Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, and with it comes the official kick-off of the summer season.
When that Friday hits, thousands of beach-bound celebrators will clog the highways on their way to sun and surf.
But while we love a good beach day just as much as the next patriot, this Memorial Day we’re excited to try something inland.
Join us in avoiding the crowds, uncovering new corners of America, and – of course – honoring our soldiers, with parades, festivals, and much more at these ten locales not on the beach.
Washington, D.C.
If you want to go hardcore patriotic, there really isn’t any place better to be this Memorial Day than Washington, D.C. (Especially since NYC had to go and cancel Fleet Week due to the sequestration).
In addition to a variety of military ceremonies taking place around town, visitors can also attend the National Parade or the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally (nothing like the wind in your hair, right?!).
The National Memorial Day Concert, hosted at the Capitol Building, is always a special event, and this year’s affair features appearances by General Colin Powell and actor Gary Sinise, in addition to several military bands and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Visitors can also opt to simply stroll through Washington’s many amazing monuments – during the day or at night – and sample some of D.C.’s delicious culinary offerings.
STAY: The gorgeous, 317-room W Washington D.C. blends the new – fusion cuisine from Jean-Georges Vongerichten; a great spa and gym; Whatever/Whenever service – with the old – the property’s historic Beaux Arts building dates back to 1917.
Plus, you can see the Washington Monument from the hotel’s hip rooftop lounge, POV, making celebrating in style easy.
Las Vegas, Nevada
If you’re looking to party – and party hard – then Vegas is the obvious choice for a summertime weekend getaway.
You can of course expect large crowds in Sin City during this three-day weekend, but what would Vegas be without the masses of pool-goers, booze-guzzlers, and daring gamblers?
Pool parties on the Strip will be a priority to most visitors this Memorial Day, but there are also countless clubs, restaurants, bars, and shows to attend.
STAY: The Palms Casino Resort is known for its crazy parties and celebrity stopovers, so it’s no surprise that the hotel is packing the pool this weekend with an impressive line-up of performers.
Wiz Khalifa, the Black Eyed Peas, Ludacris, Questlove, and Chris Brown are all set to get the party started.
Palm Springs, California
This resort city smack-dab in the middle of the California desert is an excellent getaway for some quality R&R found through golfing, art gallery browsing, and poolside sunbathing.
The natural beauty here – including sweeping mountain vistas — is stunning, offering naturists plenty of chances to explore the desert landscape.
Hiking is especially popular at the Indian Canyons, as is visiting sacred Native America sites.
This Memorial Day, don’t miss the Air Museum’s annual flower drop, during which 3,000 red and white carnations are dropped from a B-25 Bomber in dedication to our servicemen.
STAY: If it has anything (and it has a lot), the Parker Palm Springs has style.
Expect eclectic and 70s-inspired decor with a modern edge, and an entranceway that belongs on a movie set: It manages to be dressed-up glamorous and laid-back cool all at the same time.
The rooms are just as impressive, with white brick walls, sexy white decor, and private balconies.
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