Galveston in the running for top spring break spot

Flags of different universities and organizations were on display during spring break on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2013 at South Padre Island, Texas. (AP Photo/The Brownsville Herald, Paul Chouy) Flags of different universities and organizations were on display during spring break on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2013 at South Padre Island, Texas. (AP Photo/The Brownsville Herald, Paul Chouy) Photo: Paul Chouy, Associated Press Photo: Paul Chouy, Associated Press Image 1 of / 135 Caption Close Galveston in the running for top spring break spot 1 / 135 Back to Gallery

Galveston is in a race for best spring break destination along with coastal cities Costa Rica, Cancun, Jamaica and Hawaii.

USA Today readers have until March 17 to vote for their favorite place to spend spring break.

TripAdvisor named Galveston a top 10 U.S. destination on the rise this year. The city's visitor's bureau points to new attractions, like the Gulf coast's tallest zip line, for brining in more tourists.

Moody Gardens will open its 60 feet high zip line in March.

Another Texas gem, South Padre Island made a less distinguished list. With a second appearance, South Padre has again been named on Coed Magazine's list of trashiest destinations in the U.S., coming in third behind Key West and Las Vegas.

Peak spring break dates this year are March 16-23. So, if you prefer the whites sands of South Padre pure and peaceful, avoid the city on these dates.