Want to get away? Consider one of these affordable weekend getaway options. From art and culture to beachy fun, we’ve chosen some of the United States’ most enticing spots for a much-needed break from reality.
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1. Tucson, Arizona
Ready for some dry, warm weather in the desert? Plan a weekend away in Tucson, where you can delve into southwest history, go hiking and take in a theater performance. Walk the cactus-lined trails of Saguaro National Park, watching for Gila monsters (lizards) and desert tortoises. Feel the local vibe in the Barrio Historico, with its adorable adobe shops, or Old Town Artisans in the El Presidio Historic District, a whole 19th-century city block-turned-marketplace full of local wares. There are countless museums and historical sites, as well as excellent shopping and dining, all sure to pull you away from the hotel pool, at least for a few hours. Don’t miss the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a combination natural history museum/zoo/botanical garden. If you can fit it in, drive the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway, which starts on the northeast edge of Tucson before climbing 27 miles to the 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon. Run for the sun!
Ready for some dry, warm weather in the desert? Plan a weekend away in Tucson, where you can delve into southwest history, go hiking and take in a theater performance. Walk the cactus-lined trails of Saguaro National Park, watching for Gila monsters (lizards) and desert tortoises. Feel the local vibe in the Barrio Historico, with its adorable adobe shops, or Old Town Artisans in the El Presidio Historic District, a whole 19th-century city block-turned-marketplace full of local wares. There are countless museums and historical sites, as well as excellent shopping and dining, all sure to pull you away from the hotel pool, at least for a few hours. Don’t miss the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a combination natural history museum/zoo/botanical garden. If you can fit it in, drive the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway, which starts on the northeast edge of Tucson before climbing 27 miles to the 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon. Run for the sun!
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2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
While you can certainly honor Pittsburgh’s gritty, industrial past at its world-famous Carnegie museums, you’ll admire its rise from the river banks in the past several decades. This picturesque riverside city boasts several enticing districts: the Golden Triangle, or city center, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet; the lively Strip District, known for its shopping and dining; and the Cultural District, brimming with theaters. Lovely green spaces abound along the river’s edge. Don’t miss the chance to spend a few hours in the Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Science Center and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Tour the 13-room Victorian glasshouse at Phipps Conservatory, check out the Gothic Revival-style Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh and ride the Duquesne Incline to the upscale neighborhood of Mount Washington for an elegant evening out. Move over, Philadelphia!
While you can certainly honor Pittsburgh’s gritty, industrial past at its world-famous Carnegie museums, you’ll admire its rise from the river banks in the past several decades. This picturesque riverside city boasts several enticing districts: the Golden Triangle, or city center, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet; the lively Strip District, known for its shopping and dining; and the Cultural District, brimming with theaters. Lovely green spaces abound along the river’s edge. Don’t miss the chance to spend a few hours in the Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Science Center and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Tour the 13-room Victorian glasshouse at Phipps Conservatory, check out the Gothic Revival-style Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh and ride the Duquesne Incline to the upscale neighborhood of Mount Washington for an elegant evening out. Move over, Philadelphia!
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3. San Antonio, Texas
Easily accessible, abundantly welcoming and affordable as a weekend getaway, San Antonio is as charming as you’ve been told. Start your visit at the Alamo, which despite being a popular Texas icon doesn’t take all that long to visit. If you’re so inclined, there are four other San Antonio missions you can visit, all connected via the Mission Trail. Take a few photos of the famous facade and explore the church and garden. Make your way to the Riverwalk, lined with restaurants and shops. Crisscross your way over limestone bridges, passing over colorful river boats on tour. Shop for souvenirs at Historic Market Square or La Villita. Indulge in San Antonio’s fine cuisine in the trendy Pearl District – the Culinary Institute of American has a campus here, so consider taking a class or dining at its signature restaurant, the Nao Latin Gastro Bar. The Pearl District is also home to the lively farmers market, with a huge array of locally sourced delicacies. Come see what the fuss is all about.
Easily accessible, abundantly welcoming and affordable as a weekend getaway, San Antonio is as charming as you’ve been told. Start your visit at the Alamo, which despite being a popular Texas icon doesn’t take all that long to visit. If you’re so inclined, there are four other San Antonio missions you can visit, all connected via the Mission Trail. Take a few photos of the famous facade and explore the church and garden. Make your way to the Riverwalk, lined with restaurants and shops. Crisscross your way over limestone bridges, passing over colorful river boats on tour. Shop for souvenirs at Historic Market Square or La Villita. Indulge in San Antonio’s fine cuisine in the trendy Pearl District – the Culinary Institute of American has a campus here, so consider taking a class or dining at its signature restaurant, the Nao Latin Gastro Bar. The Pearl District is also home to the lively farmers market, with a huge array of locally sourced delicacies. Come see what the fuss is all about.
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4. Providence, Rhode Island
Characterful Providence brims with Art Deco and Beaux Arts architecture, art and culture and historic sites. Plus, it’s home to America’s first shopping mall – the 1828 Arcade – which is still a favorite shopping destination. Spend a weekend getting to know the city’s distinctive neighborhoods, rich arts scene and impressive dining options, from Little Italy’s long-time favorites to up-and-coming seasonal kitchens. Get lost in 400-acre Roger Williams Park, a brilliant example of Victorian landscape design with a botanical center, gardens, walking paths, the Roger Williams Park Zoo, the Roger Williams Museum of Natural History and Planetarium and more. Soak up the saltwater-tinged air blowing off the Narragansett Bay during a bike ride or walk along the East Bay Bike Path, stopping if you like for wildlife watching at Audubon’s Nature Center. Providence packs a punch in the country’s smallest state.
Characterful Providence brims with Art Deco and Beaux Arts architecture, art and culture and historic sites. Plus, it’s home to America’s first shopping mall – the 1828 Arcade – which is still a favorite shopping destination. Spend a weekend getting to know the city’s distinctive neighborhoods, rich arts scene and impressive dining options, from Little Italy’s long-time favorites to up-and-coming seasonal kitchens. Get lost in 400-acre Roger Williams Park, a brilliant example of Victorian landscape design with a botanical center, gardens, walking paths, the Roger Williams Park Zoo, the Roger Williams Museum of Natural History and Planetarium and more. Soak up the saltwater-tinged air blowing off the Narragansett Bay during a bike ride or walk along the East Bay Bike Path, stopping if you like for wildlife watching at Audubon’s Nature Center. Providence packs a punch in the country’s smallest state.
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5. Memphis, Tennessee
Home of Elvis, blues and barbecue, Memphis is first and foremost a music city, but it’s the emerging foodie scene that’s also getting noticed these days. Sample traditional Memphis barbecue to your heart’s content but don’t overlook the restaurants offering Southern-style soul food, authentic Italian and Mexican and American classics. Move on to the must-see music-centric attractions: the Sun Studio recording facility (maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of a star singer), Elvis’ famous Graceland estate and Beale Street, aka “Home of the Blues,” with its Memphis Music Hall of Fame and WC Handy’s House. Head on over to the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum or the STAX Museum of American Soul to do a deep dive into the history of tunes in Tennessee. There’s a rich Civil Rights history here, as well, so take time to explore the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum and National Civil Rights Museum.
Home of Elvis, blues and barbecue, Memphis is first and foremost a music city, but it’s the emerging foodie scene that’s also getting noticed these days. Sample traditional Memphis barbecue to your heart’s content but don’t overlook the restaurants offering Southern-style soul food, authentic Italian and Mexican and American classics. Move on to the must-see music-centric attractions: the Sun Studio recording facility (maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of a star singer), Elvis’ famous Graceland estate and Beale Street, aka “Home of the Blues,” with its Memphis Music Hall of Fame and WC Handy’s House. Head on over to the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum or the STAX Museum of American Soul to do a deep dive into the history of tunes in Tennessee. There’s a rich Civil Rights history here, as well, so take time to explore the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum and National Civil Rights Museum.
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6. Fort Collins
It’s hard to go wrong with a weekend getaway to vibrant Fort Collins, just a short drive north of Denver. There are 300 days of sunshine a year here, so it’s easy to get out and play, no matter what the season. Ski or hike on world-famous mountains, swim in idyllic lakes and raft along rushing rivers. Go snowshoeing or fat biking through nearby Cameron Pass or Lory State Park. visit the farmers’ market – it even runs in the winter, offering fresh root vegetables and delicious soft cheese. And be sure to soak up some of Fort Collins’ art culture, in museums, along the streets and tucked away in alleyways. Fun fact: The downtown area of Fort Collins – Old Town – is so charming, with its historic buildings, antiques shops and cute boutiques that Disneyland Main Street USA used it as inspiration! (You can even take a thrilling horse-and-buggy ghost tour in Old Town.)
It’s hard to go wrong with a weekend getaway to vibrant Fort Collins, just a short drive north of Denver. There are 300 days of sunshine a year here, so it’s easy to get out and play, no matter what the season. Ski or hike on world-famous mountains, swim in idyllic lakes and raft along rushing rivers. Go snowshoeing or fat biking through nearby Cameron Pass or Lory State Park. visit the farmers’ market – it even runs in the winter, offering fresh root vegetables and delicious soft cheese. And be sure to soak up some of Fort Collins’ art culture, in museums, along the streets and tucked away in alleyways. Fun fact: The downtown area of Fort Collins – Old Town – is so charming, with its historic buildings, antiques shops and cute boutiques that Disneyland Main Street USA used it as inspiration! (You can even take a thrilling horse-and-buggy ghost tour in Old Town.)
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7. Hermosa Beach
Move over, LA – enter, Hermosa Beach. Sandwiched between Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, Hermosa is everything you crave in a beach weekend getaway. There’s a small-city feel here, with plenty of outlets for activity, from shopping to excellent dining options to outdoor adventure. Play beach volleyball or surf for hours, take in the ocean views from the Hermosa Beach Pier or head to Pier Avenue for hours of locally owned boutique shopping. Walk or bike along The Strand, part of the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail. After dark, The Strand becomes a bustling nightlife scene as the restaurants and bars fill up. Take in a show at the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre, known for its dance productions and film premieres. If it’s quintessential California beach life you seek, without the big-city hassle, Hermosa Beach is your answer.
Move over, LA – enter, Hermosa Beach. Sandwiched between Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, Hermosa is everything you crave in a beach weekend getaway. There’s a small-city feel here, with plenty of outlets for activity, from shopping to excellent dining options to outdoor adventure. Play beach volleyball or surf for hours, take in the ocean views from the Hermosa Beach Pier or head to Pier Avenue for hours of locally owned boutique shopping. Walk or bike along The Strand, part of the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail. After dark, The Strand becomes a bustling nightlife scene as the restaurants and bars fill up. Take in a show at the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre, known for its dance productions and film premieres. If it’s quintessential California beach life you seek, without the big-city hassle, Hermosa Beach is your answer.