Looking for the best places to go for Memorial Day weekend 2026? You’re not alone. Memorial Day weekend is the most-traveled holiday in the United States.

In 2025, AAA projected a record-breaking 45.1 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home over the five-day holiday period, surpassing a record that had stood since 2005.

It’s also one of the most expensive weekends to travel if you don’t plan ahead. Peak-season pricing, limited availability, and third-party booking fees can easily add hundreds of dollars to a trip that should be straightforward.

This guide covers the best Memorial Day weekend destinations in 2026 — organized by travel style, budget, and who you’re going with — plus practical tips on timing, crowds, and how to keep more money in your pocket by booking directly with a professional host.

Jump to a section:

• When is Memorial Day Weekend 2026?
• Memorial Day Weekend by the Numbers
• How to Choose Your Destination
• Most Googled Memorial Day Weekend Destinations
• More Great Beach Destinations for Memorial Day Weekend
• Best Cabin & Mountain Getaways for Memorial Day Weekend
• Best for Families
• Best for Couples
• Best for Groups & Friends
• How to Save Money by Booking Direct
• Memorial Day Weekend FAQs

When Is Memorial Day Weekend 2026?

Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May every year, giving most travelers a three-day weekend, though many extend the trip by taking Thursday or Friday off for a five-day getaway.

The sweet spot: Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25. Arriving Thursday and departing Tuesday means fewer crowds, lower nightly rates in most markets, and a much smoother experience on the road.

Worth noting: Memorial Day is specifically a day to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many destinations hold parades, ceremonies, and events throughout the weekend. The National Moment of Remembrance asks Americans to pause for one minute of silence at 3:00 PM local time on Monday.

Memorial Day Weekend 2026 by the Numbers

Before you pick a destination, here’s a snapshot of just how big this holiday weekend really is, and what it means practically for your planning.

• 45.1 million Americans traveled for Memorial Day 2025, a new all-time record, surpassing a mark set in 2005
• 87% of Memorial Day travelers drive, making it one of the biggest road trip weekends of the year
• 39.4 million people traveled by car in 2025, also a new record
• 3.61 million people flew, up 2% over 2024; average domestic round-trip ticket cost around 50
• Airbnb reported a 10% year-over-year increase in Memorial Day weekend searches, with 4 of the top 10 most-booked categories involving pools or water
• Destin, FL topped HomeToGo’s most-searched Memorial Day rental list; Myrtle Beach topped Booking.com’s trending destinations list
• Beach destinations and rural getaways dominate short-term rental demand, urban destinations account for only 17% of Memorial Day search volume

What this means for you: the best properties in the most popular markets book 6–8 weeks out. If you’re planning a Memorial Day trip, the time to book is now, not two weeks before the holiday.

How to Choose the Best Memorial Day Weekend Destination

Memorial Day weekend has a distinct travel character that sets it apart from spring break, summer vacation, or any other holiday. A few things that matter for this specific weekend:

It’s the unofficial start of summer, pick a place that feels like it!

Memorial Day travel is about kicking off the season. The first beach trip of the year, the first cookout with a water view, the first long weekend that actually feels warm.

Late May weather is genuinely good almost everywhere.

Beach destinations are warm but not yet brutally hot. Mountains are green and mild. Lakes are opening for the season. In late May you have more flexibility than almost any other holiday, the weather works in your favor across nearly every region of the country.

Book 6–8 weeks out, or go flexible on destination

Top markets fill fast. If you haven’t locked something in, either move quickly on your first choice or go flexible, secondary markets, adjacent towns, and Thursday–Sunday stays (instead of Friday–Monday) often have availability when the most popular options are gone.

Memorial Day crowds are real, plan around them

This is peak season opening weekend for beaches, lakes, and national parks. Beach boardwalks, major tourist areas, and interstate corridors will be congested. If you want a quieter experience, lean toward smaller coastal towns, mountain cabins slightly off the main corridor, or lake destinations that don’t make the national lists.

Most Googled Memorial Day Weekend Destinations in 2026

These are the destinations that consistently rank at the top of Memorial Day travel searches every year, backed by booking data from AAA, Booking.com, HomeToGo, and Vrbo. If you want a classic Memorial Day experience with proven rental inventory, established activities, and a real holiday atmosphere, these are where most Americans go.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is the #1 trending Memorial Day destination according to Booking.com, and it earns it. Sixty miles of Atlantic beach, a vibrant boardwalk, golf, water parks, and some of the most affordable beachfront vacation rentals on the East Coast. The city also hosts its annual Military Appreciation Days parade and free events over the holiday weekend, making Memorial Day feel genuinely meaningful here.

Destin, Florida

Destin tops HomeToGo’s most-searched Memorial Day rental list year after year. The “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” delivers emerald-green Gulf water, sugar-white sand, and world-class fishing. Vacation homes range from sprawling beachfront estates to affordable condos steps from the water. Crowds are real here over Memorial Day, book early and consider arriving Thursday to beat the Friday rush.

Panama City Beach, Florida

Just down the Gulf Coast from Destin, Panama City Beach is a perennial Memorial Day staple. Wide public beaches, waterparks, marine parks, and water sports create a lively holiday weekend atmosphere. Large vacation homes and condos make it one of the strongest group booking markets on the Gulf.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores is one of the most underrated Memorial Day beach destinations in the country. Thirty-two miles of white-sand Gulf beach at prices that are meaningfully lower than comparable Florida markets. The calm, shallow water is ideal for families with young kids, and the area consistently ranks among the most-searched Memorial Day markets on Vrbo. Orange Beach (right next door) offers the same experience with even less crowd pressure.

Orlando, Florida

Orlando tops AAA’s domestic Memorial Day destinations list, driven largely by theme parks and its proximity to Port Canaveral for cruises. For families, it’s the most reliable large-inventory market in the country: pool homes, themed houses, resort-style condos, options at every price point. Memorial Day is one of Orlando’s busiest weekends of the year, so book as early as possible and look in Kissimmee and Davenport for better rates than Disney-adjacent properties.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks is the Memorial Day destination for East Coast travelers who want something different from Florida. Over 100 miles of barrier island beaches, wild horses roaming the shoreline, historic lighthouses, and fresh local seafood, all without the resort-town feel of the Gulf Coast. Memorial Day kicks off the OBX season, so you get a lively atmosphere without the full summer crush that hits in July.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach carries particular weight on Memorial Day. The annual Salute to Summer event honors veterans with live music and oceanfront celebrations, and the city’s deep military ties make the holiday feel appropriately commemorative. Wide beaches, a three-mile boardwalk, and strong vacation rental inventory across every budget make it one of the most complete Memorial Day destinations on the East Coast.

Miami, Florida

Miami brings a different energy to Memorial Day weekend — South Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana, and world-class dining make it a destination for groups and couples who want more than beach time. It’s also one of the most expensive markets over the holiday, which makes booking direct with a host — and avoiding the 15–25% platform service fee — especially significant here.

Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Not everyone heads to the beach for Memorial Day, and the Smoky Mountains prove it. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge rank among the most-searched Memorial Day destinations on Vrbo every year. Great Smoky Mountains National Park — the most-visited national park in the country — is at its most beautiful in late May: wildflowers blooming, waterfalls full, and comfortable hiking temperatures before summer heat arrives.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville draws a significant Memorial Day crowd for live music, rooftop bars, and exceptional food. It’s become one of the strongest vacation rental markets in the country for group travel and bachelorette weekends: large homes near downtown with outdoor spaces, game rooms, and easy walkability to Broadway. A short drive from the city also puts you near Percy Priest Lake and Montgomery Bell State Park for outdoor time.

San Diego, California

San Diego’s near-perfect late May weather makes it the top Memorial Day pick for West Coast travelers. La Jolla, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and Coronado each offer a distinct vibe, giving the city unusual range for different types of travelers. San Diego also has the deepest military presence of any major U.S. city, making Memorial Day genuinely meaningful here. Book rental cars well in advance, demand spikes significantly over the holiday weekend.

More Great Beach Destinations for Memorial Day Weekend

If your first-choice destination is already booked, or you’re looking for a quieter beach experience at better prices, these destinations consistently deliver on warm weather, quality water, and strong vacation rental inventory.

Naples, Florida

Naples sits on Florida’s quiet Gulf side, calm turquoise water, pristine white sand, upscale dining, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels nothing like the Gulf Coast’s party beaches.

It’s one of the best Memorial Day options for travelers who want beautiful Gulf water without the crowd pressure of Destin or Panama City Beach. Longboat Key and Sarasota just up the coast offer a similar vibe.

Orange Beach, Alabama

Orange Beach is the best-kept secret on the Gulf Coast, sharing the same white sand and emerald water as Gulf Shores, but with less traffic, fewer chain restaurants, and more affordable rental options.

When Gulf Shores inventory is thin over Memorial Day (and it often is), Orange Beach almost always has availability at better prices.

Fort Walton Beach & Miramar Beach, Florida

These two Panhandle communities sit on either side of Destin, offering the same emerald Gulf water at lower prices and with a slightly more local feel.

Fort Walton Beach has a strong military presence — Eglin Air Force Base is nearby — making it a fitting choice for a weekend that honors veterans. Miramar Beach connects directly into the Destin corridor with full access to the same beaches, restaurants, and activities.

New Smyrna Beach, Florida

New Smyrna Beach is the Atlantic Coast alternative for travelers who find Daytona Beach too commercial and want a real Florida beach town. Surfers, artists, and independent restaurants give it a distinct character.

The historic downtown is walkable, the beach is wide and uncrowded relative to its size, and the vacation rental market has strong options at reasonable prices.

Bolivar Peninsula, Texas

Bolivar Peninsula is a barrier island across Galveston Bay — miles of uncrowded Gulf beach, a genuine small-town feel, and none of the commercial development that defines Galveston proper.

For most Texas travelers it’s a straightforward drive, and rental prices are a fraction of comparable Florida beach markets. An underrated Memorial Day option for the South-Central U.S.

Kihei, Hawaii

If you’re willing to fly, Kihei on Maui’s south shore is among the finest Memorial Day weekend destinations in the country. Walkable beaches, ocean-view condos, world-class snorkeling at Molokini Crater, and scenery that belongs on a different planet.

Memorial Day falls just before Hawaii’s summer peak, making late May one of the best windows to visit, better availability and slightly lower prices than June or July.

Best Cabin & Mountain Getaways for Memorial Day Weekend

Beach isn’t for everyone, and Memorial Day in late May is one of the best times of year to be in the mountains. Wildflowers are blooming, trails are open, and temperatures are ideal before summer heat arrives. These destinations have some of the strongest cabin and mountain rental inventory in the country.

Sevierville, Tennessee

Sevierville is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and one of the most-booked cabin markets in the country for Memorial Day weekend. Cabins here range from intimate one-bedrooms to sprawling multi-family lodges with private pools, hot tubs, and mountain views. Late May is peak beauty in the Smokies: wildflowers cover the hillsides, waterfalls are running full from spring rain, and daytime hiking temperatures are ideal. It’s also a short drive to Dollywood, Gatlinburg’s walkable downtown, and some of the best white-water rafting in the East.

Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg together form the most-visited mountain destination on the East Coast, and both rank among the most-searched Memorial Day vacation rental markets on Vrbo. Gatlinburg is the more walkable, rustic option with independent restaurants and direct national park access; Pigeon Forge is family-entertainment central, anchored by Dollywood. Both sit just south of Sevierville and share the same Smoky Mountain backdrop.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Hot Springs is one of the most genuinely underrated destinations in the South for Memorial Day weekend. Natural thermal springs feed the historic bathhouses on Bathhouse Row; Lake Ouachita (one of the cleanest lakes in the country) is minutes away for boating and kayaking; Garvan Woodland Gardens peaks in late May. Price points are significantly lower than Tennessee’s cabin markets, and it’s a straightforward drive from most of Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

Scottsdale, Phoenix & the East Valley, Arizona

Memorial Day in Arizona is pool weather, and that’s not a complaint. Resort-style homes with private pools, outdoor kitchens, and fire pits are the standard here. Scottsdale is the upscale pick with a world-class restaurant and spa scene; Phoenix, Chandler, Mesa, and Gilbert offer the same pool-home experience at lower price points. This is also one of the strongest bachelorette party and group trip markets in the country, with a wide selection of large homes near Old Town Scottsdale.

Duck Creek Village & Brian Head, Utah

For travelers who want national park scenery without the crowds, southern Utah is the answer. Duck Creek Village sits at 8,400 feet on the Markagunt Plateau, cool and green in late May, with access to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park within an hour. Brian Head ski resort transitions to mountain biking and hiking in late May. Both are dramatically underrated as Memorial Day destinations, which means better availability and lower prices than comparable Colorado markets.

Killington, Vermont

Killington runs one of the longest ski seasons in the U.S., and by Memorial Day, the mountain shifts beautifully into hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor recreation mode. The Green Mountains are at their most lush in late May, the air is crisp, and the resort crowds are a fraction of what arrives in summer. Strong vacation rental inventory makes it one of the best Northeast options for Memorial Day weekend, especially for East Coast travelers who want mountains over beach.

Best Memorial Day Weekend Destinations for Families

For families, the right Memorial Day destination has three things: space to spread out, activities for kids across age ranges, and a kitchen so you’re not eating every meal out. Vacation rentals deliver all three in a way hotels simply can’t match. Top family picks for Memorial Day 2026:

• Sevierville / Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg, TN — cabin lodges with game rooms and hot tubs, Dollywood, Smoky Mountains trails, 65–75 °F
• Myrtle Beach / North Myrtle Beach, SC — 60+ miles of beach, boardwalk entertainment, budget-friendly rentals, Military Appreciation Days events, low-to-mid 80s °F
• Naples / Gulf Shores / Orange Beach — calm shallow Gulf water perfect for young kids, lower prices than Florida’s Gulf Panhandle, low-to-mid 80s °F
• Kissimmee / Davenport, FL — theme park access, large pool homes, massive rental inventory at every price point, high 80s °F
• Kihei, HI — calm beginner-friendly beaches, snorkeling, ocean-view condos, low 80s °F
• Panama City Beach, FL — water parks, marine parks, wide public beach, strong group home inventory, mid-to-upper 80s °F

A quick note on vacation rentals vs. hotels for family travel: a vacation rental gives you a full kitchen (breakfasts and lunches at home instead of restaurants), private outdoor space for kids, separate bedrooms so adults have quiet time, and a lower per-person cost when you factor in dining savings. For a four or five-night Memorial Day stay with a family, the math usually favors a rental significantly.

Best Memorial Day Weekend Destinations for Couples

Couples on Memorial Day weekend tend to prioritize scenery, privacy, and experiences over pure beach access. Late May is an excellent time for romantic travel — the weather is ideal, peak crowds haven’t fully arrived yet, and many destinations are at their most beautiful. Top couple-friendly picks:

• Kihei, Maui — ocean views, snorkeling, romantic sunsets, low 80s °F
• Naples, FL — upscale Gulf Coast calm, walkable waterfront, beautiful homes, low-to-mid 80s °F
• Hot Springs, AR — thermal springs, Lake Ouachita, genuinely restorative, low-to-mid 80s °F
• Sedona, AZ — red rock scenery, spa retreats, sunset hikes, upper 80s °F
• Killington, VT — Green Mountains in full bloom, crisp air, peaceful, 50s–65 °F
• Fort Lauderdale, FL — waterways, walkable neighborhoods, easy airport access, mid-to-upper 80s °F
• Miramar Beach / Destin, FL — emerald Gulf water, walkable beach communities, mid-to-upper 80s °F

Best Memorial Day Weekend Destinations for Groups & Friends

Group travel over Memorial Day weekend works best when you have a single home base — private pool, outdoor kitchen, enough bedrooms for everyone, and a location where there’s actually something to do when you’re not at the house. Top group picks:

• Myrtle Beach, SC — beach-central, affordable, Military Appreciation Days events, 60+ miles of coastline, low-to-mid 80s °F
• Sevierville, TN — large multi-family cabin lodges with hot tubs and game rooms, mountain setting, 65–75 °F
• Scottsdale / Chandler, AZ — resort-style pool homes, golf courses, walkable Old Town Scottsdale, upper 90s–low 100s °F
• Destin / Fort Walton Beach / Miramar Beach, FL — Gulf Coast beach with strong large-home inventory, mid-to-upper 80s °F
• Panama City Beach, FL — water sports, group-sized homes, waterparks, lively holiday atmosphere, mid-to-upper 80s °F
• New Orleans, LA — Jazz Fest energy lingers into late May, world-class food, music, historic rental homes, low-to-mid 80s °F

How to Save Money on Memorial Day Weekend Vacation Rentals

Memorial Day weekend is peak season pricing everywhere. But travelers who know how to book smart can save hundreds of dollars on the exact same trip. The biggest lever is one most people don’t think about.

Skip the platform fees: book direct

Airbnb, Vrbo, and most major booking platforms add a service fee of 15–20% on top of the nightly rate. On a $200/night home over a three-night Memorial Day stay, that’s over $100 in fees — before you’ve spent a dollar on food, gas, or activities. That fee goes to the platform, not the host. When you book directly with a property manager through a platform like Stay, you pay the actual nightly rate. No service fee. No markup. Stay hosts pay a flat annual subscription; travelers keep the difference.

Arrive Thursday, leave Tuesday

The busiest travel days are Friday through Monday. Arriving Thursday and departing Tuesday gets you the same trip with less traffic, lower nightly rates in many markets, and far better availability on the properties you actually want.

Traffic analytics firm INRIX advises departing before 11am Friday, before noon Saturday, before 1pm Sunday, and before 2pm Monday if you’re driving.

Look at the town next door

When Destin is sold out, Fort Walton Beach and Miramar Beach are right there on the same Gulf stretch with the same water and often 20–30% lower rates. When Gatlinburg is full, Sevierville is five minutes away with three times the cabin inventory.

When Myrtle Beach is booked, North Myrtle Beach is right up the coast. Secondary markets consistently offer better availability and better prices for the same region.

Compare at least three homes before booking

Nightly rates for similar homes in the same market can vary by hundreds of dollars. Spend 20 minutes comparing three to five properties — look at cleaning fees, minimum stay requirements, and what’s actually included.

A home that looks more expensive per night is sometimes cheaper in total once the fee structure is factored in.

Talk to the host before you book

When you book direct, you’re communicating with the actual property manager — a real person who can answer specific questions, confirm what’s stocked, discuss early check-in, or flag anything relevant about the property or neighborhood. That conversation doesn’t happen when you’re a booking number on a platform.

Stay is a no-fee vacation rental marketplace: travelers book direct with professional property managers, pay no service fees, and keep the money that would otherwise go to platform middlemen. Browse Memorial Day weekend rentals at staywithstay.com.

Memorial Day Weekend 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

When is Memorial Day 2026?

Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25. It is observed on the last Monday in May every year.

The holiday travel window typically runs Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25, with many travelers extending to Tuesday for a cleaner departure.

What are the most popular Memorial Day weekend destinations?

The most-searched Memorial Day destinations are Myrtle Beach (SC), Destin (FL), Panama City Beach (FL), Gulf Shores (AL), Orlando (FL), the Outer Banks (NC), and Gatlinburg (TN). Beach destinations dominate overall demand, but Smoky Mountain cabin markets consistently rank among the top vacation rental destinations specifically.

How early should I book a Memorial Day weekend rental?

For top-demand destinations, book 6–8 weeks in advance — many popular beach homes and cabins in Destin, Myrtle Beach, and the Smoky Mountains are fully booked by mid-April. That said, availability exists in secondary markets, adjacent towns, and for flexible travelers willing to look beyond the most obvious choices.

What is the cheapest Memorial Day weekend destination?

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach (AL), Myrtle Beach (SC), Hot Springs (AR), and the Smoky Mountain communities in Tennessee consistently offer the best value. Booking direct with a host (rather than through Airbnb or Vrbo) also reduces cost meaningfully at any destination by eliminating the 15–25% service fee.

Is it cheaper to book a vacation rental directly?

Yes, almost always. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo add a service fee of 15% on top of the nightly rate. When you book directly with a property manager — through a direct booking platform like Staywithstay.com — that fee disappears entirely. On a three-night Memorial Day stay at $200/night, direct booking saves $120 before you’ve packed a bag. The property is identical. The host is the same. The only difference is who keeps the fee.

What is the weather like on Memorial Day weekend?

Late May weather varies by region. Gulf Coast and Florida: low-to-mid 80s °F. Southeast Atlantic (Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach): mid-to-upper 70s °F. Smoky Mountains and Southern Appalachians: mild 60s–75 °F. Vermont and Northeast mountains: cool 50s–65 °F. Arizona desert: upper 90s–low 100s °F. Hawaii: low 80s °F. In general, late May is one of the most comfortable travel periods of the year — warm at the beach, mild and beautiful in the mountains.

Is Memorial Day weekend a good time to travel?

Yes, with clear eyes about the crowds. Late May weather is excellent almost everywhere, properties are at their seasonal best, and the long weekend gives you real flexibility. The key is booking ahead, arriving Thursday if possible, and having a backup destination in mind if your first choice is sold out.

Are vacation rentals better than hotels for Memorial Day weekend?

For families and groups, almost always. A vacation rental gives you a full kitchen (saving significantly on food costs over multiple nights), private outdoor space, separate bedrooms, and a shared living area, the kind of experience that makes a long weekend feel like an actual trip rather than a series of hotel room evenings. The per-person cost for a group is almost always lower than comparable hotel rooms, especially when you factor in platform fees on hotel booking sites.

What’s the best time to drive on Memorial Day weekend?

Traffic analytics firm INRIX advises departing before 11am Friday, before noon Saturday, before 1pm Sunday, and before 2pm Monday to avoid peak congestion. Afternoons throughout the holiday weekend are the most congested on major corridors. Traveling Thursday or returning Tuesday is the clearest way to avoid the worst of it.

How can I avoid Memorial Day weekend crowds?

Choose secondary markets adjacent to the most popular destinations, arrive Thursday instead of Friday, and consider mountain or lake destinations over the top beach markets.

Within popular beach towns, properties a half-mile or more from the main beach access points are quieter, often significantly cheaper, and still minutes from the water.

What is the meaning of Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces. Originally known as Decoration Day, it began after the Civil War as a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. It was formalized as a national holiday in 1971. A National Moment of Remembrance asks Americans to pause for one minute of silence at 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day.

Many communities hold parades, ceremonies, and memorial services throughout the weekend, and many of the destinations in this guide have events specifically tied to honoring veterans.

Ready to Book Your Memorial Day Weekend 2026 Getaway?

Memorial Day weekend 2026 — May 23–25 — is one of the best opportunities of the year to kick off summer with a trip worth remembering. The destinations in this guide have the inventory, the weather, and the atmosphere to make the long weekend genuinely great.

The one thing that separates a good booking from a great one: skipping the platform fee. Stay connects travelers directly with professional property managers, no service fees, no markup, no middleman taking 15% of your vacation budget.

Browse Memorial Day weekend vacation rentals at staywithstay.com and keep the savings for the trip itself.