Memorial Day Travel Deals—There's Still Time!
(Photo: Susan Poirer / Flickr)
The big kick-off to summer is only days away, and AAA is predicting that 36.1 million people will flee town this long weekend. If you’re not one of those millions who has already made travel plans, there’s still hope—and rewards for procrastinating. Check out some of our favorite amazing deals:
Sail the Maine Coast
It doesn’t get much better than this: sailing in a 1927 two-masted schooner past Maine’s lighthouses and rugged coast. Maine Windjammer is slashing its rates this weekend by 25 percent to just $434.25 per person for a three-day cruise. The cabins are simple (wooden walls, sinks with cold water) and there’s a shared hot-water shower on deck, but this isn’t about glamorous digs. This is about soaking in the salty air and exploring uncharted coves. Space is going fast, but there are discounts on cruises throughout June.
(Courtesy: Carnival)
Cruise with Carnival
There are Memorial Day deals to be had all across the cruise industry, but we were really wowed by the rock-bottom prices that Carnival is putting out there this coming week: $239 for four days on the Carnival Paradise from Tampa to Mexico; $299 on the Inspiration from Long Beach, California, to Baja; $349 for five days on the Fantasy from Charleston, South Carolina, to the Bahamas. And that’s with food included. Cruising just might be cheaper than staying at home.
(Photo: Thinkstock)
Check out Fleet Week in New York City
Hey, sailor. If another kind of naval experience floats your boat, head to Manhattan for Fleet Week. The weekend of ship tours, aerial shows, and Coast Guard drills culminates with a big old USO tailgate party before the New York Mets game on Monday. Rooms are 30 percent off at the TRYP By Wyndham Times Square South, ideally situated to spot the boys in their whites.
(Courtesy: The Jefferson)
Get Patriotic in Washington, D.C
The nation’s capital goes all out—from Sunday’s National Memorial Day Parade to the National Memorial Day Concert. Kimpton Hotels has last-minute specials at all three of its DC properties: the groovy Donovan Hotel, a quick stroll from the White House, was $150 a night when we last checked. Or splurge at the Jefferson, a luxe boutique hotel themed around the legendary Founding Father. The hotel’s cutting 30 percent off its rates and offering a $295 package for vets, military, and their spouses: besides a room and breakfast, you get an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol.
(Photo: James Hall / Flickr)
Leave Your Heart (Not Your Wallet) in San Francisco
The City by the Bay does it own version of Memorial Day with a very San Francisco twist: an over-the-top, half-dressed Carnaval Celebration. The Ramada Limited San Francisco is offering a 20 percent discount when you stay three nights or more. South Of San Francisco is the new Lightning in a Bottle, billed as a “transformational festival.” We’re not exactly sure what that means, but it sounds cool, with musicians like Moby and Simian Mobile Disco.
Watch the Lighting in a Bottle video here.
(Photo: Tom Bricker / Flickr)
Rock out at Disney
Mickey and his pals are also partying this weekend at Disneyworld. In the 24-hour-long all-night “Rock Your Disney Side Party” this Saturday into Sunday, you’re encouraged to dress up as your favorite hero or villain (just don’t shock the kids). Tweet about how you plan to rock your summer with the hashtag #DisneySideSweepsEntry and you just might win a coast-to-coast Disney vacay. Orlando-bound rockers might want to stay at the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort, where last-minute rates start at just $85 a night, or the Hilton Orlando, from $99 a night.
(Photo: Robert S. Donovan / Flickr)
Club Hop in Vegas
And in that other rocking city of Vegas, there are bargains across the city. We want to get our hands on one of the 96-hour wristbands that the Light Group is selling to just 100 lucky clubhounds—for $300 it gets you into seven of their clubs for all four days of Memorial Day weekend. Pretty good deal for the triple-hitter at 1 OAK: Nicki Minaj, Nas, and Nick Cannon. Now that’s serving your country well.
(Courtesy: 1 Oak)
