There’s something about the long weekend at the edge of summer—it invites us to leave behind the usual rhythm and lean into something looser, warmer, a little more alive. This isn’t the time for a packed itinerary. It’s the time for front porches, forest trails, waterfront breakfasts, and sunsets that ask nothing more of you than to pause and look.
I remember standing beneath cottonwood trees in the early evening light, thinking, “This weekend doesn’t have to be grand—it just has to be mine.” These Memorial Day destinations are places I’ve found rest, surprise, and reconnection. Whether you’re heading into the woods, toward the coast, or simply outside your routine, here are getaways that open slowly and stay with you longer than you expect.
Unique Memorial Day Vacation Ideas
Utah - Desert Pearl Inn
I pulled into Springdale as the cliffs of Zion blazed red in the afternoon sun. The air smelled of dust and juniper, and as I stepped onto the balcony of my room at Desert Pearl Inn, I thought, “This is where I can breathe deep.”
The inn sits just outside Zion National Park, but it feels embedded in the same quiet grandeur. My room had floor-to-ceiling windows, a soaking tub, and a patio overlooking the Virgin River. I woke early and wandered the riverside path, then spent the day hiking the Narrows until my legs were tired and my spirit lighter.
My favorite moment? Dinner back in town: grilled trout with lemon and herbs, roasted root vegetables, and a honey-sweet cornbread that smelled like wildflowers in the heat. I ate slowly, shoes still dusty, the sky turning gold behind the cliffs.
Plan your Zion escape:
- Drive Time from Salt Lake City: ~4½ hours south
- Vibe: Laid-back desert comfort, perfect base for hikers and dreamers
- Don’t Miss: Riverside trail behind the inn, early morning park shuttle into Zion, soaking in the pool under canyon stars
- Cost: Rooms from ~$250/night; book early for holiday weekends
Desert Pearl Inn gave me more than a place to stay—it gave me space. Space to move, to rest, and to let the desert do what it does best: quiet the noise and stretch out time.
Wisconsin - Camp Wandawega
I rolled my suitcase across the grass, past a weathered swing set and a canoe pulled up by the shore, and thought, “This is the summer camp I never knew I needed.”
Camp Wandawega isn’t polished, and that’s the point. With vintage cabins, bunkhouses, and even a treehouse tucked into the woods, everything here feels like a memory you’ve stumbled into. I spent the weekend paddling the lake, climbing rope ladders, and writing postcards from a creaky screened porch. Phones went quiet. Laughter filled in the space.
My favorite moment? A late breakfast at a picnic table: scrambled farm eggs, grilled toast with butter, and strawberries so ripe they stained my fingers. The air smelled like lake water and pine needles. Everything was simple and exactly what I wanted.
Plan your camp-style escape:
- Drive Time from Chicago: ~2 hours northwest
- Vibe: Nostalgic, unplugged, joyfully low-tech
- Don’t Miss: Canoeing at sunset, firepit s’mores, wandering the camp library filled with typewriters and camp relics
- Cost: Cabins and tents from ~$250–400/night; limited availability, books up fast
Camp Wandawega gave me permission to play, to pause, and to remember what weekends are for. It’s messy in the most magical way.
South Carolina - Montage Palmetto Bluff
I arrived as the afternoon sun filtered through the live oaks, Spanish moss trailing like soft lace. I stepped onto the wide porch of the inn and thought, “This is Southern stillness at its finest.”
Montage Palmetto Bluff sits between Hilton Head and Savannah, spread out across 20,000 acres of Lowcountry beauty—rivers, marshlands, forest trails, and quiet lanes perfect for biking. My cottage had a screened porch, clawfoot tub, and the kind of bed that pulls you in early and makes you stay. I spent the weekend paddling along the May River and riding beneath mossy trees that whispered with every breeze.
My favorite moment? A slow dinner on the porch: shrimp and grits, smoky and creamy with just a little heat, served alongside charred okra and cornbread with local honey. The scent was buttery and rich, the flavors deeply rooted in place.
Plan your Southern escape:
- Drive Time from Savannah: ~45 minutes north
- Vibe: Refined Southern comfort, riverfront relaxation
- Don’t Miss: Biking the trails, canoeing at dusk, porch dining, spa under the trees
- Cost: Rooms from ~$600/night; cottages and residences available
Montage Palmetto Bluff gave me space to slow all the way down. It felt like a deep breath in a rocking chair—unhurried, warm, and just right.
Idaho - The Wallace Inn
I drove into Wallace just as the sun dipped behind the Bitterroot Mountains. The streets were quiet, lined with brick buildings and old mining signs, and I thought, “This town knows how to keep its stories.”
The Wallace Inn sits at the edge of downtown, surrounded by pine-covered hills and history. My room had a view of the mountains and the scent of wood smoke hung lightly in the air. I spent the weekend biking the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, exploring silver mine tours, and walking through town where every corner felt like a postcard from a slower time.
My favorite moment? Breakfast at the inn’s café: huckleberry pancakes with maple syrup, bacon crisp from the griddle, and hot coffee that steamed against the mountain chill. The pancakes were tart and sweet, and I ate slowly, watching the mist lift from the trees.
Plan your Idaho mountain weekend:
- Drive Time from Spokane: ~2 hours east
- Vibe: Small-town charm, historic and outdoorsy
- Don’t Miss: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Sierra Silver Mine tour, soaking in the indoor pool after a day of adventure
- Cost: Rooms from ~$150/night; bike rentals available nearby
Wallace felt like a place time didn’t rush. At the Wallace Inn, I found the quiet kind of weekend that leaves your lungs full and your mind clear.
Sausalito - Casa Madrona
I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge just after sunrise, the fog parting like a curtain, and when I stepped onto the balcony at Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, I thought, “This is the kind of view that slows you down without asking.”
Perched on a hillside overlooking Sausalito’s waterfront, Casa Madrona blends classic Victorian charm with sleek coastal style. My suite looked out over sailboats bobbing in the harbor, and I spent the afternoon walking along Bridgeway, dipping into galleries and watching the bay shift with the light. Everything felt just a step removed from the city—but a world away in pace.
My favorite moment? Breakfast on the patio: Dungeness crab benedict with lemony hollandaise and a side of rosemary potatoes. The crab was sweet and fresh, the sauce silky, and the scent of ocean and espresso drifted through the breeze.
Plan your Sausalito stay:
- Drive Time from San Francisco: ~25 minutes north across the Golden Gate
- Vibe: Bayfront elegance with laid-back coastal energy
- Don’t Miss: Morning strolls along the marina, ferry rides to the city, spa services with a view
- Cost: Rooms from ~$400/night; hillside suites and mansion experiences available
Casa Madrona felt like a soft landing—where the city fades behind you, and the water pulls everything into calm focus.
Vermont - The Wildflower Inn
I arrived just before dusk, the last light catching on wildflowers swaying in the meadow. As I stepped onto the wraparound porch, a cool breeze swept down from the hills and I thought, “This feels like the beginning of summer.”
The The Wildflower Inn sits on 300 acres in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom—rolling pastureland, forest trails, and quiet views in every direction. My room was cozy with soft quilts and windows that opened to birdsong and cows lowing in the distance. I spent the weekend biking the Kingdom Trails, sipping lemonade on the lawn, and wandering without schedule.
My favorite moment? A farmhouse breakfast: blueberry pancakes with Vermont maple syrup, crispy local bacon, and a fresh egg scramble with herbs from the garden. The berries were warm and bursting, the syrup rich and deep. It smelled like morning in a wooden kitchen, and I didn’t want it to end.
Plan your Vermont escape:
- Drive Time from Boston: ~3 hours north
- Vibe: Country charm, family-run warmth, scenic and slow
- Don’t Miss: Kingdom Trails biking, stargazing in the meadow, barn animals and porch swings
- Cost: Rooms from ~$225/night; breakfast included
The Wildflower Inn gave me a quiet place to land—a soft, green pause at the edge of summer, where time felt generous and the hills held everything gently.
A Weekend That Lingers
By the time Monday rolled around, I didn’t feel rushed to go home—I felt full. Not with plans or photos, but with air and light and unhurried moments. That’s what these Memorial Day getaways gave me: room to stretch, to notice, to just be.
Whether I was sipping tea on a Sausalito porch, hiking through Zion’s rust-colored canyons, or sharing pancakes on a Vermont hillside, each place reminded me that a long weekend can be long enough—if you let it breathe.
These aren’t just escapes. They’re invitations to mark the start of summer not with noise, but with ease. And maybe that’s the best way to honor the season ahead.
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