20 Best Weekend Getaways in the United States for Your Next Short Trip
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Do you find yourself thinking that you would love to travel more, but you feel like you just don’t have the time? The best weekend getaways in the United States are an amazing way to fit in more travel without taking a ton of time off from work. I love trying to fit in a few weekend trips in the United States throughout the year. It allows me to visit so many more places than I would be able to if I were trying to spend more time in each place.
As someone who lives in the United States, the easiest places for me to visit on a short weekend trip are other cities in the U.S. This guide will cover all of the best places for a weekend getaway in the United States to visit for your next weekend getaway, so you can fit in more travel.
Cities make the best weekend trips because they tend to have plenty to do, and they are close to an airport. I did attempt to include some places that are still somewhat close to an airport, but where you could get out in nature. For more tips on how to plan a weekend trip, see my post here.
1. New York City, New York
Why Visit?
New York City has so many things to do. You could see a Broadway show, see iconic landmarks like Times Square and the Empire State Building, and eat some amazing food. While you can’t see everything New York has to offer in one weekend, it is a great place to go to escape to a bigger city that has something to appeal to everyone.
Who Should Visit?
This would be best for people who love big cities, cultural activities (there are so many shows and museums), and foodies who are looking for a wide variety of food options.
2. San Francisco, California
Why Visit?
San Francisco is a beautiful West Coast city with plenty of things to do. Go sightseeing and visit the Golden Gate Bridge, visit the museums, and explore the local neighborhoods. Or pay a visit to the zoo and some of the parks in the city.
Who Should Visit?
San Francisco has plenty of historical sights for history buffs. The city also has a wide variety of great food options and is known for being a great cultural city. If food and cultural activities interest you, San Francisco would be a great choice for weekend trips in the United States.
3. Charleston, South Carolina
Why Visit?
Charleston is a city with a lot of Southern charm and a historic feel. It is located near the ocean for easy access to the beach. It also has great food and would be a good pick for a relaxing weekend on the East Coast.
Who Should Visit?
This would be a great place for a couple’s trip or a girls’ trip with more of a chill and relaxing vibe.
4. Chicago, Illinois
Why Visit?
Chicago is one of the best places for a weekend getaway in the Midwest. It has some cool architecture, some of the best museums, iconic landmarks, and deep-dish pizza. It also has some scenic views with its location on Lake Michigan and has plenty of activities for all types of travelers. For my full breakdown on how to spend a weekend in Chicago, see my itinerary here.
Who Should Visit?
Chicago is a great choice if you are looking for architecture and museums. It is also great if you live in the Midwest but want a nearby city escape. The central location makes it easy for most people to get to for a weekend trip.
5. Miami, Florida
Why Visit?
Miami has warm weather for most of the year, making it a great destination to escape colder climates. The city is filled with tons of art and interesting architecture. The nearby beaches make it great for a weekend trip to the beach. Miami is also well known for its nightlife and is filled with great culture and delicious food.
Who Should Visit?
Visit Miami if you love art, want to spend a weekend on the beach, or if you love to party and are looking for somewhere with lots of nightlife.
6. San Antonio, Texas
Why Visit?
San Antonio has the perfect amount of big activities to fill a weekend trip. Stroll along the River Walk, visit the Alamo, and enjoy the city’s vibrant culture and delicious food. I absolutely loved staying near the River Walk so I could end my days walking along it and picking out a place to eat for dinner.
Who Should Visit?
San Antonio is great for history lovers wanting to visit the Alamo. It is also great for those seeking culture and great food.
7. Denver, Colorado
Why Visit?
Denver is such a great place for weekend trips in the United States. It is pretty centrally located, so it is easy to get to from most of the United States. It is so close to the mountains, giving you scenic mountain views and a ton of options for outdoor activities. In the summer, there is plenty of hiking, and in the winter, you can drive into the mountains and go snowboarding or skiing. Denver is also known for its breweries.
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you are looking for somewhere with mountains. Denver is also a great place to fly into before heading closer to the mountains for hiking and other outdoor activities. People who love craft beer may also enjoy Denver.
8. Nashville, Tennessee
Why Visit?
When you think of Nashville, you probably think of country music. It is a great choice if you are looking for a weekend of exploring the city and catching country music performances, or hanging out in country music bars.
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame or tour the Ryman Auditorium, or the Grand Ole Opry. Visit the Honky Tonk Highway on Broadway for bars with live music. Nashville has tons of options for music performances and things to see.
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you love country music and want that kind of vibe for your weekend trips in the United States. Nashville is also a popular destination for bachelorette parties.
9. Seattle, Washington
Why Visit?
Seattle has plenty of interesting things to do in the city – you could visit Pike Place Market, see the Space Needle, and go to the museums. It also has a lot of nearby natural beauty and some great nearby hiking.
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you are looking for a combination of sightseeing and outdoor activities.
10. New Orleans, Louisiana
Why Visit?
I honestly still haven’t been to New Orleans, even though it has been on my list for so long. I would add it to my list for even just the food alone, but there is so much more to New Orleans. New Orleans has so much culture, jazz music, and delicious food. New Orleans can be one of the most vibrant weekend trips in the United States.
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you are looking for great music, culture, and food.
11. Salt Lake City, Utah
Why Visit?
Salt Lake City makes for a great weekend trip, not necessarily for the city itself, but for its proximity to so much natural beauty and some amazing national parks. You can get to pretty much all of Utah’s national parks in under 4 hours of driving from Salt Lake City. You may want to add one extra day to this trip to account for additional travel time, but if you love nature and hiking, it might be worth it to consider as a weekend trip to one of the nearby national parks.
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you’re trying to get to one of Utah’s national parks and love nature and outdoor activities like hiking.
12. Portland, Oregon
Why Visit?
Portland has great nearby hiking with waterfalls and forests. It also has some amazing food and a great craft beer scene. This would be a good trip if you’re looking to spend some time in nature during the day but want to be able to relax with great food and beer in the evening.
Who Should Visit?
This would be great for nature lovers who want good food and beer nearby.
13. Washington, D.C.
Why Visit?
There are so many cool historic buildings and monuments to see here, as well as great museums like the Smithsonian. You probably can’t see it all in one weekend, but you can see what interests you the most. The zoo here is also one of the very few zoos in the U.S. with pandas, so I’m definitely swinging by the zoo on my next trip here. It truly is one of the best weekend getaways in the United States for history lovers.
Who Should Visit?
Washington, D.C., is great for history lovers, museum lovers, and families wanting an educational trip for their kids.
14. Los Angeles, California
Why Visit?
You could have a few different types of weekend trips in Los Angeles. One option would be to spend the weekend in one of the nearby beach towns and enjoy some time at the beach. I personally have stayed in Redondo Beach and love the proximity to the Redondo Pier while also being right on the Strand, so it was easy to rent a bike and explore the other beaches. Hermosa Beach was an easy walk as well.
Alternatively, you could have a sightseeing weekend and see the Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame, and do a studio tour or a sightseeing tour. My other idea for a weekend trip to LA is to do a short Disneyland trip or visit Universal Studios.
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you are looking for a nice beach trip, want to do some movie and Hollywood-related sightseeing, or if you want to visit one of the theme parks.
15. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Why Visit?
I know this isn’t very far from Denver, but there’s enough to do in and near Colorado Springs for it to stand on its own. There are some very beautiful nearby state parks and the Garden of the Gods for hiking. Colorado Springs is also home to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. This zoo is in the mountains, and it’s super fun to see the animals while also admiring the views.
There is also the nearby town of Manitou Springs, which has tons of cute shops and sits at the base of Pikes Peak. Hike, drive, or take the train up Pikes Peak for some unforgettable views. See my post here for a full weekend itinerary to help you plan your weekend getaway to Colorado Springs!
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you love nature, hiking, and want to see some amazing views while still being near city amenities.
16. Estes Park, Colorado
Why Visit?
Estes Park is one of the best places for a weekend getaway. It only takes a couple of hours to drive here from the Denver Airport, and it is absolutely beautiful up here. I like to spend my weekends here hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, exploring the cute shops in town, and riding the Estes Park Aerial Tramway. See my full Estes Park itinerary here or my post on the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you are looking for outdoor adventure and some of the most amazing mountain views.
17. Bozeman, Montana
Why Visit?
Fly to Bozeman if you’re looking to visit Yellowstone National Park. The park is only about an hour and a half’s drive from Bozeman and is a bucket list trip for many people. You won’t be able to see the whole park in one weekend, but a weekend trip is still enough time to see some of the natural beauty.
Who Should Visit?
Visit Bozeman if you would like to visit Yellowstone National Park and enjoy mountain views, stunning scenery, and outdoor adventure.
18. Orlando, Florida
Why Visit?
While Orlando does get chilly on occasion, it tends to be much warmer than the colder climates up north and is a great place to visit to escape the cold. It doesn’t take very long to drive from Orlando to places like Daytona Beach if you are looking for a relaxing beach getaway. Orlando is also home to some of the best theme parks in the country – Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida.
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you would like to escape the cold, visit one of the nearby beaches, or visit the theme parks.
19. Aspen, Colorado
Why Visit?
Aspen is most known for being a ski resort destination in the winter. Located in the mountains, you can expect stunning views here, as well as plenty of outdoor activities and luxury resorts. This would be great for luxury winter weekend trips in the United States.
Who Should Visit?
This is great if you’re looking for a luxury ski trip in the winter or if you want a mountain escape.
20. St. Petersburg, Florida
Why Visit?
St. Petersburg is one of my favorite beach destinations for weekend trips in the United States. For Florida beaches, I prefer the Gulf side for the calm and clear water. It has its own airport, so it is super convenient to fly to for a quick trip. There are tons of hotels to stay in on the beach, and there is also some pretty great food around.
Who Should Visit?
Visit if you are looking for a relaxing beach escape without leaving the United States.
How to Plan the Best Weekend Getaways in the United States
The best weekend getaways in the United States are going to depend a little bit on what you are looking to get out of your trip, and also where you are located. The closer you are to a bigger airport, the easier it is to cut back on travel time and have more time to spend in your destination.
Location is so important when choosing the best places for a weekend getaway. Traveling from New York to LA is going to be a bit more challenging to fit into a weekend than traveling from New York to somewhere like Florida, where the flight is much shorter. See my post on planning weekend trips for more important tips and my method for planning weekend trips in the United States.
The best weekend getaways in the United States are going to be dependent on what you want to get out of your trip – an exciting trip to the city, a relaxing beach vacation, or a mountain escape? It will also depend on where you can realistically get to in a weekend while still having time to explore your destination.
What are your favorite weekend trips in the United States? Let me know in the comments!
