The Best 3-Day Trips to Take in the U.S.
With the 4-day work week on the horizon (one can hope, right?), the 3-day weekend is becoming more popular than ever! Whether your company is a fan of a great work life balance, or you just want to take advantage of a free Friday or Monday, here are some great 3-day trips you can take to maximize a short vacation.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California, is my favorite stop for a 3-day weekend. While you can certainly spend more than 3-days here, that amount of time is perfect to get a feel for this west coast city. In three days, you can explore the popular Pier 39, ride an e-bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, take a historic trolley tour, and even tour the infamous Alcatraz prison. The north side of the city near Fisherman’s Wharf is a great place to stay to do all of these activities.
Flying into the San Francisco airport and taking an Uber to your hotel is the best way to access San Fran. Once in town, you don’t need a vehicle…everything is walkable and public transportation is simple {Download the Muni App and purchase a $13.00 passport for the day to have access to all buses and historic trolleys}.
Here are some recommendations for a 3-day trip to the Golden Gate City:
E-bike across the GG Bridge
Start one day with a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Blazing Saddles is a great company; you can rent an electric bike for $48 for 2-hours. It is very easy to navigate the trails, totally worth it! I would not recommend trying to bike with a regular bicycle- the hills are pretty damning. Tickets are usually cheaper in advance, so buy online!
Lunch on Pier 39
After your bike excursion, you can walk over to Pier 39 for lunch. This is located in Fisherman’s Wharf and hosts some unique shops and dining experiences.
Evening Alcatraz Tour
Alcatraz is one of the most interesting places I have ever seen. If you don’t know the history on this ex-maximum security prison, it is referred to as “The Rock”, as it is located on an island off shore. It once housed the most notorious criminals in history, including Scarface. The evening tour is haunting..and surprisingly gives you one of the most incredible sunset views I’ve ever seen. You should definitely purchase tickets before hand- you can book here. The cruise will depart a 10-minute walk from Pier 39, and I would advise arriving 30-minutes early.
Historic Trolly Ride
One of the things that makes San Francisco so unique is their history trollies. You know, the kind you see in old-timey movies. They still exist and they are SO cool. You can take the trolly from Market Street to Beach Street (and vice versa), as well as from Powell to Fisherman’s Wharf. Again, download the Muni Mobile app to purchase a passport to ride. The trolly will take you to see some fantastic views- it will even take you to Lombard Street, another icon of San Francisco.
Ghirardelli Square
Home of the Ghirardelli chocolate masters, Ghirardelli Square has 3+ chocolate stores where you can create your own milkshake, sample fudge, and buy all the chocolate flavors you can imagine. There are also some cute restaurants with a view.
Alamo Square
I’ll be there for youuuu….anyone remember Full House? The famous Full House intro was filmed in Alamo Square, and features the Painted Ladies. This is a great place to have a picnic and take in the views. I would recommend taking an e-bike or public transit.
Other Considerations
San Francisco is incredibly hilly. If you aren’t in for a killer calf workout, I would advise seriously considering public transit or an e-bike. It can also get very chilly at night, especially on an Alcatraz night tour. Pack appropriately! San Fran is home to so many delicious restaurants, so if you are a foodie- you will have a wonderful time!
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Manitou Springs is a magical town located just an hour south of Denver, and 30-minutes west of Colorado Springs. This town has enough to keep anyone busy for 3-days, but I would recommend this trip for the adventure seeker. Manitou is home to beautiful hikes, an adorable downtown, and even has a train that takes you to the top of Pike’s Peak.
To get to Manitou Springs, you can either fly into the Colorado Springs regional airport, or the Denver International Airport. Either way, you will need to rent a car to get to Manitou. While the town itself is walkable, to access hikes and other activities you will likely need a vehicle.
Here are some recommendations for a 3-day trip to Manitou Springs:
Pike’s Peak
Pike’s Peak is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains- coming in at 14,115 feet. Depending on the season and how much snow is at the top, you can drive up yourself for $50 per car (as of March 2023), or you can take the famous Cog Railway to the top. *Special consideration- elevation sickness is REAL. I would recommend taking a day to adjust to the altitude before traveling up Pike’s Peak. Even so- make sure you drink plenty of water.
SunWater Spa
If you are in the mood to relax, SunWater Spa has a lot of offerings that might interest you. With spas fed by hot mineral springs, you can soak in the hot tubs for up to 90-minutes for just $45. You can also opt for a massage or facial for a full day of relaxation.
Downtown Manitou
The town of Manitou is like something from a storybook. Lined with old victorian style buildings that are now unique restaurants and shops, there is something for everyone here. You can easily spend the evening strolling these streets, maybe even enjoying some live entertainment. Check out Border Burger Bar for a delicious, award winning burger, or the Christmas in Manitou shop for some seasonal magic.
Hikes at Garden of The Gods, Seven Falls, and the Manitou Incline
If you are looking for a good hike, visit the Garden of the Gods for some easy strolls, and some more challenging trails. The Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs, just outside of Manitou- you will need to drive to get here. This landmark is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado. GoG is free of charge.
If you’d like a hike that is a little more challenging, check out Seven Falls. You will need to take a shuttle from the Penrose Center to the actual park. Once there, you will be able to take a number of hikes to view the seven waterfalls that are located in a natural box canyon. This park will cost $17 per person.
Finally- for an extremely challenging hike, check out the Manitou Incline. If you are coming from sea level, I would not recommend this hike. This hike consists of 2,744 steps to climb 2,000 ft in elevation in under one mile. It is STRENUOUS even for the most in-shape, avid hiker. Once at the top, you will need to take the Barr Trail down. This can take 2+ hours and is 4.5 miles round trip. This hike, while challenging, is incredibly worth it for the views at the top. This is free to do, but you will need to make a timed reservation. I would recommend scheduling this in the morning. Bring plenty of water, and good shoes with traction. Check the website for more information.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a charming small town in the south east of South Carolina that offers both beach views and a city feel. Three days is a good amount of time to spend here- most of your time will probably be spent beach side, relaxing.
To get to Charleston if you are more than a drive away, you can fly into Charleston International Airport, and rent a car to take you to the city. A car rental is necessary for this trip.
Here are some notable things to do in Charleston:
Bike ride around town
One of the best ways to see Charleston, especially if the weather is nice, is to rent a bike and explore on your own. There are plenty of bike rental shops to choose from, but you can also opt for a mobile bike rental with a company like Lime. These bikes can usually be found scattered randomly around town. I would advise to go with a bike shop like Mike’s Bikes, so you can secure a helmet as well.
Walk the Historic Charleston City Market
If you are in the market for some handmade crafts and shopping, the Charleston City Market is a four-block complex featuring some very unique products. There is plenty of food and the atmosphere is lively. You can easily spend a morning browsing the stalls here.
Rainbow Row
While exploring Charleston, you will probably run into Rainbow row. It is a series of very colorful, pastel painted houses (hence, rainbow). This is the perfect spot for a photo opt.
Kiawah Island
My all-time favorite thing to do in Charleston is to take a drive to the “Hamptons of the South”- Kiawah Island. Just a 45-minute drive south of Charleston, this posh and romantic island is home to some incredible real estate and beautiful beach front views. There is only one place the public can access the island, that is on BeachWalker County Park. Otherwise, I would recommend staying on the island overnight. If you have the opportunity, drive around the island to see the incredible (and surely expensive) houses and neighborhoods, as well as some wild life.
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