Memorial Day weekend may be less than a week away, but its not too late to plan a last-minute escape. Fortunately, you dont need to venture too far from home to experience an epic weekend getaway to ring in the unofficial start of summer. Ahead, weve rounded up five of our favorite Memorial Day weekend getaways, each within easy driving distance of major U.S. cities such as Miami, New York and Los Angeles. From a laid-back SoCal beach town where surf and sand reign supreme to a tranquil lakefront retreat in northwest Idaho, keep reading for our favorite last-minute Memorial Day weekend vacation spots for a spontaneous sojourn.

　　Coeur dAlene, Idaho Named forthe lake on which it lies, Coeur dAlene is just under five hours from Seattle. The vibrantdowntown areahome to over 100 quaint shops, restaurants and local businessesis within easy walking distance of the lake. Out on the water, travelers can go fishing, rafting, jet-skiing and water skiing; alternatively, stay on land to soak up the sunny weather or enjoy a scenic hike or bike ride at the lakefrontCity Park, theCanfield Mountain Natural Area or theCoeur d'Alene National Forest. Meanwhile, golfers can perfect their swing at thecourse at Coeur dAlene Resort, where you'll find the one and only Floating Green, described by the property as the first and only floating, movable island golf green that changes position via an intricate, underwater cable system.

　　Where to stay: Open since 2021,One Lakeside Resort is renowned for its lakefront locale and residential-style suites, making it an excellent choice for groups. Watch the sunsetwith a glass of vino in hand, of courseby the fire pits as you toast to an excellent trip.

　　Fort Myers, Florida Kick off the unofficial start to summer in sunny Fort Myers. While the city is just a quick three-hour drive from Miami, it somehow feels worlds away. Here, visitors can take their pick of pristine sugar-sandbeaches to post up on. Post beach, check outdowntown Fort Myers (also known as the River District), where youll find ample drinking and dining options, includingIzzys for fresh-shucked oysters andCoastal Dayz Brewery for hazy IPAs, along with eclectic shops and galleries (dont miss theCreating Accidents on Purpose craft studio). Venture outside of the city center for even more fun: Marvel at majestic fauna inJ.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge, stroll the grounds ofEdison and Ford Winter Estates, book aboat tour around Captiva Island and, if youre up for it, embark on part of the 200-mile-longGreat Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail.

　　Where to stay: Get on island time and sip margaritas all day, every day (because its always 5 o'clock somewhereright?) at Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach, where the beachy decor and tropical rooms set the scene for a fun-filled escape.

　　Alexandria, Virginia Spend Memorial Day in historicAlexandria, Virginia, mere minutes from D.C. or a four-hour car or train from New York City. The waterfront city teems with public artinstallations and murals, many for prime photo ops. Enjoy a picnic in one of eightriverside parks or bask in the river views at restaurants likeAdas On The River andVolas Dockside Grill. While you can easily spend all day eating, drinking, and shopping in Alexandrias charming cobblestone-lined Old Town neighborhood, we recommendgetting out on the water for the city's best views and surrounding sites. At the end of the day, cool off with a refreshing treat from the nostalgia-inducingPops Old Fashioned Ice Cream or Dairy Godmother.

　　Where to Stay:Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection is a literary-themed luxury hotel housed in a Federalist-style building. Expect elegant accommodations, nightly wine hours (Sunday-Tuesday), a cozy parlor and library area and a swanky bar and restaurant.

　　Photograph: Shutterstock/Steve HeapAlexandria, VA Huntington Beach, California Known asSurf City USA, Huntington Beach stands out for its 10 miles of wide, sandybeaches and excellent year-round swelland, best of all, its just an hours drive from Los Angeles. Traveling with your pup in tow? Check out the destinationsdog-friendly beachalong the Pacific Coast Highway. After ascenic bike ride,kayaking adventure, a stroll along thepier or ayoga session on the beach, refuel with a poke bowl or sushi roll atBear Flag Fish Co. washed down with a latte fromPhilz Coffee, both of which are within easy walking distance of the sand. Before heading out to dinner at Bluegold, head to one of the citys several rooftop bars, includingOffshore 9 Rooftop Lounge and theTreehouse on PCH, to watch the sun slip away over the ocean while sipping refreshing cocktails.

　　Where to Stay: I may be biased since I stayed here personally, but theWaterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, offers an excellent home base for exploring Huntington Beach. The on-site amenitiesincluding four drinking and dining venues, two expansive pool complexes, and a tranquil spaare especially noteworthy. Also, don't sleep on the banana bread at Surf Hero Marketplace.

　　Ogunquit, Maine This beloved Mainebeach town makes an ideal easy escape from Boston (approx. 90 minutes) or New York (around five hours). Ogunquit offers three miles ofbeaches, including Main Beach, Footbridge Beach and North Beach. Enjoy a scenic stroll along the 1.25-mile-longMarginal Way cliff walk before heading toPerkins Cove, where you can pop into independent shops likeKiki's and Out of the Blue. For a truly unique experience, embark on aboat tour, be it a breakfast cruise, lobstering trip or sailing excursion. Finally, foodies can embark on a DIY lobster-themed food tour of the destination with stops atOgunquit Lobster Pound,Barnacle Billy's,The Lobster Shack andFootbridge Lobster.

　　Where to Stay: Opening on May 24 just in time for your Memorial Day Weekend getaway, The Dunes on the Waterfront spans 12 acres of oceanfront lawns. Accommodations include one- to three-bedroom coastal cottages, each with luxe amenities like fireplaces, private porches and wet bars. Theres also a swimming pool overlooking the Atlantic, row boats, waterfront yoga classes, beach bike cruisers and lawn games.