The Best U.S. Cities for a Weekend Trip

If you’re working for the weekend, better make it count!

travelling is back in 2024 in abig way . airport are pullulate with giving crowds , the lines at some of the most pop travel destination stretch along longer and longer , and , of course , the toll of that PTO - combustion , time geographical zone - cross misstep , is steadily climb as well . fortuitously , there ’s plenty to research right here at home — and all you take is a weekend ( and maybe a rental car ) .

Yes , a detox in Bali or along weekend in Londonsounds great , but you may regain everything you postulate closer to home . If you ’re looking for a self-coloured combo of novelty , play , convenience , and spontaneity , these weekend trips — that expect just a straightaway cause , flight , or prepare but still scratch the scabies for unused faces , sights , sounds , and nutrient — are the response .

From recollective - time classics likeNew YorkandLas Vegasto low - key favorites likeBoiseandColumbus , our writers and editor across the commonwealth whittled down 300 - plus American cities to discover the best places in the U.S. for a three - day weekend trip . These gumptious locus have all the thing one could desire to receive in a mere 36 hours : a distinct sense of place , unattackable local cultures , great nutrient and drinks , vibrant neighborhoods , bang for your buck , and , most significantly , near endless to - do inclination . bundle your carry - on cup of tea — it ’s time to scratch that urge .

Pubs and bars with neon lights in French Quarter

TGIF couldn’t ring true enough.|f11photo/Shutterstock

Santa Fe, New Mexico

In recent geezerhood , Santa Fe has come out from the desert as an haven for incredible food for thought , artistic creation , culture , andnatural beautyin the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains . Nicknamed “ The City Different , ” New Mexico ’s upper-case letter dish up as a prospering creative hub ; for cogent evidence , look to the trippy installations atMeow Wolf , theMuseum of International Folk Art , the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture , and the classicGeorgia O’Keeffe Museum . ( One might argue that a twenty-four hour period trip toBandelier National Monumentor a turquoise - filled retail therapy session at Native American jewellery shopWind Rivercould be equally inspiring . )

Santa Fe is also home tomany tasty snacks . We ’re not just talkingHatch chiles — though those should be enjoyed , too ( specifically in a cheeseburger atShake Foundationand atop existence - class Tex - Mex fare at classic joint likeTia Sophia’s , Palacio Café , andThe Pink Adobe ) . And do n’t skimp on the booze — this is allegedly the birthplace of the margarita , after all . Hit upMaria ’s New Mexican Kitchen , which gas a 60 - year legacy and more than 200 varieties on its binder - like menu.—Matt Kirouac

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Nicknamed “The “City Different,” pinon-scented Santa Fe is charmingly weird and endlessly authentic.

Greater Palm Springs, California

Surely , this one does n’t require much convincing . Along with the weather — which stays in the 70s and 80 year - pear-shaped — and the gorgeous desert scene , you’re able to basically get any kind of weekend you desire in Palm Springs . Spa getaway ? Check . Hiking risky venture ? Check . Artsy safety valve ? Check . Festival chaos ? Super - check . Yes , Coachellaand its related to action aretechnicallyPalm Springs - adjacent , but every weekend there ’s a rager either in the Valley or somewhere nearby , from EDM - centricSplash Houseto land hootenannyStagecoachto the twice - yearly , optic art - filledJoshua Tree Music Fest .

If you ’re staying in Palm Springs proper , there ’s no need to pass on Highway 111 , which has short ton of bars and restaurants within walk ( or loose trolley ! ) aloofness of your hotel and its party - substantial consortium . If you ’re in one of the neighboring cities , you ’re probably there for liberalization , but if you do decide to hit the town , ride shares are abundant and bum . If you have a car on deal , make the quick jaunt out to the trippy paradise that isJoshua Tree National Parkand theequally weird town of Joshua Tree right . Stylish Airbnbs , ghost town - sour - euphony venues , andweird desert artall wait out in the expanses . — Jeff Miller

Boise, Idaho

Boise defines itself as part rugged , part elaborate , “ a city you desire to have a beer with . ” And this does n’t take much convincing . You ’ve pretty much got the effective of all worlds here : mountains , a river , century of trails;20 wineries in the city alone(and more than 65 in the area);taprooms and brewerieswithin walking distance of one another downtown ; and more than 200 sidereal day of sunshine , meaning everything from summer paddle embarkment to winter skiing is more than pleasant .

Throw in theBasque Block — where you ’ll happen theBasque Museum & Cultural Centerand Spanish - style pintxos and vino atThe Basque Market — and theBoise Fry Company , where the state ’s iconic potatoes are function up child - form with housemade flavourer and dipping sauce , and you ’ll see why Boise is something of an unexpected ( albeit , bizarre ) food city . You ’ve also got the northwest ’s largest open - air , multi - artist mural gallery , Freak Alley Gallery , plus hiking and batch biking track not far from downtown — and , if you ’re craving nature even closer , the Boise River , which runs through the metropolis nub , is a haven for kayakers , tubers , and rafters.—Lane Nieset

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Bozeman, Montana

If you ’d care to tip the shell in favour of quality time with Mother Nature — a misstep where the former bird catches the insect , and where your vitality will arrive not from skyscrapers but from idyllic natural vistas — look no further than Bozeman . The gateway toYellowstoneand a quick route tripper fromGlacier National Park , you ’ve get a whole smorgasbord of Great Outdoor sight to enjoy out here . you may ease your worries with a soak in variousnatural hot springs . you may hike through the same hills as Louis , Clark , and Sacagawea ( andthe dinosaurs ! ) . you could reject to part with nature for even a minute , deliberate the whole state of Montana isbasically a giant campsite .

Although downtown is humble — you could probably walk the whole affair in under 30 minutes — it ’s absolutely jam - packed with delicious eating house upon delicious eating house . Get over toJam!,Plonk , Montana Ale Works , andRoost Fried Chicken . By the time you ’re done , you ’ll be stuffed like a bear right before hibernation . — Tiana Attride

Washington, DC

Believe it or not , a batch has changed in the District since your midway schooling field tripper days . Not only have the Capitals , Nationals , Mystic , DC United , and Spirit contribute home national backing ( no big ) , but the metropolis itself has transformed into an even more fascinating weekend hang thanks to a proliferation ofworld - form barsandrestaurants , hotels , neighborhoods , unripe space , and , of course , ethnical institution . It ’s also supremely walkable , and the capitulation — when the foggy humidness last eases up , the drove of tourists fritter , and winter ’s thrill is yet to plant in — is the perfect fourth dimension to take reward ofDC ’s splendour .

Park yourself at politically savvy Hong Kong transplantthe Eaton Workshop , centrally locate on K Street , a gemstone ’s stroke from theNational Malland its many attractor — that is , if you terminate up leave its sleek grounds ( the lobby storey speakeasy , Allegory , can be quite the delicious prison term - suck ) . Once you ’ve had your fill of boozy brainchild , hit the township in hunt of more stimulation in the form of newfangled and/or improved museums like theNational Museum of African American account and Culture , theNational Museum of the American Indian(don’t miss thestellar onsite cafe ) , theNational Air and Space Museum , and the immersiveInternational Spy Museum .

Hungry ? consume your way through vibrant neighborhood likethe H Street Corridor , where you ’ll find Asian - influenced secret plan - changers likeCopycat Co. ,Toki Underground , andMaketto . Or , book it over to nearbyUnion Marketand feast on everything fromMichelin - Starred Colombian fine diningto trustedSouthern quilt . cease your twenty-four hour period inthe Navy Yard , a riverfront electronic internet of parks , windy breweries ( Bluejacket , Atlas Brew Works , andSolacehold it down ) , and State Department - of - the - nontextual matter stadiums by way ofAudi Field , place to bothDC UnitedandNWSL Champs Washington Spirit , and theNat ’s modern baseball mecca.—Meredith Heil

town tucked into mountains during sunset

Natural beauty, a thriving art scene, and top-notch Tex-Mex are just the start in Santa Fe.|Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe

Orlando, Florida

The theme park capital generate a luck of attending forinternationally acclaimed attractive feature like Walt Disney World . And while that ’s certainly reason enough to impose Orlando for a long weekend ( this is every kid ’s dream , is n’t it?),Central Florida is much more than thrill drive . Downtown Orlando may have get its start in the 19th century thanks to cattle and citrus , but now you ’ll find accolade - winning chefs , a buzzing medicine view , and creation - class culture at acoustically perfect spaces like theDr . Phillips Center , where performances admit Broadway arrive at likeHamilton .

Eat your way around locally owned spotslike Peruvian - fusion eatery and natural vino barPapa Llama(order the “ shroom , ” a wild mushroom stir - fry);Japanese - Korean Sushi Lola ’s , where you’re able to nibble on “ lava dips,”deep - fry , panko - crusted krab salad ; andItalian restaurant Pratoin the well - heeled city of Winter Park ( house to Rollins College ) , where you ’ll have some of the most unexpected cacio e pepe — doused with white pepper Dijon mustard greens — of your life .

Nearby , you could pick blueberry at crime syndicate ownedSouthern Hill Farmsorgo kayaking in King ’s Landingon the crystal - clear , scenic Rock Springs Run . Even in the meat of downtown , you may take a swan - shape paddle boat ( corny , but sort of cute ) on Lake Eola , which is also home to existent swans , as well as concerts and motion picture at theWalt Disney Amphitheater . The only matter that peradventure tops — or add to — the prowess and culture here is the cunning beer setting , with dozens of microbrewery that have popped up over the past X ( Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co.andPark Pizza & Brewing Co.being two great picks).—Lane Nieset

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New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans has everything you could possibly take to have the most fun three days of your life-time . It ’s the best city in America for a perambulation , whether drink - in - hand through the lamp - fire up cobblestone of the Gallic Quarter or past the imposing manors of the Garden District . You ’ll encounter historic architecture , canopies of live oaks , and player playing on near every niche . When it comes to atmosphere , Crescent City is B. B. King .

No judgement if you go all - in with the frozen daiquiris on Bourbon Street or jazz club - hopping on Frenchmen , but it ’s well worthgoing beyond the tourist haunt . Get lost in the spooky labyrinthine of Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District , drink and shop your way down Magazine Street , and hit any number ofworld - class tearing holesforfood that ’ll entrust you in a felicitous , deep - fried daze . Hospitable residents arepassionate about show their city to suitable visitors : Be respectful and open - minded , opt for a hotel or B&Bover an Airbnb , and never , evertalk shit about the Saints . — Keller Powell

Las Vegas, Nevada

All the chaotic energy in the universe is concentrated in Vegas , which is exactlywhat makes the lieu so glorious . For whatever reason you ’re in town — toparty , toeat your style around celeb chef - driven eating place , toget outside — Sin City will deliver in spades . StrollThe LINQ PromenadeandThe Park Vegas , walkable outdoor spaces with dining and amusement choice unmoored from the confines of casinos . Visit The Neon Museum , a odd Las Vegas experience , or steer to East Fremont for some genuine local flavor ( yeah , people live here ! ) . Do n’t entrust without checking out local institutionAtomic Liquors , the oldest free - standing bar in townsfolk ( est . 1945 ) , where people gather in the fifties to check atomic run while drinking on the rooftop .

And , of course , at some stop , you ’ve got to lose rails of clock time inside the city ’s many hotels and casinos . If you have to peck one , permit it beThe Cosmopolitan . There , you may catchOPIUM , a sexy , raunchy , space - themed , adults - only show ; sip cocktail inside the “ hidden”Ghost Donkeycocktail streak ; and check outThe Barbershop , a salon , Prohibition - style cocktail bar , alive euphony locale , and undivided lounge all in one . Vegas , child ! — Nicole Rupersburg

Houston, Texas

Listen , Beyoncé was born inHouston . As were Solange , Megan Thee Stallion , Kenny Rogers , Wes Anderson , Patrick Swayze , Hilary Duff , and , lest we forget , The Undertaker . Clearly , there ’s something magical in the air . And if H - Town ’s washables inclination of hometown heroes does n’t prove that , see no further than the stack weekend tripper itinerary it ’s got to extend .

It ’s Texas , so it ’s likelyyou’re coming here for the food . You ’ll be eatingsteaksandburgersthe size of your head , barbecuethat’ll leave your fingers sticky for day , thebest Mexican foodthis side of the perimeter , andpretty much any other kind of cuisine imaginable . ( And , thankfully , the plant - based crowdis also catered to . ) If all that does n’t send you spiraling into a food coma , there are plenty of other natural action to keep you entertained . After dark , catch a motion picture with theRooftop Cinema Cluborgo for cocktails ; if you ’d prefer an intimate evening beneath the stars or else of beneath the city lights , theGeorge Observatoryand theJames Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspaceare where it ’s at . Everything ’s bigger in Texas , let in the skies.—Tiana Attride

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Denver, Colorado

Visiting Denver solelyfor the weedis like going to Disneyland and only ride Space Mountain . Sure , it ’s great , but there ’s so much more to the place . sentence your sojourn right ( at the beginning or remnant of winter ) and in a few days ’ clip , you ’ll behiking , biking , skiing , andsipping craftiness beerlike a local .

Along with being the gateway to mountainside walking on air and accolade - winning brewage , Denver has a few other experiences you should n’t leave without hold . The first is devouring gullible chiles and size of it - of - your - head breakfast burritos , which can beeatenin mouthwatering tandem atEl Taco De Mexico . The next isgallery - hoppingthrough RiNo , Denver ’s arts territory . And the last is , of course , catching a showwith approximate - flawless acoustics atRed Rocks , one of the world ’s cool concert locus . — Lee Breslouer

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

No longer playing second violin toAustin ’s cooler - than - cool veneer , the DFW has to the full hail into its own in recent years . The sprawl , cosmopolitan city blends ared - hot dining scenewith set - back , artsy vibes , top - mountain pass entertainment , adventuresome outside escapes , andone of the sheer good gayborhoods in the country .

One day , you ’ll be strolling throughthe Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden , soaking up the state ’s finest peak . The next , you ’re hang glide through the air atSix Flags Over Texas , checking out daze Art Deco relics atFair Park , or adopt in the mess at the awe - inducingNasher Sculpture Center . And through it all , you ’ll be guzzlingincredible craft brewscourtesy ofCelestial Beerworks , Texas Ale Project , Four Corners Brewing , andManhattan Project , and indulging in fabled barbecuefrom the the like ofLoro Asiatic , Goldee’s , Dayne’s , Brix , andTen50 . And if none of that tickles your fancy , hell , you could always snag a ticket to seeAmerica ’s Teamstrut their stuff atAT&T Stadium . Giddyup.—Meredith Heil

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is know by some as the Second City and others as the Third Coast , but by our count , this metropolis of incredible computer architecture , intellectual nourishment , and culture comes first in our center — regardless of youropinions on pizzaor gripes about the winter . If it was all good enough to partly revolutionise Frank Oz ’s own shimmer Emerald City , you may deplete a piddling deep dish antenna and put on a coat .

Outside of the touristy Loop sit 77 neighborhoods , each and every one deserving exploring , especially artsy Wicker Park , hip Logan Square , studious Hyde Park , andmulticultural Pilsen . Find grampus comedy atThe Second City , see laurels - winning theater ( Steppenwolf , the Goodman ) , and know a vivacious LGBT scene in Andersonville and Boystown . It should also be of no surprise thatthis urban center have a go at it solid food — beyond the usualpies , hot dogs , and intestine - bustingGym Shoe sandwich .

To really get to bang Chicago , though , you ’ve puzzle to get out on the water , whether with the volunteer docent of the Chicago Architectural Foundation or on a 75 - hour river go a laShoreline Sightseeing . Either way , you ’re in for a relaxing , clip - traveling cruise through the metropolis ’s past tense and into its nowadays . — Joseph Hernandez

people at a colorful hotel pool surrounded by palm trees

Escape to this midcentury-modern paradise.|The Saguaro Palm Springs

Nashville, Tennessee

If you have n’t been to Nashville of late , betting odds are a friend has and now they wo n’t block badgering you about how much fun they had . Along with a euphony scene that ’s still 2nd to none — expect no further than theCountry Music Hall of Fame , theMusicians Hall of Fame , theNashville Songwriters Hall of Fame , and theNational Museum of African American Musicfor trial impression — the creative cup runneth over here . artist , technical school geniuses , and master chef keep flocking to Nashville to be a part of the latest “ it ” city . So carry your bags and prepare to honky - tonk .

state stars - turn - entrepreneurs likeBlake Sheltonoffer enormous entertainment complexes where euphony and drunkenness are a - go all day long , while local party at more humble spots likeRobert ’s Western World , where pick - of - the - crop Nashville acts take the small stage . Breweries ( Yazoo Brewing Co. ,Jackalope Brewing , andTennessee Brew Works ) handily all lie within staggering distance of one another , and all risky venture here should climax in a banquet ofNashville Hot Chickenfrom the OGs atPrince ’s Hot Chicken ShackorBolton ’s . — Chris Chamberlain

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Portland, Maine

good-for-nothing , but you may not tire of New England ’s coastal appeal . It just is n’t possible . The historic lighthouses gazing out romantically over the recondite blue of the Atlantic . Main streets line with cafe , offbeat talent shops , and seafood restaurants dishing out lobster and clam chowder . jumpy beach that bunt up to true pine - lined seacoast , sailboats that bob steadily on the view , andfall leafage that just do n’t step down . Portland ’s cause all that and then some — specifically , world - stratum intellectual nourishment , island - hopping , and immaculate seaside vibes .

Along with James Beard Award - winningCentral Provisionsand the blessing that isThe Holy Donut , Portland is home toDuckfat — perhaps one of the tastiest billet on the eastern seaboard — and the sandwich , Belgian nipper , and poutine that establish it as such . satiate up before head to the waterfront and out toCasco Bay and the Calendar Islands .

Once you ’re back on land , reach a fete ( ideally , you ’re here for a summerFirst Friday Art Walk , theMaine Lobster Festivalan minute north in Rockland , orany of Portland ’s myriad purpose ) before settling in for an even ofsipping cocktails in township . A summertime trip call days expend by the water , possibly looking like you ’ve walked right out of a Nautica ad ; a winter trip undertake rack up spicy clam chowder andthe coziest , quaint weekendyou could peradventure hope for . — Tiana Attride

hot air balloons over city

You definitely won’t be bored in Boise.|Visit Boise

Boston, Massachusetts

Call masses Massholes all you want — there ’s nowhere that does classic New England good luck charm quite like Boston . The looker of a weekend here lie in the metropolis ’s compactness . you’re able to reach the touristy North End , thehistoric Freedom Trail , and the idyllic Common , zip in and out of shops on Newbury and Boylston , and head down to the Harbor with someessential snacksfrom nearbyFaneuil Hall — and do it all on metrical unit with proportional ease .

Hop on the thymine , and you may venture even further abroad to wander Harvard ’s nearly 400 - year - former campus in Cambridge , check out the gallery and coffeehouse in Jamaica Plain , or do laps aroundCastle Island . Once you ’ve seen the postcard - desirable mansions of the Back Bay and the assemblage at theIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum , make like a local and head toSouth Boston(aka “ Southie ” ) for buzzy eateries ( hello , Lincoln Tavern ) , beach , and young hoi polloi . And , obviously , no trip is complete without catch a game atFenway Park.—Katie Lockhart

Asheville, North Carolina

flower child acculturation runs late in the mountain townspeople of Asheville . With dateless activities ( tramp , kayaking , and general outdoorsy - ness ) , abuzzing artistry scenecentered around theRiver Arts District , and unbelievable local food , this is as relaxing a pickup as any you ’ll find in the South despite ( or perhaps thanks to ? ) the fact that it ’s earned the name “ Beer City , USA , ” since it sports themost breweries per capitain the nation .

Step back in time at Gilded Age - eraBiltmore Estate ; embrace your inner instrumentalist and jointhe metropolis ’s weekly barrel circle assemblage in Pritchard Park ; or guide downtown for Art Deco architecture , free festivals and street performers , self - guided historic tour , and cargo of eating place and craft breweries . And , when you require a break from the rush , hops in the auto and head into the heart ofthe Blue Ridge Mountains ; home to pristine trail , arresting lookout points , and an expansive , serene canopy of trees , you ’ll promptly see why the region inspire author and hikers alike.—Liv Lawson

Atlanta, Georgia

How live is Atlanta these days ? 86 stage and cheery — but we ’re not talking about the weather . No , we ’re talking about akick - ass music scene(Latto , anyone?),next - level barsandcelebrity chef - indorse restaurants , wholesale commons with orca aspect , shortened - throat sports team , and family - friendly attractions galore . A fast - growing city teeming with potential , ATL is a no - brainer weekend destination and , at least for the prison term being , a surprisingly affordable one , at that .

Get the ballad of the landed estate by exploring the area ’s many fine cultural institutions , from skill - centric spots likethe Georgia Aquarium , Delta Flight Museum , andthe CDC Museumto Black story website like theNational Center for Civil and Human Rights , the King Center , andthe APEX Museum . Or say “ jockey it ” and get eldritch at far-out additions likethe Waffle House Museum , World of Coca Cola , Trap Music Museum , Original Selfie Museum , or the ultra - trippyIlluminarium . Elsewhere , load up up on alternative snack at the Old Fourth Ward’sPonce City Market , book a stay at the grungy strip club / rout haunt - turned - boutique gemHotel Clermont , cruise theBeltlineby bike , and cool down off atthe Ticonderoga Club , Inman Park ’s top cocktail slinger . Let ’s hope this weekend ’s a long one.—Meredith Heil

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