15 Weekend Trips To Take This Spring In The U.S.

15 Weekend Trips to Take This Spring in the U.S.

Most people can't go on vacations every week to regroup, but they can take advantage of a relaxing or adventurous weekend getaway instead.

There is always a place near you where you can go to shake off work without driving for days. 

Spring is a great time to explore this kind of trip because it's not the holiday season yet, crowds are smaller, prices are lower, and gas is still cheap. Whether you are looking for a place to take your family or are traveling solo, there is a getaway for you.   

Plan your upcoming escape. You have endless options – camping, hiking, boating, rafting, wine and bourbon tasting, beach-hopping, to name a few.

The places on the list are accessible, affordable and fun. Some are romantic – in case you want to swap the boring dollar pizza and Netflix date night for an adventurous weekend that won't break the bank.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Head to Virginia for the weekend and visit Shenandoah National Park. They have a spectacular wildflower display that begins in early spring. According to the National Park Service, "wildflowers comprise 862 species, or greater than half of the 1,406 vascular plant species found in Shenandoah National Park." Get out there and visit this mind-blowing colorful display before it's too late.

Road trip: Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Virginia

This famous road was designed as a recreational drive. The iconic Blue Ridge Parkway provides both stunning scenery and close-up looks of the natural beauty through the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah national parks, which are especially beautiful in the spring. Along the way you can go biking, hiking, golfing, motorcycle touring, wildlife watching and even fishing.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

There are so many adventurous things to do in the Grand Canyon, there is no wonder it's No. 6 on our annual ranking of all national parks. Rafting there  is many people's favorite. The popular Bright Angel Trail leads hikers from the south rim down to the Colorado River, over the course of 9.5 miles. Backpack the Deer Creek Thunder River Trail and see three of the Grand Canyon's biggest waterfalls.

Keewaydin Island, Florida

A weekend getaway to miles of undeveloped beaches in a secluded tropical retreat is a perfect trip. Enjoy the beautiful beaches and do some shelling. You'll likely to find a few unique ones. Take the beach access path to the Gulf side. It's gorgeous; the water is clear and the sand is soft. Getting there is also a lot of fun – you can only do it by boat. Some call the island the best boating attraction in the Naples area.

The Florida Keys

Refresh and recharge on a weekend getaway in the Florida Keys! Springtime is the perfect time to go shopping, spend a day at a spa and visit the beach. Stay at the Tranquility Bay Beach House Resort, in a beach house, and overlook the Gulf of Mexico. Try a new water sport and hang out with your friends at TJ's Tiki Bar.

Louisville, Kentucky

Explore the bourbon capital of the world – Kentucky. If you like to know more about this unique American beverage, this is the place to go. Explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and you'll get an idea of the scientific process behind making this native to America spirit. Other places offer rare bourbon you won't find in stores and classes on how to cook your own bourbon. Don't miss watching a movie in Floyd's Fork, ride the fashionable Frankfort Avenue on a trolley and enjoy the free wine and snacks some boutiques offer.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

If you're looking for a fun weekend getaway with your family look no further than Virginia Beach. With Memorial Day right around the corner, this is the perfect weekend to get out to the beach without the crowds and enjoy a weekend of family bonding and relaxation. If you decide you want to stay longer, make sure you attend the Pungo Strawberry Festival May 25-26.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Visit Hot Springs, Arkansas for the Hot Springs Music Festival. It begins on June 5th and ends June 18th. You have two weekends to choose from. Enjoy listening to world-class mentor musicians from major orchestras, chamber ensembles and talented professional apprentices. Last year over 10,000 people attended the festival events and the concerts were broadcasted on the radio nationwide.

Camping: Arches National Park

All 50 sites in Arches' campground, Devils Garden, are usually reserved in advance during the busy season, which is March through October, according to NPS. There are no showers and you have to bring your own wood or charcoal for the grills. But the views of this red rock wonderland and the wide range of activities among the thousands of natural stone arches are worth every bit of inconvenience. Hiking, rafting, mountain biking (here's why you should try it) and rock climbing (you should master these skills) are a few options.

Hocking Hills, Ohio

From late March to early June Hocking Hills, Ohio will take your breath away. Waterfalls are finally melting and providing spectacular views. While wildflowers are blooming and sending off colorful displays everywhere. Tip: Visit Hocking Hills State Park for some of the best wildflower viewing.

Road trip: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

This may be an only 50-mile trip but not a single miles goes by without a scenic view. The road cuts the Glacier National Park in half and it's a National Historic Landmark. You will see forests, lakes, deep ravines, and a variety of wildlife in one trip. If you stop at the St. Mary Lake, the second largest in the park, you'll be able to take startling photos of the 100-foot Virginia Falls.

Lake Placid, New York

Get away for the weekend, clear your mind, and leave your stresses behind. Lake Placid offers peace and tranquility (The World's Best Hotel Spas). Spring is the perfect time to go hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and horseback riding.  If you're taking a trip with just your girlfriends, stay at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa. They offer a "Girls Getaway Weekend" package ($200 per night, per girl). The weekend consists of cocktails, breakfast, dinner, hiking, shopping and spa services.

Vancouver, Canada

May is one of the best months to visit Vancouver. The weather is mild and hotel rates are low. Take advantage of the variety of activities; go to Stanley Park; visit the Seawall park, and capture some breathtaking views of the city; go to Granville Island, the museum of Anthropology, Vancouver Aquarium, and Queen Elizabeth Park. Also, check out Vancouver's nature and wildlife tours.

Camping: Big Bend National Park, Texas

Get ready for an adventurous weekend at Big Bend National Park. Visitors can choose from three front-country, NPS-operated campgrounds. Chisos Basin campground is surrounded by tall, scary cliffs and is a prime spot because it's situated close to many of the park's most popular trails. The Cottonwood Campground is characterized as more of a serene and shady site, while the Rio Grande Village Campground, adjacent to the Rio Grande, offers a camp store and showers within walking distance, as well as an RV campground with full hook-ups.

Washington, D.C.

The blossoms have just begun to peak; if you are someone who admires gorgeous flowers, Washington, D.C. in the springtime should definitely be on your bucket list. Escape from your everyday life and spend a weekend in the capital. It has been celebrating cherry blossoms since 1912. More than 3,000 cherry trees were gifted by Tokyo's mayor as a sign of friendship.