Long Weekend Trips

You’ve had a long week at work and you have had a lot going on with family and friends and want to get away for the weekend… but you’re not going to purchase a very expensive last minute flight, nor do you want to drive or take the train for too long.

So, then, what makes up a long weekend trip — you know the ones, where you jet out of work after a long Thursday and then take Friday off (or take Monday off and leave on a Friday)?

What are the Perks of a Long Weekend Trip?

Before we jump into the details of how to plan a long weekend trip or to decide on a location for your weekend getaway, let’s do a quick ticked checklist of the perks of a 3-day stay (or maybe 4 days if you can get off of work).

These perks aren’t the only ones but, rather, just a few factors that showcase two highlights in change of location and speed of life.

Location

There’s something different when you let your mind and body have a shift from the everyday hustle and bustle of life.

Whether it’s going from a big city to relaxing in a cabin in the woods or you’re used to more distant neighbors and lots of space out in the country and you head to the city for a weekend getaway, there’s a special feeling when your physical location changes.

Speed of Life

Similar to location, the speed of life can change drastically on a long weekend trip, from fast to slow or slow to fast. A perk of a weekend getaway is embracing a different speed of life that allows you to switch to either enjoying relaxation or the fast-paced life.

It’s a perk as it allows the body to utilize different parts of your mind, whether it’s for reading a book and not looking at your phone to making it a point of actually looking at a subway map and figuring out the next attraction to check out.

Photo by Katherine Rupp

How do I Decide on a Location for a Long Weekend Trip?

Now that two perks of a long weekend trip are in your head, now is for the actual planning. How do you decide on a location? From understanding the limitations of car versus train versus plane, the location’s lodging capabilities, and also the cost associated with 3 to 4 days away from home on short notice, it’s good to keep these things in mind.

Transportation

Think about your location and then your transportation to that location. Is it attainable to reach by car in a timely manner? Or could you jump on a train downtown and be there in an hour or two? Flying probably isn’t your best option, but it is an option if you can grab a quick and cheap flight. If you’re looking to head to a city, make sure you have your Citymapper up and ready so you’re prepped for your subway or bus rides.

Your transportation choice will also inform your distance of the desired destination. Let’s break it down for a Friday through Sunday long weekend.

• Driving:

  • You’re going to have more time available to drive for longer. However, keep in mind your itinerary for the weekend. If you’re going to be tired after some long days, you might want to keep the drive shorter than you’d maybe have wanted to drive. 

  • Estimated driving time: Up to 5 hours

• Flying:

  • This one’s tricky. You’re likely going to want to stay close for the length of the flight, however, the airport’s the airport and you know the drill already. Ensure you allot enough time for heading to the airport, security (yes, even if you have TSA Precheck or Clear), and then enough time for a pit stop to grab water or a snack at a Hudson News before your boarding time starts. 

  • Estimated flying time: Up to 3 hours

• Train: 

  • If you’re in certain areas of the country, this one’s a no-brainer because the destinations aren’t too far from each other. One example is taking the ACELA from NYC to DC, which is about a 3 hour train, while another is training from Chicago to either Milwaukee (about 1.5 hours) or to Michigan (about 1.5-3 hours depending on location), or even utilizing the Brightline train in Florida and traveling from Orlando to Miami via train for a weekend, with direct trains between the two cities clocking in at 3.5 hours one way.

  • Estimated train travel time: Up to 4 hours

Lodging

When thinking about your long weekend trip, do you fantasize about a luxurious time in a high-end hotel?

Do hotels like three-key hotels from The Michelin Guide in the Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection in LA, the Casa Cipriani New York; two-key hotels like The Jefferson in Washington, D.C. or the Four Seasons Hotel at Surf Club in Miami Beach; or one-key hotels such as The Global Ambassador in Phoenix, Denver’s The Crawford Hotel, Lotte Hotel Seattle come to mind? 

Or, rather, on the opposite mindset, do you strive for nature out of your long weekend and seek out more rural and rustic spots, perfect for camping or staying in cabins, like Watkins Glen State Park in New York, Palisades State Park in South Dakota, Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, or Tettegouche State Park in Minnesota?

Or maybe you’re more of a middle ground person? You’d like to stay at a hotel or Bed and Breakfast or AirBnB, but yet you’re still looking for nature time outdoors with some hikes or walks through a park of some sort.

Regardless of the type of lodging you’re seeking for your long weekend getaway, ensure you take into account the cost associated, the activities involved with that location (a spa, pool, bike rentals, firewood availability, etc.), and the time you have for all that you have planned.

Remember, some long weekend trips are great for relaxation and spending all of your time in the accommodations, while others are more geared toward getting outdoors or heading to museums or being part of activities not at the lodging location. 

Cost

Cost shouldn’t be a prohibitive factor for you to have a fun time on your long weekend trip, especially because it is that… a long weekend and not a full-blown vacation with a planned out itinerary for every 15 minute increment. 

Depending on your plans, likely not to include a three-key Michelin hotel as mentioned above, a getaway should likely cost around $500, give or take $200 on either side, considering transportation method (which includes gas, Uber/Lyft, and flight, if any), lodging and accommodation costs, food and beverage prices, and any activities or sightseeing plans that have an admission or entrance fee.

How Should I Make the Most of My Time?

Understanding what the goal of the long weekend getaway is for is crucial. Are you planning on doing a lot of sightseeing and partaking in activities? That will lead you to a more informed decision on the type of lodging you have, including the type of room (king bed, pullout sofa couch, suite with kitchenette, etc.), as well as other factors such as weather and city activity schedules which usually include festivals and day or night events.

If you’re looking for relaxation, rather than a long weekend full of activities and exploration, then you can have a bit more time to lend toward the segmented times for those plans of rest. For example, if you’re feeling like indulging in a spa experience, extend that a bit more on your weekend getaway by half an hour instead of your normal manicure/pedicure routine that you do on a monthly basis. Enjoy your trip for all its worth.

Regardless of if you’re having an activity-filled or restful mini-vacation, you’ll want to sort out the main details by making a flexible itinerary. Whether that means you create a Google Spreadsheet and create a “trip template” of sorts, you utilize your Google calendar so you ensure yourself with activity notifications at least an hour before the event, or if you simply have a Note to yourself in your phone indicating around the times and days you’re looking to view something in a museum, need to arrive for your reservation at a restaurant, or check in to a hotel.

How Do I Pack for a Short Getaway?

Packing for a short getaway usually doesn’t take too much sorting out clothes and laundry, although a packing list is dependent upon what your long weekend trip entails. However your long weekend agenda shakes out, it’s smart to pack light, with the essentials only (found below) and choosing clothing items that are versatile for a variety of occasions.

If you need other tips on minimalist packing, other than what’s listed below, take a glance at this piece, 10 Essential Tips on Minimalist Packing.

Looking for an outdoorsy stay? 

Here are a few things to remember, while not being an exhaustive list:

• Hats

• Boots

• Long underwear

• Sleeping items including a tent, sleeping bag, pad, and pillow

• Chair for around a campfire

• Light sources including a headlamp, flashlight, and lantern

• Food and cooking items including fuel, matches and a lighter, pots/pans, 

Looking for a city/touristy stay? 

Here’s a list of items to bring, while not being an exhaustive list:

• Shoes, multiple pairs for walking and seeing tourist spots, restaurants, and special events

• Pants, including jeans, khakis, and slacks

• Skirts/Dress, for those who require a night or two of dressing up

• Undergarments, which is self explanatory

• Shirts/Tops, including tank tops, t-shirts, and nicer tops without graphics on them

What are the Best Long Weekend Trips to Take?

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Tucson, Arizona

Borrego Springs, California

Todos Santos, Mexico

Vancouver, Canada