Here are over 60 of the best last-minute vacations you should take now, including beach, city, mountainous, cultural and international destinations. From Miami and Malibu with their sun-kissed shores, to New York and Chicago with energetic cityscapes; from Yellowstone and the Smoky Mountains with its open-air experiences. For an even bigger spontaneous, though still international, trip, Cancun, Lisbon, Barcelona and Reykjavik float to the top of the list.
These destinations perfectly combine relaxation, culture, and adventure, making them suitable for short trips without too much hassle to arrange. Ranging from local travelers to remote tourism around the world, this selection offers unforgettable last-minute travel experiences, providing flexibility to cater for every traveler segment.
1. Last-Minute Beach Vacations for Sun Seekers
Soft sands, turquoise seas, and lots of warm sunshine — nothing can quite compare. These aren’t the only beach destinations perfect for a weekend trip.
- Miami Beach, Florida
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Outer Banks, North Carolina
- Key West, Florida
- Clearwater Beach, Florida
- Malibu, California
- Coronado Beach, California
- Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
- South Padre Island, Texas
Where this coastal escape has all kinds of activities, from wave surfing, beach partying, and to a relaxing sunbathing, these are the best place to go for spontaneous trips.
2. City Breaks and Urban Getaways
City trips offer energy and adventure for culture vultures, foodies and night owls alike. A last-minute city trip means visiting museums, restaurants, nightlife.
- New York City, New York
- Chicago, Illinois
- Los Angeles, California
- San Francisco, California
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Washington, D.C.
- Boston, Massachusetts
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Austin, Texas
- Nashville, Tennessee
From Broadway shows in NYC to live music in Nashville, these cities are full of last-minute adventures.
3. Mountain and Adventure Escapes
These quick getaway locations are not great for last-minute journeys if you want some fresh air, a scenic hike, and more of a mountain view.”
- Denver, Colorado
- Aspen, Colorado
- Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Sedona, Arizona
- Park City, Utah
- Breckenridge, Colorado
- Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
Places for hiking/skiing/ escaping to the outdoors at a moment’s notice.
4. Nature Escapes and National Parks
The majority of national parks make great last-minute adventure and unwind resorts from one trip.
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Grand Canyon, Arizona
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- Everglades National Park, Florida
- Zion National Park, Utah
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- Joshua Tree National Park, California
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Colorado
National parks come with beautiful scenery plus camping, hiking, and stargazing and are among the best last-minute vacations.
5. Cultural and Historic Destinations
These last-minute vacations are all about museums, heritage sites, and local traditions — a delight for any history buff or culture lover.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Savannah, Georgia
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Williamsburg, Virginia
- San Antonio, Texas
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Taos, New Mexico
- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Annapolis, Maryland
Crammed full of history with many cultural activities and an eye-catching architecture that can set a perfect backdrop for your photogenic selfies make these towns and cities where you can go quickly.
6. International Last-Minute Vacations
Every now and then, a random and immediate overseas trip is all you require. All of these places that are short-haul flights away from the U.S. or Europe.
- Cancun, Mexico
- Tulum, Mexico
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Montego Bay, Jamaica
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Toronto, Canada
- Vancouver, Canada
- Montreal, Canada
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Barcelona, Spain
These international getaways combine beaches, culture, nightlife, and scenic beauty, perfect for last-minute travel plans.
There are a near-infinite amount of last-minute vacation destinations to try to considered from sun-drenched shores and busy urban areas with hill breakouts and worldwide travels in between. From the sandy shores of Key West to the hikes of Yellowstone, the nightlife of New Orleans or the flight to Lisbon, the world is filled with locales able and willing to accommodate you without a moment to lose.
Here are 60+ best last-minute vacations to take right now, which makes planning simple–choose your destination, book your ticket, and have at it.
I’m Lily Wilson, a traveler, storyteller, and soul-searcher from the sun-kissed shores of Hawaii. At LilyOnTheGo.com, every journey begins with curiosity, courage, and a trusty carry-on. Travel, for me, has never been about ticking places off a bucket list. It’s about chasing sunrises in unfamiliar cities, sharing laughs with strangers who become friends.