Fun US Destinations For A Memorial Day Weekend Getaway

Few vacations get the people of the United States up and about, happy to rush outdoors, as Memorial Day, the official start of the summer season. Though it represents a moment in the year that is primarily positioned for us all to reflect, to remember those that have fallen in wars both recent and those that occurred much further back in time, the last Monday in May has become a time to fire up the barbecue, head to the beach, or enjoy some festivities as the days head toward their peak length, and the temperatures start to push the mercury ever upwards. 

And while we will not forget the sacrifices that those that perished have made, the long weekend of this public holiday presents a perfect window for a quick escape, a time to let loose, have some fun, and usher in the hottest few months of the year. There are celebrations and commemorations for this day all over the country, but some destinations are worth seeking, especially for anyone in search of a bit of excitement over the holiday weekend. Here are 15 places worth checking out.

According to a 2019 estimate by the Migration Policy Institute, the Atlanta metro area was home to more than 80,000 people from the Caribbean, a figure that has likely grown since then. The Caribbean is famous for many things, from fabulous fruits to scintillating patois, from infectious music to stunning beaches. It's also famous for its carnivals, a celebration that originated in Trinidad and has now spread throughout the region, as well as throughout the Caribbean diaspora worldwide. On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the streets of the Big Peach come alive with a Caribbean-style carnival. Anchored by a Festival Village, where small, independent vendors sell food and drinks, and all things carnival-related can be found, the Atlanta Carnival is a riot of sequins, noise, revelry, and undistilled joy that brings together people from across the islands as well as local Georgians and out-of-state visitors. 

Travelers will see parade-goers in bejeweled costumes, and there will be plenty of music, dancing, food, and good cheer. The festival first kicked off here in 1988 and has grown every year, a beloved highlight of the city's annual events calendar. The parade winds through the city, and visitors can join a Mas Band (short for masquerade band), a group that marches as a unified troupe together in the parade, wearing matching outfits and synching their steps as they dance/sway/move/tap along the route — one troupe wins the prestigious title of best band. Look out for festivities before and after the parade as well.

A beloved event for Chicagoans each summer, the fireworks at Navy Pier take place twice a week throughout the warmer months, turning the night sky over Lake Michigan into a festive array of colors, and casting a warming glow onto the city's incredible skyline. The pier gets packed during those shows during the season, and the shrieks and whoops of delight and wonder from children and adults alike are a joyous sound to hear. 

While the displays happen on Saturdays and Wednesdays for a few months, the very first of them takes place on Memorial Day weekend, at 10 p.m. on Saturday night of the long weekend. Go there to see how the Windy City kicks off the summer season. A short distance to the south, in Grant Park, the second iteration of Sueños — it means "dreams" in Spanish — takes place. A festival dedicated largely to the pulsing beats of that relentless, percussive, musical genre Reggaeton, as well as other types of Latin music, is sure to get attendees dancing up a storm.

Fun is weaved into the DNA of Legoland New York Resort, an amusement park modeled on those chunky little Danish blocks that are a staple plaything of children the world over. Located about a two-hour drive northwest of New York City, the destination first opened in the summer of 2021 and has been slowly growing its fan base. The park is divided into seven themed areas — labeled as lands — and these range from Lego Castle, where visitors can build models, climb a block tower, or ride a rollercoaster fashioned like a dragon, to Miniland, where famous skylines are recreated in intricate detail solely from Lego blocks (about 22 million of them). 

There are also 4-D shows, and the chance to meet life-size recreations of Lego characters, something sure to thrill youngsters (and sure to make great photo ops). Best of all, a new water playground section opens on Memorial Day weekend, with slides, giant water buckets, and rafting courses — all letting visitors have some aquatic fun without getting sand in all their crevices, or saltwater in their eyes.

What better place to feel the warming rays of summer than at the sumptuous beaches of this South Florida metropolis? Temperatures at this time of year in Miami usually hover around the mid-80s, with the warmth of the Atlantic waters sitting not far behind that number. Clearly, this is a great time to be out and about, which is welcome news because this long weekend promises numerous outdoor lures beyond the beach. The Hyundai Air & Sea Show is an extravaganza that honors the various branches of the U.S. military and features exhibitions of powerboats and jet skis going at full tilt, demonstrations of rescues at sea, and teams parachuting in formation. There are also flight maneuvers by aircraft both old and new, live music from internationally famous acts and U.S. military bands, and a grand fireworks display. 

Over the same two days, Afro Nation, which bills itself as the largest Afrobeat festival in the world (it's a roaming musical bonanza that pitches up at different global cities), will be held for the first time in North America here in Miami and will host a wild weekend of hypnotic, infectious, rhythmic beats that will get anyone dancing. Culture vultures can also use this weekend to catch up on some museum hopping at reduced rates, with the city's Miami Attraction & Museum Months promotion, which supplies discounted entry into a number of institutions, winding up on May 31.

In its 156th year, the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade isn't populated just by those connected to the military — in addition to active soldiers and veterans,  onlookers will also see city departments, members of the local business community, politicians, school bands, youth groups, and plenty of kids taking part in the walk. It's an event that is both solemn and celebratory, taking place wholly within the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, and ending with a service that includes the spirited sounds of bagpipes, and a 21-gun salute. 

Fleet Week also takes place this time of the year, with plenty of sailors flooding the city's streets — meaning it's time to get the camera out for some fun photos. During the week, expect the chance to get on tours of ships, and see a whole host of grand vessels dotted around the city's busy waterways. While in town, visitors should take the opportunity to check out a brand-new addition to the American Natural History Museum. The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Innovation, and Education opened on May 4, 2023, with a striking facade made of pink granite (and looking almost like something designed by Antoni Gaudí), and a wavy, organic central atrium that's as memorable as the exhibits within.

A riot of color paints 'Frisco during the Carnaval Grand Parade, when the streets of the Mission district come alive with revelers and parade participants dressed to impress. These bacchanalians, with bright, glittering, jeweled outfits, dancing down the parade route, or exhorting the crowds and onlookers to amp up the festive atmosphere, make the Sunday of this weekend an energizing start to summer. The numbers behind the event are impressive indeed, with thousands of artists showcasing the traditions of many Latin American countries — among them Brazil, Bolivia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Cuba, as well as those from the Caribbean, setting the city's streets on fire, figuratively of course. 

Latin culture is also the attraction at the Sazon Latin Food Festival, a roving event that tours the country, and happens to land in Alameda — just across the bay from San Fran — on Memorial Day. Expect lots of great Latin food, and music that mines the riches of Latin America to get your toes tapping, assuming that you have any energy after the previous day's festivities.

With long stretches of sandy coastline, this part of the country has some fine spots for early summer camping, especially pleasant in late May when the temperatures hover in the upper 70s and the humidity tends to be low. There's something so rewarding about waking up to see the sand and sea right before you, spending a day on the beach before watching the sun drop into the ocean, right from your tent, and sleeping to the sound of the rushing surf. On a gorgeous sweep of coastline a little west of Santa Barbara, Refugio State Beach features some simple hiking trails and places to take a picnic, and a campground populated with towering palm trees. 

Close to Malibu, Leo Carrillo State Park is deeply connected to its environment — the beach extends for more than a mile, and the waters are often populated with surfers, anglers, and dolphins. Along the sands, walkers can explore caves and the Lilliputian life that exists inside tide pools. And the campground, set back a little distance from the Pacific, sits under large sycamore trees, with great hiking further inland.