It’s time to hop in a plane or the car for any of these twelve best U.S. destinations for a weekend trip. As someone who has dedicated my life to travel, I know you can’t always have massive week-long adventures. Pesky things like work and responsibilities tend to get in the way so I have learned to use the power of the mighty weekend to squeeze every ounce of time I can from those precious days. So if you are short on time I am here to show you that you can still have an incredible trip all packed into a very short time. So let's dive into these quick trips around the U.S.A.

Northwest

1. Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska is one of those dream destinations that seems almost impossible to get to, but did you know that Anchorage has an airport? You can fly directly into the city and finally put a check on your bucket list when you step foot off of the plane and onto the glorious Alaskan soil. From every direction, you will be blessed with the most epic views that don’t even seem real. While some of the most sought-after Alaska destinations may be better saved for a longer trip this weekend getaway will just whet your appetite for even more Alaskan adventures. Spend some time exploring the museums and parks especially the beach at Point Woronzof Park. Here you can watch the planes fly right over your head and watch the sunset (even if it happens to be midnight). For a day trip take a drive out the the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to safely see some of the most popular wildlife found all in The Last Frontier. For a great meal, you will want to go to the Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria which is considered one of the best pizza places in America. If you are intentional with your time you can make the most of a short trip to this amazing destination.

2. Seattle, Washington

Seattle Washington has plenty to see and do but I tend to prefer nature to the busyness of city life. For accessibility, you can fly right into the city and even use it as your base of operations for a short trip. I would recommend staying at any of these unforgettable hotels. There are two important destinations that are a must-see in this region. The first is Olympic National Park. It may surprise you that you can drive to the park from the city in less than three hours. If you start the day off early that gives you plenty of time to fully soak in the beautiful rainforest, walk the unique beaches, and hike a few waterfall trails. The next day you can go back or head on over to another close national park, Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier is one of the prettiest mountains in our country and offers a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. One trip and two national parks sounds like the perfect weekend getaway to me.

Southwest

3. Denver, Colorado

Denver isn’t as big of a city as you would imagine it to be. It also may seem small because it is completely dwarfed by the towering mountains surrounding it. That to me is the charm of this city, you are close by so much wilderness that you can easily make a day trip out to Rocky Mountain National Park or even hang out in Estes Park for the whole weekend. This is a gorgeous small town way high up in the mountains with unique shops and restaurants all while being only steps away from Rock Mountain National Park. Short on time and only have part of the day for hiking? I would highly recommend going to Emerald Lake it was one of the best trails I have ever hiked. If you prefer to stay more local then there are plenty of fun things to do within the city. I would recommend spending a good part of your day at Meow Wolf which is one of those places that's so wild and unbelievable that you just have to see it to believe it. If you plan on flying into Denver then it will please your wallet to know that this is also one of the cheapest airports to fly into as well.

4. Joshua Tree, California

Joshua Tree is a unique landscape filled with otherworldly trees, rock formations, and miles of adventuring to embark on. This is where I would make my home base and spend the whole weekend climbing rocks, hiking trails, and soaking in the unique landscape. You can even book the most amazing one-of-a-kind stay in what is called the Invisible House. With the landscape sprawling on for as far as the eye can see you can just walk and climb rocks all day if you would like, and that among many other things is what makes the park special.

5. Moab, Utah

After a few hours of driving with nothing but wilderness all around, Moab was a welcomed reprieve. This thriving little town has a lot going for it. Park your car and just walk about and down the streets to explore the shops and restaurants, but you are minutes away from some of the most grand outdoor adventures you can have in our country. Arches National Park is just down the road which offers some of the coolest landscapes in the area to explore.

We loved our trip to Delicate Arch and this park quickly became one of our favorites. Close by, you will also find another park worth exploring: Canyonlands National Park. You can also explore Dead Horse Point State Park, and Corona Arch with only a short drive and that is just naming a few scenic places. This is the ultimate playground for outdoor adventures, from white water rafting, to rock climbing, ATVing, jeep tours, and more. Moab is a great destination the only problem is fitting it all into one weekend, but it will be waiting for you to return time and time again.

Midwest

6. Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City in South Dakota offers up a wide variety of bucket list places all very close by. The first and obvious choice is Mount Rushmore, this iconic site is something that every American should see at least once in their lifetime. Aside from this patriotic place you also have Wind Cave National Park, The Black Hills National Forest, and The Badlands National Park all close by. With such a swath of epic adventures, this makes this destination an easy place to visit for a quick trip in the U.S.A. If you are a fan of National Treasure then this would be a great place to live out those iconic scenes from the movie, I’m not saying that's what I would do, but also yes, yes I would.

7. Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

There are plenty of great places to visit in Ohio but one that has been getting a lot of attention lately is Hocking Hills State Park. Locals have known this stunning area has been a long-time hidden gem but it seems the word is out (Thanks a lot Instagram). Now many people flock to this area to see the arches, unique rock formations, waterfalls, and more in this unbelievable wilderness area. Everywhere you look it feels like you have stepped into a scene from the Lord of the Rings or some magical fairytale. It is tough to deny the beauty, and this is definitely one of those places that is worthy of a weekend getaway.

The South

8. The Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina

I am pretty biased since I live in Tennessee, but I think the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the single greatest place on Earth. There is a distinct culture and way of life surrounding these mountains and it's incredibly infectious. The peaceful beauty can be found all throughout the hiking trails, scenic drives, and overlooks. There is a plethora of great hiking trails as well as accessible places for everyone to enjoy. The nearby towns like Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Townsend offer some of the best attractions around which gives visitors a good variety during your stay. The whole area is worth coming back to time and time again and something my family and I have done many times.

9. Washington DC

When it comes to a weekend trip where everything is close by you can’t beat Washington DC. Our nation's capital has a lot to offer and the convenience of this trip makes it even more alluring. Even if you aren’t interested in politics (I can’t blame you there) you will find all kinds of things to do in the city. I would suggest spending the weekend at the National Mall, here you can see all the monuments like the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument but there are tons of museums available to the public. The best part is the ones in the National Mall are all free, so you can learn a lot of history, and science, and view masterpieces of art all while not breaking the bank. Everything is within walking distance too which makes this a great spot for a quick weekend trip.

10. St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is the oldest city in America (although that is a hotly debated topic) so you know it's a city filled with history. The old preserved buildings give you the sense that you have traveled back in time and simply walking around to see all of the old architecture is enough of a draw for thousands to come and visit. From old forts to pirate lore there are echoes of the past down every road. If history isn't your thing, then you’re in Florida after all, hit up the beach. I’ve been to a lot of different places and nothing quite beats the Florida coast.

North East

11. The White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire

The White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire is my favorite place in all of New England. I have hiked many places and found a treasure trove of hidden gems tucked away in the mountains. The beauty of New Hampshire being a small state is that you can get everywhere you need to go relatively quickly compared to states out west. So no matter where you stay you can traverse the mountains and make a lot out of a weekend trip to the White Mountains. Two state parks hold many of the great trails in the area and are worth the trip alone. Both Franconia Notch State Park and Crawford Notch State Park have unparalleled beauty with places like Artist Bluff, and Arethusa Falls. The Kangamangus Highway cuts through the mountains and offers one of the best scenic drives in the area and the small town of North Conway is a breathtaking getaway hidden in the mountains. When you are looking to get away for the weekend this nature lovers paradise is always a good choice.

12. Niagara Falls, New York

Like Mount Rushmore Niagara Falls is one of those places that every American should go visit at least once in their lifetime. I have been and I will tell you it lives up to the hype. Just standing along the top of the waterfall and seeing it peacefully cascade down over the ledge seems like such a harsh contrast to the power that water has near the bottom. To truly experience this power a must-do experience is a boat tour on the Maid of the Mist. Getting right up to the base of this mighty waterfall blew us away, almost quite literally. You can easily spend the day having a picnic at the falls walking around Goat Island and even grabbing your passport to head on over to the Canadian side. You can simply walk right over the bridge and enjoy the views of the waterfall from that side as well. Whatever you do make sure you stick around at night because they light up the waterfall at night and make this natural wonder seem even more magical.

There you have it, some of the best U.S. destinations for a weekend trip! What do you think are you ready to hop on a plane for one wild weekend of adventuring? Our friends over at Dollar Flight Club offer some incredible deals on flights that are perfectly suited for these types of weekend getaways. So make sure to check them out, and for more travel inspiration check out our picks for the most beautiful places in each state.