Life can get busy. That’s why going on a quick weekend getaway to get some R&R is important to stay healthy and happy. If you’re going to take the time to travel, you’ll want to get the most out of your trip, so we’ve put together a short list of great weekend trip ideas. To ramp up the fun on your mini-vacay, look for destinations with cultural attractions, great dining options, outdoor activities and mild weather.
Sedona, AZ - Relax in the Red Rocks
Book a hotel in Sedona and escape to the gorgeous scenery and relaxing atmosphere of the red rock canyons. Unwind with a hot stone massage at a local spa or take a hike to centuries-old rock carvings along dozens of maintained trails. Drive up Oak Creek Canyon for breathtaking vistas and stop to sip chicken pozole—Mexican red chile soup—beneath towering sycamores at the historic Indian Gardens Cafe and Market.
New Orleans, LA - Take It Easy in the Big Easy
When you book your hotel in New Orleans, you can roll out a wide range of things to do to fill your weekend trip with as much, or as little, activity as you want. Stroll back in time in the Garden District or French Quarter, or check out the white alligator at the Audubon Nature Institute. Explore a bayou by airboat or head to Frenchmen Street to visit some of the city’s most notable live jazz clubs.
Charleston, SC - Step Back in Time
Finding accommodations in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina lets you enjoy life at a slower pace. Wonder down gas-lit cobblestone streets beneath live oaks draped with Spanish moss—you’ll see stately old mansions, sculpture courtyards and public gardens. Take a ferry to discover the rich history of Fort Sumter, enjoy the city's romantic scenery or take a walk along the sand at a nearby beach. Experience the Charleston Farmers Market on Saturday to browse farm-fresh produce and artisan crafts, or grab a bite from food vendors serving up empanadas—Latin-influenced stuffed pastries—along with sandwiches, sausages and more.
Albuquerque, NM - Explore a Land Before Time
Located in the New Mexico desert just east of the Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque accommodations are ideal for taking a weekend break. Start your morning with blue corn lavender waffles drenched in maple syrup at Tia B’s La Waffleria, then head to Old Town Plaza, the historic square where the town was officially founded by the Spanish in 1706. Take a walk through the Albuquerque BioPark where you can visit the Albuquerque Aquarium, the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, the Rio Grande Zoo and Tingley Beach, or explore San Felipe de Neri Church, one of the oldest surviving building in the city.
Bend, OR - Relax With a Cold One
If your idea of a relaxing weekend goes hand in hand with enjoying a few craft brews, head out to the Ale Trail with hotels close to Bend, Oregon, and tour Deschutes Brewery, Worthy Brewing Company, Bend Brewing Company and more, along the longest beer trail in the Western U.S. But there’s so much more to this scenic mountain town. Head outdoors to explore lava tubes, go spelunking or hike the pine-strewn Cascade Mountain Range.