1100+ Vacation Ideas

Best Romantic Weekend Getaways

From sunlit coastlines to mountain hideaways, these are the best spots to spark romance, each with its own unique charm and even a few underrated surprises.

Best Weekend Getaways from Chicago

For me, weekend getaways from Chicago are some of the best and most unique escapes, underrated favorites that always deliver a memorable break.

Best Weekend Getaways from Minneapolis, Minnesota

I love how these trips offer the best mix of cozy small towns, outdoor adventures, and lakeside relaxation. You can go from the buzz of Minneapolis to a peaceful retreat in just a couple of hours, which makes every weekend feel like a mini-vacation.

I discovered this lush hidden waterfall while hiking in the Texas Hill Country

Best Weekend Getaways in Texas

Texas is filled with some of the best weekend getaways in the USA, and it’s one of my favorite states for variety and adventure.

Best Weekend Getaways from San Francisco

For me, weekend getaways from San Francisco are about finding unique places that combine relaxation, the best adventure, and unforgettable scenery.

Best Weekend Getaways from Atlanta, GA

Weekend getaways from Atlanta, Georgia are some of the most unique and fun escapes in the South, and honestly, they’ve become some of my favorite ways to recharge without traveling too far.

I took this photo while strolling along Lake Travis with my husband and son

Best Places to Visit in Texas

The BEST places in Texas! Based on my family's life and travel in the Lone Star State, including beach towns, cities and parks.

Lakeway City Park

Lakeway City Park was the kind of place that offers a little bit of everything: water, trails, picnic tables, and space to simply be.

An old historical railroad station in North Carolina

Raleigh to Charlotte Distance: Driving, By Plane, Train or Bus

How far is Raleigh, NC from Charlotte, NC? The distance from Raleigh to Charlotte is 170 miles.

I took this early morning photo while kayaking in Florida

Best Places to Visit in Florida

I keep returning to Florida for some of its best beaches, spectacular fishing, great diving, and diverse wildlife both above and below water.

Best Beaches in North Carolina

From the Outer Banks to the Crystal Coast and down to the southern beaches near Wilmington, the state has some of the best shoreline you’ll find anywhere on the East Coast.

I took these photos of romantic sunsets in Massachusetts

Best Weekend Getaways from Boston

For me, weekend getaways from Boston aren’t just about leaving the city. They’re about finding unique beaches and towns that offer the best mix of adventure, relaxation, and classic New England beauty.

I took this photo of the tree at Lincoln Center on our way to see the Nutcracker at the Met

Places to Go on Christmas

Christmas vacation ideas and places to visit are some of the most unique and magical trip inspirations of the year, and honestly, they’re some of my favorite kinds of getaways.

American Banjo Museum

The American Banjo Museum is home to 21,000 square feet of information that provides historical celebration of the Banjo.

Romantic Weekend Getaways in Ohio

For me, Ohio’s romantic escapes are some of the best in the Midwest. We've discovered unique destinations, favorite experiences, and underrated gems that are easy to love.

Get Your Best Vacation Idea!

We got started in 1999 the way most good trips begin, by following a feeling. What kept us going were all the amazing discoveries, conversations with locals that pointed us to hidden gems, all my unexpected new favorites! And the search continues...

I'll help you figure which vacation is the best for you! In each section, I'm including my recommendations for my favorite hotels, best places to visit, amazing weekend getaways and affordable day trips.

Hi, I'm Ema. I'm the face behind VacationIdea.com. My husband, son are frequent travelers and spent 5 years on the road discovering some of the best places to visit in the USA. We base ourselves in a new place every 4 weeks weeks which has allowed us to experience each destination as a local. I love to chase unique things to do near me and revisit old favorites for a cool, fresh perspective. I'm also eager to learn from my fellow travelers to see what works for people and what doesn't. Whether you like great sunsets, hidden gems, places of mystery, famous attractions, or underrated experiences, here you'll find all of those recommendations from locals that won me over. Let's explore together! More about us.