These city breaks offer events, attractions and easy access, making them ideal for quick trips to kick off the summer season
As the unofficial start of the summer season, Memorial Day means a long weekend for most Americans, and a much-needed chance to take a quick break from the grind. For those who find themselves with extra time off and no plans, here are four destinations chosen by GoLastMinute.com’s editors, experts in airfare and lodging deals for travel taking place in just a few days or weeks.
These four spots were chosen for their array of accommodations and wide availability of routes from multiple airlines, not to mention exciting weekend events.
New Orleans
Why it’s a great last-minute Memorial Day trip:
The Crescent City is world-renowned for its crowd-pleasing events, including Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. On Memorial Day weekend, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience takes over the city with tasting events from hundreds of top chefs, wineries and restaurants.
For most last-minute travelers, getting to New Orleans is a piece of cake — more than 50 domestic cities enjoy nonstop service into the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which is served by 15 airlines, including Delta, United, American, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit.
Those seeking a variety of accommodation options will be pleased — New Orleans boasts everything from major hotel chains to delightful bed and breakfasts.
Why we love it:
While most northern regions experience cool days and showers in May, in New Orleans, temperatures are already reaching the 80s. Palmettos, southern magnolias and live oaks draped in Spanish moss make for lush surroundings, especially in the neighborhoods along the famed St. Charles Ave streetcar line.
In the French Quarter, Bourbon Street is lively around the clock. Lines at Cafe du Monde, serving craveable beignets and café au lait since 1862, snake down Decatur Street until the late night hours. Travelers can seek quiet moments in historic Jackson Square or on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Portland
Why it’s a great last-minute Memorial Day trip:
Memorial Day marks the start of CityFair, a series of events, concerts and parades taking place in or near Tom McCall Waterfront Park. There’s also Wine Country Weekend, highlighting wines from more than 150 Willamette Valley wineries.
Want to reach Stumptown in a flash? Nonstop flights are offered to Portland from more than 45 American cities. The Portland International Airport is served by 17 airlines, including Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit.
A city known for its offbeat flavor, Portland offers accommodations you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. A tiny house hotel, a cabin within a Japanese garden and a rock-and-roll-themed hotel are just a few examples.
Why we love it:
Portland is a West Coast haven known for its walkable downtown, beautiful parks and mild summer temperatures. It’s long been a favorite destination of nature lovers, as it offers easy access to pristine scenery near the Willamette River and Mount Hood. Beer snobs, coffee connoisseurs and foodies will all find something to their liking.
Cancun
Why it’s a great last-minute Memorial Day trip:
Cancun Jumpoff 2018, called the largest urban event taking place outside of the United States, will take the town by storm over Memorial Day weekend with nonstop music, dancing and unbridled revelry.
Not every coveted beach destination is as easy (or as affordable) to reach as Cancun. Nonstop service into Cancun is offered from Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington DC.
Budget airlines Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue offer routes to Cancun from major U.S. cities and, luckily for last-minute travelers, these airlines have frequent sales and promotions. Legacy carriers Delta, American and United also fly to Cancun.
Why we love it:
With white-sand Caribbean beaches, warm temperatures and a range of resorts, Cancun is easy to love. By Memorial Day, the busy high season in Mexico’s top tourist spot has come to a grinding halt.
Resorts that charge sky-high winter rates have slashed rates considerably to match decreased demand in the summer and fall. For last-minute travelers with their sights on a beach destination, Cancun is a no-brainer.
Chicago
Why it’s a great last-minute Memorial Day trip:
In addition to Chicago’s annual Memorial Day Parade, events such as Bike the Drive and the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival keep travelers entertained over the long weekend. And attractions such as the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and Navy Pier are steadfast draws any day of the week.
Last-minute travelers have two major airports to choose from: Midway and O’Hare. In fact, since O’Hare is a megahub serving a whopping 48 airlines, including both legacy and budget carriers, it likely won’t be hard to find affordable last-minute flights.
Moving around the city and metro area is a cinch — urban and suburban transit options include the “El” subway and elevated train lines, plus bus lines and the Metra commuter rail system.
Why we love it:
By the time late May rolls around, the Windy City has fully thawed, and stately parks and boulevards throughout the city are in full bloom. Warmer days mean more opportunities to embrace outdoor activities, such as biking the 18-mile lakefront trail, kayaking the Chicago River or exploring the city’s 26 miles of public lakefront beaches.
The busy summer season — when tourists descend on the city by the millions — isn’t yet in full swing, meaning visitors will have more elbow room and less competition for accommodations.
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