Memorial Day weekend is three whole days of no alarm clocks, no work emails, and a legitimate reason to go somewhere you’ve been putting off.
If you want to lie on a beach, hike a mountain, see a new city, or sit somewhere beautiful with a cold drink, this is the weekend to do it.
Instead of spending the whole weekend googling “where should I go,” here are some of the best Memorial Day weekend ideas, covering everything from quiet coastal escapes to buzzing city weekends, so you can just pick one and actually go.
Why Memorial Day Weekend is a Good Time to Travel?
Before getting into the list, you should know why this particular weekend is genuinely worth planning around.
The weather across most of the US is close to ideal in late May, warm but not yet the brutal heat of July and August. Crowds are slightly smaller than peak summer at most destinations.
Many attractions, beaches, parks, and venues will officially open for the summer season over the weekend. It’s a three-day weekend, which gives you enough time, actually, to decompress and enjoy wherever you go.
Flights and hotels, while busy, are often more affordable than peak summer if you book a few weeks ahead.
Memorial Day Weekend Ideas to Plan Right Now
If you’re planning a quick getaway or a relaxed staycation, this is the perfect time to lock in your plans. A little planning now means a smoother, more enjoyable long weekend later.
Beach and Coastal Getaways
Sun, sand, and saltwater, these Memorial Day weekend getaways are for anyone whose idea of a perfect long weekend starts and ends at the ocean.
1. Outer Banks (North Carolina)
The Outer Banks is a chain of narrow barrier islands off the North Carolina coast, stretching 100 miles from Corolla in the north to Hatteras in the south, and Memorial Day is the official kickoff to summer here.
- Famous for: Wild horses of Corolla, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Wright Brothers National Monument, wide, uncrowded beaches, offshore fishing, and kiteboarding
- Ticket fees: Wright Brothers National Monument: $10 per person (16+), under 16 free; beaches are free
- Best for: Families, beach lovers, outdoor thrillers
2. Miami and Bal Harbor (Florida)
Miami is a coastal city in southeast Florida on the Atlantic Ocean, and Bal Harbor is an upscale beach enclave about 14 miles north of downtown. Between them, they cover every kind of beach weekend you could want.
- Famous for: South Beach, Art Deco Historic District, Wynwood Walls street art, Everglades National Park day trips, Memorial Day weekend events, and pool parties
- Ticket fees: Everglades National Park: $35 per vehicle; Wynwood Walls: $10 adults; most beaches are free
- Best for: Beach lovers, nightlife seekers, art enthusiasts
3. Santa Barbara (California)
Santa Barbara is a coastal city in Southern California, about 90 miles north of Los Angeles along the Pacific Coast Highway, blending laid-back luxury with wine country and some of the best ocean views on the West Coast.
- Famous for: Santa Ynez Valley wine country, Butterfly Beach in Montecito, Spanish Mission architecture, Channel Islands National Park day trips
- Ticket fees: Channel Islands ferry, from $59 adults, $39 children; wine tasting rooms typically $20–$30 per person; beaches are free
- Best for: Couples, wine lovers, LA weekend escapees
City and Culture Getaways
If your ideal Memorial Day weekend involves great food, rooftop bars, world-class museums, and a skyline you can stare at for hours, these city getaways are for you.
4. Chicago (Illinois)
Chicago is the third-largest city in the US, sitting right on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Memorial Day weekend is when the city’s 26 miles of lakefront beaches officially reopen for summer, and festival season kicks off.
- Famous for: Navy Pier fireworks, 18-mile Lakefront Trail, Memorial Day Parade on State Street, architecture, river cruises, Sueños Music Festival in Grant Park
- Ticket fees: Architecture River Cruise, from $47; 360 Chicago Observatory, from $30; Lincoln Park Zoo, free; beaches, free
- Best for: City lovers, groups, first-time Chicago visitors
5. Washington, D.C. (Virginia)
Washington, D.C., sits on the Potomac River on the Virginia-Maryland border and is home to the most meaningful Memorial Day observances in the entire country, from the National Mall ceremonies to Arlington National Cemetery.
- Famous for: National Memorial Day Parade, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery wreath-laying ceremony, free Smithsonian museums
- Ticket fees: All Smithsonian museums, free; Arlington National Cemetery, free; National Mall, free; National Memorial Day Concert at the US Capitol, free
- Best for: History buffs, families, anyone who wants Memorial Day to feel genuinely meaningful
6. Austin (Texas)
Austin is the capital of Texas, sitting on the Colorado River in the heart of Hill Country, and Memorial Day weekend here means outdoor swimming, live music every night, and some of the best barbecue in the country.
- Famous for: Sixth Street live music scene, Franklin Barbecue, Barton Springs Pool, Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail, Texas Capitol
- Ticket fees: Barton Springs Pool: $5 adults, $3 ages 12 and under; Texas Capitol tours: free; Zilker Park: free
- Best for: Families, foodies, music lovers, outdoor enthusiasts
7. Charleston (South Carolina)
Charleston is a coastal city in South Carolina known for its antebellum architecture, historic waterfront, and the Spoleto Festival USA, one of the best arts festivals in the country, which kicks off every Memorial Day weekend.
- Famous for: Spoleto Festival USA (theatre, opera, and jazz), Fort Sumter, South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston City Market, Piccolo Spoleto outdoor arts events
- Ticket fees: Fort Sumter ferry and entry, around $24 for adults, $15 for children; South Carolina Aquarium, check the website for current pricing; Piccolo Spoleto outdoor events, free.
- Best for: Culture lovers, couples, food-focused travelers
Mountain and Nature Getaways
For anyone who’d rather wake up to birdsong than a hotel alarm clock, these Memorial Dayweekend getaways trade city noise for trails, cabins, and clean mountain air.
8. Blue Ridge Mountains (North Carolina)
The Blue Ridge Mountains run through western North Carolina, anchored by the city of Asheville and charming smaller towns like Boone and Blowing Rock — the cool mountain air and stunning scenery make it one of the most popular Memorial Day weekend escapes on the East Coast.
- Famous for: Blue Ridge Parkway scenic drives, Grandfather Mountain, Asheville’s food and art scene, Biltmore Estate, hiking trails, and waterfalls
- Ticket fees: Blue Ridge Parkway, free; Grandfather Mountain, $24 adults, $10 ages 4–12; Biltmore Estate, from $75 adults
- Best for: Couples, nature lovers, anyone wanting a peaceful long weekend
9. Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg (Tennessee)
Gatlinburg is a small resort town sitting at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most-visited national park, right on the Tennessee-North Carolina border.
- Famous for: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove wildlife loop, Dollywood theme park in nearby Pigeon Forge, waterfalls, and wildflower hiking
- Ticket fees: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, free entry; Dollywood, from $89 adults, $79 ages 4–9
- Best for: Families, hikers, nature lovers, cabin-and-porch types
10. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
Shenandoah National Park runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia, about 75 miles west of Washington D.C. Late May is genuinely one of the best times to visit, with wildflowers in bloom and temperatures ideal for hiking.
- Famous for: Skyline Drive (105-mile scenic ridge road), Old Rag Mountain hike, waterfalls, Black Bear sightings, wildflower season peaking in late May
- Ticket fees: Shenandoah park entrance: $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass; Skyline Drive, no separate fee
- Best for: Hikers, road trippers, couples, D.C. weekend escapees
11. Jackson Hole (Wyoming)
Jackson Hole is a valley in northwestern Wyoming flanked by the Teton Range, offering some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in North America alongside world-class wildlife watching and outdoor adventure.
- Famous for: Grand Teton National Park, Snake River white-water rafting, moose and elk wildlife watching, Yellowstone day trips, luxury mountain lodges
- Ticket fees: Grand Teton National Park: $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass; Snake River rafting trips, from $65 per person
- Best for: Outdoor thrillers, wildlife lovers, photographers, luxury travelers
Lake and Wine Country Getaways
Not quite a beach, not quite a mountain, these Memorial Day weekend getaways are for the traveler who wants beautiful scenery with a glass of something good in hand.
12. Lake Tahoe (California/Nevada)
Lake Tahoe sits on the California-Nevada border in the Sierra Nevada mountains — one of the clearest alpine lakes in the world- and Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer here with outdoor concerts and lakeside events.
- Famous for: Crystal-clear alpine lake, Emerald Bay State Park, Sand Harbor beach, kayaking and paddleboarding, Heavenly resort trails
- Ticket fees: Emerald Bay State Park, $10 vehicle day use; kayak rentals from $25/hour; most beaches, free
- Best for: Outdoor thrillers, couples, and groups wanting stunning scenery
13. Finger Lakes (New York)
The Finger Lakes region is a grouping of 11 narrow lakes in upstate New York, and as the actual birthplace of Memorial Day, it’s one of the most historically fitting spots to spend the holiday weekend.
- Famous for: Over 100 wineries along the wine trails, Watkins Glen State Park gorge trail, Taughannock Falls, kayaking, cycling routes, Memorial Day parade with fireworks
- Ticket fees: Watkins Glen State Park: $10 vehicle day use; winery tastings typically $5–$20 per person
- Best for: Wine lovers, couples, outdoor enthusiasts, history-minded travelers
14. Catskill Mountains (New York)
The Catskill Mountains sit about 2 hours north of New York City in southeastern New York, close enough for an easy escape, far enough to feel genuinely removed from city life, with a thriving food and arts scene that makes it one of the most underrated Memorial Day weekend destinations on the East Coast.
- Famous for: Farm-to-table dining, fly-fishing, hiking, boutique lodges, Woodstock and Hudson arts communities, Memorial Day farmers markets, and live music season kickoff
- Ticket fees: Most hiking and outdoor activities are free; the Kaaterskill Falls trailhead is free; some local events charge a small admission fee
- Best for: NYC escapees, food lovers, hikers, creative types
Desert and Entertainment Getaways
For the traveler who wants sun, spectacle, and something a little different, these Memorial Day weekend ideas trade coastlines for desert adventures.
15. Las Vegas (Nevada)
Las Vegas sits in the Mojave Desert in southern Nevada, about 4–5 hours from Los Angeles, and while the Strip is the main event, the surrounding desert offers some of the most underrated day trips in the American Southwest.
- Famous for: The Las Vegas Strip, the Sphere, world-class dining and shows, Memorial Day weekend pool parties, and day trips to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Red Rock Canyon
- Ticket fees: The Sphere, from $79; Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive: $15 per vehicle; Hoover Dam tour, from $15; Grand Canyon South Rim entry: $35 per vehicle
- Best for: Groups, nightlife seekers, desert day-trip lovers
16. Scottsdale (Arizona)
Scottsdale is a great vacation destination for its beautiful desert scenery, world-class golf courses, luxurious resorts, and, during the holiday weekend, a Memorial Day ceremony and pancake breakfast at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
- Famous for: Camelback Mountain hiking, Scottsdale ArtWalk galleries, 104+ scenic desert trails in the McDowell Mountains, luxury resort pool experiences, world-class golf courses
- Ticket fees: Camelback Mountain trailhead, free; ArtWalk galleries, free; resort day passes vary by property, typically $50–$100
- Best for: Luxury travelers, hikers, golf lovers, couples
17. Sedona (Arizona)
Sedona is a resort town in north-central Arizona, surrounded by striking red rock formations that make it one of the most visually stunning destinations in the American Southwest.
- Famous for: Red Rock State Park, Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock trail hikes, Jeep tours through the canyon country, spiritual wellness retreats, Grand Canyon day trips by land or helicopter
- Ticket fees: Red Rock Pass (required for most trailheads): $5 per day or $15 for a weekly pass; Jeep tour companies charge from $90–$130 per person
- Best for: Hikers, couples, wellness seekers, anyone wanting dramatic scenery without the Vegas crowds
Tips Before You Book Your Memorial Day Weekend Getaway
A few things worth knowing before you commit to any of these Memorial Day weekend ideas:
- Book Early: Memorial Day is one of the top three travel weekends of the year. Accommodation fills up weeks, sometimes months, in advance at popular destinations.
- Check Park Passes: If you’re heading to a national park, consider the America the Beautiful annual pass ($80), which covers all national parks and pays for itself on your first trip.
- Factor in Drive Time: A lot of these work best as road trips. Build in an extra buffer on Friday afternoon; holiday weekend traffic is no joke.
- Look up Local Events: Almost every destination on this list has Memorial Day-specific events, parades, or ceremonies. Check local calendars before you go; some of the best experiences are free.
Conclusion
The only bad Memorial Day weekend ideas are when you spend it on the couch, googling where you should have gone.
If you’re drawn to coastal escapes like the Outer Banks, city vibes in Chicago, mountain trails in Wyoming, or relaxing with rosé in Santa Barbara, this weekend offers something for everyone kind of traveler.
The key is to pick an experience that matches your mood and go all in. However you spend it, the goal is to enjoy the time, create memories, and appreciate the meaning behind the holiday.
