Have you planned out where to go for the Memorial Day holiday yet? Given that this unofficial kickoff to summer is among the busiest travel weekends of the year, now is the time to lock in your getaway plans since airfare will only increase for the most sought-after destinations.

To help you save on flights, we selected 11 places to visit Memorial Day weekend that aren’t all that expensive to get to. Some are perfect for celebrating the American spirit, and others are dreamy destinations outside of the mainland for a far-flung adventure.

11 places to go on Memorial Day weekend

1. Washington, DC

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that Memorial Day is a dedicated time to honor those who served in US Armed Forces who have lost their lives. There's no better way to pay your respects than to visit Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), located in Virginia just on the other side of the Potomac River from Washington, DC.

Covering 624 acres, ANC is the nation’s largest military cemetery, where thousands of veterans and their immediate family members have been laid to rest. Rolling hills dotted with white marble headstones provide a tranquil setting for reflection. Every 30 minutes from April 1 through September 30, there's an elaborate changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, is one of only two US presidents buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and an eternal flame marks the head of his gravesite.

On the other side of the river, DC is full of life for the holiday weekend. The free National Memorial Day Concert will be held on the West Lawn of the US Capitol on the Sunday before Memorial Day, with the National Memorial Day Parade going down Constitution Avenue the next day. Aside from the festivities, there are lots of monuments, museums, and other treasures to visit in DC that will easily fill up your long weekend.

2. Orlando, Florida

The epicenter of thrilling theme parks also knows how to throw patriotic parties for Memorial Day weekend. Choose from a Memorial Day 5k, ICON Park festivities, fireworks displays, and lively events like the downtown bar crawl. Beyond holiday celebrations, spend a day or two enjoying theme parks and take a stroll through some of Orlando’s chic tree-lined neighborhoods or the Harry P Leu Gardens, sprawling across 50 acres of the city. You can stay centrally at the chic Waldorf Astoria Orlando, or splash out at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas right inside the park.

3. Austin, Texas

Americans may be divided on sports and politics, but one thing everyone will agree on is that barbecue is part of the country’s culinary heritage. Austin is one of the best places to visit Memorial Day weekend for those who want to chow down on America’s top meaty eats alongside a thriving craft beer scene.

Beyond beer and BBQ, join the locals in celebrating the holiday weekend by getting outside, like paddleboarding or kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, tubing in Hill Country, camping and hiking in state parks (try McKinney Falls State Park), or just enjoying a picnic and frisbee at Zilker Park.

4. Indianapolis, Indiana

Each Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of thousands of racing fans flock to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to attend the wildly popular Indy 500. Dozens of drivers compete in this hours-long race of 200 laps, totaling 500 miles. There’s adrenaline and excitement in the air, not to mention a definite feeling of patriotism among race attendees.

Pre-race ceremonies include marching band performances, the singing of patriotic songs and the national anthem, a US military aircraft flyover, and a moment of silence for US service members who lost their lives.

The race itself is always scheduled for the Sunday before Memorial Day (barring a rain delay), but there are countless other events you can attend in Indianapolis throughout the weekend. Get a look at vintage race cars, watch race practice sessions, rock out to concerts, and more. Find a hotel nearby, like the classic Omni Severin, or consider staying onsite in a tent or an RV, as camping in the field outside the speedway gives way to impromptu celebrations throughout the weekend.

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the long flight to Hawaii, knowing you're headed to one of the most beautiful and serene places to visit Memorial Day weekend. Honolulu plays host to many events during the holiday weekend, like the lantern floating ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park and the city mayor's annual ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, which features a color guard, wreath presentation, firearm salute, and performances by the Sounds of Aloha Chorus and the Royal Hawaiian Band. A visit to Honolulu for Memorial Day weekend wouldn't be complete without a stop at Pearl Harbor — a very worthy way to honor the purpose of this holiday.

This Memorial Day weekend can be the ideal time to check Hawaii off the bucket list, as flights start at just $387 for a round-trip ticket from the mainland.

6. New York City

As one of the nation's most iconic city's, NYC is among the best places to go on Memorial Day weekend. There's loads to do, like visit the Intrepid Museum Memorial Day ceremony, go to Brooklyn’s Memorial Day Parade, and head to the shore for the opening of beaches and Luna Park in Coney Island. Want even more options? You can hop abroad a yacht party on the Hudson, catch a Yankees' game, and enjoy the warm weather and skyline views at a rooftop bar or restaurant.

With flights starting at $90, you can save your vacation budget for a blowout shopping trip on 5th Avenue, a multi-course meal at one of more than 70 Michelin-starred restaurants, or an extension of your vacation outside NYC.

7. Denver, Colorado

Appreciating the land that our veterans defended is a great way to spend Memorial Day weekend. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or just soaking in the magnificent views, Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is a wonderful spot for a getaway and a symbol of American beauty and freedom. When you’re in the Rockies, take a leisurely drive on the scenic 48-mile Trail Ridge Road (be sure to stop at the Forest Canyon Overlook), hike to picturesque Emerald Lake, and enjoy tranquility at Bierstadt Lake.

Use Denver as your base camp to the park. This lively city is home to the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team, gorgeous botanic gardens, impressive museums, scores of phenomenal breweries, and the world-renowned Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Over the long holiday weekend, enjoy events like the Denver Arts Festival and the Boulder Creek Fest, which both feature live performances and a family-friendly atmosphere.

8. Las Vegas, Nevada

Sin City celebrates the holiday weekend just as you'd expect it to — with blowout pool parties, performances by chart-topping artists, and DJs spinning at nightclubs through the wee hours of the morning.

When you're ready to slow down a little after all the excitement, head downtown to see Old Vegas and The Mob Museum, which details the history of organized crime in the US. Another not-to-miss spot is the Neon Museum, with its graveyard of old signs from closed-up casinos and other local businesses. You can get out of dodge, too, for a day trip to the nearby Red Rocks, Valley of Fire State Park, Death Valley in California, or the Hoover Dam on the border between Nevada and Arizona.

9. San Diego, California

Honoring the nation’s service members is something the city of San Diego already does on a daily basis, which makes it a natural place to go on Memorial Day weekend. After booking a stay at a gorgeous hotel downtown, start your visit by learning about military history at the USS Midway Museum. You’ll step aboard an aircraft carrier that served as a “city at sea” for thousands of sailors. While there, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes opportunity to explore both the flight deck and below deck.

Back on dry land, the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park honors the contributions of US service members, and the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is the ideal spot to pay your respects to lives that have been lost in service to the country.

Since Memorial Day is also about celebrating all things American, there’s no better place to enjoy some of the best brews in the country. The craft beer scene has exploded from coast to coast, and it’s especially thriving in San Diego. Try a pint at these celebrated breweries: Ballast Point, Stone, and EPPIG Brewing.

10. San Juan, Puerto Rico

Embrace freedom and fun with parties and performances in San Juan's bars and clubs. Beyond nightlife entertainment, this US territory is bursting with rich history, gorgeous beaches, and even the country’s only tropical rainforest, El Yunque. Spend time exploring the city, weaving through the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, grabbing a big plate of mofongo at El Jibarito, and having a breezy peek at the kite flyers surrounding the El Morro fort by the ocean. If there’s time, take a day trip to El Yunque rainforest to be awed by its incredible biodiversity.

11. Cancun, Mexico

While you won't experience parades, fireworks, and Memorial Day ceremonies in Mexico, you may to use the long weekend to travel a bit further. Cancun is especially ready to welcome you to its wide array of luxurious resorts that are perfect for relaxation, indulgence, and soaking up the sun. After pool time and spa sessions, stretch your legs outside of the resort and head out on a day trip to dive into cenotes (natural sinkholes), snorkel in the Underwater Museum of Art, or explore the grand Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, offering a sacred space that’s more than 1,500 years old.

Final thoughts: Good places to go for Memorial Day weekend

Whether you choose to enjoy the National Memorial Day Parade in DC, bite into some Texas BBQ in Austin, pay your respects at Pearl Harbor, or hike trails in the Rockies, Memorial Day weekend is the perfect opportunity to honor the past while celebrating the start of the summer season.