Ah, Fall Break! the midpoint between second quarter and Christmas vacation; an opportunity to escape from campus, and more importantly, from assignments, tests and classes. This year, Cobbers will enjoy five days away from Campus from October 22nd-25th, to kick back, toss planners aside, and relax from class. Regardless of your funds, interests, and travel needs/wants, this writer has done the planning, so all you have to do is establish your budget and enjoy a relaxing fall breather, whether in town, at home or on a quick getaway.

Got the travel bug?
With five days free from class and obligations, fall break is an excellent time for a little traveling. Whether you’d like to see more of the US of A, or drive up to Canada, there are a variety of options to accommodate an assortment of budgets and destinations. Let’s start with the most convenient. Fargo’s Hector International Airport, though a smaller airport, still offers a number of airlines providing service to cities far and near. Allegiant Air recently began offering direct flights to Los Angeles and Phoenix. My sister and I took advantage of this service, and flew to L.A. over the 4th of July for a week of shopping, movie-star hunting (we saw Juno Temple and Turk from Scrubs), and relaxing on Venice beach. We saved over a hundred dollars flying from Fargo versus the larger Wold-Chamberlain Airport in Minneapolis in gas and parking fees alone. If the idea of warm, sunny weather doesn’t do it for you, a United Express airline offers direct flights to Chicago and Denver. Book your flight fourteen days in advance to enjoy the best rates. Delta Airlines provides direct service to Salt Lake City, a city known for the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir and its cleanliness. If getting out of the states altogether is your motive, Hector can also fly you down south to the tropics.
The price to escape campus for the Carribbean? Generally between $400-500 out of Fargo, a price surprisingly reasonable. To save even more, try booking your lodging along with your flight. While the airlines at Hector didn’t provide student discounts, student saving solutions are available.
Studentuniverse.com is one such solution for college students and faculties to save hundreds when getting away for spring break. An online travel agency designed especially for students, I found tickets to New York City for $182! The price of a textbook! While student universe flights aren’t offered from Hector, the money student universe saves you makes the drive worth it. Student Universe will further reduce prices even further for groups of twelve or more.

I took a train
For some of us, including me, a plane ticket doesn’t jive with other bills (rent, textbooks, dog food, coffee), but a trip can still be within your budget. Taking the train is an affordable alternative to flying. Fargo’s Amtrak station is open every day from midnight-eight a.m. A train ticket from Fargo to Chicago is only $70, while a ticket from Fargo to Minneapolis is only $30. Last year, my sister took opportunity of Amtrak’s cheap tickets, and instead of spending money on plane ticket to Mexico, spent the week in Minneapolis going on a shopping spree. Sometimes even getting a few hours away from campus is far enough to feel like a vacation. However, Amtrak also offers lines to both sides of the coast. A ticket from Fargo to Seattle came to only $119 on Amtrak.com, and though it is a thirty-two hour drive, a train ride can be an experience in itself.

Fun Options in Fargo-Moorhead
If you’re like me—really, truly, absolutely broke—remaining in Fargo-Moorhead over break can still be made to feel like a holiday. From Bonazaville, the historic Fargo Theatre, Plains Art Museum, Red River Zoo, Fargo Air Museum, and more, there is plenty of fun activities right here in town. Schedule time off work over break, and take advantage of the sights and sounds of Fargo-Moorhead. Setting aside even $20 bucks will buy you a nice lunch downtown, admission to a new movie playing, and you will even have money left over for a cappuccino at Atomic Coffee.

Whatever your spring break plans or ideas are, schedule time to unwind. There’s nothing wrong with staying home, catching up with friends and family, and your favorite TV shows.

Further Tips to save over break
-If headed to a destination, buy snacks at grocery stores to cut down eating out
-Hostels are often available in larger U.S. cities to save on accommodation
-Always ask about student discounts
-Choose public transport over taxis
-Pack light, some airlines now charge to check bags
-Hotels will sometimes provide coupons for restaurants, theatres, etc.