Take a Weekend Getaway By Air
In our third installment for great “spring break” weekend options, we would like to suggest Tampa, Florida, Austin, Texas, and Charleston, South Carolina. All are easily accessed from the Memphis Airport and provide a broad variety of entertainment for a weekend getaway to make your college student feel as if they had a break when they were not able to take a full week off. At the end of this post, we also have provided links to a variety of hotels and entertainment options in each city.
Tampa, Florida
If you didn't get a chance to go to the Outback Bowl, now is the perfect chance to visit Tampa, FL. The weather is sunny and hot, perfect for a potential tan! Southwest offers inexpensive direct flights into Tampa International Airport. Just across the bridge, St. Petersburg Beach, home to fun in the sun and ocean, sunbathing and the recently opened St. Pete Pier, extending into Tampa Bay from downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Here guests can stroll, bike, dine, drink, shop, swim, or listen to a concert on the pier.
A favorite Tampa restaurant is Salt Shack. Known for their fresh seafood, outdoor seating, and gorgeous bay views. One can purchase a water taxi day pass ticket and use it to reach multiple destinations along the Hillsborough river in Tampa. One favorite is Armature Works, a modern gourmet food court that has just about every type of cuisine one could imagine. Another fun stop located on Harbor Island is American Social; a fun place to enjoy an espresso martini after dinner.
Lots of good shopping can be found in Hyde Park. Including a cute photo op, to remember the trip by. Busch Gardens theme park is always a thrill. Guests can enjoy the rush of roller coasters or the beauty of the animals like elephants and tigers while strolling through lush surroundings. For a bit of nightlife, Macdintons, a locally loved bar located on South Howard Avenue where many other bars and nightclubs line the street.
The JW Marriott Tampa Water Street is also an excellent pick for your stay. It has a brand new rooftop bar overlooking the skyline of the city and the water. Traveling to Tampa will be a memorable experience with so many options of things to do.
Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas is a cool and trendy spot. Flying there is easy via Allegiant Air; offering inexpensive direct flights from the Memphis airport. Austin is well known for its music scene, outdoor spaces and notable graffiti street art. (A link to the best graffiti, murals and more is included in the links down below.)