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With limited vacation time, long weekends are a great way to see more while taking minimum time off work-and this coming Labor Day weekend, there's no better time to test it out.
While you could visit any city for just a few days, some cities are better suited for quick trips. For example, if the airport is hours from the city or you can't do anything fun without renting a car, that's not ideal for a short getaway.
To help you narrow down your seemingly endless options, we focused on three criteria:
- There should be a major airport in town so it doesn't take 2+ hours to get there after you land
- You should be able to get around easily without renting a car, using things like public transit or ride sharing
- There's enough to see and do that you won't get bored-but also not so much that you'll feel rushed
There's something for every travel interest here, in every part of the country. Here are some of the best US cities for long weekend trips.
(Bonus: Some of them recently landed on our list of cheapest US cities to fly to in 2024!)
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West Coast
San Francisco
San Francisco looms large on the American cultural landscape, so it's easy to forget this hilly city has a fairly small footprint that's easy to explore in a few days. The waterfront is a great place to start. Popular Pier 39, where sea lions often laze on the docks, is only one small part of the Embarcadero; be sure to make your way to the Ferry Building Marketplace, and time your visit so you can take advantage of the wide selection of gourmet grub on offer there.
Explore bustling food markets in Chinatown, vintage shops in Haight Ashbury, Italian cafes in North Beach, and art galleries in the Mission. Snap a photo of the famously twisty Lombard Street (just know that driving the street takes ages because of the queue) and the colorfully painted Victorian houses on Alma Square. Don't miss a tour of Alcatraz Island-there's way more to the history than just the prison.
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Best time to go: September-November
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Nearest airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)-one of the cheapest US cities to fly to this year
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Day trip with a car: Spend a day wine tasting among the rolling hills in Napa Valley (about 67 miles away)
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Average Going deal: $199 roundtrip
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Seattle
Seattle combines big city attractions with the lush Pacific Northwest outdoors, so there's something for just about everyone. There's the iconic Space Needle, of course, but while you're in the Seattle Center area don't miss a visit to the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum or the Museum of Pop Culture. Watching fishmongers toss salmon at Pike Place Market is another Seattle standby, though if you'd rather get out on the water itself you can kayak Portage Bay.
The city that introduced the world to grunge still has a vibrant music scene-favorite venues include Showbox, The Crocodile, and Tractor Tavern. And every Seattle neighborhood has a variety of world-class eateries, from coffee shops to gastropubs to Michelin-starred restaurants.
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Best time to go: June-September
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Nearest airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)-one of the cheapest US cities to fly to this year
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Day trip with a car: Marvel at the beauty of Snoqualmie Falls, which you may recognize from the opening credits of Twin Peaks (about 29 miles away). (Find a dozen other incredible day trips from Seattle here.)
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Average Going deal: $197 roundtrip
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Juneau
Alaska's little capital city is packed with history and surrounded by dramatic natural beauty. The collection of artifacts at the wonderfully designed Alaska State Museum chronicles the area's history, from Native Peoples through the Russian colonial period and incorporation into the United States. The Sealaska Heritage Center downtown has historic exhibits on Alaskan Natives-and it also showcases contemporary Native artwork you can bring home as a souvenir.
Since it's a cruise port, Juneau has dozens of organized tour options for day trips to go whale watching or take in the scenery of Tracy Arm Fjord. And even if you're not visiting for a fishing trip of your own, you can indulge in fresh seafood all over town-just be sure to save some room for a visit to Tracy's King Crab Shack before you leave.
Note that getting to Juneau from many parts of the United States takes long enough that it's not a great option for a long weekend. From Seattle, however, the flight is around 2.5 hours; from other major West Coast airports it can take as little as 5-6 hours to get to Juneau. With an early-morning flight, you'll land before noon local time, so you can enjoy most of a long weekend in the city.
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Best time to go: May-August
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Nearest airport: Juneau International Airport (JNU)
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Day trip with a car: Spot massive ice chunks calving into the water off Mendenhall Glacier (about 12 miles away)
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Average Going deal: $366 roundtrip
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Mountains
Denver
Colorado's "Mile High City," Denver, boasts some 300 days of sunshine and proximity to some of the best outdoor playgrounds in the country. You don't have to leave the city limits, however, to get into the Denver spirit of embracing the outdoors. The city's walkable downtown has plenty of unique shops and restaurants, and it's not far from the enormous City Park (where you'll find the Denver Zoo as well as two lakes).
Exploring on two wheels is easy, too, with more than 80 miles of paved bike trails. There's a wonderful collection of Native American and Western art at the Denver Art Museum, and book lovers won't want to miss a stop at the city's beloved Tattered Cover Book Store. And when you're thirsty, hit the Denver Beer Trail to sample from any of the dozens of breweries in the area-including the eight in downtown Denver alone.
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Best time to go: April-May, September-October
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Nearest airport: Denver International Airport (DEN)-one of the cheapest US cities to fly to this year
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Day trip with a car: Go for a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park or Estes Park (about 70 miles away)
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Average Going deal: $190 roundtrip
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Salt Lake City
Utah is a must-visit destination for several beloved ski resorts and national parks, but urbanites should put Salt Lake City on their list, too. Check out the Natural History Museum of Utah for a history lesson on the American West, and then visit the Church History Museum on Temple Square to learn about the Mormon settlers who arrived in the area in the mid-1800s.
Salt Lake City's food scene ranges from award-winning fine dining to a plethora of food trucks, and since Utah is no longer the teetotalling state it once was, SLC is home to a growing slate of craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries-not to mention more than 200 bars in the city in which to sample the local beverages.
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Best time to go: September-October
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Nearest airport: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
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Day trip with a car: Explore the 30,000-acre expanse of the Bonneville Salt Flats (about 100 miles away)
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Average Going deal: $201 roundtrip
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Midwest
Chicago
Chicago never appears to take its "Second City" nickname as a slight. In fact, one of the best things about Chicago might just be how much big-city entertainment is packed into its relatively small size, including the many fabulous museums (like the Field Museum and Art Institute of Chicago).
A river cruise is always a good idea in Chicago, especially when it's an architectural tour, and in nice weather you can join the locals strolling through Millennium Park (snap a photo of your crazy reflection in "The Bean"). And no matter what type of cuisine you're looking for, Chicago delivers. Dig into classics like Chicago-style hot dogs or deep-dish pizza, or dine at award-winning restaurants like Alinea and Girl & the Goat.
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Best time to go: April-May, September-October
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Nearest airport: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)-one of the cheapest US cities to fly to this year
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Day trip with a car: Check out the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright with a tour of his home and studio in Oak Park (about nine miles away)
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Average Going deal: $191 roundtrip
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Kansas City
Missouri's biggest city holds appeal for a variety of visitors, from music lovers to foodies to sports fanatics. As jazz moved through the United States from New Orleans, it established a foothold in Kansas City that hasn't faltered. Explore the city's musical history at the American Jazz Museum, and then head to the 18th and Vine Jazz District for a show in one of the clubs.
Not only did Kansas City stamp its own flavor on jazz, it did the same for barbecue. KC-style is a must in this city of more than 100 barbecue joints-Bryant's and Gates are two favorites. There's a local sports team for every season, from the Chiefs to the Royals to Sporting KC, but don't miss the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for some historical perspective.
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Best time to go: May-September
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Nearest airport: Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
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Day trip with a car: Explore the unique geology-including springs, caves, and sinkholes-of Ha Ha Tonka State Park (about 158 miles away)
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Average Going deal: $188 roundtrip
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South
Charleston
Charleston is the biggest city in South Carolina (though it's still quite small) and routinely shows up on lists of the prettiest cities in the country. Its historic downtown is full of beautiful buildings that date from the mid-1700s, many of which have been converted to museums.
Charleston's coastal location made it an important city during both the American Revolution and the Civil War (don't miss the Powder Magazine and Fort Sumter, respectively, to learn more about that history), though these days the city's waterfront setting is part of what attracts visitors.
All the leisurely strolling Charleston encourages helps you work up an appetite, which is a good thing-the restaurant scene is a delicious mix of traditional Lowcountry comfort food and Michelin-starred cuisine.
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Best time to go: March-May, September-November
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Nearest airport: Charleston International Airport (CHS)
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Day trip with a car: Beaufort (about 70 miles away)
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Average Going deal: $180 roundtrip
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Austin
Unlike many state capitals, Austin doesn't let its position as the seat of Texas' government prevent it from simultaneously being an exciting city to visit. Live music thrives in Austin, where Austin City Limits is just the tip of the concert-venue iceberg. In addition to country, you can find every musical style, from big-band jazz to zydeco, playing every night around the city.
Texas barbecue is a mainstay on plenty of menus (the lines outside Franklin Barbecue are always long), and Tex-Mex breakfast tacos are a local favorite. Don't miss a trip to the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library, which includes a replica of LBJ's Oval Office. And, if the weather is right, head for the oldest swimming pool in the state, Barton Springs.
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Best time to go: March-May, September-November
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Nearest airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
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Day trip with a car: Visit the historic town of Gruene, home to the oldest dance hall in Texas (about 46 miles away)
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Average Going deal: $195 roundtrip
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East Coast
Boston
The Massachusetts capital has historical appeal in abundance. The 2.5-mile Freedom Trail connects Revolutionary War sites, including the home of Paul Revere, a monument to the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the square near the Old State House where the 1770 Boston Massacre took place. Stately Faneuil Hall, once a meeting hall where independence-minded colonists rallied against English rule, is now home to a popular market. The oldest public park in the United States, Boston Common is still a lively gathering place today.
Learn about more recent history with a stop at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, or take a short trip across the Charles River to explore the many museums at Harvard University and MIT.
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Best time to go: June-October
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Nearest airport: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
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Day trip with a car: Explore the lighthouses and seafood shacks of Cape Cod (about 70 miles away)
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Average Going deal: $187 roundtrip
There's plenty more where these cities came from! For 13 more of the best long-weekend destinations in the US, read our guide online.
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