Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial kick-off to summer, and if you’ve been working hard since New Year’s then you are probably begging for a vacation! Enter the Memorial Day weekend getaway – the perfect excuse to pack your bags and let your normal life melt into the background for a while.
Just because it’s a weekend doesn’t mean you can’t book yourself a quick getaway for some much needed R&R! And if you use our PTO Hacker you can figure out how to get the most time away for only a few days of your valuable PTO… So, whether the beach is calling your name or you’re yearning to find yourself in the bustling city or vast mountains, these are some of the best Memorial Day weekend getaways you can book.
Hack the weekend
You may think a weekend isn’t long enough to go sightseeing in foreign lands (or states) and enjoy yourself – but you’re wrong! You’d be surprised at how much you can fit into a weekend if you really want to.
But if you’re not convinced, then hack it instead! Seeing as Memorial Day is a federal holiday, you’ll get Monday the 27th off work, and if you want to really savor the time off, why not turn it into a whole week by booking only 4 days off! By doing this you can bag yourself a total of 9 days off – is that amazing or what?
Maybe you want to travel local and discover other states (the US is certainly big enough to spend a lifetime discovering), or you can venture up north to Canada or down south to Mexico for a taste of similar but other worlds. And if you really want to push the boat out 9 days is plenty for a whizz around Europe!
Image source:Contiki
1. Los Angeles, California
Looking to relax this weekend and take life slow, head to LA! With Contiki you can make this a short and sweet Memorial Day weekend getaway over 3 days on our LA Explorer. Plenty of beach vibes, sun, and fun, you’ll be treated to some unique cultural experiences ranging from an iconic drive down the palm tree-lined streets, to a show at Mann’s Chinese Theatre.
2. Oaxaca, Mexico
Mexico is the quintessential US getaway destination: different enough that you get to experience a new world for a few days, but close enough that you can avoid long-hauls – it really is ideal.
Fill up on the amazing Mexican food and make your belly happy, sample some local stars like tequila and mezcal, and take advantage of the white sand beaches and turquoise waters. The nightlife here is everything as well: live music, colourful string lights, and dancing locals.
If you’re a forward planner and a fan of girl math, why not check out our Yucatan Highlights trip for 2025? By the time you travel, it’ll be totally free (if we use our girl math calculations), so your Memorial Day weekend getaway will be extra special.
Image source:Jezael Melgoza / unsplash
3. New York City, New York
For those who are fond of busy cities and highstreet window-shopping, you can’t go wrong with a trip to New York City. Make your visit as long or as short as you like, you’ll never run out of things to do in the city that never sleeps.
It’s ideal in May because you’ll get some warm weather while avoiding peak summer humidity. Picnics and bike rides in Central Park, a few shows on Broadway, and fantastic dinners in all the boroughs. This is the perfect contender for any getaway, any time of year; New York City always just seems to shine.
4. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
The start of summer isn’t official until you’ve taken a trip to the Cape, so it seems fitting you’d head here for your Memorial Day weekend getaway. Charming small towns built up with traditional New England wood panels, plenty of lighthouses keeping you company in the dark, and of course many, many, boats.
Cape Cod is very popular so there will be vacation rentals aplenty, and other rental companies if you want to take a boat into the sea or forget your beach chairs. You can spend hours lazing around the beach and nearby dunes, and head back to Provincetown or Brewster or Chatham or whatever adorable town you’ve taken up temporary residency in, in the evening. And don’t you dare forget to indulge in fresh lobster and clam chowder!
Image source:At / unsplash
5. Port Antonio, Jamaica
The first of the Caribbean nations on this list, how can you resist spending a long weekend on an island close to paradise? Port Antonio is an absolute stunner of a destination and you won’t be disappointed by choosing to spend your Memorial Day weekend getaway there.
Colourful towns are complemented by tropical landscapes – I mean you’re basically in the jungle! Mountains and waterfalls on one side and the bluest of blue water on the other, Port Antonio is one of those rare locations around the world that just fills you with joy as soon as your feet touch down. You can visit the Folly Ruins if you’re in the mood for some history, or go rafting in the Blue Lagoon if you’re feeling adventurous.
6. Gustavia, St. Barts Island
Saint Bathélemy, also known as St. Barts, is the perfect place to visit if you want to pretend you’re in the French Riviera without jetting all the way there. The island is French-speaking so all establishments will have French names like the popular restaurant La Petite Plage or the gorgeous hotel Cheval Blanc.
Gustavia is an affluent area of the region, kind of like France’s St. Tropez, so prepare to experience some glitz and glam. But amidst all the luxury you’ll still be able to find some lowkey hangs and take things at your own pace. Beautiful beaches (like Shell Beach) flanked by the distant view of volcanoes and reefs – it doesn’t get much better than this.
7. Galveston, Texas
The start of summer isn’t official until you’ve taken a trip to the Cape, so it seems fitting you’d head here for your Memorial Day weekend getaway. Charming small towns built up with traditional New England wood panels, plenty of lighthouses keeping you company in the dark, and of course many, many, boats.
Cape Cod is very popular so there will be vacation rentals aplenty, and other rental companies if you want to take a boat into the sea or forget your beach chairs. You can spend hours lazing around the beach and nearby dunes, and head back to Provincetown or Brewster or Chatham or whatever adorable town you’ve taken up temporary residency in, in the evening. And don’t you dare forget to indulge in fresh lobster and clam chowder!
8. New Orleans, Louisiana
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your Memorial Day weekend, then it’s time to visit New Orleans. Split your time between swamp and city and experience the deep history and the incredible culture of the area. Between ghost tours, plantation tours, local rum distillery visits, and eating your way through the French Quarter and Bourbon street, you’ll 100% have your hands full – but you won’t complain a bit.
Image source:Contiki
9. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Explore the great outdoors over Memorial Day with a trip to Yellowstone National Park. The heart and soul of America, some may say, you could get lost here (literally) for days and. You may even risk asphyxiation by how breathtaking all the natural beauty is!
Hit up Jackson Lake, Old Faithful, and the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring for some pure wanderlust, and after that stop by the Grizzly Bear and Wolf Discovery Centre to get up and close with these furry guys in a truly ethical wildlife experience. You’ll get a well-deserved breath of fresh air in this jewel of the West.
10. The Outer Banks, North Carolina
Last but not least on this list of Memorial Day weekend getaways is the Outer Banks: a site for the curious traveller! Steeped in history, and a little bit of mystery, you can have a great time in this area of North Carolina by exploring the dunes, the lighthouses, and the shipwreck sites.
It’s also the setting for Netflix’s show Outer Banks (who knew!), so if you’re a fan you can go ahead and live your best Pogue or Kook life! Fans of American Horror Story will also be pleased as the nearby Roanoke Island was the site of England’s first settlement in the US which disappeared and inspired a particularly gory 6th season of the show…
