After all the pomp and circumstance of graduation concludes, you’ll probably be thinking about taking a break. Instead of sitting around Norman and avoiding packing up your belongings, gather some friends and head out for one last college trip. Big vacations cost a lot of money and require a lot of planning, and finding inexpensive flights can be difficult. Fortunately, if your friends are willing to split the cost of gas, you can take one last road trip before you have to part ways. The following big city destinations can easily be reached in one day. So while it may not be an exotic location, with the right people you’re sure to have fun.

San Antonio

Distance from OU: 449 miles

Estimated time: 6 hours 53 minutes

Main attractions: Riverwalk, Sea World

Some of you might have had the opportunity to see the OU football team win the 2007 Big 12 Championship in San Antonio, but chances are you didn’t have much time to explore the area. San Antonio features a variety of attractions including Sea World, the Riverwalk and the San Antonio Zoo. The Riverwalk experience is free, but the area also offers a variety of shopping and dining choices to please anyone in your group.

For more information, visit www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com or www.seaworld.com.

Austin, Texas

Distance from OU: 371 miles

Estimated time: 5 hours 42 minutes

Main attraction: 6th Street entertainment district

Texas’ capital city might be home to one of our biggest rivals, but because it’s also a college town the city itself has a lot to offer. The downtown district is a place full of nightlife entertainment from live music, bars, clubs, pubs and other festivities. The Kerrville Folk Festival begins May 21 the week after graduation, and features more than 100 different artists.

For more information, visit www.6street.com.

Kansas City, Mo.

Distance from OU: 367 miles

Estimated time: 5 hours 31 minutes

Main attractions: Power and Light District, Worlds of Fun

The Power and Light District located in downtown Kansas City features a variety of live entertainment, shopping and dining options. It’s an $850 million project with a little something for everyone. For maps and a complete list of options, visit www.powerandlightdistrict.com. Also, if you’re looking for some adventure, Worlds of Fun theme park is just the place. It boarders the water park Oceans of Fun, and the rides will be a nice way to unwind after classes. You can get tickets into both parks for less than $60, and they also have group rates available.

St. Louis

Distance from OU: 518 miles

Estimated time: 7 hours 52 minutes

Main attraction: Anheuser-Busch Consumer Hospitality Center, Union Station

We all know about the arch, but St. Louis offers a variety of other downtown activities. What better way to unwind than a tour of Anheuser-Busch? The free tours include the brew house, the Budweiser Clydesdale stable and more. Don’t forget the samplings that are included in the tour. Also, the St. Louis Cardinals’ regular season is in full swing. Match your trip dates with their schedule to catch a game. The historic Union Station also includes a variety of shopping and dining options. For more information visit www.explorestlouis.com.