old Men,” you probably have a sense of the area's high-desert scenery. But don't be fooled into thinking the small town is just a hole-in-the-wall stop on your way to El Paso. In the past couple of decades, Marfa has transformed itself into a world-class arts destination thanks primarily to minimalist artist Donald Judd, who set up shop here in the 1970s. Today, the town offers several galleries and museums, plus a trendy coffee shop and bookstore. When it’s chow time, the town hosts everything from mom-and-pop taquerias to the super-trendy Maiya's, which offers upscale eats and drinks. And don't forget the Marfa lights! For centuries, mankind has been mystified by these flares of light that shoot across the night sky. An observatory outside of town gives you a good view. Lastly, be sure to make a trip to another observatory, the McDonald Observatory. Owned by the University of Texas, the spot sits among the Davis Mountains, and on several nights during March, you can participate in the observatory's Star Parties.

HELPFUL WEB SITES: marfatx.com; marfacc.com; hotelpaisano.com; thunderbirdmarfa.com; riatainn.com; maiyasrestaurant.com

Dustin Coleman | 210SA