10 Memorial Day Destinations For A Quick Weekend Getaway

By the time Memorial Day rolls around each year, we're practically begging for an excuse to get away. With the kids out of school and temperatures heating up, Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to pack up the car and find your next adventure. Here are top destinations to consider as you start your search for the best Memorial Day getaway.

Related: The Best Little Beach Towns To Visit in Summer

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

While other parts of the South are already deep in swelter season come mid-May, the Great Smoky Mountains maintains its fresh mountain air clear through the end of the month and into June, making it an ideal Memorial Day weekend destination. Plan your trip around a stay in Pigeon Forge, where there's plenty to do but often fewer crowds than in Gatlinburg . Families will love the roller coasters, rides, and other attractions at Dollywood theme park . The longtime favorite also hosts a number of nightly shows. If you can't get enough, buy tickets to the award-winning country music variety show Country Tonite Theatre, which features signing and dancing, as well as comedy and a few family-friendly surprises, too. Grab lunch or dinner at Local Goat, an all-American eatery that has perfected the art of pub food with creative dishes like Deep Fried Deviled Eggs, Cheese Fondue served with soft pretzels, and the BGT Burger with goat cheese, bacon jam, and crispy onions.

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Galveston, Texas

This Texas beach town often flies under the radar, but those that are privy to its down-home charm and scenic vistas tend to come back season after season. Discover the town's deeply rooted Southern history at the Moody Mansion , an 1895 estate with 20 rooms and 28,000 square feet open for visitors to explore. Take a self-guided stroll, or spring for the all-access guided tour to hear all the home's forgotten details. After, head to the open seas to meet the real locals of Galveston on a 45-minute dolphin tour with Baywatch Dolphin Tours . Cruise through the waters of Galveston Bay in search of these friendly sea critters. Breakfast and brunch are an all-day affair at the Galveston institution known as Mosquito Cafe . Pancakes, French toast, and a special called the Mosquito Benedict (a house baked savory scone covered with sautéed shrimp, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, fresh asparagus, and poached eggs topped with hollandaise sauce) are served until 2 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday and all day on Sunday.

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Savannah, Georgia

Let this Southern Georgia town charm you with more than just its iconic Spanish moss-covered live oaks and well-travelled cobblestone thoroughfare known as River Street. Spend a morning at Wormsloe Historic Site . The gorgeous avenue of live oaks that leads up to this colonial estate is beautiful enough for its own visit, but the museum, complete with costumed interpreters, is both educational and fun. If you want to learn more about Savannah's rich history, book a 90-minute walking tour with Free Savannah Tours. You'll receive excellent background on the city, plus get several thousand steps closer to your daily movement goal. Have dinner in an iconic Savannah restaurant that specializes in Lowcountry cuisine. Housed in a restored 18th century mansion, The Olde Pink House is known for its expansive menu of fresh seafood dishes and Southern specialities.

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Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hilton Head is known for its gorgeous landscapes, and you can get right into the thick of them at the Coastal Discovery Museum . This isn't your average museum. With trails, gardens, a butterfly enclosure, historic homes, and more, there's plenty to do outside of looking at indoor exhibits. Keep enjoying the great outdoors with an excursion planned by Live Oac Outdoor Adventure Company . The company specializes in all things outdoors and on the water. From eco tours to spot eagles and dolphins to beachcombing trips and island tours, there's something for everyone. You can even charter your own private boat for a fishing trip or just a day out to sea. Your experience is all in the name at A Lowcountry Backyard . This ultra- casual, sandy foot-friendly restaurant is known for delicious shrimp and grits, Charleston fried green tomato BLT, and banana pudding.

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Wilmington, North Carolina

This cinematic town on the Cape Fear River has been the backdrop for countless movies and TV shows over the years. See some of the city's most stunning settings at Airlie Gardens , which features 76 acres of walking paths, gardens, and sculptures. After a walk around the gardens, head to the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial , a World War II battleship turned museum that's dedicated to telling the stories of the ship and those who worked on it. When you're ready to go from fresh to saltwater, visit one of three beaches within easy driving distance of Wilmington: Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. Make dinner plans at Seabird , an elevated but still casual seafood spot by James Beard Semifinalist Dean Neff. The Seafood Tower is a gorgeous study in North Carolina seafood that's perfect for a small crowd.

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Naples, Florida

It's all about getting—and staying—outdoors in this southwest Florida beach town. Explore the exotic by pulling up to Keewaydin Island (just off the coast of Naples) on boat and enjoying a day at the beach. Don't bother packing a picnic basket—food boats (like a food truck but on the water), will come by. Find more outdoor adventure at Collier-Seminole State Park , where you can hike, bike, kayak, bird watch, and even camp for the night on 7,000 acres. Head to Seventh South , a restaurant that works with local vendors and farmers to bring only the freshest food to the table. The menu changes with the seasons, but expect creative dishes like Sticky Miso Short Ribs with sweet potato-goat cheese latkes and Portuguese Octopus with almond puree and black garlic aioli.

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Biloxi, Mississippi

Start your trip in this Mississippi coastal town by checking out the Biloxi Lighthouse , which was erected in 1848 and is one of the nation's first cast-iron lighthouse. For $5 admission, you can take a guided tour of the lighthouse (daily from 9 to 10 a.m.) and get your photo with the city landmark. Take a boat ride with Biloxi Cruise Company , and choose the Biloxi Shrimping Trip. During the 70-minute cruise, you'll learn about the shrimping industry and even catch some Gulf Coast shrimp for yourself. After a day of adventure, relax on a patio with Creole-style cuisine fresh from the Gulf at Patio 44 . Folks love the Gouda Grits, Blue Crab Fondue, and Redfish on the Half Shell.

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Annapolis, Maryland

Incorporated as a town in 1708, there's a lot of history behind the nation's first capital. The best way to learn it is on a kayak history tour with Paddle Annapolis . The two-hour guided tour takes paddlers along Spa Creek, and you'll hear historical facts all along the way. After, head to the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park , where you can learn all about the area's rich maritime heritage and about the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through programs and exhibits. If breakfast for dinner is your favorite, head to Iron Rooster for breakfast options all day, as well as Lowcountry entrees and fresh seafood.

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New Orleans, Louisiana

After you've explored the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, and other major areas of the Crescent City, gain a deeper understanding of New Orleans on a tour with Cajun Encounters Tour Company . You can choose from a swamp tour, city bus tour, plantation tour, ghost tour, or walking tour of the city. The Big Easy is known for its delicious dining options , and you can experience the best of it all at Cochon , a rustic restaurant and butcher known for its traditional Creole flavors. Start your meal with house-cured charcuterie and sausage, then choose from specialty sandwiches like the Cochon Muffaletta and the Porchetta Cheese Steak.

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Charlottesville, Virginia

Kick off a patriotic Memorial Day weekend by visiting Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville. The incredible historic site features a house and plantation, a museum and research institute, a presidential library, and so much more. It's a must-see if you're in town. After, unwind by touring another of Charlottesville's best attractions—its many wineries . After your tasting, head to to Oakhart Social for a flavorful meal of modern American dishes with international influence.

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Read the original article on Southern Living