Best weekend trips in the US (and not only)
You could spend Saturday doing laundry and taxes. OR…
The metaverse is almost upon us. Soon people will be spending every weekend in electro-goggles, asking robots out on dates… and getting turned down.
But not you! Because you know the pleasure of a weekend getaway to somewhere awesome. Sure, it takes a little effort to pack your bags after a work week, but there's nothing so rejuvenating as a new city.
So if you're looking for a spark of spontaneity, choose one of the great destinations below, get a ticket or two, and live a little!
| Contents | |||
| Northeast | Midwest/West | West Coast | |
| New York City | Chicago, IL | San Diego, CA | |
| Kittery, MA | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, CA | |
| Montreal, Canada | Seattle, WA | ||
| Toronto, Canada | Vancouver, Canada | ||
| South | Southwest | South of the border | |
| Asheville, NC | Austin, TX | Mexico City | |
| Savannah, GA | Phoenix, AZ | ||
| Miami Beach, FL | Taos, NM |
Northeast
New York City
The downside is that you're drinking from a firehose: you've only got two days to experience the epic madness that is New York. The upside? Many say the intensity is better in small doses. And anyway, NYC is sorta pricey nowadays.
Obviously, there's a ton to do. From underground music venues to world-class theaters and museums, you'll never run out of culture: ogle the Neue Galerie's Gustav Klimt collection, listen to jazz at the Lincoln Center, or swing by the J.P. Morgan Library for a dose of Gilded Age sophistication.
As for outdoor activities, look past Central Park and head to Coney Island's boardwalk, or take the train down to Rockaway Beach or one of the other parks in the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Must-do: Go rollerskating 100 floors high at Edge. Heck, or just walk around Manhattan – that's memorable too!
Want to know more about NYC? Check out WayAway's guide.
Kittery, MA
If you're not in the mood for a mega metropolis, try a mellower mini vacation in this town outside Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
In Kittery, you can fulfill your daydreams of fresh shellfish at great prices amid cute coastal New England architecture and romantic harbors, where a lobster shack or clam hut is never far.
Lady Pepperell House in Kittery and the Strawberry Banke Building across the river in Portsmouth are living reminders of colonial days, and the Rock Rest guesthouse is part of New England's Black Heritage Trail.
Head up the Piscataqua River for blueberry or strawberry picking, along the rocky coast to spot the region's famous lighthouses, or hit Ogunquit's sandy beach to beat the heat. Don't fear the cold water: in summer, it's the perfect antidote to the sweltering sun.
Pro tip: You can either fly into Portsmouth, NH and drive a few minutes, or else come up from Boston. If you're driving from Boston in the fall, the changing leaves make the ride from the airport part of the fun, so take the scenic trail up Route 1.
Montreal, Canada
Just over the US-Canada border is a former refuge for booze-loving Americans during Prohibition – and to this day, Montreal remains a top escape for overworked professionals.
The modest metropolis is on an island (or, really, several of them) and has tons of outdoors options, from the nearby vineyards and lavender fields to Mont Tremblant's hiking trails, as well as more bike paths than any other North American city.
Back in the city, you'll find plenty of art and culture spots, and deli-lovers will go wild for local favorites like massive smoked beef sandwiches and bagels boiled in honey water.
Talk about convenient: The airport is just a 30-minute cab ride from Old Montreal, so you can check into your hotel, grab a bicycle, and explore the charming historical architecture without skipping a beat.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Montreal.
Toronto, Canada
A couple of days in this fast-modernizing metropolis and you might start looking to relocate. There's high-tech infrastructure and free Wi-Fi in most public spaces, and the diverse population gives each neighborhood its own flavor.
Don't miss the Distillery District's 47-building Victorian complex and the Stackt and St. Lawrence markets for an array of interesting local shops and eateries. There's no shortage of performing arts, museums, and galleries, either, and be sure to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame and Gothic Revival Casa Loma castle. (You read that right – Canada has castles).
Excellent urban outdoor options include Sugar Beach and High Park, but for the real jaw droppers, you may want to spend the weekend at Blue Mountain for its cute village and excellent slopes, plus zip lines and mountain biking to keep the heart pumping in summer.
Other nature-y day trip options include Niagara Falls and the Thousand Islands (yes, just like the salad dressing, here's a gold star).
Of, if you prefer to watch other people exercise, time your visit with a Blue Jays or Maple Leafs game.
Are sidewalks too mainstream for you? Try going underground: PATH, the city's network of underground footpaths, helps when you've got somewhere to be but can't be bothered with the cold (or just go take a peek, it's pretty cool).
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Toronto.
South
Asheville, NC
Wake up in Appalachia, rent a car for a Sunday drive, and don't let anybody tell you it's Saturday. Or else just stay in artsy, funky Asheville and have an equally grand time!
The Blue Ridge Mountains offer gorgeous vistas and loads of hiking and outdoor activities to choose from – for one thing, the Appalachian Trail passes through. Take a spa day at Hot Springs for, you guessed it, North Carolina's only (and best!) thermal springs.
Back in town, the River Arts District has a vibrant community of galleries and artisan workshops. For something more old-school, take a tour of the Châteauesque-style Biltmore Estate for a living reminder of the Gilded Age.
Must-drink: Odds are good you can find some bangin' kombucha here, but Asheville is also known for its 50+ breweries.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Asheville.
Savannah, GA
Brimming with beauty, Savannah feels timeless with its cobblestone streets, scenic nature, and ivy-covered mansions (as well as some of Georgia's newest buildings).
Historic theaters and other attractions dot the landscape, and delicious Southern cooking is always on the menu, but when you're not soaking in the rich history and cultural life of Georgia's First City – or while you're doing it – you can get your cocktail to go. Just don't take it out of the historic district.
Outdoor options include state parks, Tybee Island's river beaches, and nearby Hilton Head, one of the South's top resort destinations.
Must-do: Take a stroll through Forsyth Park under the towering oaks draped with Spanish moss, then head up the road to Leopold's to find out why Forrest Gump loved his ice cream so much.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Savannah.
Miami Beach, FL
Land of Miami Vice, Ballers, Dexter… OK, maybe don't dwell on Dexter.
Fact is, you don't need The Rock to sell you the pros and cons of this beach town. Whether you want a cozy neighborhood feel, a packed party beach, or the ruins of an old zoo on Key Biscayne, Miami has everything you need to escape your everyday life and get smooched by the Florida sun.
Coastal cuisines from Italian to Cuban are everywhere: get dressed up for scintillating seafood dishes in swanky places, or keep it laid back at a late-night taco joint. When you're ready to step away from the water, the city has a rich cultural scene and epic nightlife.
Must-see: Take a mural tour through Wynwood Art District, one of the largest open-air art installations in the world.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Miami.
Midwest/West
Chicago, IL
If you were hoping to meet Al Capone, you're about 90 years too late, but if you want legendary hot dogs and deep-dish pizza, this is your kind of town!
The home of the first skyscraper is famous for its beautiful architecture, including hundreds of bridges – gaze out over the city (plus four states) from the 103rd floor of Willis Tower. And while Chicago doesn't have quite as many bridges as Pittsburgh, its waterways are criss-crossed by dozens of movable ones.
The Windy City is rich in history, arts, and culture, with many museums, performance venues, and galleries, and Lake Michigan offers plenty of water activities in good weather. Just don't go looking for Subway sandwiches after 2am in the freezing cold: stay in and order DoorDash instead.
Must-do: Walk the Millennial Mile, where hundreds of shops, restaurants, and entertainment attractions can be found in the space of one square mile.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Chicago.
Colorado Springs, CO
When life at sea level is weighing you down, let red sandstone and mountain vistas revitalize your spirit.
Colorado Springs is at the foot of the Rockies, so you don't need to drive far to find good hiking areas – though you'll have to go to Manitou to find actual springs. Before you get too comfortable, test your strength on the Manitou Incline's 2,768 steps up a mountain, or save your energy by taking the Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak.
Back in the city, there's a small but thiving downtown with quirky shops and excellent restaurants aplenty for eager eaters. Heck, they even offer fresh oysters, but just be sure which kind you order – the Rocky Mountain variety are not, after all, "fish of the sea."
Must-do: Visit Garden of the Gods, the Springs' iconic sandstone paradise. Just be prepared for crowds – it's on everyone else's must-do list, too.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Colorado Springs.
Southwest
Austin, TX
Texans are known for their big everything: state, cities, and personalities. So when people say Austin is the live music capital of the world, they mean you won't find this many concerts and festivals anywhere else. Willie Nelson, Spoon, and Explosions in the Sky are just three of the names associated with this fertile scene.
If the dozens of venues aren't enough for you, you can stumble on performances at the airport, City Hall, and heck, even the supermarket!
With virtuosity of this caliber comes a thriving nightlife. Join fellow concertgoers after sunset at 6th St.'s bars with a visit to the Rainey St.'s food trucks afterward. By day, you can relax at the Barton Springs public pool.
Must-do: Spend your day on Lake Austin having a blast doing water sports, like waterskiing, wakeboarding, and lounging with a beer on a boat – totally a sport.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Austin.
Phoenix, AZ
Close proximity to some of America's most epic outdoor destinations makes Phoenix an ideal starting point for a long weekend.
Our advice? Don't hold back. The Sonoran Desert offers stunning sunsets with its unique saguaro cacti. To the north, the Grand Canyon, the Pueblo ruins of Wupatki National Monument, and the ethereal beauty of Antelope Canyon's crevices are all no-brainers.
Did we mention boating down the Colorado River around Horseshoe Bend? This is where you can really stretch your legs.
To the south, Tucson's arts scene is worth a little detour on the return trip, or a day trip of its own if you want to remain tame.
Must-do: Boating or kayaking in Glen Canyon surrounded by tall rock formations formed by thousands of years of erosion.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Phoenix.
Taos, NM
Taos might sound like Santa Fe's little sibling, but its art colony came first, founded at the end of the 19th century.
Today, there are over 80 galleries and arguably more artists per capita than anywhere else in the world. Plus, it's got direct flights from SoCal and Texas, so you can slide off the ski slope and into your favorite gallery!
You'll find ample outdoor activities, from cycling and river rafting to snowboarding and snowshoe hiking, and anglers won't be short of top-notch fly- and bait-fishing spots.
Plus, there are several natural hot springs around Taos, from resort spas to harder-to-reach scenic ones. For the latter, you only need your birthday suit!
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Getting there: Drive up from Santa Fe (~1 hour) or Albuquerque (~2 hours).
West Coast
San Diego, CA
Obviously, San Diego offers sun and sand. But if you stroll down Gator Beach near the Hotel del Coronado around dawn, you might catch a glimpse of Navy SEAL recruits chanting about how they've been up since half past three. Here, that's just another day at the beach!
On your visit to America's Finest City, take a high-speed cruise on Vietnam-era Swift Boat PCF-816 or a jaunt on one of five other historic vessels (none of which is named Diversity) at the Maritime Museum. Back on land, check out Balboa Park's theaters, museums, and green spaces.
Plus, you're even close enough to Mexico to make a day trip to Tijuana south of the border.
Must-do: Walk on the wild side at the zoo in Balboa Park: with over 4,000 animals in uncaged enclosures, it's often ranked one of the best in the world. But remember, the bears are not furry tractors. Do not try to ride them.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to San Diego.
San Francisco, CA
Before you leave your heart in San Francisco, you'll give it a good workout on those hills!
They look steeper after you've walked a few blocks (or sampled the catch of the day at Fisherman's Wharf), so take advantage of the world's oldest manually operated cable cars to catch some of the best views SF has to offer.
By the time you stroll past the Victorian homes of Postcard Row and look back at the metropolis from Alcatraz Island, you'll see why the City by the Bay is the setting of so many memorable movies. And once you've tried a couple of restaurants, you'll understand why the food scene is considered top-tier.
If you've got a spare day, the Napa Valley is an ideal day trip or overnight destination for wine lovers and foodies, and the Santa Cruz boardwalk makes for a great beach day.
Cable cars not exciting enough? Ride the Roaring Camp Railroad in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. It's the only place in California you can do an open-air train right, and it's got 40 acres of old-growth redwoods.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to San Francisco.
Seattle, WA
Seattle has long been famous for its rainy weather, Space Needle, and coffee culture, but in recent years the birthplace of Starbucks has been making waves for its cannabis tourism.
Whichever plant-based products you're planning to consume, the Emerald City offers a plethora of cultural activities to enjoy them with, from legendary Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibits to the Museum of Pop Culture and professional sports.
Pike Place Market is always ready to welcome you for a food run, and while the ferry to Victoria, B.C. is fabulous, you don't need to take a day trip to Canada to enjoy the views of Mt. Rainier from Puget Sound.
Must-eat: Scarf down a Seattle dog. If you didn't eat a hot dog topped with cream cheese, grilled onions, and sweet relish, well, it's as if you never came at all. Goes great with a local craft beer.
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Seattle.
Vancouver, Canada
Scenic views, a mild climate, and a vibrant vibe: you've got the makings of quality R&R.
Learn about Ontario's Indigenous history while getting to know the city at its museums and landmarks. Vancouver has all the trappings of a modern city, from a great food scene to museums and performing arts, plus easy access to nature, like the enormous Stanley Park or the treetop-conquering Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Plus, Shannon Falls is just an hour away, the Harrison Hot Springs less than two, and Blackcomb and Whistler's ski slopes are about the same distance.
For a foodie retreat, take the ferry to Salt Spring Island and its esteemed restaurants.
Must-do: Take a ride down the excellent bike lane along False Creek, from Hadden Beach to Science World, past the marinas. (If you don't travel with a bike in your pocket, the city has a rental app called Mobi.)
For more, check out WayAway's guide to Vancouver.
South of the border
Mexico City
Very few cities can flex that they stand atop a former lake in a volcanic crater, but that's Mexico City for you – an epic metropolis buzzing with energy.
For a dose of the epicness, take a stroll through the opulent historic center and to Constitution Square, then visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes and Frida Kahlo Museum for more human-scale inspiration.
Learn about local architecture, from the Templo Mayor built by the Aztecs to Chapultepec Castle and the futuristic Museo Soumaya, and follow the music to Plaza Garibaldi, where local mariachi bands hang.
Remember, this is the largest city in North America, so while a weekend visit here is doable, you'll wish you had a few weeks to see more of what the country has to offer.
Must-do: EAT. Eat food. It's everywhere, and it's amazing. Check out WayAway's selection of must-eats to warm up those salivary glands!
Also check out our articles on the top spots in Mexico and the best places for couples.
Congrats for reading to the end! Now rest up – you've got a busy 17 weekends ahead of you.
