Memorial Day Trip Ideas
Check out some of the best spots to kick off the summer travel season
A three-day weekend is a great excuse to pack up and hit the road. Haven’t picked a destination? Here are a few extraordinary getaways where you can throw a summer celebration.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion is a hiker's (and driver's) Memorial Day Weekend paradise offering trails and a 57-mile scenic drive.
Nothing is better than hitting the open road when the weather starts to warm up. Zion National Park is where you can hike, reconnect with nature and take a scenic drive all in the same trip. Pack your hiking boots and throw in some sunscreen to take on one of the many hikes that make this national treasure an unforgettable trip. Choose from The Narrows (literally the narrowest trail in the entire park), Observation Point (which scales over 6,521 feet high) or Pa’Rus Trail, the easiest of them all! Canyon Overlook Trail gives you pristine views overlooking Zion, and the scenic 57-mile drive is inspiring to say the least.
Moab, Utah
Nature shows off its best curves in Eastern Utah where Arches National Park was formed millions of years ago by the Green and Colorado Rivers. More than 2,000 natural sandstone arches can be found among the red rock. Delicate Arch is the most famous and is best seen either at sunrise or sunset. Just be sure to take a headlamp to make your way through the rocky terrain when the sun goes down. Staying in Moab is a great home base while visiting the scenic trails of nearby Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is loved by outdoor enthusiasts for its stunning lookout points and challenging hiking trails.
Many travelers agree the highlight of any trip to the Southwest is visiting Grand Canyon National Park. Carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, this natural wonder of the world is an impressive 277 miles long, 18 miles at its widest and over a mile at its deepest point. Visitors can take in unbelievable views of the canyon from various vantage points, including Yavapai Observation Station, Lipan Point, Desert View Watchtower and Mather Point. If you’re an experienced hiker, you could plan a real adventure into the heart of the canyon by venturing down one of the rim hike trails.
Hells Canyon, Idaho
Snake River winds through Hells Canyon, making it the deepest gorge in all of North America.
If you want to get away from it all this Memorial Day, take time to see the virtually untouched lands of Hells Canyon. Winding its way along the Oregon and Idaho border, the natural recreation area is where you can enjoy world-class whitewater boating, wilderness hiking and horseback riding. Snake River cuts through the canyon’s core with fishing, hunting and water activities for the most daring of outdoor enthusiasts. During your stay, be sure to visit the Pittsburgh Rockart Interpretive Site where you can learn about the pictographs and artistic etches found on the mountain facades of Hells Canyon.
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Oregon Pacific Coast, Oregon
Snap amazing coastal selfies while creating an epic road trip along the Oregon Pacific Coast. The 101 Highway starting from Brookings all the way through to Cannon Beach is simply one of the most picturesque scenic drives in the nation. Throughout the drive you can watch surfers scale the ocean waves or search for the tall tale signs of whales breaching the surface along the rough waters. Golfers can take a break at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort while beach bums take their time at Haystack Rock. Before you make your way back to Portland, check out the sandcastles or ride a beach cruiser along the expansive coastline.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Retreat to beautiful Hilton Head Island, where you can take in oceans views from a bike trail or a kayak.
A relaxed atmosphere, stunning ocean views and tons of outdoor activities make Hilton Head Island—just 20 minutes from Beaufort—a perfect Memorial Day weekend getaway. In this cozy Lowcountry town, the attractions are numerous and just a short distance away. Explore the island's 100 miles of bike trails or paddle around the coast by kayak. For a meal that’s sure to satisfy, you’ll want to grab a bite to eat at Red Fish, a fine dining restaurant and wine shop with delicious Caribbean-influenced cuisine and a wine list with 1,000-plus choices.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Take a walk on the wild side when you plan your weekend adventure on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Cerrituck Beach is known for its wild horses, which are best viewed on a four-wheeler. You can also capture panoramic views of the horizon from the historic Cerrituck Beach Lighthouse. Island Farm gives visitors a taste of what mid-19th century life would have been like for the first European settlers on Roanoke Island. History buffs get their thrills visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills where one of their first airplanes made a successful 12-second flight.
Clearwater Beach, Florida
The white sands of Clearwater Beach are synonymous with beach time, fun and relaxation.
When you’ve got sunbathing and watersports on the top of your “Memorial Day Must Do” list, Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida should be your next destination. In addition to all the water-inspired fun that awaits, there’s also golfing, dolphin watching and sunset chasing. Make a reservation with Little Toot Tours, a unique tugboat experience that guarantees you’ll see dolphins jumping alongside your ride. If you’d rather stay on land but still want a dolphin sighting, take a walk along Dolphin Trail where you’ll find over 200 unique dolphin sculptures, each painted by a local artist. At the end of every day, count on catching an amazing sunset at Pier 60.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
The South is known for its hospitality and mouthwatering cuisine. What better way to experience the region’s local charm than an extended holiday weekend in the Gulf Shores of Alabama? You’ll find yourself getting in the water and staying in the water with gulf temperatures averaging between 75 to 80 degrees. By the time the holiday rolls around, the shore temperatures are perfect for watersports of all kinds, including kayaking, jet skiing and parasailing. Nearby Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier is where you can join the locals for some bird watching, souvenir shopping and relaxing under covered seating.
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Memorial Day travelers can make a quick getaway to Rehoboth Beach, where a boardwalk, historic landscape and shopping are all nearby.
Within easy reach of Washington, D.C. (only a 2 ½ hour drive away) is the popular vacation town of Rehoboth Beach. Featuring Funland, a boardwalk amusement park complete with an arcade, delicious eats and boutique shops, this Atlantic seaboard destination is ideal for your next Memorial Day getaway. It goes without saying that the beach is what attracts most travelers to visit, but there are also nationally registered historic buildings and the sand dunes of Cape Henlopen State Park to explore. For those who like to treat themselves to a little shopping, the Tanger Outlets are located just three miles from the shore with great deals on clothing, jewelry and electronics.
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