Top 5 Destinations for Memorial Day Weekend

May 11, 2021

Memorial Day is a time to be patriotic and enjoy the first tastes of summer. Traditionally, it’s a favorite US long weekend celebrated with family reunions, long-standing traditions, outdoor cookouts, patriotic parades, and memorable road trips. Relaxed COVID travel restrictions and the roll-out of the much-anticipated COVID vaccination have brought on a surge in summer travel plans and Memorial Day Weekend is the main opening event!

Whether you’re road-tripping or flying, in search of leisure and relaxation, engaging in outdoor activities and exhilarating adventures, or pursuing a weekend of pure patriotism, there’s a home-away-from-home to welcome you this Memorial Day weekend.

We did the homework! Our top 5 Memorial Day Weekend vacation destinations have one thing in common, there‘s simply not enough time to fit in the activities and attractions that are free for each day of your stay when you vacation with Xplorie. From mountain cabins and oceanfront condos to luxury homes on the salt marsh estuaries, our favorite vacation destinations offer warm hospitality, welcoming homes, and safe, secluded activities for a 2021 Memorial Day weekend to remember, forever!

number 1

Winter Park, CO

The snow is melting, the temperatures are creeping up and the mountains are calling! If you’re in search of a Rocky Mountain escape, look no further than Winter Park, Colorado. Winter Park is an outdoor destination that appeals to adventurers of all kinds. Memorial Day beckons the opening of the summer season. River rafting, cliffside climbing, mountaintop ziplining, and award-winning golf courses are open. Alpine lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and stocked ponds welcome anglers, two downhill bike parks and 600 miles of trails make it the Mountain Bike Capital USA and Colorado’s Favorite Playground! With endless outdoor-inspired adventures, over 60 dining options, wineries and breweries, and spectacular scenery, Winter Park is a world-class outdoor destination for Memorial Day weekend 2021.

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge is located between Gatlinburg and Sevierville in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, a mecca for outdoor adventures and the ideal vacation destination to kick start summer. Pigeon Forge is known for its family-friendly activities with adventures in treetop theme parks, museums, mirror mazes, aquariums, and the famous Dollywood, one of the world’s best theme parks. Pigeon Forge caters to every age and every type of traveler. From white water rafting the Upper Pigeon, horseback riding in the foothills, or hiking the Appalachian Trail to spring sales at the outlets, dinner shows, country music, and riveting theatre, you’ll love every moment of your Memorial Day vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Florida’s 30A

If you’ve had a long winter in the mountains, the beaches are calling. Florida is a top trending Memorial Day and summer vacation destination with warm temperatures, sandy shores, outdoor activities, and fun local events for every member of your crew. We’re thinking sunscreen, sandals, sun hats, and summer vibes for a Memorial Day on Florida’s 30A. Adventure into the outdoors with paddle-boarding, kayaking, jetski and pontoon boat rentals, and 18 miles of bike path along the scenic Highway 30A. Tee off on the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay, stroll the Rosemary Beach Farmers Market or entertain the kids with arcade games, adventure parks, and pirate cruises. The HarborWalk Village in Destin and Village of Baytowne Wharf in San Destin offer Memorial Day festivities including outdoor live music, children’s activities, and fireworks displays. As luck would have it, this year the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, a replica of the memorial in Washington, DC will be at the Chapel at Crosspoint in Santa Rosa Beach. The perfect mix of pleasure and patriotism under Florida’s sunny skies.

Hilton Head Island, SC

If you’re looking for quality family time, warm weather, Lowcountry landscapes, southern-style cuisine and an abundance of pet-friendly and family-friendly activities and attractions, Hilton Head Island is the ideal Memorial Day weekend vacation destination. Engage the kids with petting zoos, ziplining, treasure hunts, mini-golf, and endless outdoor activities. Hike and bike through wildlife refuges, golf in thick maritime forests, seek out wildlife on a dolphin, birding, or nature tour, or simply spend a day on the beach enjoying ocean activities (although the ocean waters may be cold unless you’re from the north!). Memorial weekend events on Hilton Head include the Shelter Cove Harbour Art Festival on the Marina promenade for artwork, tasty dining, and live music, and the Memorial Day Remembrance Celebration at the Shelter Cove Veteran’s Memorial Park on Monday, May 31st.  Of course, a trip to nearby historic Savannah must be included for your Memorial Day weekend on Hilton Head Island.

Cape Cod, MA

Staying on the East Coast, Cape Cod is a sought-after vacation destination that is easily accessible from major east coast cities. In fact, Cape Cod is such a popular destination that rentals have gone wild, the record-breaking demand has never been higher and Cape Cod is close to fully booked for the summer months. Travelers are in search of socially distanced outdoors destinations and Cape Cod clearly meets these new traveler expectations. This is the highest demand the Cape has ever experienced thanks to the historic monuments, museums and lighthouses, secluded waterways for kayaking, peak whale-watching season, and coveted day cruises to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island. Cape Cod hosts a feast of Memorial Day events for visitors and an abundance of local attractions and activities to step back in time and honor the veterans of the USA.

Spend Memorial Day with Xplorie

If you weren’t anticipating this much travel excitement and haven’t already planned your Memorial Day vacation, Xplorie combines the best places to stay with fun, local and free activities for every day of your stay in top vacation destinations across the USA.

Wherever you lay your head this Memorial Day, let’s unite for the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 pm local time, honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice and be thankful they paved the way to our freedom.

Forever Vacation Rentals
If you are looking for a great Memorial Day getaway, check out Forever Vacation Rentals for amazing accommodations, like this home in Sandestin that include a variety of free activities and additional activities through Xplorie!
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