I’m going to tell you something that you probably wouldn’t expect to hear from a travel blogger: I don’t like traveling on Memorial Day Weekend.
I 100% understand why people book a vacation this time of year: it’s the unofficial start of summer, the weather is (usually) ideal, and it’s a 3-day weekend. I traveled to the beach a couple of times during MDW in college, and honestly? I thought it was overrated. The traffic was horrific, hotel rates were sky high, and everything was super crowded. It just wasn’t for me!
Nowadays, I like to kick off summer with a good ol’ Memorial Day weekend staycation. Even though I live in a fairly touristy town, since I don’t live near the beach, a lot of those tourists choose to vacation elsewhere for MDW â meaning, us locals pretty much have the city to ourselves during the holiday weekend.
If you don’t have Memorial Day Weekend travel plans this year, here’s how you can have the perfect staycation at home!
Take a Quick Day Trip
So, you might not have a grand vacation planned. But, chances are, there’s a cool day trip you can take that’s within an hour of you. If there’s a destination that’s only an hour or so away from home, grab a friend or loved one, hop in the car, and make a day out of it. Day trips are fantastic because it’s a great way to explore new places without having to book a hotel or spend a ton of money.
Day trip ideas that are always on our list? We like to explore other nearby wineries, experience nearby museums or galleries, or visit some of the charming, smaller towns around us to get a change of scenery!
Protect Your Skin
No matter what you’re doing this Memorial Day Weekend, you’re likely going to be outside, enjoying the summer weather. Now is the perfect time to stock up on sunscreen!
I’ve shared this product over on Instagram a few times, but right now I am loving Olay Sun Face Sunscreen + Shine Control with SPF 35. As a woman of color, it’s been a bit difficult to find a sunscreen that isn’t greasy and doesn’t leave me feeling ashy, but this product works wonders.
I have combination skin, and I love how this product mattifies my t-zone and reduces shine. Plus, it goes on super lightweight and is easy to apply. It’s perfect to wear as a makeup primer, or on its own for those days when you don’t feel like putting on any foundation or powder. I’ve been wearing this product daily, whether I know I’m going to be out in the sun a lot, or if I’m working indoors (do you know you can still get exposed to the sun even when you’re inside? Crazy!)
Note: this product isn’t waterproof so if you plan on doing any swimming I’d opt for another activewear SPF, but it is perfect if you just like to lie out near the pool (and not get in the water) like I do!
Enjoy Some Quality Pool Time
To be candid: the pool in our apartment complex did open up last month, so we’ve been able to enjoy a few pool days before MDW. However, I know a lot of people in my complex like to travel over the weekend, and our pool won’t be super crowded â so I plan on getting there early this weekend, diving into a book and soaking up all of the sunshine!
Don’t have a pool in your neighborhood? If you want a luxury pool experience, check and see if a local hotel or gym offers day passes for pool access! Otherwise, a public pool is also a fantastic option.
Be a Tourist in Your Own City
While the tourists are still out and about in D.C. on Memorial Day Weekend, the city is a lot more quiet than usual since its not a waterfront destination. I like to take advantage of those quieter times to rediscover my hometown and do all of the touristy things I love — without those major crowds!
Also, pro tip: check to see if your favorite, hard to get into restaurant has any open tables this weekend. If you don’t live on the water, chances are that they might have an open table or two this weekend!
What are your Memorial Day Weekend plans?
Photos by Tom McGovern
Thank you to Olay for partnering with me on today’s memorial day weekend staycation post! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
