The United States has many diverse destinations, and you don’t need a long vacation to enjoy them. No matter where you live in the U.S., there are plenty of interesting, exciting, and beautiful places you can visit for a weekend trip. Just about anything you might want to do on vacation can be found here—major cities, museums, amusement parks, snow-peaked mountains, beaches, deserts, plains, lakes, and even tropical climates. At least one of them is bound to be near you.
If you’re looking for awesome U.S. weekend trip ideas, here are five you can enjoy in different regions of the U.S.
Grand Canyon
Arizona’s Grand Canyon may be one of the most famous natural wonders in the U.S. While you could certainly spend several days exploring the area, don’t miss the sightseeing (and photo) opportunities of a walk along the Rim Trail. If you’re interested in the history of the area and how the canyon formed, you’ll enjoy the Trail of Time (a 2.83 mile portion of the Rim Trail), which features exhibits in a “geologic timeline” to teach you more about the canyon.
Las Vegas
If you’re into glitz and glamor, why not spend a weekend in Las Vegas? Take a stroll along the Vegas Strip during the day to see some of its famous attractions and hotels before stopping for lunch. Try your luck in the casinos and follow that up with a pre-dinner show. Walk off your meal by taking another stroll along the strip to enjoy the spectacle of the bright lights and fountain shows.
Pennsylvania Amish Country
You might be familiar with the plain clothes, hats, and buggies of the Amish. You probably know they avoid modern technology. But, did you know Pennsylvania Amish country could make a scenic weekend trip?
Enjoy a drive through the Amish farmlands. If you have a large group, consider a charter bus rental and let someone else do the driving while you take in the scenery rather than contending with horses and buggies on the road. Stop at the popular farm stands and Amish craft shops for incredible hand-made items. Then stop off for some authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord, a favorite of locals and tourists alike.
Rocky Mountain National Park
If enjoying the beauty of nature is your idea of the perfect trip, you can’t go wrong with the Rocky Mountain National Park. Check out the suggested hikes from the National Park Service to find one that suits the amount of time you have. You’ll find lakes, waterfalls, a gorge, and vistas along the way.
Washington, D.C.
If you love culture and history with a dash of American politics, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Washington, D.C. Take advantage of this very walkable city; you can walk around the National Mall, visit the Washington and Lincoln memorials, and see the White House and U.S. Capitol.
While visiting for the weekend, make sure to squeeze in time to visit the museums. Many are free, such as the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.
There are so many beautiful and interesting things to do across the U.S. Why limit yourself to just one?