“Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.” — Kellie Elmore

As graduation approaches, many of our seniors are preparing for one final tradition before starting the next chapter of their lives: senior summer trips! From traveling with friends to beaches like Ocean City, Myrtle Beach, or Virginia Beach, to going on bigger trips. These trips have become a popular way for graduates to celebrate their amazing accomplishments.

Along with vacations, many seniors participate in “Senior Week” or “Beach Week,” a post- graduation tradition that brings students together for a week of fun and celebrations! These trips are exciting for our seniors, but also reflect the importance of friendship and the transition from high school to college.

“I don’t need a whole lot.

For me, a T-shirt, a pair of shorts, barefoot on a beach and I’m happy” — Yanni

The first picture is of Miami Beach, a south Florida Island city. Wide beaches stretch from North Shore Open Space Park to South Pointe Park. The second picture is of the                                Miami Beach Boardwalk 

Popular places in Miami Beach are:

1. Ocean Drive: a place to book a hotel, enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant, or look at its famous Art Deco buildings
2. Ocean Drive: a place to book a hotel, enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant, or look at its famous Art Deco buildings
3. Miami Beach Boardwalk: lined with shops and a place to rent a bike
4. Lincoln Road: featuring shops, cafes, galleries, restaurants, and other businesses
5. Mango’s Tropical Cafe Dinner: featuring a carnival live show with local DJs, Caribbean-infused food, and dancing

The first Picture is of Virginia Beach, a city in southeastern Virginia where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The second picture is of Sandbridge Beach, a coastline located 15 miles south of Virginia Beach. 

Popular places in Virginia Beach:

1. Oceanfront Boardwalk: walk, run, or rent a bike along the 3-mile oceanfront path, featuring a famous statue of King Neptune
2. Rudee Inlet: book a seasonal boat tour or rent a jet ski to get out on the water or go Dolphin and Whale Watching

Popular places in Sandbridge Beach:

1. Surf and Adventure Co: rent surfboards, stand-up paddle boards, or kayaks, or book a guided tour

The first picture is an aerial view of Ocean City, New Jersey’s beach during the summertime.  The second picture is of the boardwalk in Ocean City New Jersey

Popular Places in Ocean City, New Jersey:

1. Hit the Boardwalk: stretching over 2 miles, its perfect for walking, biking, and shopping! Featuring popular places like Manco and Manco Pizza and Kohr Brothers
2. Go to the Beach: the coastline stretches 8 miles
3. Asbury Avenue: between 6th and 14th Streets, it’s at the heart of Ocean City’s downtown, it is contains stores, cafes, and gift shops

The first picture is of the boardwalk at Ocean City, Maryland. The second picture is of the beach at Ocean City Maryland.

Popular places in Ocean City, Maryland:

1. Boardwalk: recognized as one of the best in the country, it is packed with arcades, street performers, and shops! With popular places like Thrasher’s French Fries and Fisher’s Popcorn
2. Go to the Beach: the coastline stretches 10 miles, perfect for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing!
3. Miniature Golf: OCMD is home to many miniature golf courses, check out https://oldprogolf.com/ for all the outdoor courses!
4. Nightlife and Dining: featuring live music, DJs, and sweet treats like Candy Kitchen for homemade fudge and salt water taffy (https://candykitchen.com)

Senior Week In Ocean City, MD:

1. A week in Ocean City Maryland dedicated to celebrating senior graduation! Events run throughout June and many hotels offer Senior Week Specials
2. Check out https://www.oceancity.com/senior-week/ for more information!

While the beach is a classic choice for Senior Week, many graduations choose to celebrate elsewhere. From trips to New York to Europe, seniors explore a variety of designations to celebrate the end of high school and the beginning of a new chapter!

The first picture is of St. Peter’s Basilica, which sits inside Vatican City, the bridge is the Ponte Sant’Angelo, which crosses the Tiber River and leads toward the Vatican. The second picture is of the Colosseum, and in the distance is a church bell toward.

Popular Places In Rome:

1. The Colosseum: explore the place of gladiators and ancient Roman politics
2. Vatican City: explore the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
3. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel: located 30 miles southeast of Rome, in the town of Genazzano. Italy.

Popular places in Florence:

1. The Uffizi Gallery: Home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Da Vinci, and Caravaggio
2. Ponte Vecchio: a jewelry-lined bridge crossing the Arno River
3. Sunset View: Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo in the evening  to watch the sunset over the city

Popular places in Venice:

1. St. Mark’s Square & Basilica: admire the golden mosaics and the historic architecture!
2. Grand Canal & Gondolas: take a gondola ride or cruise the Grand Canal
3. Island Hopping: take a boat road to the neighboring Islands

The first picture is of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the second picture is of the Louvre Museum!

Popular Places In Paris:

1. Eiffel Tower: climb to the top or picnic in the the Champ de Mars park
2. Louvre Museum: Explore one of the most famous museums in the world, home to the Mona Lisa
3. Sainte-Chapelle: known for its stunning 13-century stained glass windows
4. Seine River Cruise: Take a 1 hour boat tour

 Trips have become a fun tradition for graduating students! Whether it is spending a week at the beach, or traveling to a different country, it’s a fun chance for seniors to celebrate their accomplishments and create lasting memories with friends and family.

“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.” – John Steinbeck

Sources:

All:

https://www.grouptours.net/top-10-beaches-senior-trip-ideas/

https://www.etadventures.com/blog/student-travel/10-high-school-senior-trip-ideas-to-inspire-your-itinerary/ 

https://www.detailorientedtraveler.com/graduation-trip-ideas/ 

1. Quotes: 
   1. https://somewheredownsouth.com/best-beach-quotes/ 
2. Miami
   1. https://www.miamibeachfl.gov 
   2. https://miami.mangos.com 
   3. images: 
      1. https://unsplash.com/s/photos/miami-beach 
      2. https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?phrase=miami+beach+boardwalk&tracked_gsrp_landing=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gettyimages.com%2Fphotos%2Fmiami-beach-boardwalk 
3. Virginia + Sandbridge Beach
   1. Images:
      1. https://unsplash.com/s/photos/virginia-beach
      2. https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/sandbridge-beach 
   2. Virginia
      1. https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/experiences/attractions/ 
      2. https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/experiences/attractions/rudee-inlet/ 
   3. Sandbridge
      1. https://www.surfandadventure.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor38FWMNfgiWa539Pcso4vOk9Cn9b3I0YrzGzKBF17UjiO5SLNx 
4. Ocean City, New Jersey
   1. Images:
      1. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/ocean-city-boardwalk-in-new-jersey-usa-gm1014922006-273178602
5. Ocean City, Maryland
   1. Images:
      1. https://unsplash.com/photos/people-walking-on-boardwalk-near-buildings-under-white-and-blue-sky-FrmMWhE6xLo 
   2. https://unsplash.com/photos/people-walking-on-boardwalk-near-buildings-under-white-and-blue-sky-FrmMWhE6xLo 
   3. https://thrashersfries.com 
   4. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g41298-Activities-Ocean_City_Maryland.html 
   5. https://oldprogolf.com/ 
   6. https://candykitchen.com 
   7. https://www.oceancity.com/senior-week/ 
6. Italy (Rome, Florence, and Venice)
   1. Images:
      1. https://unsplash.com/s/photos/rome 
   2. https://www.exoticca.com/us/tours/europe/21303-italy-s-best-rome-florence-venice 
   3. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-italy 
7. Paris
   1. Images
      1. https://unsplash.com/s/photos/eiffel-tower 
      2. https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/louvre-museum 
   2. https://www.dangerous-business.com/touristy-things-worth-doing-in-paris/ 
   3. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187147-Activities-Paris_Ile_de_France.html