For the travel lovers who work full time, weekend getaways are the staple that helps us function in between longer vacations. There’s no better way to start your work week after having been away for the weekend. We all need a quick recharge, here are a few places to visit:

1.New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven is perfect for art and culture lovers. There are endless museums here and of course, New Haven is home to the one and only – Yale!

If you’ve got a long weekend or a spare few days, make sure to visit Granby, a small area just outside Hartford in Connecticut. It’s a local favorite.

Best Time To Visit: 

Connecticut can get cold during the winter! If you visit during Fall, you can even spy some pretty fall leaves and grab a seasonal beer!

Tips For Budget Travelers:

If you live in Boston or New York, the Amtrak can be reasonably priced in comparison to car rental (especially if you book in advance). There is a range of accommodation options available, including the opportunity to stay at Yale! (The Study at Yale, rooms from $199). Or just grab an Airbnb if you are going with a couple of friends.

2.Charleston, South Carolina

It seems like every year Charleston, South Carolina, wins another award for being the best city to visit or the friendliest. If you love photography , you will love Charleston. The architecture here is colorful, and Charleston is famous for brightly colored buildings.

Best Time To Visit: 

Summer can get hot and humid , so best to avoid this time of year. The best time to visit is March to May or September to November, which is before/after summer and a more quiet time of year for tourism.

Tips For Budget Travelers:

Unless you can drive in, flights to Charleston can be quite pricey, especially on long weekends or public holidays. If you live nearby, drive in or time your visit during the week.

3.White Mountains, New Hampshire

The White Mountains in New Hampshire is the perfect East Coast weekend getaway for those who love nature, the outdoors and hiking.

Best Time To Visit: 

New England is known for its fall leaves, so Fall would be a great time of year to visit. Otherwise, anytime of year is great to visit the White Mountains (unless you aren’t a winter person, then avoid the December – February)

Summer is a busy time of year, so if you aren’t a fan of crowds it would be best to avoid this time. Aim for the months before summer (so before June / July) or post-summer (October – November).

Tips For Budget Travelers:

If you have your own car, you’ll be able to cut down on costs. This is not a trip where you can expect to be spending a lot.

4.Montreal, Canada

Perfect for culture lovers and admirer of the French, Montreal is often a top pick for an east coast weekend getaway. If your idea of a perfect weekend is spending your time café hopping and checking out local museums, you will love Montreal.

Best Time To Visit: 

I recommend visiting in  March to May or September to November. As the other months are a bit crowded due to tourism and holidays.

Tips For Budget Travelers:

Flights to Montreal can be expensive over long weekends/public holidays. Look out for flight specials or if you live near consider driving up with a group of friends!

5.Savannah, Georgia

The city is picturesque and is the perfect east coast weekend trip for photography or Instagram lovers!

Best Time To Visit: 

Late winter (January – February) or the shoulder season (mid-September to mid-November) can be the best times of year to snag a bargain. Summer can be very crowded, and also humid so it may be worth avoiding this time of year.

Tips For Budget Travelers:

Unless you can drive in, flights to Savannah can be quite pricey, especially on long weekends or public holidays. Flight prices are significantly lower during the week.

It may sound a little touristy, but the best way to see Savannah’s historic district is aboard one of the trolley tours. Two favorites are Old Savannah Tours and Old Town Trolley Tours of Savannah. These tours are hop-on, hop-off, allowing you to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time.

After reading my East Coast weekend Getaways guide, where are you heading to ?

If you’re after more inspiration, Check out  some of our travel tips.