United States Getaways

Sometimes the right trip is a four-day reset closer to home. National parks, coastal towns, Orlando theme parks, and city weekends all make excellent short getaways — and they're the easiest trips to coordinate when a group is flying in from different states.

Carol helps sequence the logistics so the travel days don't eat the vacation.

• Long weekends and quick resets
• Family reunions with travelers in several cities
• First trips with young children
• Travelers not ready to fly internationally

Year-round, depending on the region. Spring and fall are the sweet spot for most of the country; summer is peak for parks and beaches.

• Suite hotels with kitchens for families staying several nights
• Resort properties near theme parks with shuttle service
• Lodges and cabins near national parks
• Downtown hotels within walking distance of the good parts of a city

• Book park lodging and popular summer weekends far ahead — availability disappears early.
• Confirm what identification is required for domestic air travel through official government sources.
• Build one unscheduled day into every trip; it's the one everybody remembers.

Entry, passport and health requirements change. Always verify them through official government sources before you travel.