Best weekend getaways in the US

Ready for a blast of adventure in just 48 hours? If you need some inspo, dive into this handpicked selection of the best weekend getaways coast-to-coast in the USA, each packed with thrill-seeking experiences. Forget the usual tourist traps and opt for the unexpected: Chicago's shadowy underworld, cruising alongside whales in Boston's open waters, and capturing Malibu's coastal charm from the seat of a classic VW van, to name a few. Each destination offers a unique twist, perfect for history aficionados, nature lovers, or those craving something offbeat. Get ready to redefine your weekend with a getaway that promises non-stop action and discovery.

Chicago

If you’re coming to Chicago for the weekend, you may know the city’s food, shopping, and architectural sites, but how about its underground scene from the Prohibition era? See Chicago’s Loop in a whole new (or rather old) light on a professionally guided gangsters and ghosts tour. Learn about Al Capone’s dealings, step into the legendary Palmer House, and ask all the questions you’ve wanted to know about Chicago’s vices of yore.

Boston

Even a trip to Boston can include some outdoor fun — in fact, one of the most fun things to do in Boston is looking for whales. Your whale-watching catamaran cruise departing from Boston will bring you around to see finback, humpback, and minke whales, along with white-sided dolphins and other marine life native to Massachusetts. This sturdy ride aboard the catamaran includes expert narration by members of the Whale Center of New England.

New Orleans

Some of the best travel souvenirs are the intangible ones — and a cajun and Creole cooking class sure fits the bill. Set aside one of your meals on your weekend in NOLA for a booking at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Your cooking instructor will guide you through the history, preparation, and flavors of the complete meal before you, with typical Louisiana beverages included. You’ll be sent home with recipe cards for dishes like shrimp and artichoke soup and crawfish etouffee, to whip them up again back home.

New York

Dangle over 1100 feet above Midtown Manhattan from the Edge observation deck. You’ll be tracing the New York City skyline from Central Park, along the Hudson River down to the Statue of Liberty. The Edge’s unique angular shape offers one of the best Instagrammable spots in NYC from its “Eastern Point,” offering you an uninterrupted vantage point of the city below.

San Francisco

You can really only get to know the City by the Bay but getting out on the water. Cap your weekend in San Francisco with a memorable Bay sailing tour aboard the privateer sailboat. This intimate vessel will sail you by Alcatraz, Sausalito, and alongside the Golden Gate Bridge. You don’t know SF’s top attractions until you’ve seen them from these hard-to-reach angles.

Miami

On your next weekend in Miami, pair your city escape with a visit to the Everglades. For families and couples alike, you’ll love the open-air Sawgrass Park airboat tour. This unmatched trip will bring you up close with alligators in their tropical wetlands. Visit the park’s reptile exhibit to learn more about these native Floridians.

Orlando

Orlando knows how to transport its visitors to a whole other world, and the Titanic Artifact Exhibition is no exception. Home to hundreds of original and reproduced artifacts from the famous shipwreck, you’ll be immersed in the opulence of this transatlantic journey. Movie buffs will love having the chance to walk down the grand staircase and speak with actors portraying some of the Titanic’s illustrious passengers.

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

Pamper yourself like a 70s starlet on a vintage VW hippie sightseeing tour with wine tasting around Malibu. Your weekend in L.A. peaks on this photogenic whirl around Santa Monica, its vineyards, the coast, and Malibu Pier. A sampling of local wines pair with a cheese and charcuterie board in addition to a guided history of the region. You’ll want to make sure your memory card is ready for this one.

Atlanta

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: “We are not the makers of history. We are made by history.” To learn how the current state of American civil rights and the ongoing fights have been formed, few places can compete with Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Historic District. On this 2.5-hour guided walk, a local guide introduces the work of MLK through the neighborhood that shaped him and that still feels his influence today. This bucket-list Atlanta tour includes admission to Freedom Hall at the King Center, the Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.