SPRING FEVER

San Antonio is the cheapest U.S. city to visit for spring break

Destinations like the River Walk make San Antonio and attractive — and cheap — spring break destination.

Photo by Lesli Whitecotton/ Unsplash

If you didn't plan anything for spring break, there's still time to make a day trip from Austin — and this data makes it an even easier sell.

A new study from digital entertainment platform JB.com ranks San Antonio as the country’s cheapest spring break destination for students.

The study, which covers 30 popular U.S. cities, looks at average nightly prices at budget hotels, the average tab for meals and drinks, and the number of bars and restaurants. The study also takes into account a city’s average March-April temperatures and its safety rating.

“The biggest mistake students make is booking spring break trips to the same five cities everyone else picks,” says JB.com. “When 50,000 college kids flood Fort Lauderdale in the same week, prices skyrocket, and everything gets crowded.”

San Antonio stands out in two categories: average nightly price at budget hotels ($87) and average meal cost ($18).

JB.com also cites San Antonio’s pleasant weather, “making it comfortable to enjoy the outdoors before the nightlife starts,” and its “growing food scene,” boasting more than 1,900 bars and restaurants.

Although the JB's rankings were centered on collegiate life, it is also one of Texas' hot spots for grade schoolers thanks to amusement parks like Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld San Antonio. The popularity makes it an attractive city for limited-time activations, like the massive Epic Bounce inflatable theme park.

Enjoying a staycation isn't a bad idea either: Austin appears at No. 8 on the top 10 list. It scores well in the average-meal-price category ($20) and the bar-and-restaurant category (more than 5,300 establishments). However, Austin’s average drink price ($7) and average nightly price at budget hotels ($94) are on the high side.

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Best of the South

Southern Living praises Austin and the Hill Country in 2026 awards

Visit Fredericksburg TX/Facebook

Southern Living is showing Fredericksburg some love in its annual awards.

An iconic Austin barbecue joint is getting the spotlight as a must visit destination in Southern Living's 2026 South's Best Awards, as well as a famous German Hill Country town, its new boutique hotel, and a café in Marble Falls.

Franklin Barbecue was crowned the best barbecue joint in Texas by the publication's readers.

The annual awards are determined through third-party online surveys of Southern Living consumers from July 9 to September 9, 2025. Over 17,000 respondents rated their favorite places across the South, the report said.

"Fans from around the world queue up for hours to experience the craftsmanship that has made Franklin a barbecue celebrity," the report said. "Flawless prime-grade brisket with a sweet, tangy glaze is still the showstopper here, and it’s accompanied by the quintessential Central Texas lineup of pork ribs, turkey, and jalapeño-Cheddar sausage."

We'll add this new award to the stack of accolades Franklin Barbecue and its owner have earned over the years.

Meanwhile, popular Hill Country town Fredericksburg earned the coveted No. 3 spot in Southern Living's Best Small Towns in the South list. The publication noted the town's growth and the recent addition of The Albert Hotel, which opened in 2025. The Albert Hotel was ranked the 10th best new hotel in 2026.

"The city’s premier full-service luxury hotel revives a cluster of 19th-century landmarks, from a historic saloon to a former pharmacy that is now a cafe, deli, and artisan market," the report said. "Alongside the 105 minimalist guest rooms, a holistic spa and a limestone pool provide moments of quiet relaxation."

We all need a relaxing day poolside at the Albert Hotel pool oasis.Photo by Chase Daniels

As the Fredericksburg area grows, Southern Living said, it still maintains its cozy, small-town feel.

"Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals," the report's author wrote. "Wine lovers will feel particularly at home thanks to more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms scattered throughout town and the surrounding countryside."

It's no wonder Southern Living decided to locate its 2026 Idea House there.

Popular events like the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival and locally focused programs like the Texas Hill Country Wineries wine passports draw in crowds from all parts of Texas. The town is just over an hour away from San Antonio, which makes it a great weekend or spring break escape. San Antonio-area travelers might even spot small patches of bluebonnets during their road trip through the Hill Country.

No matter which route you take, travelers should book extra time for a pit stop through another small Texas town called Marble Falls, which is home to one of Southern Living's most legendary Southern restaurants: Blue Bonnet Cafe. According to the report, its longstanding staff members embody the idea of "southern hospitality" every day.

"There’s one real reason the Blue Bonnet Cafe is so widely respected: The folks who run the place have been holding this small-town diner to high standards for years," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe opened in 1929 and was later bought by the Kemper family in 1981, who still own and operate it today. Southern Living recommends ordering one of the blue plate specials, and a slice of pie is a mandatory treat.

"With 15 options — from luxuriously creamy to bright and fruity — you’re guaranteed to find one you’ll love," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe pie Ordering a slice of pie is a requirement, not a suggestion. Blue Bonnet Cafe - Marble Falls, TX/Facebook

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