Weekend Travel Getaway

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If you’re a 9-to-5er Monday through Friday like me, you probably have every 3-day weekend on your radar.

That extra day off screams, “Let’s go!”

Kids are out of school, you’re off work, awe, the anticipation of get-the-heck-out-of-town weekends gives me goosebumps. 

Whether you prefer to drive, fly, RV, or train for your next 3-day excursion, these nine destinations below are great for a short trip.

“If you never go, you’ll never know.”

— Anonymous

First, 5 Tips for Weekend Budget Travel:

1. Inexpensive Airfare / Transportation to Destination: Get notifications on flight prices on the places you want to visit from Expedia.

2. Affordable accommodation within your budget: Visit and stay with a friend or family member who lives in a place you’d like to go.

   Or check out trip booking platforms that specialize in bundles like Expedia and Travelocity; a short 3-day cruise can save money depending on the destination.

   For last-minute deals and the best rates, I use CruiseDirect.

   Staying in a home rental can save money.

   Check out Vrbo for everything from cottages to homes to villas. For hotel discounts, Hotels.com offers discounts up to 40% off or more.

3. Give yourself a day to recuperate at home before heading back to work to avoid burnout: it sounds ideal to leave right after work on Friday and return Monday night until you realize you work the next day.

   Take it from someone who maxes out days off from work; it is better to have a recovery day, especially if you go nonstop over the weekend.

4. Create a travel budget and stick to it: there are eleven Federal Holidays in 2024, seven of which are on a Monday, potentially giving you multiple excursions this year if your budget allows.

   Plan smart, and you can travel more.

5. To save money, avoid traveling on popular weekends like Memorial Day and Labor Day.

   Flights, hotels, and excursions tend to have higher costs and less availability.

   Search for extra savings on attractions at Sightseeing Pass.

   For short trips like three-day weekends, go to places that didn’t make the top ten travel destinations list or take a road trip.

   Glamping with RVShare can save money and max out the time spent on an adventure.

   Save the popular destinations for longer trips when you can be flexible with travel days (a great way to save).

2024 Federal Holidays

1. New Year’s Eve - MONDAY, 1, January

2. MLK, Jr. Day - MONDAY, 15, January

3. President’s Day - MONDAY, 19, FEBRUARY

4. Memorial Day - MONDAY, 27, MAY

5. Juneteenth - Wednesday, 19, June

6. Independence Day - Thursday, 4, July

7. Labor Day - MONDAY, 2, September

8. Indigenous Ppl/Columbus Day - MONDAY, 14, October

9. Veteran’s Day - MONDAY, 11, November

10. Thanksgiving - Thursday, 28, November

11. Christmas Day - Wednesday, 25, December

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Places to Go For a Long Weekend

Let’s start with the bustling U.S. cities and wind down to the relaxing locations. Keep in mind the time of year, going in the off-season can save you money.

New York, NY

For the experience seekers, NYC offers options to fill your trip with activities and sightseeing.

Central Park alone features Central Park Zoo, numerous museums, including MOMA, and outdoor activities like biking, row boats, playgrounds, and more.

Tour the Statue of Liberty, watch a Broadway show, shop in Soho, walk Times Square and 5th Ave, or venture across the Brooklyn Bridge and have dinner in Timeout Market.

I’m not even scratching the surface of things to experience in NYC.

San Diego, CA

This beach city offers everything from Balboa Park, home to the San Diego Zoo and Casa de Balboa, to ferry rides to Coronado Island.

San Diego’s lined beaches along Mission Bay include parks for sports, picnics, bikes, and family activities.

The Gaslamp District offers shopping and dining options downtown. 

Washington, DC

This city is the epicenter of American history, museums, and monuments to keep any historical aficionado going.

To mention a few: The National Monument, The Smithsonian Museums, the National Gallery of Art, and the Lincoln Memorial.

Did I forget to mention the Whitehouse?

Get around the city during the day by walking, trolley, and underground train.

There is much to see in the nation’s capital, not to mention great dining options for foodies.

Seattle, WA

Known as the home of Starbucks, Seattle offers more than coffee.

Places to check out: Pike’s Place Market, where the original Starbucks is located, the Space Needle, The Pacific Science Center, the Museum of Pop Culture, and many more excursions like a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island or whale watching at Alki Beach.

For shopping, Westlake Village downtown offers a four-story mall. 

Theme Parks

Theme parks are on the list for those looking for a thrill.

Pick a theme park close to home or go big with a short trip to Disney.

Theme parks pack in the fun, giving you a complete experience in a day or two. 

Reserve a Cabin

If relaxing over the long weekend is what you want, yet you're looking for a change of scenery, try renting a cabin in the mountains or on a lake for the weekend.

Hike, make a campfire, or play a board game at the table.

Find one close to home, in another state, snow-packed, or in warm weather.

Websites like Vrbo help in the search for the perfect cabin.

Enjoy the water? Rent a lake cabin to swim, fish, or boat.

Resort

Well-known as the ultimate version of relaxation, resorts can accommodate everyone’s needs.

Are you looking for endless activities to fill your weekend or lounging by the pool for the ultimate tan?

Resorts can offer water activities, arcades, restaurants, stores, casinos, nightclubs, Michelin-star restaurants, and kid’s activity areas; you won’t have to leave the property.

Check Hotels.com for discounts on luxury resorts, hotels, and pet-friendly hotels.

Cruise

Select Destination Bahamas Bermuda Canada / New England Caribbean Europe Hawaii Mediterranean Mexico Panama Canal Alaska Bahamas Bermuda Canada / New England Caribbean Europe Hawaii Mediterranean Mexico Panama Canal ----- Africa Alaska Antarctica Asia Australasia Australia / New Zealand Bahamas Baja Mexico Bermuda Canada / New England Caribbean Central Mediterranean Cuba Eastern Caribbean Eastern Europe Eastern Mediterranean Europe Galapagos Hawaii Indian Ocean Mediterranean Mexican Riviera Mexico Middle East Northern Europe Orient Far East Pacific Coastal Panama Canal South America South Pacific Southern Caribbean Southern Europe Transatlantic Western Caribbean Western Europe Western Mediterranean World Cruise

Select Departure Port Amsterdam Anchorage Athens Auckland Baltimore Bangkok Barbados Barcelona Bayonne Beijing Boston Buenos Aires Cape Town Charleston Copenhagen Dover Dubai Fort Lauderdale Fort-de-France Fremantle Galveston Genoa Hamburg Hong Kong Honolulu Jacksonville Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Mobile Naples New Orleans New York City Nice Osaka Papeete Paris Perth Port Canaveral Rio De Janeiro Rome San Diego San Francisco San Juan Santiago Seward Shanghai Singapore Sydney Tampa/St.Petersburg Tokyo Vancouver Venice

Select Month January February March April May June July August September October November December

Select Year 2023 2024 2025 2026

Select Length 3-5 nights 6-9 nights 10-14 nights 15+ nights

Select Cruise Line AmaWaterwaysAvalon WaterwaysAzamara CruisesCarnival Cruise LineCelebrity CruisesCostaCunard LineDisney Cruise LineHolland America LineHurtigruten ExpeditionsMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesPrincess CruisesRegent Seven SeasRoyal Caribbean CruisesSeabourn Cruise LineSilversea CruisesUniworld Boutique CruisesViking Expeditions CruisesViking Ocean CruisesViking River CruisesVirgin Voyages

Cruises, picture an all-inclusive floating resort with ample entertainment and nightlife.

A weekend on a 1, 2, or 3-night cruise can offer huge savings.

Some of these ships sail away without stopping at a port, saving even more money.

The best place to check out these deals is Cruise Direct.

It’s the top marketplace for cruises and discount destinations.

TIP: To save even more money, choose a cruise that stays at sea without stopping at a port.

Beach Town

If you are looking forward to a weekend to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, consider a beach town to unwind and relax.

Whether you seek solace in the sand and vastness of the ocean or crave a little adventure in watersports, these towns offer a variety of activities and unique accommodations.

For a beach cottage or bungalow check Vrbo for discounted rentals. Another budget-saving option is glamping in an RVShare near the beach.

For your next long weekend, don’t you deserve to get out of town to a destination that brings you and your family a new experience?

On a budget, check out my blog, Thrifty Traveler, for a list of affordable activities.

Cheers to your Happy Travels and a Happy Wallet!

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