Best US Cities for Weekenders

What could possibly be better than a weekend trip? It offers all the relaxing benefits of vacation, allows you to exercise your curiosity, and try some new things - all without missing work on Monday. (Not that you'd miss work, anyway.)

Here are some of the best US cities for weekenders to travel.

Madison, Wisconsin

Notorious for being one of the biggest party cities in the country, this small college town has more to offer than just keg stands and wings. If it’s nice, take a stroll around the gorgeous campus before indulging your taste buds with some solid bar food or fine dining.

Catch a band at one of the many venues, or, if it’s the right season, a football game with one of the most enthusiastic student bodies in the country. Like many of the best cities for weekenders, Madison has a small town vibe with big city conveniences, and it has the bonus of being a lively college town to ensure that there’s something for everyone.

Des Moines, Iowa

When I say Iowa what’s the first thing you think of? Potatoes? Nope, that’s Idaho. Cleveland? Think again, that’s Ohio. It might be prime flyover territory, but this small city has made strides in recent years to buff up its appearance.

Downtown Des Moines is now a lively hangout, perfect for a weekend trip. Catch an I-Cubs AAA baseball game, then grab some beers at the famous El Bait Shop. If a fantastic selection isn’t your thing, go full vintage next door at the High Life Lounge, with their selection of beers that have been in production since the 1960s. Interesting, delicious food caps off a weekend in this Midwest wonder.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Craving some nature in the city? Maybe taking in some theater without flying to the coast? Look no further than the Twin Cities. The neighborhoods in this friendly city are bursting with personality and the state motto, Land of 10,000 Lakes, will definitely come into focus.

Professional or Pro-am baseball, soccer, college and professional football, basketball, or just checking out a bike trail or lake, if you’re a sports fan you’ve found a haven. The nightlife isn’t anything to scoff at either, and the theater scene is dense.

The city has the most theaters per capita West of the Mississippi. Combine this diverse backdrop with classic Midwest friendliness, and you’ll find one of the best cities for weekenders in the country.

Austin, Texas

Barbecue, beer, and bands. How can you go wrong with a weekend of excess? Austin, Texas, another college town, is easily one of the best American cities for weekenders.

Considered an oasis in Texas for its liberal population, ample hip music venues, and legendary reputation for all things weird, Austin will satisfy your every craving, be it vegan tacos or pounds upon pounds of the best barbecue around. Hit up the Salt Lick, south of town, for the latter. For tacos, one can never go wrong with Torchy’s.

As for music, enter a bar. There, you’ve found some music. And just in case you want everything all at once, check out the legendary Stubbs for a little bit of both.

Nashville, Tennessee

Well, we’re down south for the weekend, we might as well spend some time in historic Nashville, Tennessee. Their reputation as the countyr music capital of the world is well earned, and like Austin, just go into a bar. Or any place, really. Try the library; you’ll probably find a singer-songwriter in the reference section, just pickin’ away the day.

Pick up some hot chicken and barbecue, or quench your thirst on the Nashville Brew Bus, a full tour of craft breweries in the area. If you’re looking for something a little harder, or a little more authentic, check out a distillery and get your fill of whiskey. If you’re looking for something a little dryer, try the outdoor Ascent Amphitheater along the gorgeous riverfront.

Providence, Rhode Island

When people think of the best places for weekenders, Rhode Island isn’t the first area to come to mind. Its status as the countries smallest state has given it a worse image than it deserves. The truth is, though, that Providence is a beautiful small city.

The culture that comes with one of the world's best art schools is on full display, alongside the history of one of the original thirteen colonies. Top it off with a meal from a chef trained at America’s finest culinary institute, and mister you’ve got yourself a weekend.

Cleveland, Ohio

People think of Cleveland as a relic, a place past its prime, the butt of a Midwestern joke. In fact, it’s anything but. I don’t have to sell Cleveland’s mainstream rock and roll cred, but there’s more to this classic slice of Americana than a museum.

The downtown has also been completely revitalized, with part of it now declared a pedestrian area. There’s really no better way for a weekender to feel like a local. You can top your weekend trip to Cleveland off with some of the famous local brews or by searching out gourmet food in the most surprising of places.

Boulder, Colorado

Mountains, friendly locals, hippie shops, and a thriving local scene for, well, just about everything, all make Boulder a great city for weekenders. A weekend trip to this seemingly sleepy town is perfect for the outdoorsy, but there’s enough here to please the indoorsy as well.

The weather’s always sunny, even in the winter, so unless you’re a vampire, you’ll find a reason to love Boulder. Local brews and food, hiking, mountain climbing, whatever you’re looking for for the weekend, you’ll find. And it’ll likely make you want to come back.

Savannah, Georgia

Ah, Savannah. No city will turn your yankee slang into a southern drawl faster. Savannah is worth a weekend trip just to walk around checking out the centuries-old homes and the moss hanging from the trees. The atmosphere is unbeatable, but if somehow you tire of old world charm there’s plenty else to whet your appetite. There’s even a cultural side not often associated with the deep south, courtesy of the city’s renowned Savannah College of Art and Design.

Seattle, Washington

The music scene might not be what it was in the early 90s, but there’s still plenty to do. Local and artisanal craftspeople abound, and you can sample a little of everything, from cured meats to small batch gin.

Pikes Market is practically a different universe, or if you’re feeling the nature vibe, take a ferry across Puget Sound for some gorgeous views. The neighborhoods and the differences in their personalities are astounding, and you’ll want to see as much of this unique city as you can. It’s easily one of the best cities for weekenders in the country.