No Excuses! Great #MemorialDay Getaways that Are Easy to Reach
(Courtesy Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism)
By Carrie Culpepper and Kaeli Conforti
Thinking about taking a break for Memorial Day? It’s not too late to plan a getaway. To point you in the right direction, we looked for celebrations across America that offered something special in honor of the Memorial Day holiday, be it a unique patriotic tribute, a celeb-worthy pool party, an epic blues festival, or a vineyard tour.
But reading about a party that’s taking place miles and miles from home is frustrating, not fun. That’s why we highlighted places that are easily accessible no matter where you are in the U.S. (all of the cities called out under “easy getaway” are within either a 1.5-hour flight or four-hour drive from the featured destination). Consider this your ultimate guide to three-day weekend bliss.
Palm Springs, Calif.: For guaranteed summer weather
While most beach seasons are just beginning, Memorial Day marks the end of bearable temps in the desert, so hotels and operators are running specials for the holiday. Though other parts of California will be in the midst of “May Gray” and “June Gloom,” Palm Springs still has nonstop sunshine—plus dozens of vintage shops, acclaimed restaurants such as Copley’s on Palm Canyon (where celebrity chef Andrew Copley whips up SoCal comfort food like lobster pot pie) and an enduring love for all things mid-century (its hotels and private homes offer some of the best examples of 1950s modern architecture in the country).
It also makes a great base camp for exploring the striking desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park through hikes, mountain biking, or rock climbing—don’t miss a scenic ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Stick around for the Flower Drop & Air Fair, hosted by the Palm Springs Air Museum, where more than 3,000 red and white carnations are dropped form a B-25 Mitchell bomber in honor of all who those who have given their lives for our freedom—visitors are invited to take flowers home following the 1 p.m. drop. Military members should check out the R&R package from the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa that includes overnight accommodations, mimosa breakfast for two, a wine tasting for two, and other perks (from $199 a night for Sunday thru Thursday stays; from $299 a night for Friday and Saturday stays; call 866-994-6379 to book and mention the R&R Package).
Easy getaway from: Los Angeles; San Francisco; Phoenix; Las Vegas.
The Memorial Day Concert in D.C. (Courtesy Capitol Concerts)
Washington, D.C.: For patriotism, pomp, and circumstance
As you might guess, Washington is the most patriotic place to celebrate the holiday, with a parade and plenty of pomp and circumstance taking place during special military ceremonies. Arlington National Cemetery—which celebrated its 150th anniversary this May—hosts a wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. on Memorial Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns accompanied by performances from the U.S. Navy Band. Men in uniform also march in the National Memorial Day Parade along the National Mall at 2 p.m. Don’t miss the National Memorial Day Concert Sunday, May 25, on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., an event that is televised on PBS each year.
Easy getaway from: Baltimore; Boston; Charleston, S.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Hartford, CT; Louisville, Ky.; Nashville; New York City; Providence.
(Courtesy Caesars Palace)
Las Vegas: For only-in-Vegas-style parties by the pool
Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas is one of the busiest times of the year, along with New Year’s Eve. Parties held around the resorts’ elaborate pools are the big event, and become daylight nightclubs with DJs, drink carts, bottle service, cabanas, and more. To get in on the action, grab a chaise at the Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace (ladies always get in free) or stop by the swanky Tropicana Pool at The Tropicana Las Vegas—admission is free for hotel guests and just $10 for non-guests, so don’t miss out! Feeling gutsy? Take a spin on The High Roller at Caesars Palace, a giant Ferris wheel similar to The London Eye, sure to give you the best views in Vegas (daytime tickets from $14.95 per person; nighttime tickets from $24.95 per person).
Easy getaway from: Los Angeles; San Francisco.
The Bluesweek Festival. (Courtesy Entertainment Saint Louis)
Saint Louis: For blues, barbecue, and the ultimate treasure hunt
This year, Chesterfield Ampitheater will host the Bluesweek Festival Saturday and Sunday, with performances by musicians including blues legend Otis Clay—admission to the Festival Zone and Bunge BBQ Blast is free; tickets to the ampitheater shows are $10 when ordered online, $15 when purchased the day of the show. If all that music whets your appetite, head to the Schlafly Tap Room on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Pork Shop, a combination community garage sale and neighborhood barbecue, featuring local pork and plenty of Schlafly beer. You’ll need all this fuel to tackle the largest flea market in the Midwest, Gypsy Caravan, an annual Memorial Day event organized for the 42nd year by the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association. General admission between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. is $10; Early Bird tickets for early access to sales between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. are $20; a special ticket that includes access the night before and all day admission on Memorial Day is available for $30.
Easy getaway from: Chicago; Cincinnati; Kansas City, Mo.; Memphis.
(Courtesy The Atlantic City Alliance)
The Jersey Shore: For family fun and rides along the iconic Boardwalk
Contrary to popular belief, Atlantic City was not hit hard by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and was actually back on its feet within a week of the storm—in fact the area still continues to bounce back post-Sandy with new openings and events along its iconic stretch of New Jersey coastline. Steel Pier, Atlantic City’s popular oceanside amusement park, debuted eight new rides last summer. Don’t miss Duality, a free 3-D light show featuring catchy music and summer fun-filled images against the façade of Boardwalk Hall every half hour now thru June 20th starting at 8:30 p.m.
The best part: you can score a great hotel deal now through June 30th as part of Atlantic City’s Hello Summer promotion. Outside Atlantic City, check out the 29th annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival, the largest in North America, Friday thru Monday, an event that starts Friday night with a beachfront illuminated night kite fly on Rio Grande Avenue. There’s also a Boardwalk Craft Show Saturday and Sunday, a free concert on Sunday, and on a more solemn note, several Memorial Day services, including a candlelight vigil on Saturday at 8 p.m. at Wildwood Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Fox Park and a ceremony on Monday at 10 a.m. at the North Wildwood Veterans Monument located at Spruce and New York Avenues. Visit the New Jersey Going Strong website for more information on events throughout the Jersey Shore.
Easy getaway from: Philadelphia; New York City; Baltimore; Washington D.C.
(Courtesy Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Austin: For boating season and outdoor fun
Head to Lake Travis to soak up some of Austin’s best weather of the year, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the eighties. Memorial Day kicks off boating season here, so the place to be is the lake. To get in on the action, check out Austin’s REI store’s schedule of events to find out what classes and events are on offer this weekend or rent a ski boat at Just for Fun ($75 for one hour). If you’d rather be a spectator, catch a glimpse of the Capital of Texas Triathalon on Memorial Day, an event founded in 1991 that brings in 3,000 participants annually. Things get started with a swim at Lady Bird Lake before athletes break out the bikes for a race through Austin, leading up to a foot race around the southern part of the lake.
Easy getaway from: Atlanta; Dallas.
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