{"id":98893862,"date":"2018-05-25T12:37:07","date_gmt":"2018-05-25T16:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/?p=98893862"},"modified":"2025-05-19T14:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T18:56:09","slug":"memorial-day-weekend-destinations-that-are-not-the-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/memorial-day-weekend-destinations-that-are-not-the-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Memorial Day Weekend Destinations&#8230;That Are NOT the Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Planning to get away during a long holiday weekend can be a hassle, especially when travelers are scrambling to race against the clock to start their vacation. Most plan to spend Memorial Day weekend relaxing on an island or heading to an overcrowded beach. But, if you\u2019re not a fan of the sand and want to avoid the masses, then keep reading, because we\u2019ve rounded up a few destinations that you can visit at the very last-minute&#8230;and where you won&#8217;t have to bump elbows with too many people!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_98924636\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-98924636\" class=\"wp-image-98924636 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/otwp-admin.fareportal.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2474843299.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Manhattan's skyline\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2474843299.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2474843299-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2474843299-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2474843299-810x486.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-98924636\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Downtown Manhattan&#8217;s skyline<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<h2>New York City<\/h2>\n<p>The warmer days have arrived in the bustling metropolis that is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/new-york-city-nyc-new-york-deals\">New York City<\/a>. As most New Yorkers get away for the long weekend, there are still endless things to do in the city. Of course, there&#8217;s Broadway, so you might want to head over to the TKTS booth and grab some cheap tickets to the latest show. And New York has more art museums per square mile than any other city in America.<\/p>\n<p>There are seemingly innumerable tall buildings that you can scale (via elevator, of course) to get a bird&#8217;s eye view of the city. And for those who prefer to remain outdoors, there&#8217;s Central Park, the High Line, and Little Island, a new park off the west coast of Manhattan that&#8217;s built out on top of the Hudson River on a fascinating series of pylons.<\/p>\n<h2>Page, Arizona<\/h2>\n<p>The city of Page, Arizona is about two hours north of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/flagstaff-flg-arizona-deals\">Flagstaff<\/a>, close to Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam, so you\u2019ll be able to visit all the incredible canyons while you\u2019re here. We\u2019re sure you\u2019ve seen the incredible photos of Antelope Canyon, located just east of Page. But if not, it\u2019s a world-famous slot canyon where tourists can explore the land on foot. The <a href=\"https:\/\/horseshoebend.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Horseshoe Bend<\/a> (yes, shaped in a horseshoe) is a spectacular place with perfect views to watch the sunset. Lastly, touring the lake\u2019s surrounding red rock cliffs will definitely make it a trip to remember!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_98924638\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-98924638\" class=\"wp-image-98924638 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/otwp-admin.fareportal.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2123769347.jpg\" alt=\"Mystic, Connecticut\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2123769347.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2123769347-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2123769347-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2123769347-810x486.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-98924638\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Mystic, Connecticut<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Mystic, Connecticut<\/h2>\n<p>Mystic is a small laid-back town on the coast of Connecticut, just about an hour east of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/new-haven-zve-connecticut-deals\">New Haven<\/a>. And it&#8217;s an affordable option to escape for the weekend. If you\u2019re a seafood lover you\u2019ll surely enjoy the sea-to-table restaurants located along the coast. And, if you\u2019re not a fan of seafood, head to the famous Mystic Pizza (yes, the same place as seen in the 1988 film). Some things to do and see here are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mysticseaport.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mystic Seaport Museum<\/a>, the Mystic Aquarium, taking a boat ride around the picturesque town, and strolling around Downtown. This charming historic town will fulfill your weekend with a bit of relaxation and exploration!<\/p>\n<h2>Gatlinburg, Tennessee<\/h2>\n<p>Head out east in Tennessee for some fresh air\u00a0in this amazing mountain town. There are plenty of affordable attractions and activities in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gatlinburg.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gatlinburg<\/a> for everyone to enjoy, making it an ideal destination for families to spend the weekend. Gatlinburg is about an hour southeast of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/knoxville-tys-tennessee-deals\">Knoxville<\/a>, and while you\u2019re here, we suggest you head to the observation deck at the Space Needle. You can also enjoy the day at Ripley\u2019s Aquarium of The Smokies, plan for an outdoor adventure such as ziplining, or even go water rafting. Oh, and if you\u2019re in pursuit of a cocktail with some friendly locals, there are plenty of bars and wineries around.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_98924639\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-98924639\" class=\"wp-image-98924639 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/otwp-admin.fareportal.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2352652863.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfire festival in Providence, Rhode Island\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2352652863.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2352652863-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2352652863-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_2352652863-810x486.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-98924639\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>WaterFire festival in Providence, Rhode Island<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Providence, Rhode Island<\/h2>\n<p>You won\u2019t go hungry while in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/providence-pvd-rhode-island-deals\">Providence<\/a>; that\u2019s for sure! The city has an abundance of restaurants where both locals and tourists can sit for a delightful meal. Shopping in downtown Providence is hard to resist, so prepare to shop \u2018til you drop! But during the long weekend, you cannot miss the <a href=\"https:\/\/waterfire.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WaterFire<\/a>! It\u2019s an award-winning public art installation of fire sculptures on the surface of the three rivers flowing through the center of downtown Providence. The show is free, so grab your spot by the water because thousands are usually expected to attend!<\/p>\n<h2>Portsmouth, New Hampshire<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/airports\/flights-to-portsmouth-international-airport-psm\">Portsmouth<\/a> is a small yet charming destination that&#8217;s perfect for travelers who are interested in spending the weekend strolling around a new town to visit different museums, parks, and attractions. Take a break from exploring and enjoy a riverside seafood meal at <a href=\"http:\/\/oldferrylanding.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Old Ferry Landing<\/a> for either lunch or dinner. And if you\u2019re here during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/flights\/memorial-day\">Memorial Day weekend<\/a>, the U.S. Navy hosts a ceremony at the U.S.S. Albacore Museum &amp; Memorial Park to remember those who\u2019ve sacrificed their lives in war.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>You may also like: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/6-travel-errors-to-avoid-on-memorial-day-weekend\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6 Costly Travel Errors That Could Ruin Your Memorial Day Weekend<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_98924640\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-98924640\" class=\"wp-image-98924640 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/otwp-admin.fareportal.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_1859302111.jpg\" alt=\"golf course at sunset in palm springs, california, \" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_1859302111.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_1859302111-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_1859302111-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Shutterstock_1859302111-810x486.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-98924640\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Golf course at sunset, Palm Springs<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Palm Springs, California<\/h2>\n<p>Grab your swimsuit and lounge out in the desert of <a href=\"https:\/\/visitpalmsprings.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Palm Springs<\/a>! Skip the sandy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/california-ca-united-states-deals\">California<\/a> beaches and make a splash in the pool while catching some rays of sunshine. If you\u2019re a fitness freak and don&#8217;t mind the heat, head to the Indian Canyons to spend the day hiking or biking through the desert. If you\u2019re here for the holiday weekend, the annual Memorial Day Flower Drop and Air Festival held at the Palm Springs Air Museum is a fun-filled event to attend. The museum hosts the event to honor fallen service men and women by dropping over 3,000 flowers from a fighter jet. If you\u2019re planning to go, be sure to get there by 1 P.M. to catch the Flower Drop!<\/p>\n<h2><em>FAQs:\u00a0<\/em><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Q: What is the best way to find last-minute accommodation deals for Memorial Day weekend?<br \/>\n<\/strong>A: Use travel apps and websites like CheapOair, OneTravel, and Airbnb for last-minute deals. These platforms often have special offers for spontaneous travelers, and checking early in the week before the holiday can yield better results.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: Are there any kid-friendly activities in Gatlinburg, Tennessee?<\/strong><br \/>\nA: Yes, Gatlinburg offers many family-friendly activities such as Ripley\u2019s Aquarium of the Smokies, ziplining, water rafting, and visiting the observation deck at the Space Needle.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: What should I pack for a trip to Page, Arizona?<\/strong><br \/>\nA: Pack comfortable hiking shoes, light clothing, sun protection like hats and sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and a camera to capture the stunning landscapes of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: Is public transportation available in New York City during Memorial Day weekend?<\/strong><br \/>\nA: Yes, public transportation including subways and buses operates on a holiday schedule during Memorial Day weekend, making it convenient to get around the city and visit attractions like Central Park and the High Line.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: What is the average weather like in Palm Springs, California during Memorial Day weekend?<\/strong><br \/>\nA: Palm Springs typically experiences hot and sunny weather during Memorial Day weekend, with temperatures often reaching the high 80s to mid-90s Fahrenheit. It&#8217;s ideal for poolside lounging and desert activities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: Can I find vegetarian or vegan dining options in Mystic, Connecticut?<\/strong><br \/>\nA: Yes, Mystic offers several vegetarian and vegan dining options. Many restaurants in the area cater to dietary preferences with plant-based menus and fresh local produce.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: Are there any special events in Providence, Rhode Island for Memorial Day weekend?<\/strong><br \/>\nA: Yes, the WaterFire art installation is a highlight, featuring fire sculptures on the rivers in downtown Providence. It\u2019s a free public event that attracts many visitors, creating a festive atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Where are you headed this Memorial Day Weekend? Leave a comment and let us know!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Planning to get away during a long holiday weekend can be a hassle, especially when travelers are scrambling to race against the clock to start their vacation. Most plan to spend Memorial Day weekend relaxing on an island or heading to an overcrowded beach. But, if you\u2019re not a fan of the sand and want [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":98924642,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[1412,973],"class_list":["post-98893862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips-intel","tag-memorial-day-weekend","tag-trips"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98893862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98893862"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98893862\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98924641,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98893862\/revisions\/98924641"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98924642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98893862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98893862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98893862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}