Unfortunately, it is a sad fact that Americans have admitted to taking just roughly 48% of the vacation time offered by their employers. Most likely it’s because when we think of a vacation, we think it requires at least a whole week off. But what about long weekends? Plan a few of those this fall so you can ensure you’re getting what you’re owed when it comes to rest and relaxation away from the workplace. Don’t leave a minute of vacation time unused – check out these long weekend getaways and hit the road!
Los Angeles to Palm Springs: If you live in the Los Angeles area, Palm Springs is less than two hours from the city, yet it seems like a world away. Book a colorful cottage stay at Thousand Trails Palm Springs in Palm Desert and get away from it all. Leave your troubles on the ground and explore Palm Springs from the air via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Actually, the views are fantastic and the roughly 10-minute ride takes you to Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Take your pick of the plentiful hiking trails here, browse the gift shop, check out the Natural History Museum, or take in the views from the observation decks. If you feel the need for a calming environment, check out the Palm Springs Art Museum. The 150,000 square-foot structure alone is worth the trip and the exhibits housed in 28 galleries and two sculpture gardens ice the cake. Check out the current exhibit, Meditations in Glass, which is said to “invite contemplation and stimulate daydream and reverie.” Speaking of glass, don’t miss the glass sculpture, End of Day 2, by Dale Chihuly. If you’re really looking for relaxation, consider taking a sound bath through Integratron (integratron.com). The 60-minute sonic healing session is open to the public (reservations required) and promises deep relaxation, introspection and rejuvenation. See how the rich and famous live here with a 1.5-hour Legends and Icons tour offered via getyourguide.com. And, of course, go to brunch either with your pup at Boozehounds Palm Springs or with a view at Vue Grille and Bar in nearby Indian Wells.
Under six hours – that’s not a bad drive for a long weekend of glamping and exploring the Florida Keys. At the very north end of Florida, Jacksonville charts the longest drive from the big city while Miami is the shorter of the “leave the city behind” drives at just a little over 2 hours. But really, life in the Keys isn’t like any other Florida location or anywhere else for that matter. As the late, great Jimmy Buffett said, “changes in latitude, changes in attitude.” Come to the Keys to regroup, refresh, and live it up a bit after the work-week grind. Book a stay at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or book a waterfront colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key and get ready to attitude-adjust.
Of course, snorkeling is a great way to leave it all behind and watching the fish swim about is definitely a path to tranquility and calm. Great snorkeling spots include John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – with the underwater statue, Christ of the Abyss, as well as the Dry Tortugas National Park. Bahia Honda State Park is another snorkeling option that also has some great photo ops. Take a relaxing sunset dinner cruise from Key West (sunsetwatersportskeywest.com) or aboard a tiki boat out of Key Largo (cruisintikiskeylargo.com). For a relaxing hike, try the Fred C. Manillo Trail in the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key. And another way to relax just may be enjoying a tropical drink, complete with a mini umbrella, in one of the many bars found on Key West. The oldest establishment here is Captain Tony’s Saloon while Sloppy Joe’s might be the most well-known.
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- Head to the coast and enjoy all that Monterey has to offer with these 5 things to do in the Monterey Peninsula.
- Find your next glamping destination at PetiteRetreats.com
