Beaches beckon when spring break rolls around, a time to release the long-sleeved shirts and sweaters and pause the brain from all that studying.<\/p>\n
But spring break doesn\u2019t have to mean sand and sun.<\/p>\n
Rather, the time off might include a quiet hike through a national forest, a festival celebrating the return of the sun or experiencing a thrilling sport. We\u2019ve compiled a few alternative locations here that are within driving distance of Louisiana.<\/p>\n
Get artsy in Texas<\/h3>\n\n
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\n \n <\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\nRadio Tave is an immersive, surreal, radio-station-themed experience at MeowWolf Houston.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n Arturo Olmos<\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nIn 2008, one of the most innovative and immersive arts centers opened in Santa Fe, collaborating with artists to bring visitors a unique audience-driven experience. Meow Wolf has since opened satellites around the country, most recently in Houston with Radio Tave, an immersive, surreal, radio-station-themed experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nThe attraction features \u201cETNL Radio Station\u201d and its crew who have opened a portal to a dimension of art where visitors may explore at leisure to unravel its secrets. Meow Wolf is a creative space that must be experienced to truly understand its interactive and life-sized art. Visit meowwolf.com\/visit\/houston<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n
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\n ![\"Hopscotch_CheréCoen.JPG\"](\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\")
\n <\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\nSan Antonio\u2019s Hopscotch is a curated 20,000-square-foot art gallery where everything is interactive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n BY CHER\u00c9 COEN | Contributing writer<\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSan Antonio offers its own unique creative experience with Hopscotch<\/a>, a curated 20,000-square-foot art gallery where everything is interactive, from an adult ball pit and hall of mirrors to art that dances with you as you move. Grab an equally creative cocktail at the bar and lounge area, then pick up unique art items at the gift shop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTake a hike<\/h3>\n
Spring bursts forth in Chattanooga, Tennessee, encompassing the 50-plus hiking trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown with a variety of wildflowers.<\/p>\n
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\n \n <\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\nChattanooga, Tennessee, has 50-plus hiking trails in the area.<\/p>\n
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\n BY CHER\u00c9 COEN | Contributing writer<\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nVisitors may also grab a kayak and enjoy the Tennessee River flowing through downtown or view rushing waterfalls due to winter\u2019s runoff \u2014 including the colorful Ruby Falls located deep beneath Lookout Mountain<\/a>.<\/p>\nBe sure to stop at the city\u2019s new Reading Room, Chattanooga\u2019s only bar and bookstore. Look for special events such as author talks, book trivia and tarot readings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nThink cherries<\/h3>\n
You don\u2019t have to travel to Washington, D.C., to view dramatic cherry blossoms in bloom, although that\u2019s certainly worth a trip.<\/p>\n
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\n \n <\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\nThousands of cherry trees bloom at once in Macon, Georgia, and folks celebrate their debut with the International Cherry Blossom Festival March 20-29.<\/p>\n
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\n Ruth Sykes<\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThousands of cherry trees bloom at once in Macon, Georgia, and folks celebrate their debut with the International Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a> March 20-29. In addition to viewing those pink explosions, the festival features around 300,000 to 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees that bloom around the city, a parade, concerts and art shows.<\/p>\nNot to be outdone by its south Georgia neighbor, the city of Brookhaven, closer to Atlanta, offers its Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a> March 28-29 that marries cherry blossoms with live bands, food trucks and an artist market.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDig for diamonds<\/h3>\n
In the last few months, visitors to Arkansas\u2019 Crater of Diamonds State Park<\/a> have dug up some pretty large gemstones.<\/p>\n\n
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\n \n <\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\nA 6.03-carat yellow diamond, about the size of a gumdrop, was found at\u00a0Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.<\/p>\n
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\n Arkansas State Parks <\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLast summer, Micherre Fox of New York found a 2.30-carat white diamond in the park. Then in January, Jack Pearadin of Arkansas and Michael Schumacher of Wisconsin discovered a 6.03-carat yellow diamond, about the size of a gumdrop.<\/p>\n
To date, more than 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at the Crater of Diamonds State Park since the first diamonds were discovered in 1906 by John Huddleston, a farmer who owned the land long before it became an Arkansas State Park in 1972.<\/p>\n
Children ages 6 and under get in free at the park, while children ages 6-12 have a $7 admission fee. The adult admission fee is $15. If crystals are more your thing, several attractions at nearby Mt. Ida let you dig for quartz crystals that are abundant in the area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nTake off!<\/h3>\n\n
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\n \n <\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is home to one of the largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia anywhere in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n BY CHER\u00c9 COEN | Contributing writer<\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWant to travel to space but NASA\u2019s not calling? Try the U.S. Space & Rocket Center<\/a> in Huntsville, Alabama, home to one of the largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia on display anywhere in the world.<\/p>\nThe location serves as the Visitor Center for NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center. For those still in the learning mood, or just fascinated by weather, check out the current \u201cHow We Know the Weather\u201d exhibit featuring 30 interactive displays, live feeds and sensory experiences about the science of meteorology.<\/p>\n
Escape to the mountains<\/h3>\n
If you\u2019re in need of elevation, the Ozarks of Arkansas are within a day\u2019s drive. Secure a cabin in the woods and hike to waterfalls throughout the Buffalo National River area<\/a> or grab a paddle and tackle the wild river.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSpring is an ideal time to visit the region where spring water produces dramatic falls and provides for thrilling paddling and tubing adventures, the latter of which really takes off in April and May.<\/p>\n
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\n \n <\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood consists of three buildings that encompass Parton’s 50-plus years in show business.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Radio Tave is an immersive, surreal, radio-station-themed experience at MeowWolf Houston.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n In 2008, one of the most innovative and immersive arts centers opened in Santa Fe, collaborating with artists to bring visitors a unique audience-driven experience. Meow Wolf has since opened satellites around the country, most recently in Houston with Radio Tave, an immersive, surreal, radio-station-themed experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The attraction features \u201cETNL Radio Station\u201d and its crew who have opened a portal to a dimension of art where visitors may explore at leisure to unravel its secrets. Meow Wolf is a creative space that must be experienced to truly understand its interactive and life-sized art. Visit meowwolf.com\/visit\/houston<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n San Antonio\u2019s Hopscotch is a curated 20,000-square-foot art gallery where everything is interactive.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n San Antonio offers its own unique creative experience with Hopscotch<\/a>, a curated 20,000-square-foot art gallery where everything is interactive, from an adult ball pit and hall of mirrors to art that dances with you as you move. Grab an equally creative cocktail at the bar and lounge area, then pick up unique art items at the gift shop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Spring bursts forth in Chattanooga, Tennessee, encompassing the 50-plus hiking trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown with a variety of wildflowers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chattanooga, Tennessee, has 50-plus hiking trails in the area.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Visitors may also grab a kayak and enjoy the Tennessee River flowing through downtown or view rushing waterfalls due to winter\u2019s runoff \u2014 including the colorful Ruby Falls located deep beneath Lookout Mountain<\/a>.<\/p>\n Be sure to stop at the city\u2019s new Reading Room, Chattanooga\u2019s only bar and bookstore. Look for special events such as author talks, book trivia and tarot readings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n You don\u2019t have to travel to Washington, D.C., to view dramatic cherry blossoms in bloom, although that\u2019s certainly worth a trip.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thousands of cherry trees bloom at once in Macon, Georgia, and folks celebrate their debut with the International Cherry Blossom Festival March 20-29.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Thousands of cherry trees bloom at once in Macon, Georgia, and folks celebrate their debut with the International Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a> March 20-29. In addition to viewing those pink explosions, the festival features around 300,000 to 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees that bloom around the city, a parade, concerts and art shows.<\/p>\n Not to be outdone by its south Georgia neighbor, the city of Brookhaven, closer to Atlanta, offers its Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a> March 28-29 that marries cherry blossoms with live bands, food trucks and an artist market.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In the last few months, visitors to Arkansas\u2019 Crater of Diamonds State Park<\/a> have dug up some pretty large gemstones.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A 6.03-carat yellow diamond, about the size of a gumdrop, was found at\u00a0Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Last summer, Micherre Fox of New York found a 2.30-carat white diamond in the park. Then in January, Jack Pearadin of Arkansas and Michael Schumacher of Wisconsin discovered a 6.03-carat yellow diamond, about the size of a gumdrop.<\/p>\n To date, more than 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at the Crater of Diamonds State Park since the first diamonds were discovered in 1906 by John Huddleston, a farmer who owned the land long before it became an Arkansas State Park in 1972.<\/p>\n Children ages 6 and under get in free at the park, while children ages 6-12 have a $7 admission fee. The adult admission fee is $15. If crystals are more your thing, several attractions at nearby Mt. Ida let you dig for quartz crystals that are abundant in the area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is home to one of the largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia anywhere in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Want to travel to space but NASA\u2019s not calling? Try the U.S. Space & Rocket Center<\/a> in Huntsville, Alabama, home to one of the largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia on display anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n The location serves as the Visitor Center for NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center. For those still in the learning mood, or just fascinated by weather, check out the current \u201cHow We Know the Weather\u201d exhibit featuring 30 interactive displays, live feeds and sensory experiences about the science of meteorology.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in need of elevation, the Ozarks of Arkansas are within a day\u2019s drive. Secure a cabin in the woods and hike to waterfalls throughout the Buffalo National River area<\/a> or grab a paddle and tackle the wild river.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Spring is an ideal time to visit the region where spring water produces dramatic falls and provides for thrilling paddling and tubing adventures, the latter of which really takes off in April and May.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood consists of three buildings that encompass Parton’s 50-plus years in show business.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n
\n Arturo Olmos<\/span>
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\n BY CHER\u00c9 COEN | Contributing writer<\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTake a hike<\/h3>\n
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\n BY CHER\u00c9 COEN | Contributing writer<\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThink cherries<\/h3>\n
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\n Ruth Sykes<\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nDig for diamonds<\/h3>\n
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\n Arkansas State Parks <\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTake off!<\/h3>\n
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\n BY CHER\u00c9 COEN | Contributing writer<\/span>
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\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nEscape to the mountains<\/h3>\n
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