Memorial Day weekend stays
Best for: families, friend groups, long-weekend travelers. First long weekend of summer. Beach season opens.
Why Now
The unofficial start of summer
Memorial Day weekend is the first 3-day weekend of summer for most Americans. Beach towns open for the season. Lake houses fill up. National parks hit their sweet spot between spring crowds and summer heat.
For 2026, Memorial Day falls on May 25. That gives you a Friday-through-Monday window — enough for a proper beach trip, a lake house gathering, or a national park road trip.
The key to Memorial Day travel: book early. Beach houses and lakefront rentals are the first to sell out. Hotels in popular beach towns fill weeks in advance. Book now with free cancellation to secure your spot.
Stay Type
Hotel or whole home?
Memorial Day trips lean heavily toward vacation homes, but hotels have their place too.
Planning a quick city trip over the long weekend? A hotel keeps things simple. Heading to the beach or lake with family or friends? A vacation home is almost always the better call.
Hotel Stay
- Best for solo or couples city trips over the long weekend
- Beach resort hotels if you want pools and room service
- National park lodge hotels for a classic park experience
- Free cancellation and member prices on Hotels.com
Whole Home
- Best for beach houses, lake houses, and group gatherings
- Full kitchens for cookouts and group meals
- Yards, pools, docks — the Memorial Day experience
- Split costs across your group for per-person savings
- Pet-friendly options for traveling with dogs
Where to Go
Best Memorial Day destinations
Beach towns, lake houses, and national parks — the three pillars of a good Memorial Day weekend.
Gulf Shores, AL
White sand beaches without the Florida price tag. Great for families looking for an affordable beach weekend.
Outer Banks, NC
Beach houses with ocean views. Memorial Day is the start of the season — lower rates than June and July.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Affordable beach town with condos and houses for every budget. One of the most popular Memorial Day destinations.
Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Lakefront homes with docks and boat access. Memorial Day weekend kicks off the lake season.
Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
Mountain lake cabins and homes. Late May means warm days, cool nights, and uncrowded trails.
Great Smoky Mountains
The most-visited national park. Late May brings warm weather, green mountains, and waterfalls at peak flow.
Which Brand?
Match your Memorial Day trip to the right platform
Expedia
Best for full trip planning
Plan your entire trip in one place — flights, hotels, cars, activities, and packages.
Best for flight+hotel bundles if you are flying to a beach destination or national park.
Hotels.com
Best for hotel stays
Find the right hotel fast — with member prices, rewards, and free cancellation.
Best for weekend hotel stays in beach towns or near national parks. Member prices add savings.
Vrbo
Best for whole-home stays
Entire homes, cabins, and villas — more space, more privacy, and often better value for groups.
Best for beach houses, lake houses, and group homes. The go-to platform for Memorial Day travel.
Memorial Day Travel FAQ
When is Memorial Day 2026?
What are the best Memorial Day trip types?
How far ahead should I book for Memorial Day?
Affiliate Disclosure
Bestselling.guide earns commissions from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo when you book through our links. This doesn't affect your price. Our recommendations are based on trip fit, not commission rates. Prices shown are starting rates — always check the total price on the booking site before completing your purchase.