Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer! Plan an affordable Memorial Day vacation by spending the long weekend in a HomeExchange. You'll enjoy all the comforts of home while saving money and living like a local.
For their Memorial Day weekend getaway, most travelers are beach-bound, but if you're looking to avoid the crowds and go against the grain, here are 10 of HomeExchange's favorite getaways that aren't at the beach.
1. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC
What better place to pay tribute to our country's heroes and celebrate Memorial Day than in our nation's capital? You can experience the country's largest Memorial Day parade, pay your respects at one of the National Mall memorials and visit one (or more!) of the 17 Smithsonian Institution museums. When you're done sightseeing, grab a bite at the scenic Georgetown waterfront and explore the local shops.
2. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont's largest city, is perched on a hillside overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains. Visitors can enjoy strolling through the Church Street Market, hiking Red Rock national park, taking cruises on Lake Champlain and enjoying the thriving art scene. From beer lovers to history buffs, this quaint city has something for everyone. While you're there, spend time checking out one of the local breweries or visit the Ethan Allen Homestead museum.
3. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Orlando, Florida
Orlando truly is a magical city, and not just because it is home to Cinderella's castle. Orlando is the perfect destination for families, as nearby Disney World has over a dozen theme parks including the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Universal Studios. Although it is definitely the theme park capital of the world, visitors can take a break from the parks to stroll around downtown Winter Park and fit in a game of golf at one of the cities many courses.
4. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Brooklyn, New York
Just a short ride away from New York City, Brooklyn will allow you to enjoy all of New York City's famed attractions without the same amount of hustle and bustle. But don't spend all of your time in the city— get an authentic experience by seeing what Brooklyn has to offer: smell the roses at Brooklyn's Botanical Gardens, get a bargain at the Brooklyn Flea Market and chow down at Smorgasburg, a popular open-air food market.
5. Spend Memorial Day weekend in San Francisco, California
With a rich history, breathtaking ocean views and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is truly the gem of Northern California. Visitors can connect with their "inner-hippie" when exploring the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, have delicious seafood at Fisherman's Wharf and step back in time with a tour of the notorious Alcatraz Island. After checking a trolley ride off your bucket list, take the 50 minute scenic ride to California's wine country or bike over the Golden Gate Bridge to explore neighboring Sausalito.
6. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Nashville, Tennessee
If you love country music, BBQ and good ole' fashioned southern hospitality, "Music City," Tennessee's capital, is the perfect place to spend Memorial Day weekend. You can pay homage to the man who "who walked the line" at the Johnny Cash museum and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, one of the world's largest museums, which is home to over 2.5 million legendary artifacts. If you're interested in taking a break from music history and want to learn more about American history, pay a visit to The Hermitage, former home to President Andrew Jackson.
7. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Boston, Massachusetts
Boston was founded in 1630 and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. With this, it comes as no surprise to find that the city is rich with some of the oldest and most intriguing historical landmarks. For history buffs looking to get a lesson in American history this Memorial Day weekend, a great starting point is walking the iconic 2.5 mile Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail will take you to revered landmarks such as The Old North Church, Paul Revere's house, and the USS Constitution, which is one of the oldest commissioned naval vessels still afloat.
8. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Portland, Oregon
Portland is one of America's "greenest" cities, which makes many people here cycle instead of drive and there is a huge emphasis on farm-t0-table dining. If you're looking to transcend with nature and find your inner "zen" this Memorial Day weekend, Portland is just the place. One of Portland's must-see destinations is Washington Park, a huge space of land that covers more than 410 acres of land. The park is home to many of Portland’s premier attractions including Japanese Gardens, a zoo and an arboretum.
9. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Chicago, Illinois
Although stunning, avoid the crowded beaches of Chicago this Memorial Day weekend and take in all that the city has to offer. One of the cities top attractions is Navy Pier, a six-a six-block stretch of restaurants, rides and entertainment. Memorial Day weekend kicks off a summer of fun at the pier, and the Miller Lite Beer Garden and Aon Summer Fireworks. Visitors should also consider a river cruise to learn about Chicago's stunning architecture and order a famous deep dish pizza from the original Uno Pizzeria and Grill.
10. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert oasis famed for having an aura of midcentury glam. The famed Palm Canyon Drive is lined with majestic palm trees and filled with modern eye-catching art, antique, and furniture galleries that will surely inspire your inner artistic. Visitors who want to escape the desert heat (and aren't afraid of heights) should book a trip on the Aerial Tramway, the world's largest rotating tramcars, which ascends riders 5,873 feet to enjoy the pristine views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
How to get started with HomeExchange
The principle of home exchanging is simple: swap your home with someone else and enjoy the wonders of each other's city! HomeExchange also has a points exchange system, offering even more flexibility to members and facilitating non-reciprocal exchanges. Learn more about GuestPoints here.
Signing up for HomeExchange is free, so you can start communicating with members as you organize your Memorial Day weekend vacation. You are only required to pay the annual membership fee when you're ready to finalize your first exchange.
With the membership, whether you are a host or a guest, you can be sure that you will be supported 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and covered in the event of unforeseen events with our guarantees.
