What says "spring break" like nothing else?
The beach, of course.
But real life can get in the way of a trip to Cancun. So we at What's Up! looked for ways you can catch a wave -- or at least imagine one -- without catching a plane. Here are seven beach-related getaways much closer to home:
Under The Sea
THE DESTINATION -- Oklahoma Aquarium
THE BEACH VIBE -- The Coral Reef exhibit offers a dramatic collection of Caribbean fish including the colorful parrot fish, porcupine puffers, eels and many more. Plus a walk-through tunnel and dome allow you to see the largest bull sharks in captivity swimming alongside you and even right over your head.
TRAVEL TIME -- Just over 2 hours from Fayetteville
THE COST -- $11.95 for ages 3-12; $15.95 for adults
INFO -- 918-528-1502
Water, Water Everywhere
THE DESTINATION -- Beaver Lake
THE BEACH VIBE -- Want your toes in the sand on spring break? Most Army Corps of Engineers parks at the lake have sand beaches. Set out a lawn chair at the water's edge and take a swim if you like. Want company? The swim beach at Prairie Creek park east of Rogers is popular with beach goers. Solitude may be found at more remote parks such as Rocky Branch 15 miles east of Rogers or Indian Creek park south of Gateway.
TRAVEL TIME -- About 45 minutes from Fayetteville
THE COST -- $4 per vehicle, per day
INFO -- corpslakes.usace.army.mil
Drink It Up
THE DESTINATION -- Table Mesa Bistro in Fayetteville or Bentonville
THE BEACH VIBE -- Whether is early afternoon or as the stars shine, sipping a fruity mixed drink will invite the relaxing feel of the ocean waves without getting your feet wet. And what could feel more beachy than a trip to Key West? Sit outside and enjoy a Hemingway Daiquiri, a blend of maraschino syrup, grapefruit juice, lime and Mount Gay sugar cane rum -- little umbrella advised, not required.
TRAVEL TIME -- As long as it takes to get a table
THE COST -- $8.75
INFO -- 715-6706 for Bentonville location, 668-4019 for Fayetteville location
On The Court
THE DESTINATION -- Veteran's Memorial Park near Lake Fayetteville, Bob Henry Park on West Benton Street in Siloam Springs, Memorial Park on Northwest John Deshields Boulevard in Bentonville, Murphy Park on Pleasant Street in Springdale.
THE BEACH VIBE -- Beaches are all about sand, and what better way to use that stretch of sun than to play beach volleyball. Northwest Arkansas is full of sunny, sandy courts just begging to get you dirty. A few are listed here, but there's a good chance you'll find more by just searching your favorite park. Go on your own, or join the Ozark Volleyball Club, which has both outdoor and indoor competitive leagues.
TRAVEL TIME -- 10 minutes from anywhere.
THE COST -- Free
INFO -- sites.google.com/site/ozarkvolleyball
Some Actual Sand
THE DESTINATION -- Sea Rim State Park, Texas
THE BEACH VIBE -- This is the actual beach; it's the nearest non-lake beach we could find, straight to the south of Northwest Arkansas and featuring 5.2 miles of shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico. Located on the southeasternmost point in Texas, Sea Rim State Park features fishing, birding, camping and canoeing opportunities.
TRAVEL TIME -- 531 miles, or about 9 hours from Fayetteville
THE COST -- $3 daily; children 12 and younger get free admission
INFO -- 409-971-2559
Watch The Sun Set
THE DESTINATION -- Whitaker Point/Hawksbill Crag on the Buffalo River just past Ponca
TRAVEL TIME -- Roughly an hour and a half drive from Fayetteville and a three mile roundtrip hike, worth every minute.
THE VIEW -- Probably the most photographed spot in the state, the lofty bluffline is perched above the Ozark Mountains for an excellent perspective for sunrises and sunsets. The crag, which was filmed for the opening scene of Disney's "Tuck Everlasting" and has been the scene of many proposals over the years, is sure to dazzle.
THE COST -- Free
INFO -- http://www.buffaloriver.com/whitaker-point-trail-hawksbill-crag/
THE DESTINATION -- Overlook on Yellow Rock Trail at Devil's Den State Park in Winslow
TRAVEL TIME -- Approximately 35 minute drive from Fayetteville and a three mile hike
THE VIEW -- Offers an unobstructed look at the Lee Creek Valley in the Boston Mountains from Arkansas' oldest state park.
THE COST -- Free
INFO -- arkansasstateparks.com
-- Allison Carter
Kevin Kinder
Becca Martin-Brown
Flip Putthoff
April Robertson
NAN What's Up on 03/20/2015