Finding Sping Break Fun Just Around the Corner

By Richard Dye · The Mainstream
Published Fubruary 22, 2012

During the early months of spring even the bears come out of their hibernation; however students seem to be on a different sleep schedule. A recent student survey showed that 11 out of 15 students plan to spend spring break catching up on lost sleep. Others have somewhat more exciting plans, such as playing with their guinea pigs, riding motorcycles or enjoying their horses.

For those who need a little spring break planning help, economical entertainment can be found close to home.

Music major Taira Hopkins has her own view of an exciting activity for the coming break, “The wineries, free booze and free culture.”

Although destinations like Florida, Mexico and even Mardi Grass are common among some MTV college students, the rest of us locals are feeling the impact of high fuel prices and increasing travel costs.

“I’m a student, which means I’m too broke to go anywhere,” Hopkins added.

So while Mexico may be a little too spendy, the entertainment found in the local vicinity can still be fun.

Oregon Coast Aquarium: Located in Newport, the aquarium offers you the chance to combine romance with education. It’s such a neat place for a date. Visitors can take in the spectacular views of marine life encompassed by state of the art aquariums, allowing for the closest views imaginable. They even have tide pool displays where you can experience a hands-on interaction with the native inhabitants of Oregon’s tide pool.                

St. John’s Bridge area of Portland: You can fish at Cathedral Park under a bridge which equals if not surpasses the beauty of San Francisco’s Golden Gate. Nearby is one of Portland’s theater pubs, McMenamins, where you can catch a movie for only $3 while eating and drinking (Tin Tin, Contraband, and Alvin and the Chipmunks are playing now). The area doesn’t include much shopping; however, you can get a cup of coffee at the St. John’s Starbucks.

Portland’s OMSI center: You can enjoy a thrilling light show experience involving combinations of lasers and sound. It’s as exciting as being at a live concert. To be amazed even further, catch the daily planetarium shows. Don’t forget to climb aboard the USS Blueback submarine, featured in The Hunt for Red October, for another hands-on experience. Lastly, dazzle your optical nerve-endings by taking in a 3-D film at the Omnimax Theater.

John Day fossil beds: You can fill your exploration addiction with a hands-on experience, discovering fossils of the past. The chance to discover the true meaning of paleontology is at your disposal at the John Day fossil beds.

University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History: You can discover 15000 years of human history combined with 200 million years of geology. Thrilling pictures from NASA’s famous Hubble telescope are currently on display until Feb. 2013.

Hiking or Biking on the Umpqua trail: If museums and movies aren’t your idea of a good time and you desire something more physical, check out hiking and mountain biking on the Umpqua trail. Enjoy the spectacular views as you experience the many waterfalls feeding the north fork of the Umpqua River.  The trail head of the famous Umpqua trail is located at Swiftwater Park near Glide.

Umpqua Winery Tour: Delight your more sophisticated senses with a tour of the vineyards of the Umpqua featuring tasting rooms from world famous wineries such as Girardet, Henry Estates and Abacela where you can sample wines of almost every creation. The tour features over 25 wineries, allowing for many stops to experience some of the unique views the Umpqua Valley has to offer.