Weekends are a wonderful thing.
When the workweek gets past Wednesday, that’s when we start dreaming up ways to make Saturday and Sunday special.
Quick romantic getaways? An off-the-beaten-path mini road trip? Camping out in the backyard?
We’re all for finding small ways to escape the monotony of the working week and seizing the weekend by the horns.
To us, adventure is a state of mind, not just a physical journey. Being excited to explore your own neighborhood can feel just as fun as hitting the trail at a nearby national park.
Below are a few places and weekend hikes we find ourselves day-dreaming about. When the weekend rolls around and the work emails take a back seat, here’s where you can find us taking a break.
Pro tip: Bring your double hammock on any of these adventures to make relaxation a top priority.
Weekend Getaway Ideas
Austin, Texas
Delicious food, a vibrant music scene, and art that can rival any national gallery?
Austin’s got it all.
Texas’ hip city is a perfect weekend getaway for a little R&R and really good tacos.
Two days is just enough time to take a stroll around Lady Bird Lake, visit some East Side art galleries, and chow down on some divine Tex-Mex.
Miami, Florida
Visiting Miami feels like a quick vacation in which you don’t have to leave the country.
You’ve got sun-kissed beaches, a wild nightlife, and food that brings together the best of Haitian and Cuban cuisine.
Our advice: eat like a local in Little Havana, spend a day in South Beach, relaxing in the sun, and dance the night away at Mango’s Tropical Cafe.
Detroit, MI
Over the last few years, Detroit has experienced an impressive revival.
Where there once was bankruptcy and foreclosure, there is now new real estate investment and bustling new industries.
We suggest: stopping by Motor City Brewing for a beer, taking a leisurely bike ride with one of the many bike companies in town, and marveling at the city’s beautiful architecture at the David Whitney Building or Fox Theater.
Burlington, Vermont
The birthplace of Phish. Home to award-winning beer. Lake Champlain.
These are just a few reasons to visit the lakeside city in verdant Vermont.
If you visit during the winter months, use the cold temperatures as an excuse to go on a beer-drinking tour: Switchback Brewery, Queen City Brewery, Zero Gravity Brewery, and Foam Brewery are our top picks.
Weekend Hikes
Art Loeb Trail
Listed as one of National Geographic’s best hikes in North America, this 30.1-mile hike in North Carolina is a great weekend jaunt that will have you walking through varied terrain and the exposed Quartz of Shining Rock Wilderness.
This might be better suited to a three-day weekend than a two, but if you push yourself you can likely make it work.
Four Pass Loop
Sure, we might be a bit biased toward Colorado (we do live here after all). But! That doesn’t mean we’re WRONG about the fact that our state has some excellent weekend getaways, one of which is definitely Four Pass Loop.
Traveling through four mountain passes, this 27-mile loop calls the White River National Forest home, and wildlife is abundant.
Kelso Dunes
Don’t have a long weekend to dedicate to hiking but still want to make the most of it?
Do this quick hike in the Mojave National Preserve at sunset for a beautiful, rewarding trek.
Located only 3 hours from LA, it’s not a hard hike and the views are worth it.
The Wave
You’ve likely seen this stunning place on social media or heard about it from a friend of a friend.
The Wave in Arizona is a unique place that only allows for 20 daily permits (i.e. it’s a bit exclusive or hard to visit).
Don’t fret though. Even if you don’t get a permit, there are numerous surrounding hikes that are just as gorgeous and worthwhile.