Sometimes you just need a quick escape. A good weekend getaway lets you see somewhere new, relax a little, and come home feeling refreshed without taking a full week off work.
Some destinations work much better for a short trip than others. The best weekend getaways are places where you can arrive on Friday and still feel like you’ve actually experienced the destination by the time you head home Sunday or Monday.
I’ve traveled throughout the United States with my family for years, and these are some of my favorite places for a short trip. I’ve included walkable cities, beach escapes, mountain towns, foodie destinations, and outdoor adventures, with options for couples and families.
Most of these weekend getaways in the USA can be enjoyed in two or three days. You won’t see everything—and that’s okay. Pick a few things you really want to do, leave some time to explore, and save the rest for your next visit.
Best Weekend Getaways in the USA: Quick Picks
Short on time? These are my picks for the best weekend getaways depending on the kind of trip you’re planning.
Best overall weekend getaway: Charleston, South Carolina Best weekend getaway for couples: Savannah, Georgia Best city weekend: New York City, New York Best weekend getaway for food: Portland, Maine Best beach weekend: Key West, Florida Best outdoor weekend: Sedona, Arizona Best fall weekend getaway: Stowe, Vermont Best winter weekend getaway: Lake Tahoe, California Best weekend for culture: Santa Fe, New Mexico Best relaxing weekend: Napa Valley, California
How long do you need? Most of these destinations work well for a 2–3 day trip, making them good choices for a regular weekend or a long weekend without using a full week of vacation.
Best Weekend Getaways on the East Coast
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is one of the most charming cities in the United States and a perfect place for a relaxing weekend trip. The historic streets, colorful houses, and waterfront views make it one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
A weekend is the perfect amount of time to see most of Charleston and enjoy plenty of delicious food. Charleston is one of my personal favorite places for a weekend trip. I love the charm, the beautiful gardens, and most of all, the food!
Best for: history, food, romantic trips How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: spring or fall
Savannah is one of the most romantic and atmospheric cities in the United States. The historic squares, oak trees covered in Spanish moss, and beautiful architecture make it feel very different from most American cities.
Savannah has an even smaller downtown than Charleston, making it the perfect size to explore on foot. There are 22 historic squares throughout the city that have beautiful parks to wander through.
Best for: romantic trips, history, food How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: spring or fall
New York City might seem like too much to tackle in a weekend, but you don’t need to see everything to have a fantastic trip. I’ve been visiting NYC regularly for more than 25 years, and I still find something new every time I go.
Visiting an observation deck for views over Manhattan
Exploring neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and SoHo
Eating your way through the city
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is one of the best weekend trips in the USA if you enjoy history and fresh seafood. You can learn all about the events leading up to the Revolutionary War and the forming of the United States. Or you can spend the weekend enjoying cultural sites like museums, music, and theater.
Either way you get a spectacular city with more to do that you can fit in in just one weekend, so you can plan another really soon after!
Best for: history, culture How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: spring or fall
Highlights include:
Walking the historic Freedom Trail
Exploring the beautiful streets of Beacon Hill
Visiting the Boston Harbor waterfront
Eating fresh seafood and lobster rolls
Portland, Maine
Portland is my personal favorite small city in New England. The small size of the historic downtown makes it a perfect size to explore on a weekend. You can have lobster on the waterfront that was caught that morning. Enjoy the cobblestone roads along the historic waterfront, and eat some of the best food in all of the Northeast.
The city has a relaxed atmosphere and is especially popular with food lovers.
Best for: seafood, coastal scenery How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: summer or fall
In winter Stowe becomes one of the best ski destinations in the Northeast.
Stowe is a great weekend trip for people who love the outdoors. Hiking, snowshoeing, and leaf peeping make up most of the trip. There are some great restaurants and some fun shopping in downtown, but most of your time will be about being out in the beautiful Vermont scenery.
Best for: fall foliage, cozy mountain trips How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: fall or winter
Highlights include:
Driving scenic mountain roads
Hiking trails with incredible views
Exploring the charming village
Visiting local cider mills and farms
Best Weekend Getaways in the West
San Diego, California
Photo credit: Depositphtoos
San Diego is one of the best weekend getaways in the USA if you want sunshine and beautiful beaches. The city has a relaxed atmosphere and plenty to do.
You can spend the weekend relaxing by the ocean or exploring museums and coastal neighborhoods. I personally wold recommend romaing through Balboa Park for at least one afternoon. Then I would head to the beach for day and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Best for: beaches, warm weather How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: year-round
Highlights include:
Swimming and kayaking at La Jolla Cove
Exploring the museums and gardens of Balboa Park
Visiting the famous San Diego Zoo
Watching sunset along the coast
Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful outdoor destinations in the United States. The clear blue lake surrounded by mountains makes it perfect for a relaxing weekend in nature.
I love Lake Tahoe, and I love how beautiful the surrounding area is. Whether you stay in California or Nevada you will find beautiful mountains and gorgeous lake views.
Best for: lake scenery, outdoor adventures How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: summer or winter
Highlights include:
Hiking trails with lake views
Boating and swimming in the clear water
Skiing and snowboarding in winter
Scenic drives around the lake
Sedona, Arizona
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
Sedona is one of those places where the scenery really is as spectacular as it looks in photos. The red rocks surround you almost everywhere you go, so you don’t have to spend your entire weekend hiking to enjoy what makes Sedona special.
A weekend gives you enough time to do a couple of hikes, take a drive through the red rocks, and still have time to wander through town or relax at a spa. If hiking isn’t your thing, take a Jeep tour instead. It’s one of the easiest ways to get out into the landscape and see more of Sedona without spending hours on a trail.
Sedona is especially good for a long weekend because you can make the trip as active or as relaxing as you want.
Best for: hiking, scenery How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: spring or fall
Highlights include:
Hiking to Cathedral Rock
Jeep tours through the red rock landscape
Watching sunset over the desert
Visiting local spas and art galleries
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe doesn’t feel like most other cities in the United States, which is one of the reasons it makes such a fun weekend getaway. The adobe buildings, mountains, art galleries, and New Mexican food give the city a very distinct personality.
The historic center is compact enough that you can see quite a bit in a weekend without feeling like you’re constantly rushing from place to place. Spend some time around the Plaza, wander in and out of galleries, visit a museum or two, and make sure you come hungry. The food is one of the best reasons to visit Santa Fe!
If you have an extra day, get outside the city and enjoy some of the incredible New Mexico scenery. Santa Fe works especially well for a long weekend because you can combine culture, great food, and the outdoors in one short trip.
Best for: art, culture, food, couples How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: spring or fall
Highlights include:
Exploring the historic Santa Fe Plaza
Wandering through galleries along Canyon Road
Trying traditional New Mexican food
Visiting Santa Fe’s museums
Taking a scenic drive into the mountains
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is hard to beat if you want to spend your weekend surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the country. With Grand Teton National Park right next door, you can be out exploring almost as soon as you arrive.
You don’t need to spend the entire weekend hiking either. Drive through Grand Teton National Park, stop at the overlooks, look for wildlife, and then head back into Jackson for dinner and a walk around town. The combination of a fun little downtown and incredible scenery makes this an especially easy outdoor getaway.
I would give Jackson Hole three days if you can. You’ll have enough time to explore without spending your entire weekend racing from one end of the park to the other.
Best for: mountains, wildlife, outdoor adventures, couples How long to stay: 3 days Best time to visit: summer or early fall
Highlights include:
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Driving the scenic roads through the Tetons
Looking for moose, elk, and other wildlife
Hiking to a mountain lake or scenic overlook
Exploring downtown Jackson and its famous Town Square
Best Weekend Getaways in the South & Midwest
New Orleans, Louisiana
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
New Orleans is one of those cities that feels completely different from anywhere else in the United States. The music, architecture, history, and incredible food make it a perfect place for a weekend when you want to feel like you’ve really gotten away.
You can see quite a bit in two or three days because so many of the things you’ll want to do are close together. Wander through the French Quarter, listen to live music, eat far more than you planned to, and explore beyond Bourbon Street. Some of my favorite parts of New Orleans are simply walking through the neighborhoods and taking in the beautiful old houses.
And come hungry! New Orleans is one of those destinations where deciding what to eat next can easily become the main activity of the day.
Best for: food, music, couples, culture How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: winter or spring
Highlights include:
Wandering through the French Quarter
Listening to live jazz
Eating beignets, gumbo, and other New Orleans favorites
Riding a streetcar through the city
Exploring the Garden District
Austin, Texas
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
Austin is a great choice for a weekend when you want good food, live music, and plenty to do without spending the entire trip sightseeing. The city has a casual, fun atmosphere, and you can pack quite a bit into two or three days.
Come hungry because eating is a big part of a trip to Austin. Try the barbecue, track down a few food trucks, and don’t skip breakfast tacos. Then spend some time walking around Lady Bird Lake, exploring the different neighborhoods, and listening to live music at night.
Austin is also a good weekend getaway if you’re traveling with friends or as a couple because you don’t really need a long list of attractions. Eat well, listen to some music, explore the city, and enjoy being somewhere warm and lively for a few days.
Best for: food, live music, couples, friends How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: spring or fall
Highlights include:
Eating barbecue and breakfast tacos
Trying some of Austin’s famous food trucks
Walking or biking around Lady Bird Lake
Listening to live music
Exploring Austin’s shops and neighborhoods
Best Weekend Beach Getaways
Key West, Florida
The Key West Aquarium in Key West, Florida.
Key West feels like you’ve gone much farther from home than you actually have. The colorful houses, palm trees, turquoise water, and laid-back atmosphere make it one of my favorite choices for a warm-weather weekend getaway in the United States.
Two or three days gives you plenty of time to explore Old Town, get out on the water, eat some Key lime pie, and watch the sunset at Mallory Square. You don’t need much of an itinerary here. Key West is at its best when you leave yourself time to wander around, sit by the water, and enjoy the fact that you’re wearing sandals in the middle of winter.
If you have time, getting out on the water is a must. A snorkeling trip, sunset cruise, or boat ride gives you a completely different view of the Keys and makes a short weekend feel much more like a real vacation.
Best for: beaches, couples, warm-weather escapes, relaxing trips How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: winter or spring
Cape Cod is one of my favorite places for a classic New England beach weekend. There are miles of sandy beaches, little coastal towns, seafood shacks, and enough beautiful scenery that the drive itself feels like part of the trip.
You could easily spend a week exploring the Cape, but a weekend is enough time if you choose one area and don’t try to see the entire peninsula. Spend some time at the beach, wander through one or two of the small towns, eat plenty of seafood, and make at least one stop for ice cream.
Best for: beaches, families, couples, coastal scenery How long to stay: 2–3 days Best time to visit: summer or early fall
Highlights include:
Spending the day at one of Cape Cod’s beautiful beaches
Exploring small coastal towns
Eating lobster rolls and fresh seafood
Visiting a lighthouse
Watching the sunset over the water
How to Choose the Best Weekend Getaway
The best weekend getaway is one that doesn’t require most of your weekend just to get there. If you’re only going away for two or three days, look for somewhere you can reach with a short flight or drive whenever possible.
I also like destinations where you don’t need a huge itinerary to have a good time. Walkable cities like Charleston, Savannah, and New York City make it easy to see a lot in a short amount of time, while places like Sedona and Lake Tahoe give you incredible scenery without needing a week to explore.
Think about what you actually want from the weekend, too. If you want to relax, head to Key West or Cape Cod. If you want great food and nightlife, try New Orleans or Austin. For hiking and outdoor adventures, Sedona, Jackson Hole, and Lake Tahoe are hard to beat.
Most importantly, don’t try to see everything. Pick a few things you really want to do and save the rest for another trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weekend Getaways
What is the best weekend getaway in the USA?
Charleston is one of my favorite weekend getaways in the USA because you can experience so much of the city in just two or three days. Savannah, New York City, Sedona, and New Orleans are also great choices depending on whether you want history, sightseeing, outdoor adventures, or incredible food.
Where can I go for a 3-day vacation in the US?
For a three-day trip, choose somewhere that’s relatively easy to reach and doesn’t require a week to enjoy. Charleston, Savannah, New York City, Boston, Austin, Santa Fe, and Key West can all work well for a three-day vacation. If you’d rather spend your long weekend outdoors, consider Sedona, Lake Tahoe, or Jackson Hole.
What are the best weekend getaways for couples?
Savannah, Charleston, Napa Valley, Santa Fe, and Key West are some of the best weekend getaways for couples. For a more active couples trip, Sedona combines incredible scenery and hiking with spas and restaurants, while New York City is perfect if you’d rather spend your weekend eating, sightseeing, and seeing a Broadway show.
What are the best weekend getaways for outdoor adventures?
Sedona, Jackson Hole, Lake Tahoe, and Stowe are all great choices for an outdoor weekend. Depending on the season, you can spend your trip hiking, skiing, boating, swimming, or simply driving through some spectacular scenery.
What are the best weekend beach getaways in the USA?
Key West, Cape Cod, and San Diego are three very different choices for a beach weekend. Key West is especially good for escaping cold weather in winter, Cape Cod is a classic New England summer getaway, and San Diego combines beaches with restaurants, museums, and plenty of other things to do away from the water.
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