11 Destinations in the US to have the best Weekend Getaways!

Since the beginning of 2021, there has been a massive surge in the amount of workload people are facing, as businesses are trying to get back on top and recover the losses incurred in the previous year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After working hard throughout the week, you deserve to take the load off by planning a long weekend trip at one of the best weekend getaways in the US.

 

The travel experts at Leisure bring you the best of the best weekend getaways that you can enjoy with your friends and family during a short trip over the weekend. This list includes 11 destinations from around the country, so you can plan your travels conveniently to avoid any last-minute aggravation. Unwind at these beautiful cities, with a relaxing activity of your choice, be it spending a day filled with luxury, or hiking in nature’s lap and exploring its secrets over the weekend.

 

Also Checkout: 10 Best Weekend Getaways Around The U.S.

 

1.    San Diego, California

 

 

If you’re living in California or any other place in the country for that matter, San Diego is an absolute must-visit destination for the best weekend getaways of your life. Hit the wave on a surfboard or soak in the sun while sipping cocktails at the beach, at affordable prices. San Diego has the best of hotels and accommodations, with varying price ranges. Visit the San Diego zoo with your family and kids, or hop in your car and drive to the beach town of La Jolla where you can go snorkeling.

 

2.    Seattle, Washington

 

 

Seattle, Washington has a lot of fun activities to offer for an exciting weekend getaway. Visit the Seattle Aquarium and check out the puffin birds and otters among other exciting sea creatures. Get a bird’s eyes view of the whole city from the Seattle great wheel. Enjoy a meal at Ivar’s Acres of Clams, a restaurant that was started in 1938, and is still a crowd favorite, serving delicious food. The city has multiple museums where you can check out impressive artworks, but the ones we like the most are the EMP museum of pop culture, museum of flight which you can explore while having the best weekend getaways in Seattle.

 

3.    Denver, Colorado

 

 

Denver is one of the top tourist locations in the country with millions of visitors from around the world arriving every year. Colorado is blessed with some of the most beautiful natural landscapes that you can witness, within the weekend. The city of Denver hosts a variety of fun and exciting opportunities for travelers, such as the Denver Zoo or the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, in addition to taking a hike through the scenic nearby regions of the Rocky Mountains. If you wish to have one of the best weekend getaways of your life, you should take a hike and visit the Red Rock Park and Amphitheatre, which nestled among the rocky hills and has hosted some legendary performers of all times, such as John Denver, Tom Petty, and The Beatles.

 

Read: 5 Destinations In and Around New York for Good Weekend Getaways for Couples

 

4.    Miami, Florida

 

 

Miami is no stranger to amazing nightlife and spectacular beach parties for a fun and exciting weekend getaway. The city has some of the best restaurants in the world helmed by world-class chefs. But Miami is a lot more than extravagant parties and luxurious restaurants, the city is sprawling with artworks that you can explore while cycling at the Wynwood murals. If you’re too exhausted from a night of partying you can enjoy the slow-paced life of the spectacular South Beach in Miami. Get a taste of Cuba in Little Havana for an all-around experience of the city during one of the best weekend getaways of your life. Enjoy authentic Cuban cuisine with a pint of beer and a Cuban cigar.

 

5.    San Francisco, California

 

 

San Francisco gives you a taste of cultural diversity like no other place in the country. With entrepreneurs, and business owners from around the world set up in the Silicon Valley, the city gets filled up with passion and enthusiasm. In addition to businessmen, the city is also full of mesmerizing sights such as the Golden Gate Bridge, and the crooked lanes of Lombard Street. Experience Chinese culture and cuisine in Chinatown or go on a photo-walk through Clarion Alley while soaking in the amazing wall art and murals. If you wish to explore the great outdoors then you can take a hike at Muir Woods, or Lands End to enjoy wide-open views of the golden gate bridge and the Oakland Bridge.

 

6.    Atlanta, Georgia

 

 

Atlanta offers the best of urban activities and outings in nature, for one of the best weekend getaways to unwind after a long week. There is always something exciting happening in the city, and with the amazing weather, you can enjoy them all throughout the year. The most thrilling attraction to the city is the Atlanta Motor Speedway where you can catch NASCAR races and cheer for your favorite driver. For a night filled with music and art visit the High Museum, where you checkout amazing pieces of art with live Jazzy tunes. The city also has some amazing landscapes where you can take a hike, such as the Sweetwater Creek State Park, Kennesaw Mountain Trails, Stone Mountain Trails, Morningside Nature Preserve, or check out the waterfalls at the Vickery Creek Trail at Roswell Mill.

 

7.    Orlando, Florida

 

 

Orlando will always be America’s favorite destination to have the best weekend getaways with family and friends. People of all ages come to visit the amazing amusement parks in the city, with major attractions like SeaWorld, Universal Studios, and Walt Disney World. The city is known for its thrilling roller- coasters, for an adrenaline-pumping weekend. You can enjoy the best dishes from Italian and Indian cuisine in Orlando and chill by the beaches. Explore the Wall Street plaza, to experience the amazing nightlife of Orlando, Florida. The city offers the best food, great selection of thrilling activities to spend your weekend while enjoying the happy vibes of Orlando!

 

Checkout: Top Places To Explore On A Perfect Weekend Trip

 

8.    New Orleans, Louisiana

 

 

New Orleans is a weekend destination that allows you to really let loose, relax and leave all your troubles behind. The city will teach you how to enjoy each and every day of your life to its fullest in one of the best weekend getaways of your life. You can experience a number of cultures in this city, and it is evident in the amazing restaurants that are present here. Start your day early in the morning to grab authentic New Orleans Beignets for a sugar rush and begin your weekend with some sweetness. One fun fact about New Orleans is that it is one of the few places in the country where there are no laws against outdoor drinking, which means you can grab a cocktail or beer to go and take a stroll through the rich artistic streets of the city.

 

9.    Boston, Massachusetts

 

 

Boston is one of the destinations in the country where you can experience the history of the United States. There are various museums and historic places to visit in this city on a weekend and understand the hardships this country has faced. You can easily explore the major attractions to the city on a 3-day weekend trip to Boston. One of the most fun and exciting things to do in the city is to take a walk through the 2.5-mile line Freedom Trail, which takes you along major sites and historic monuments of significance in the history of our country. The city has many attractions to offer for a short trip which makes it one of the best weekend getaway destinations in the US.

 

10.   Chicago, Illinois

 

 

Chicago boasts of one of the best skylines of any city in the world. Home to some of the best skyscrapers in the country and many other architectural marvels, Chicago is a great destination for having one of the best weekend getaways in the country. You can enjoy great museums, amazing food, and spectacular locations and enjoy the beautiful weather. Go on a boat tour to explore the architecture of the city, or visit an observation deck, where you catch some of the most majestic views of the city. Don’t forget to try the famous Chicago-style deep dish pizza while you’re enjoying one of the best weekend getaways of your life.

 

11.   New York City, New York

 

 

And for the final destination on our list of best weekend getaways in the US, is, of course, The Big Apple. New York City is and always will be one of the best cities in the world, where you can enjoy an amazing weekend getaway full of luxury, history, amazing food, and natural beauty. It is essentially impossible to visit all of the amazing attractions in the city on a short trip during the weekend, but you can still make your trip legendary by catching some of the best spots in the city. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting NYC for the first time or have been here before, a weekend getaway to the city must include a visit to the Empire State Building, Time Square, 9/11 Memorial, and of course the Central Park. You can also hop on a bus ride that takes you through the city or get up close by taking the subway. NYC is famous for its food! Here you can grab the best of almost every cuisine in the world, but what I love the most about New York food is the classic New York-style Pizza.