Are you able to have the weekend of a lifetime in the USA? There are so many weekend journey choices, whether or not you’re on the lookout for metropolis breaks in iconic cities like San Francisco and New York City or adventurous retreats to nationwide parks.
Weekend getaways in the USA may be city-focused, with artwork galleries and landmark sightseeing – who fancies a view from the Empire State Building? Alternatively, you could possibly head rural to someplace like Glacier National Park for mountaineering trails and pure magnificence.
You may simply spend a lifetime touring the USA in immense element. But, equally, the nation has some locations ideally suited to quick stays.
Best Weekend Getaway in the USA
In this information, we’ll match you along with your absolute dream weekend getaway vacation spot. The USA is big; we’ve needed to be brutal to whittle it all the way down to our high 25 beneficial weekend journeys. Let’s take a look at what the USA has to supply all these short-stayers amongst you.
East Coast
The East Coast is an excellent place for metropolis breaks and seashores in the USA. It’s the place you’ll discover New York City and Miami with its wonderful seashores and surf tradition. The southeast is most recognized for its scorching climate and seaside tradition. At the identical time, the northeast is extra historic, with cities like Washington DC and the Salem witch historical past close to Boston.
If you select the USA’s East Coast on your subsequent weekend journey, put together your self for metropolis breaks galore.
1. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is a superb place to immerse your self in academia and academic sightseeing. As Massachusetts’s capital, Boston has a few of the state’s finest sights, together with Harvard University, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of Science. However, Boston additionally has its personal story to supply. You can tour the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and stroll the hallowed Freedom Trail to study extra concerning the metropolis’s Civil War historical past. When you solely have a weekend, it’s useful to have a vacation spot with a transparent theme and specialty, like Boston’s academia and Tea Party historical past.
Boston is unbelievable as a weekend getaway. It even has the nickname ‘The Walking City’ as a result of it’s so well-suited to exploring on foot. If you desire a metropolis break on the East Coast, Boston is a superb alternative for a brief however candy historic perception into US historical past.
2. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is one other hotspot for historical past buffs. This historic South Carolina metropolis was based in 1670, and it has preserved lovely cobblestone streets and antebellum homes that make visiting really feel like stepping inside a time capsule. It’s nice for individuals who desire a extra immersive historical past, offering an actual snapshot of authentic structure.
The French Quarter and Battery Districts are non-negotiable neighborhoods to go to for the standard Charleston aesthetic. If you need extra Civil Rights and tragic slavery historical past, go to the Aiken-Rhett House Museum and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. Joe Riley Waterfront Park can also be lovely for a light-hearted stroll with views over Charleston Harbor and is inside simple strolling distance of town middle.
Charleston is walkable and heavy on its immersive historical past, making it among the best weekend getaways in the USA. Everything is well-preserved, and also you’ll study a lot, even in a brief weekend break, so we had so as to add it to this information.
Where to Stay: Market Pavilion Hotel.
Insider Tip: Head to Charleston City Market for memento buying. It has greater than 300 distributors every day.
3. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah has related antebellum structure and a time capsule really feel – even house to horse-drawn carriages round its central Historic District. You’ve obtained quaint retailers, sleepy oak timber, and cobbled squares. You can stroll Savannah’s waterfront alongside the Savannah River, go to the American Prohibition Museum, and take guided excursions of the Italianate Mercer Williams House Museum. When it involves weekend getaways in the USA, Savannah is a phenomenal alternative and really aesthetic.
However, Savannah comes into its personal with haunted tales and runs common ghost excursions of the cemeteries and Historic District. It’s particularly well-known for Bonaventure Cemetery and Colonial Park Cemetery, attracting thrill-seeking vacationers on the lookout for after-hours spooky excursions.
Savannah is compact sufficient to discover on a weekend. It has a phenomenal environment and beautiful structure. It additionally has a enjoyable haunted high quality, which is nice for maximizing your night leisure—for those who really feel courageous sufficient.
4. Washington DC
Washington, DC, is an enormous deal in the case of weekend journeys on the East Coast. It’s the alpha and omega of all US historical past and the capital of the nation, house to vital landmarks like Capitol Hill and the White House. Washington, DC, is a perfect weekend getaway in case you are in politics or political historical past.
There are many issues to do, together with visiting the National Mall, touring the White House, and sightseeing the varied Smithsonian museums. From March to April, Washington DC is finest recognized for beautiful cherry blossoms throughout the Tidal Basin, with over 3,000 cherry blossom timber in bloom.
Washington, DC, is a metropolis middle simply made to stroll round. Every inch of its parks has historic and geopolitical nods, whether or not the Japanese reward of the cherry blossoms or the Lincoln Memorial.
Where to Stay: Hotel Madera.
Insider Tip: Pack some sturdy footwear as a result of Washington, DC, is finest seen on foot.
5. Miami, Florida
Miami is a traditional addition to those finest weekend getaways in the USA. Sunny South Beach is a simple promote, with its artwork deco seaside structure and flamboyant tradition. Miami is understood for its seaside residing and nice year-round climate. It’s the place to go in order for you tradition, partying, and a soothing seaside break all rolled into one.
Visit town’s artwork museums, together with the Perez Art Museum and all of the artwork galleries round South Beach. However, for those who solely have a weekend, Miami is the right time to sunbathe, play seaside volleyball, or snap photos of artwork deco seaside buildings.
Miami is laidback and inventive, but it surely largely has beautiful seashores and iconic metropolis standing. It’s a wonderful alternative for a weekend journey.
Where to Stay: We’ve obtained a full information on the place to remain in Miami right here.
Insider Tip: If you possibly can, add an additional day to your journey so you possibly can squeeze in a day journey to the Florida Keys or Everglades.
6. New York City, New York
New York City wants little introduction and is clearly among the best weekend getaways in the USA. You can climb the Empire State Building, go to a nationwide museum or two, stroll Central Park, or take the Staten Island ferry previous the Statue of Liberty. The complete metropolis is rammed with actions from dawn to dawn – therefore its affectionate nickname of the ‘city that never sleeps’. Throughout the day, you may have 1000’s of remark platforms in iconic towers, museums, and distinctive sights just like the 9/11 Museum and Memorial. After hours, you may have issues like Broadway reveals and cocktail bars.
The solely factor we’d say about New York City is to decide on your location correctly to maximise sightseeing time and to go there with a sport plan. If you solely go to for 2 days, you’ll must be fairly savage along with your itinerary. Here’s our excellent one-day itinerary for those who want any inspiration.
Where to Stay: Here’s our tackle the place to remain in NYC.
Insider Tip: Be savvy in the case of your lodging location; saving your self journey time is important.
West Coast
The West Coast has a severe fame for sunshine and browsing, because of lovely California stretching alongside many of the western shoreline. You’ve obtained main cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, linked by the dreamy street journey stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway. You’ve additionally obtained Seattle, proper by the Canadian border, and its mysteriously overcast Olympic National Park and La Push seashores.
By sticking to the shoreline, you possibly can select from iconic cities and loads of nationwide parks. The West Coast actually comes into its personal with redwoods and temperate rainforests. But equally, you possibly can go sightseeing in the action-packed Los Angeles or San Francisco.
7. Redwood National and State Parks, California
Redwood National and State Parks are nothing in need of magical. Where higher place to go for a memorable weekend journey than the house of the tallest timber in the world? You can take scenic drives, go mountaineering, and even simply spend a lazy afternoon fishing amongst the pure giants.
The nationwide park is in California, subsequent to the Oregon border. You can hike the beautiful Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, stroll by means of tunnels reduce out of fallen timber in Tall Trees Grove, and go to Big Tree Wayside to snap an image subsequent to the 1,500-year-old redwood tree that tops 300 toes tall and 68 toes vast.
For anybody wanting the nice outside with oomph, Redwood National and State Parks supply novelty and pure magnificence all in one. And with a weekend, you may have greater than sufficient time to embrace most of its trails.
Where to Stay: Orick Getaway.
Insider Tip: Camp in the park for additional journey and to maximise sightseeing time.
8. Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the cool dude of the Pacific Northwest, laid again comfortably on Puget Sound with various neighborhoods and a killer espresso tradition. It’s the place you’ll discover the Microsoft and Amazon headquarters. However, additionally it is only a quick day journey distance from the beautiful Olympic National Park and all its outside actions.
To steadiness pure wonders with a few of the main know-how and futuristic structure, Seattle is likely one of the finest weekend getaways in the USA. You can dedicate sooner or later to climbing the Space Needle, grabbing tasty meals from Pike Place Market, and mountaineering by means of the Hall of Mosses in Olympic National Park.
Where to Stay: Check out our full information on Where to Stay in Seattle.
Insider Tip: If you possibly can lengthen a day then it’s value doing; you’ll have the ability to keep in a single day in Olympic National Park and make it a extra leisurely expertise relatively than an bold day journey.
9. San Francisco, California
San Francisco is a high spot for a protracted weekend. You’ve obtained iconic sights to see, just like the Golden Gate Bridge, and historic websites like Alcatraz Island. The complete metropolis is stuffed with quirky corners, like curvy Lombard Street and the yellow cable vehicles. Visiting San Francisco is like stepping right into a film scene; you’ll acknowledge tons of surroundings.
The San Francisco piers are lined with seafood eating places, and you’ll catch sight of lovable sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf. You may take a wine-tasting tour to the attractive Napa Valley. San Fran’s pretty much as good for delicacies and foodies as it’s for sightseers.
People throw the phrase ‘melting pot’ round, however San Francisco actually deserves it. It packs a lot selection and quirky particular person sights right into a single metropolis, making it an enchanting metropolis break.
Where to Stay: Here’s our tackle the place to remain in San Fran.
Insider Tip: Make certain to go to Muir Woods National Monument, which is sort of a small-scale model of Redwood National Park.
10. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is one other implausible metropolis break that doesn’t require a lot introduction. You’ve obtained the heights of Hollywood – the place you possibly can tour Calabasas to identify celeb mansions, stroll the Hall of Fame, and even see celebs at relaxation in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Los Angeles has some cool issues to do. It’s a metropolis of fast-paced residing and celeb tradition.
In two days, you possibly can simply see the celeb aspect of Los Angeles and town’s beachside in its Santa Monica outskirts. LA is definitely among the best fast getaways merely due to how well-connected it’s. You can get flights right here from all around the world, and when you arrive, you may have tour selections galore.
11. San Diego, California
San Diego is our West Coast alternative for fixed sunshine and heat climate. If you need someplace scorching with seaside tradition, it’s one of many main weekend getaways in the USA. This neglected metropolis has a ton to supply for a weekend of solar and sand – simply take a look at its finest seashores, and also you’ll see what we imply. You may loosen up on Breakers Beach, Silver Strand State Beach, or Mission Beach Park.
Aside from seaside tradition, San Diego additionally has Balboa Park, which is stuffed with museums and sights. There’s additionally maritime historical past galore on the USS Midway Museum and Maritime Museum of San Diego. San Diego is the right steadiness of sightseeing and enjoyable on the seaside. For these desirous to discover new areas of California, it’s excellent.
North
The North of the USA hugs the Canadian border. It incorporates a few of the most attractive, distant areas of pure magnificence. Inland Washington, Montana, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota are excellent for spending time outside.
It isn’t all nature, although; Lake Michigan is a magnet for main cities, together with Chicago, with its mouth-watering delicacies. Detroit is one other metropolis break possibility, and you’ll even go on a day journey to Niagara Falls from there for those who’d like. Northern USA has tons to supply. Here are the most effective weekend getaways in the area.
12. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is a implausible weekend journey for lovers of the nice outside. Just take a look at how lovely its finest hikes are; you’ve obtained Iceberg Lake with its little floating icebergs in a jagged mountain-framed alpine lake and aqua-blue Cracker Lake surrounded by meadow flowers. Saint Mary Falls is a scenic 35-foot waterfall that photographers and good-view-lovers will adore.
If you’re match, you could possibly sort out two hikes in this nationwide park over a weekend. It’s the place to hike in order for you alpine surroundings galore and fabulous wildlife sightseeing alternatives. You can spot all the things from moose to bear. There are over 700 miles of trails in the nationwide park, although, so that you’ll must be savage in your decision-making course of. But it’s positively doable in an action-packed weekend.
13. Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is usually neglected and is definitely among the best weekend getaways. There are landmarks just like the Roebling Suspension Bridge and museums just like the Cincinnati Art Museum. However, most significantly, there are extra distinctive issues to do, like visiting the National Underground Railroad to Freedom Center.
This middle marks the place courageous people made a splash for freedom throughout the Ohio River, which was as soon as the biggest pure barrier between the Northern USA and Southern slave states. On a weekend journey to Cincinnati, you’ll have sufficient time to study extra about this disturbing interval and deepen your data of Civil War historical past as an entire.
When you need some downtime, Cincinnati has a implausible brewery scene and tons of major-league sports activities. See if there are any occasions or excursions out there whenever you go to.
14. Mount Rushmore National Park, South Dakota
Mount Rushmore is an thrilling weekend getaway. The colossal mountainside sculpture has been seen in main motion pictures, not simply social media and magazines. It’s a massively influential landmark depicting 4 former US presidents: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt. If you’ve obtained a US bucket record, likelihood is Mount Rushmore is on it.
You can simply attain Mount Rushmore from Rapid City, only a 30-minute drive from the sculpture. It’s best for a weekend getaway, because it’s simple to see the attraction shortly – it’s a tiny website regardless of the large scale of the sculptures. Think of it as an environment friendly bucket record checker.
15. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit had a rough-around-the-edges stereotype, however that’s quick been shrugged off, and town is now seen as the right weekend getaway for anybody wanting an industrial artwork environment. The Detroit Industry Murals are a spotlight of the Detroit Institute of Arts museum, whereas Lincoln Street Art Park is stuffed with colourful avenue artwork. Detroit is inventive and closely city, which caught our eye as one of the distinctive and finest weekend getaways in the USA.
You can seize meals on the Eastern Market whereas admiring its avenue artwork murals. There’s additionally the Henry Ford Museum, baseball video games from April to October, Motown Museum, and scenic riverfront. Detroit is your finest wager in order for you a metropolis break with plenty of city artwork affect.
Where to Stay: Shinola Hotel.
Insider Tip: Any Eminem followers ought to take an 8-mile tour round all of the film scene spots.
16. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis is one other unsung addition to our greatest weekend getaways. The metropolis is nicknamed ‘the city of lakes’, with 13 lakes dotted round its outskirts. Minneapolis is sliced in half by the Mississippi River. It has attractive water views, which may be loved by crossing Stone Arch Bridge or strolling by means of Boom Island Park.
You can take pleasure in river actions like kayaking or simply inner-city waterfront mountaineering trails. Then you’ve additionally obtained extra commonplace sights just like the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Walker Art Center. Minneapolis will get our vote as among the best metropolis breaks due to all its water actions – a tremendous steadiness as a landlocked city vacation spot.
17. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is a haven for outside lovers and is definitely one of the thrilling weekend journey choices. After all, it’s Yellowstone, which is essentially the most well-known nationwide park in the USA. Yellowstone secured its nationwide park standing in 1872 and is house to just about half of the world’s most lively geysers. It’s an absolute hotbed of volcanic exercise but additionally a wonderful place for wildlife sightings. In quick, it’s among the best locations to understand America’s most untamed nature.
You can go to Grand Prismatic Spring or watch Old Faithful explode. If you retain your eyes on the skies, you possibly can spot moose, elk, and even bald eagles. Yellowstone National Park is likely one of the most rewarding weekend getaways you possibly can presumably take.
Where to Stay: We have an entire information devoted to the Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone.
Insider Tip: Yellowstone has the biggest bison inhabitants, so preserve your eyes out for them.
18. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is stuffed with tradition, particularly relating to meals and theater, which go remarkably effectively collectively on a weekend trip. You can style scrumptious delicacies like deep-dish pizza, having fun with fabulous meals earlier than heading off for a night of Broadway-style theater and comedy leisure. Chicago has an enormous improv comedy scene and is likely one of the finest weekend getaways in order for you evenings filled with laughter.
So, we’ve established that your evenings will probably be spent consuming yummy Chicago delicacies and watching theater and comedy reveals. But what about through the day? Well, Chicago is fantastically set on Lake Michigan with a surprising skyscraper skyline. You can take a ship tour, full the Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk, and revel in plentiful inexperienced areas like Grant Park.
Chicago is a personality-pumped weekend trip vacation spot. A pair hours north, Milwaukee hosts Summerfest yearly. If you may have some additional time, there’s lots to do close by.
South
Southern USA has a few of the finest weekend journey selections, with robust characters like Las Vegas and New Orleans. Think deeply enshrined Creole tradition and delicacies, cities that know methods to get together, and a few of the less-flocked-upon stretches of shoreline for a seaside break.
The South has a fancy Civil War historical past. It is implausible for historical past buffs desirous to scratch previous the floor and study extra about USA historical past. However, it’s additionally a spot to embrace a extra outrageous aspect to life, partying in New Orleans, listening to reside music in Nashville, and embracing Dallas’ cowboy tradition.
Are you able to embrace Southern US tradition? Here are the highest locations to contemplate for weekend getaways.
19. Las Vegas, Nevada
Who doesn’t know Las Vegas? ‘Sin City’ is a well-liked contender on Southern America’s weekend getaway scene. Whether you adore it or hate it, Las Vegas is aware of methods to entertain. You can hit the Strip for partying, take a day journey to Death Valley, or take a look at weird sights just like the Neon Museum.
Las Vegas is likely one of the finest weekend journeys, as you possibly can simply squeeze its highlights right into a two-day itinerary. The quantity of actions at evening additionally means you possibly can maximize your expertise and time – experiencing tons of sightseeing and constructing a great deal of reminiscences in a short while. Plus, Vegas is a breeze to get to, with common flights from all around the world.
Where to Stay: Here’s our information on the place to remain in Las Vegas.
Insider Tip: Try to spend sooner or later off the strip – we’ve obtained a information on off the strip actions right here.
20. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a metropolis surrounded by mountains, making it a superb weekend journey to take pleasure in nature from a cushty metropolis base. Asheville is sandwiched between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You have lovely views and nearly quick entry to attractive mountaineering trails and scenic drives just like the Blue Ridge Parkway. As if that wasn’t already sufficient, town can also be a simple weekend getaway, with loads of common flight connections. What’s to not love?
Aside from its mountains, you possibly can stroll amongst avenue artwork in the River Arts District and go to area of interest sights just like the Asheville Pinball Museum. Asheville has a thriving arts scene and exquisite Nineteenth-century structure. With the mountains so shut by, you actually can’t ask for a extra attention-grabbing weekend break.
Where to Stay: Elevation Lofts Hotel.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Downtown Art District’s wealth of artwork galleries.
21. Dallas, Texas
Dallas is a primary vacation spot for first-time guests to Texas. Get prepared for an absolute baptism of fireside into Texan tradition; Dallas is an thrilling weekend getaway. When it involves weekend journeys, you need someplace with sufficient character that you just’ll get an important style of its character even in a short while. This is exactly what Dallas brings to the desk. You’ve obtained cowboy retailers dotted all around the metropolis and the Fort Worth Rodeo simply north of town.
When you aren’t embracing Dallas’ infectious cowboy tradition, you may be testing dozens of issues to do in town middle. There’s the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, from which JFK was assassinated, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. It is an actual industrial and cultural hub, and also you’ll get an important style of Texas from a weekend in Dallas. And the additional tales from occasions just like the JFK assassination give town a bit extra intrigue.
Where to Stay: Mint House Dallas.
Insider Tip: Make certain to go to the Grassy Knoll, which is a grass part marking the spot the place John F Kennedy was shot in 1963.
22. Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is definitely among the best weekend getaways in the USA. This Utah metropolis sits between the Great Salt Lake and a stunning mountain vary lined in ski resorts. The results of that is that Salt Lake City makes for nice weekend getaways all 12 months spherical. You may head there in winter to early spring and revel in a combination of metropolis breaks and ski holidays. Or you could possibly go to Salt Lake City in summer season and revel in Great Lake’s seashores between sightseeing.
Salt Lake City is a well-located alternative for a weekend journey. In town middle, Mormon historical past is at Temple Square, the Pioneer Memorial Museum is close by, and there are many lovely parks—together with Sugar House Park, which gives a view of snow-covered mountains.
For us, the truth that you could possibly ski or sunbathe in the morning after which sightsee in the afternoon is an actual winner. Salt Lake City can also be extraordinarily well-connected with each worldwide and home flights.
23. Gulf Shores, Alabama
If you like lovely seashores, the Gulf Shores are one of many high weekend getaways in the USA. The metropolis sits on Alabama’s south shoreline and hyperlinks with the Gulf State Park, which covers over 6,000 acres of sand dunes and guarded coastal reserves. It has all of the services of a metropolis – together with simple airport entry. However, it additionally gives a quieter seaside getaway expertise.
In the Southern USA, many affiliate its coastal tradition with East Coast locations like Miami or the tropical Florida Keys. For this purpose, the Gulf Shores are a lot much less visited. This is nice for you as for those who go to in a tactical season, you’ll have peaceable seashores with fewer crowds than manic South Beach.
You can go to the Gulf Shores Museum or Gulf State Park Nature Center. But most significantly, you should use weekend getaways in Gulf Shores as a time to loosen up and rejuvenate.
24. New Orleans, Louisiana
The ‘Big Easy’ is the place for around-the-clock leisure and a metropolis with severe swagger. You’ve obtained the creole delicacies of blended French, African, and American dishes, and there’s a raging reside music scene that culminates on neon Bourbon Street. New Orleans is stuffed with tradition and variety, with noise and motion at each flip. New Orleans will maximize that point for those who solely have a weekend to take pleasure in.
You ought to positively take a look at the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, the Museum of Death, and the structure of the attractive French Quarter. As quickly as evening falls, although, it is best to take a look at Bourbon Street and all its motion. You’ll discover jazz performances at Preservation Hall, reside bands at Ticklers Bar, and karaoke at The World Famous Cats Meow.
Where to Stay: Here is our full up to date information on Where To Stay in New Orleans.
Insider Tip: Try to coincide your go to with Mardi Gras celebrations, which fall between February and March every year.
25. Nashville, Tennessee
Last however not least, now we have the unbelievable Nashville. As the reside music capital of the nation, Nashville is a worthy addition to our record of the most effective weekend getaways in the USA. ‘Music City’ is house to the Johnny Cash Museum, the Grand Ole Opry stage, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Nashville is broadly hailed because the birthplace of nation music and bluegrass. It even has recording studios on Music Row the place Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley recorded their jams.
It’s a fast-paced weekend getaway filled with sound and vibrant music tradition. If you like music and music historical past, Nashville will, definitely, preserve you in your toes.
At evening, Nashville has a enjoyable honky-tonk scene—little rough-and-ready bars best for reasonable weekend getaways. Head to the District for late-night music memorabilia buying and reside music galore. If you wish to expertise Southern US tradition in only a weekend, Nashville can do an important job.
Our Favourite Weekend Getaways in The USA
The USA is so diverse in its weekend getaways. While you’re inevitably restricted in time when embarking on weekend journeys, choosing one among these main 25 locations helps you get essentially the most out of a brief interval. And the USA actually comes into its personal with weekend-suited nationwide parks and metropolis breaks. You’ve obtained main cities like New York City and lesser-visited cities like Cincinnati. You have hikes, outside actions, and buying streets – it’s all as much as you.
What about for those who’ve discovered your weekend vacation spot however now really feel much more impressed? Looking for extra USA journey inspiration? Check out our final high 50 record of the most effective locations to go to in the USA. We’ve additionally obtained a round-up of the most effective nationwide parks to go to in 2024 right here.