10 of the Best Memorial Day Weekend Getaways

With Memorial Day Weekend just right around the corner, if you haven’t made any plans, it’s time for you to start planning. Let Wooder Ice help you decide where to go for this up coming holiday. These top 10 getaways offer something for everyone, whether you’re looking for something adventurous or simply just relaxing, these places are sure to quench your travel thirst.

1. New Orleans, LA

This time of year in New Orleans typically means comfortable temperatures and a long weekend of fun festivities and of course who can not forget the feasting on some of the city’s famous cuisine like jambalaya and crawfish. New Orleans offers something for everyone, including families and party goers alike. Begin your weekend off right, with the Wine and Food Experience and at nighttime head out to the heart of New Orleans famous Bourbon Street for a taste of music, clubs, food and just about anything goes on this strip. If you’re luck enough you might get some beads thrown at you while enjoy the celebration of this amazing southern city.

Event Dates:

May 2015

20-23 New Orleans Wine and Food Experience

22-24 Greek Fest

25 Memorial Day

2. Miami, FL

Bienvenida to this Cuban influenced city. Miami offers some of the best beach parties in the country. Not even Vegas can compete with the partying that goes on during Memorial Weekend in Miami, from festivals, partying, alcohol and of course the night life aims to please the party animal in you. But, Miami is not known as Memorial  Day Weekend but Urban Beach Week which consist of 5 days of on going parties from famous rappers, celebrity strips and party people from all over the Dirty South. As they say in the south if you want to get crunk this is the place to be.

Event Dates:

May 2015

21-25 Urban Beach Week

Hotties Parties

Thursday, May 21, at Story, 136 Collins Ave, Miami Beach featuring Fabolous

Friday, May 22, at Story, 136 Collins Ave, Miami Beach featuring Yo Gotti and Jim Jones

Saturday, May 23, at the BB&T Center, I Panther Parkway, Sunrise featuring Jeezy and Rick Ross

Saturday, May 23, at Lou La Vie, 1444 Biscayne Blvd, Miami featuring Erica Mena

Sunday, May 24, at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd, Miami featuringg Beenie Man, Lady Saw, Sabby Ranks and many others.

Sunday, May 24, at Story, 136 Collins Ave, Miami Beach featuring Jeezy

Sunday, May 24, at LIV, 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach featuring DJ Stevie and Don P

Monday, May 25, at Story, 136 Collins Ave, Miami Beach featuring Trick Daddy and Trina

3. Catalina Island, CA

If you want to go somewhere tropical but don’t want take the trip to the Caribbean’s then the Catalina Island is where you need to go. This island is well know for its crystal clear water filled with marine life; from starfishes, eels, dolphins and sea loins, it’s a great place to go snorkeling. The island also offers other activities such as kayaking, paddle boating, para-sailing, golf and even glass bottom boat tours. The Catalina Island also offer free family festivals to enjoy.

Event Dates:

May 2015

22-25 Memorial Weekend at the “M” by Zest Catering & Events

24 Catalina Island Summer Concert Series on Wrigley Plaza Stage

4. Washington, DC

Why not celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at our Nation’s Capital. There are plenty of things to see and do during this weekend. There’s a number of reason to head to DC with its endless number of museums and parades. You can check out the world’s largest Smithsonian Institution which is a group of 19 museums all in one and National Monuments. Also there are plenty of special events for memorial day weekend such as parades, concerts and ceremonies.

Event Dates:

May 2015

24 National Memorial Day Concert beginning at 8pm

25 National Memorial Day Parade beginning at 2pm

25 Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony beginning at 11am

25 World War II Memorial Ceremony beginning at 9am

25 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony beginning at 1pm

25 Air Force Memorial Ceremony beginning at 9am

5. New York City, NY

Head over to the Big Apple for Fleet Week which is a week long event offering visitors a chance to tour Manhattan and Staten Island to see military demonstrations and meet men and women who are serving the U.S. New York also offer visitors to celebrate our troops with parades, music performances and spring time parties.

Event Dates: 

May 2015

20-27 Fleet Week

23 Rockaway Beach and Broadwalk location Rockaways 

23 Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit location Washington Square Park

24 Fleet Week Music Festival

25 Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade

25 Life and Remembrance, location Avery Fisher Hall

25 Memorial Day Party location TBA 

25 Memorial Day Commemoration location Green-Wood Cemetery

6. Atlanta, GA 

Hotlanta during this weekend offers one of the biggest if not the biggest festival in this southern city. The Atlanta Jazz Festival is a great reason to head to this city for Memorial Day Weekend. It is the countries largest free jazz festival featuring legends and up and coming jazz artist to hit the scene. The Piedmont Park shuts down for 3 days for jazz, jazz, and more jazz much. But there are also other festivals going on throughout the city that you don’t want to miss.

Event Dates: 

May 2015

23-25 The Atlanta Jazz Festival location Piedmont Park

23 Community Barbecue (Rock On The Grass) location East Atlanta

23 Caribbean Carnival location Fourth Ward Park

23 Brew at the Zoo location Zoo Atlanta

23-24 Decatur Arts Festival location Agnes Scott College

25 Memorial Dat Ceremonies location 20th Century Veterans Memorial

7. Atlantic City, NJ 

Vegas of the East but it offers more than just gambling. Despite some of the casinos closing last summer, there are tons of family fun and entertainment along the Boardwalk and Casinos for everyone to enjoy.

Event Dates

May 2015

22 Tropicana Hotel & Casino Kicks off Festivities

23 Mix Presents Fedde Le Grand

23 Mix Presents Lil Jon

24 The Pool after Dark presents Summer Splash location Harrahs Resort & Casino

25 Memorial Day Luau location 101 Boardwalk & the Beach

8. St Louis, MI

This “Gateway City” starts the summer and the chance to remember those who served our country with plenty of festivals and fun on Memorial Day Weekend but they also have parades and military services to honor our troops. Kick back, relax and enjoy one of the best festivals of the Midwest with good blues music with a cold one.

Event Dates:

May 2015

23-25 Blueweek Festival location Soldiers’ Memorial

22-24 Spring to Dance Festival location Touhill Performing Arts Center

22-25 Assumption Greek Festival location Greek Orthodox Church

22-25 St Louis Ribfest location St Charles

9. Boston, MA

Boston city skyline at dusk

The Bean is full of history and if it wasn’t for Paul Revere warning Americans that the British are coming we may not been able to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend. And you can also enjoy American’s past time sport at the oldest ball park in American.

Event Dates: 

May 2015

22-23 Red Sox location Fenway Park

22-24 Boston Calling Music Festival location City Hall Plaza

22-25 Camp Fire Festival location Club Passim

25 Memorial Day Parade location Somerville City Hall 

10. Philadelphia, PA

SONY DSC

Let’s not forget the city of Brotherly Love, Memorial Day Weekend in this city is booming with traditions to kick start the summer. Have a picnic around the famous Philadelphia Art Museum, there’s plenty of outdoor festivals going on that weekend, and pop-up gardens and dine-ins are finally opening up all over the city but also marks a day of remembrance and many of Philadelphia’s museums will be hosting ceremonies.

Event Dates:

May 2015

22 Spruce Street Harbor Park and Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest opens location Delaware Ave.

22-23 Independence After Hours location Independence Hall  

23 Franklin Flea at Headhouse Plaza location off of South St.

24 Memorial Day Parade and Service at Laurel Hill Cemetery

Where are you spending your Memorial Day Weekend? Hashtag #travelscoop and join the conversation on social media. 

If you are interested in booking travel anywhere in the world contact Shawnick at 

myheartwasmadetotravel@gmail.com

Make sure you keep up with all of Shawnick’s adventures on all things travel art and food on her blog, 

www.myheartwasmadetotravel.com