Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Activities
  3. Evergreens

Family fun: 5 amazing Memorial Day weekend getaway destinations that are off the beaten path

Skip the crowds and check out these Memorial Day getaway ideas instead

By
Boston skyline
Galiptynutz/Shutterstock

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer. Depending on where you live, the kiddos may be finished with school or about to wrap up the academic year. Even if the kids still have a few weeks left, many families are itching to kick off summer when the calendar hits the end of May.

The problem with most Memorial Day weekend getaway spots is the crowds. People typically head to the seaside, a lake, a national park, or amusement park destinations to celebrate the impending arrival of summer. Others yearn to savor the long weekend by avoiding traffic jams, parking issues, and long wait times. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path getaway this May, think about these Memorial Day vacation ideas.

Recommended Videos

Memorial Day weekend getaways

If considering heading to the shore on Memorial Day weekend or a Six Flags amusement park gives you anxiety, you may want to consider Memorial Day vacation ideas that don’t attract as many people. Here are five Memorial Day weekend destinations that won’t be as hectic as the usual spots, but are just as much fun.

Boston, Massachusetts

Steeped in history, Boston is a wonderful place to spend a long weekend with the family. There are loads of kid-friendly activities to do, such as walking the Freedom Trail, exploring the New England Aquarium, or taking part in the Boston Tea Party. While many people exit major cities like Boston on Memorial Day weekend, visitors will find them less crowded and more inviting. Other cities to consider exploring on Memorial Day weekend are NYC, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster is one of the oldest cities in the United States, nestled in Pennsylvania in the heart of Amish Country. It’s a lovely spot to take the family on a Memorial Day weekend getaway. There are lots of fun things to do, like taking a ride on the Strasburg Railroad, exploring the National Toy and Train Museum, and seeing a working Amish farm. Be sure to leave time to take a horse and buggy ride. The kiddos will love it.

Annapolis, Maryland

If you’re looking to spend Memorial Day somewhere the family can appreciate the history of it, head to Annapolis, Maryland. This is another historic gem located along the Severn River, which sits at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. Annapolis is a family-friendly city that offers plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. Take a tour of the U.S. Naval Academy and enjoy kayaking in Quiet Waters Park. There’s also a Memorial Day Parade down Main Street to remind visitors what the holiday is about.

Stowe, Vermont

Vermont is, of course, stunning in the fall and a wonderland for skiers and snowboarders in the winter. Why not experience the beauty and peacefulness of Vermont on Memorial Day when it is much less crowded? Stowe is a quintessential Vermont small town with plenty to enjoy outdoors, along with nearby excursions like the Von Trapp Family Lodge and the Ben and Jerry’s production facility. A tour is quite yummy.

Yellowstone National Park

It may sound odd, but spring is actually Yellowstone’s least crowded season. Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park can still be pretty chilly in May and the crowds don’t typically start rolling in until school is out for summer. Memorial Day weekend will attract visitors, but not as many as when the calendar officially says summer.

Family packing the car for a road trip
Momo Images / Getty Images

Other Memorial Day weekend getaways

Looking for other spots this Memorial Day weekend that won’t be as bustling as the seashore, try these.

  • Tupelo, Mississippi
  • Nashville, Tennessee
  • Jackson Hole, Wyoming
  • Denver, Colorado
  • Northwoods of Wisconsin
Cute toddler girl on Memorial Day
Kristen Prahl/Shutterstock

Memorial Day weekend

It’s not often the family gets a long weekend off from work and school. If you’re looking to plan a Memorial Day weekend getaway without a lot of crowds, take a look at these vacation spots. You just might find an off-the-beaten destination to welcome in the unofficial start of summer.

Topics
Boost your toddler’s fine motor skills with these fun, easy activities
These activities can help with your child's development
Toddler learning to count with an abacus

One of the most important parts of a toddler's development is their fine motor skills. These skills allow them to feed themselves, brush their teeth, dress themselves, play with their toys, and learn to write. Studies have shown that fine motor skills development positively influences language development, executive function, and other areas of brain development.

There are many fine motor skills activities for toddlers you can do at home, as well as toys you can get to help them with this development. Since fine motor activities are pretty much anything where toddlers use their hands, there are many options, but we've put together a helpful compilation of ideas for you.
Examples of fine motor skills activities for toddlers

Read more
The best things to do in Las Vegas with teens for a family trip everyone will love
No matter what type of child you have, here are fun activities to do in Vegas with teenagers
The Las Vegas Strip

When you think of a family vacation, Las Vegas may not be the first place that pops into your head. But it's not all gambling, casinos, drinking, five-star dining, and lavish performances. Las Vegas might have The Hangover vibes for adults only, but there are plenty of family-friendly events and extracurriculars to do at all times of the day and evening if you know what to look for.

With its beautifully sunny and warm weather that lasts almost all year long, a trip to Vegas can always be on the books. If you have kids, there are countless things to do in Vegas with teens that parents will approve of. Here are just a few activities that will capture your teen's interest that the entire family will think is cool.
For the teen who wants entertainment

Read more
9 fun STEM activities for kids to keep them engaged and learning
STEM activities for kids to build confidence about the world around them
Children building cardboard STEM project

The movement of adding STEM learning into the classrooms in the U.S. started with wanting to get kids back into the science and math side of learning. Now, it is a whole movement for every child to rediscover their love of any subject outside of gym class or recess.

STEM activities let children figure out how the world and things in their everyday lives work. It doesn't matter what career or field your child might want to go in one day, the skills and knowledge learned from STEM activities can be carried over into any area. Here are some easy, fun, and fascinating STEM activities for kids they can do whenever they feel curious about life.
What is STEM?

Read more