By Francesca Di Meglio

As a typical MBA student, you most likely put in long hours chained to a desk at a summer internship from late May to August. Nonetheless, whether you are paying dues at a top-notch investment bank or helping launch a startup, chances you can find time for an occasional weekend off. Here are some tried-and-true suggestions for summer getaways in different regions of the U.S.
(Northeast | New England | South | Middle America | California)

NORTHEAST.  If you're sick of fighting crowds in the Hamptons, try heading in the opposite direction -- south on the New Jersey Turnpike. Within an hour or two you'll find yourself on the Garden State's famous shore. No, it doesn't equal Hamptons in prestige but, hey, if it's good enough for Bruce Springsteen...

In recent years, such celebrities as Sopranos star James Gandolfini have turned Point Pleasant, N.J., into a renowned hangout. There, you can soak in the sun or enjoy a ride on the boardwalk's giant caterpillar. Once you work up an appetite, you'll find the shore area abounds with places to refuel.

Even Italian-Americans agree that Jenkinson's Joey Tomatoes offers the best slice of pizza on the boardwalk. Locals rave about the low prices the Shrimp Box on Inlet Drive charges for seafood stew and shrimp scampi with asparagus and mushrooms.

Back on the boardwalk, Martell's Tiki Bar, with its great view of the ocean, makes a terrific spot for night owls. If you're feeling lucky, drive an hour down the Turnpike to Atlantic City, a favorite pit stop for many graduate students, to play the slots or a little blackjack.

NEW ENGLAND.  Jeff Bayard, a second-year student at Boston University School of Management, takes every opportunity to go biking with his wife in nearby Gloucester or as far away as Maine or New Hampshire. "Going mountain biking where there is no one makes me feel so far away from school and my projects at home," says Bayard. He takes his wife's advice and shuts off the cell phone and leaves the laptop behind.

A little more than an hour from Boston and only about four hours from Manhattan, lies Newport, R.I., one of New England's treasures. In addition to visiting one of its 18 fabulous beaches, outdoor enthusiasts can hike the trails at the Beavertail State Park in neighboring Jamestown or picnic right in Newport's romantic Brenton Point, the tip of land where the Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic.

Another option: Check out Newport's many famous mansions. Green Animals, a 7-acre estate overlooking Narragansett Bay in Portsmouth, boasts outdoor gardens with 21 life-size animal topiaries including a giraffe and elephants. Be sure to try the clam chowder or lobster bisque at the Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant on Thames Street.

SOUTH.  Down south, after finals, some students -- including many from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill -- head to North Carolina's Crystal Coast.

Less than four hours away by car, the wide sandy beaches, like those of Emerald Isle, and the salt marshes make great places for a brisk walk. If you bring your binoculars, you might catch a glimpse of pelicans, gulls, herons, or egrets. Many MBAs like to rent cottages, go shopping at the harbor towns, and generally de-stress after those grueling exams.

MIDDLE AMERICA.  For a family vacation, think about the central U.S. Michael Rosen, a second-year student at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (GSB), suggests the Wisconsin Dells, an area known for beautiful topography and good wholesome recreation. The area is located about three hours west of Chicago and an hour north of Madison, Wis.

Noah's Ark and a bevy of other water parks in the Wisconsin Dells are hopping in the early summer, when Lake Michigan is still too cold for dips. Go-carting, canoeing, and video arcades also await. "The best memories I have of Wisconsin Dells are of being in the water parks and having family time away from everything," says Rosen.

Lake Geneva, another destination popular with the GSB crowd, is less than two hours away from Chicago and "has something for everyone," says Ajay Totlani, a second-year student at GSB. Boating, waterskiing, Jet Skiing, swimming, hiking, golfing, and camping provide plenty of entertainment for MBAs, who tend to travel in packs when they visit the lake.

CALIFORNIA.  In Northern California, Napa Valley wine country intoxicates many MBA students in more ways than one. Wine tasting and tours at Beringer Vineyards, the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley, or Catacula Lake Winery, with its award-winning wines and lovely picnic area, make delicious ways to spend an afternoon.

If you can afford to splurge, consider checking into the luxurious Silverado Resort on Atlas Peak Road. Spa services include deep tissue massage, aromatherapy facials, and chardonnay sugar scrubs to revive the body. Plus, you can brush up on your strokes at either one of the two 18-hole Silverado golf courses.

Farther south, consider crossing the border for a truly caliente vacation. Students from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and University of Southern California Marshall School of Business highly recommend Baja, Mexico, about a four-hour drive from Los Angeles. "This trip is mostly about the sun, relaxation, and sometimes tequila," says Ohad Zeira, a second-year student at Anderson.

Zeira often stays at the Hotel Coral & Marina in Ensenada, where the surfing is good and you can receive an affordable one-hour massage to relieve your aching muscles afterward. Sampling a taco or churro (a fried dough treat) from one of the street vendors is a must, adds Zeira.

When it supplies tasty food and plenty of recreation, a vacation -- even just a weekend-long one -- is always a sweet deal.