How to Spend a Long Weekend
Recently, we celebrated President’s Day weekend, which means many of us had one extra day added to our weekend–and it can sometimes be a struggle trying to decide what to do with that extra day or two. While it’s not enough time for an overseas adventure or a long road trip, it does allow for a short trip to a nearby city, or for you to further explore your own. Whichever you decide, Postcard Press is here to help you make the most out of your next holiday weekend.
Weekend Trips
While a three-day weekend probably doesn’t provide a window for international travel, the time can still be used to get out of your house and even your town. If you’re able, take the long weekend as a chance to visit another city and enjoy what it has to offer. It even gives an opportunity for a mini-road trip if that’s something you enjoy. This may be more feasible for those who live on the East Coast or other areas where major cities are closer together, so driving won’t take as much time. Traveling by train is also a great option and a way to see parts of the country you may otherwise miss; however, train travel can sometimes take just as long–if not longer–than driving, and trains may not get you where you want to go. Furthermore, potential delays may make for a frustrating start, or end, to the weekend.
In the event that nothing is within driving distance–and taking the train isn’t an option–then you might find luck with a short flight. Flying may be a more expensive option, especially if it’s a last minute booking, but it could get you where you want to go within a short hour or two–giving plenty of time to enjoy your destination.
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Picking a Destination for Your Long Weekend
The best way to decide where to go for your long weekend is to look at what’s around you because you don’t want to use your valuable time getting from Point A to Point B.
For example, when I received an acceptance packet to Drexel University, the front of the folder listed the distance between Philadelphia and other cities like Washington, DC, and New York City. I still think this was a great resource because it encouraged students to take trips outside Philly by showing them how close they actually were.
Now, you don’t need to apply to graduate school to get this information since it’s all available online. First, you need to decide what you want to get out of your trip. Do you want to relax by the water, try good food, or get lost in nature? Once you’ve decided what you’re looking for, you’ll have to make a decision based on how far you want to travel, how you want to get there, and how much you want to spend.
Once you’ve made your choice, then you’re ready to make the most of your destination.
Making the Most of Your Destination During Your Long Weekend
Unless your goal for the weekend is just to explore and let experiences come to you, it’s crucial to have a strong itinerary in place (like the one Jax put together for her hometown of Pittsburgh) before getting in your car or hopping on the train. Having a strong game plan is important for these short weekend trips for three reasons:
- It forces you to do your research, so you don’t waste time deciding where you want to go and what you want to do.
- With limited time, it’s not feasible to do everything in a single weekend, so this itinerary will help create a realistic timeline for your trip. Because if you try to do everything, it’s going to turn a relaxing trip into a stressful nightmare.
- You’ll also be able to discover back-up activities in case something is closed or the weather doesn’t work in your favor.
On the topic of weather, make sure you check the forecast before leaving for your trip. My boyfriend and I ended up spending President’s Day weekend indoors because it rained the entire time. If the weather outside isn’t ideal for outdoor attractions, check to see which museums, restaurants, and shops are in the area so you can still make the most of your trip. After all, who wants to spend hours in the car only to spend the weekend in a hotel room?
Explore Your Own Town
If going out of town isn’t an option for you, then use the long weekend to explore your own town. Chances are, some of us don’t know a lot about the places we live in because of the constant routine of going to work and then going straight home to do chores, make dinner, and then spending the weekend simply relaxing. That’s why it’s important to take some time to be a tourist in your own town.
This is how my boyfriend and I were planning to spend our weekend before the weather turned bleak. Even though we live in a smaller town, we’re always finding new things to try. We enjoy spending time outside, and it seems like every time we explore a new walking trail, we learn something about where we live–recently, we learned our hometown has a natural butterfly garden and waterfall hidden away, which we never would have discovered if we didn’t get out of our comfort zones.
If you’re not sure where to start, then I recommend downloading the Geocache app and letting it take you on an adventure. Geocaching, it’s a phone application that provides users with clues that will lead them to hidden “treasures.” Each cache has its own difficulty level so even the less adventurous players can enjoy their scavenger hunt.
Memorial Day weekend is a few months away, so now is the perfect time to start planning your long weekend.
How do you spend long weekends? Where are some of your favorite places to travel with extra time?
