We all love to go on vacations, but sometimes we can’t take extra time off of work, so instead of a two-week getaway, we might have to settle for a three-day excursion over a long weekend. The first question is, where to go? But the real question is this: is it affordable? Thankfully we’ve got the answers for you here. Keep reading to get the four best affordable three day weekend trips.

1. Los Angeles, California 

What has been called the “entertainment capital of the world” by many has many different sights and spots for tourists, especially those with only three days to spend. There are in-city highlights, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame (which includes spots like the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater), Griffith Park and Observatory, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (locally known as the LACMA), and Santa Monica Pier.

Getting around Tinseltown’s vast land area requires reliable transportation, so car rental is a must, but if you’re traveling with a family in tow (or several friends), consider a Los Angeles van rental service so you can all pile in together and still ride comfortably.

This way, you also don’t have to worry about getting separated in one of the city’s many infamous traffic jams.

2. Las Vegas, Nevada  

Don’t let the nickname “Sin City” fool or dissuade you. There are of course many adult oriented attractions in Las Vegas—gambling being the obvious one—but there are also many tourist attractions available for those of us who have a three day weekend to spend in Vegas. These can include checking out the entire Strip and seeing all of the historically famous casinos, whether it’s the Bellagio with its fountains or the Mirage and its volcano.

Generally speaking, seeing the Strip where all the major and famous casinos reside is probably where you’ll get the most out of the tourist experience in Las Vegas. There is no shortage of hotels that you can choose from, both opulent and affordable. If you’re traveling with your family or a group of friends—say a bachelorette party or a birthday celebration—consider reserving a passenger van from a company like State Van Rental to make getting around Vegas that much easier.

3. New Orleans, Louisiana 

New Orleans is the musical heart of the Deep South and holds a lot of its most vibrant culture that you can easily experience over a solid three day weekend.

There is of course the French District, but that doesn’t exactly narrow it down. There are many places to eat, drink, and even catch live blues music all over New Orleans’ French Quarter, but there are also famous sightseeing locations including the St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo.

Granted, having kids on your three day weekend may limit you in terms of what you see, but there are still plenty of options that are fun for the whole family, including swamp tours, Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World, and of course, the Louisiana Children’s Museum.

4. New York City, New York 

What would a list of suggestions for good, affordable three day weekend trips be without mentioning the Big Apple, New York City? It’s almost impossible to think of a city that doesn’t have as many of the sheer number of possible tourist attractions and locations that New York City does, whether it’s Time’s Square, Broadway, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, or the Guggenheim Museum, which can all afford a lot of memorable sights for people looking for a fun three day weekend.

New York City is known for its versatile public transit system, which can really help make the experience more affordable for some.

It can take you from any of the boroughs of New York City, whether it’s Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Long Island. Each of these places has its own character, though Manhattan arguably has the most cultural variety, with places like Chinatown and Little Italy.

So that covers four of the best affordable trips you can take during a three day period. Consider these and more when planning your next weekend getaway! For for related travel and planning a quick trip I found 5 Tips T0 Plan A The Perfect Weekend Getaway on “The Kindest Way”.

Image Sources:

Image 1: Santa Monica Pier

Image 2: Bellagio Resort

Image 3: Jackson Square

Image 4: Guggenheim Museum