We used to think a "real vacation" needed a week. Then we realized: with limited PTO, waiting for big trips means missing out on years of memories.
Over the past 15 years, we've perfected the 48-hour getaway. Here are our favorites—places close enough to reach by Friday evening, interesting enough to fill a weekend, and relaxing enough that you return refreshed rather than exhausted.
From the Northeast
Portland, Maine (2–3 hours from Boston)
A foodie paradise that doesn't require planning.
Friday: Arrive by bus or car. Check into a downtown hotel—The Press Hotel is walkable to everything. Dinner at Eventide Oyster Co. (the brown butter lobster bun changed my life).
Saturday: Walk the Old Port district, visit the Portland Head Light (free, stunning), eat your way through the city. Duckfat for poutine. Gelato at Little Giant.
Sunday: Brunch at Hot Suppa, browse the Maine Historical Society if weather is bad, drive back.
Budget win: The Amtrak Downeaster from Boston is $24 each way. Use our cheap flight strategies for flights to Boston.
Hudson Valley, NY (Train from Manhattan)
No car needed. Take Metro-North from Grand Central.
Friday: Train to Beacon or Cold Spring. Walk to your B&B. Dinner at a local farm-to-table spot.
Saturday: Hike Breakneck Ridge (challenging but short) or Mount Beacon (easier). Visit Dia:Beacon art museum. Wine tasting at nearby vineyards.
Sunday: Brunch, antique browsing, train home.
Burlington, Vermont
Works from May–October. Skip winter unless you ski.
Direct flights from NYC, DC, Chicago. Rent a car at the airport for maximum flexibility.
Weekend highlights:
- Church Street Marketplace (pedestrian shopping)
- Waterfront park with Adirondack views
- Brewery hopping (there are 15+ in the area)
- Drive to Stowe for mountain scenery
From the Midwest
Madison, Wisconsin
Underrated and incredibly pleasant.
Friday: Fly or drive. Check into downtown.
Saturday: Rent bikes (the city is flat and has trails everywhere). Farmer's Market at the Capitol Square (morning). State Street for shopping. Dinner at a supper club.
Sunday: Terrace at Memorial Union, walk along Lake Mendota, drive home.
Traverse City, Michigan
Summer and fall only. But worth it.
Direct flights from Chicago and Detroit. Or a 4-hour drive from Detroit.
Highlights:
- Sleeping Bear Dunes (plan 3+ hours)
- Wine tasting on Old Mission Peninsula
- Downtown walking and shopping
- Beach time at Clinch Park
Pair with our packing guide—summer weather can shift quickly.
Kansas City
Not on your radar? It should be.
Friday: Fly in. Dinner at Joe's KC BBQ or Q39.
Saturday: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (free). Country Club Plaza shopping. More BBQ. Kansas City Royals game if in season.
Sunday: River Market for breakfast. Boulevard Brewery tour. Fly home.
Why we love it: Affordable hotels, great food scene, friendly people.
From the South
Asheville, North Carolina
Direct flights into AVL (small airport, easy). Or drive from Atlanta (4 hrs), Charlotte (2 hrs).
Friday: Arrive, check into downtown hotel. Dinner at a brewery.
Saturday: Biltmore Estate (expensive but worth it once). Blue Ridge Parkway drive. Dinner in the River Arts District.
Sunday: Hiking at Chimney Rock or Dupont State Forest. Brunch. Drive home.
Savannah, Georgia
Walkable, beautiful, historic.
Friday: Fly into SAV. Check into downtown. Ghost tour (touristy but fun).
Saturday: Forsyth Park. Historic house tours. River Street. Dinner at The Collins Quarter.
Sunday: Bonaventure Cemetery (hauntingly beautiful). Brunch. Drive home.
New Orleans (Long Weekend)
Okay, this needs 3 days. But flights are often cheap.
Friday: Arrive afternoon. Walk French Quarter. Dinner at Commander's Palace.
Saturday: Garden District architecture tour. Magazine Street shopping. Evening music on Frenchmen Street.
Sunday: Café du Monde beignets. WWII Museum (plan 4+ hours). Fly home.
Use our long flight survival tips if you're connecting through ATL or DFW.
From the West
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Direct flights from Denver, Phoenix, Dallas.
Friday: Arrive. Canyon Road gallery walk. Dinner at a restaurant serving New Mexican cuisine.
Saturday: Meow Wolf (interactive art experience). Santa Fe Plaza. Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Take the High Road to Taos if you have a car.
Sunday: Breakfast burritos. More gallery browsing. Fly home.
Bend, Oregon
For outdoor lovers. Fly into Redmond (RDM).
Friday: Arrive. Check into downtown hotel. Dinner at a brewpub.
Saturday: Choose your adventure:
- Summer: Float the Deschutes River
- Winter: Ski Mt. Bachelor
- Year-round: Smith Rock hiking
Sunday: Old Mill District shopping. Deschutes Brewery tour. Fly home.
Sedona, Arizona
Spectacular scenery, luxury feel, moderate prices.
Direct flights from Phoenix, Denver, LA.
Weekend:
- Pink Jeep Tour (worth the splurge)
- Hiking: Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock
- Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
- Stargazing (International Dark Sky Community)
Our Weekend Trip Rules
- No checked bags—Carry-on only changes everything
- One must-do activity—Don't try to see everything
- Book Friday flights before 7pm—Arrive with time to enjoy dinner
- Leave Sunday afternoon—Gives you Monday to recover
- Don't overplan—Part of the magic is discovering things spontaneously
The Cost Breakdown
Typical 48-hour trip (per person):
- Flights: $150–300 (use our flight finding tips)
- Hotel: $200–400 total (share)
- Food: $100–150
- Activities: $50–150
Total: $300–500 per person for a memorable weekend.
Find weekend hotel deals on Trip.com†
Compare that to one big trip per year—you could do 3–4 weekends for the same cost and have more experiences to remember.
Where's your favorite quick getaway? We're always looking for new ideas.