Student to student: Bucky’s top spring break destinations

While lots of students are spending their spring breaks in various exotic locations across the country — and world — some students will stay here in Madison to work, catch up on school or just relax.

What many students don’t realize, however, is that UW–Madison’s campus is better than pretty much any exotic destination in the entire world. Obviously. And if you don’t believe it, Bucky Badger is here to help prove it.

Find paradise with Bucky Badger right here in Madison at these seven spring break destinations.

Sunbathing on Bascom Hill

Who needs Florida beaches to sunbathe? Lay down on Bascom and soak up the sun. You might need a blanket since it’s only going to be about 50 degrees, as opposed to the 80 degree weather in Florida, but who would want to go to the ocean when Lake Mendota AND Lake Monona are right here? Plus, the sun is everywhere. You really don’t need to go to Florida to get sun.

Bucky Badger lays down and takes a nap in the warm sunlight on Bascom Hill. Emily Hamer

Beach volleyball courts near Dejope

If you REALLY want to see sand, we have that here too. Build a sand castle, lay out in the sun, or play volleyball on the courts right across the street from Dejope. Afterward, you can take a dip in Lake Mendota — it’s almost done being frozen! (Please don’t actually swim in the lake right now. It’s freezing.)

The sunlight washed over the sand at the volleyball courts near Dejope, warming both the grains of sand and Bucky’s heart. Emily Hamer

Rock climbing wall at the Sett

Some of your friends might be spending tons of money going to Colorado to climb mountains, but why spend 15 hours in the car when you could climb the rock climbing wall here in Madison? There’s no place Bucky Badger would rather be.

Bucky harnessed up to overcome the rock climbing walls in the Sett. Emily Hamer

Eagle Heights

Explore something new and exotic this spring break — take the 80 out to Eagle Heights. What’s out there? How long will it take to get there? Will you ever return? Who’s to say? Your adventure is just beginning.

Bucky Badger gets comfortable on the 80, anxiously awaiting his new journey: venturing to Eagle Heights. Adventure is out there, Badgers. Emily Hamer

Bridge over University Avenue

Who needs to go to San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge when you can watch the cars drive by underneath the pedestrian bridge across University Avenue. Contemplate life’s deep questions while overlooking the world below you, just like Bucky.

Bucky overlooks University Avenue, contemplating the meaning of his own existence. Is he more a part of the human world, the badger world, or the Badger world? He feels in limbo between all three. Emily Hamer

VR station at College Library

If you really need to see the Golden Gate Bridge, you can do that here too. Just head over to VR station at College Library and you can travel the entire world using Google Earth. Visit San Fransisco, the Eiffel Tower, Mount Everest, Yellowstone National Park, Rio de Janeiro, London, New York, and so much more. Activate the street view to see high resolution, 360 degree images of tourist destinations around the world.

Any student can rent out the VR station at College Library — even Bucky Badger. Emily Hamer

Picnic Point

You could go camping in the wilderness, OR you could have a campfire at Picnic Point. Reserve a camp spot, grab some friends and you can grill, tell stories, and make as many S’mores as your heart desires.

Bucky tries to start a fire at Picnic Point, making sure he is responsible because he knows that only he can prevent forest fires. Emily Hamer

If you’re not happy with Bucky’s spring break destination picks, check out our student’s story on how to have a fun staycation here in Madison — even on a budget. And if you are traveling somewhere truly exotic, send us your spring break pictures at theweekly@uc.wisc.edu.