Though June marks the official start of summer, it’s hard to deny that Memorial Day weekend gets everyone in the right frame of mind. There’s nothing quite like a warm, long weekend spent with the family to set the stage for summer. The only challenge is where to spend the long weekend. To help you make your decision, we’ve compiled a list of spots across the nation that serve up equal helpings of relaxation, fun, and Memorial Day activities (after all, we have that extra day off for a very good reason).

Panama City Beach, Florida
Nestled right on the Gulf of Mexico, Panama City Beach is a treasure trove of affordable beachfront accommodations coupled with a jackpot of attractions and activities for families. So not only can you and yours book an affordable getaway, you can do so with surf and sand at your disposal.
Memorial Weekend Activities: Memorial Day Weekend kicks off a ton of great activities. There’s the Cajun Festival, a pet parade, and Sunset Cinema beach movies, where families can hang out on the beach and watch their favorite flick. There’s also the new Lanakilas Polynesian Revue at the Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort, where you can enjoy an introduction into Tahitian culture through dance and performance.

New Orleans, Louisiana
The birthplace of jazz and Creole cuisine, New Orleans is a hotbed of activity that attracts travelers from all corners of the world. The historically rich city is also easily walkable—a must, especially after all of the great food that you’ll eat while you’re here.
Memorial Weekend Activities: Memorial Day weekend marks the peak of New Orleans’s festival season, so there’s no shortage of fun things to do here. Just a sampling to choose from: the 36th annual Greek Festival blends food, drinks and entertainment, as does the Plaquemines Parish Heritage and Seafood Festival. Don’t miss the Memorial Day Weekend Concert featuring The Navy Ceremonial Band, and make sure to check out the 4th Annual Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo Festival, Louisiana's first green music and arts festival.

Beaver Creek, Colorado
Though most think of Colorado as a winter destination, you’d be selling the area short to only consider visiting during one season. Located in the Vail Valley, Beaver Creek boasts blooming wildflowers, 300 days of sunshine every year, and a ton of activities for every family to enjoy, from hiking, biking, and fly fishing to hot air ballooning, rock climbing, and paragliding.
Memorial Weekend Activities: Get your stomach ready, because the Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival in Beaver Creek has become the unofficial start to summer and barbeque season in the mountains. What can you expect? Tasty BBQ dishes created by top chefs from across the nation, massive names in blues—including Big Daddy Lee & the King Bees, Otis Taylor and Mavis Staples—playing free concerts in the Village, plus activities and cooking demonstrations for the little ones.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island was made to be a laid-back weekend destination for families. With over 6,000 villa and home rentals available, there’s no shortage of places to stay… and even then, this popular beach destination doesn’t get overly crowded. Plus, families who register to become insiders at www.hiltonhead09.com can get special savings on family-friendly activities like free bike rentals, tennis court times, and more. The Island has more than 200 miles of bike trails in total, and is also a choice spot for kayaking and golf.
Memorial Weekend Activities: The holiday weekend kicks off the return of beloved singer/songwriter Gregg Russell, www.greggrussell.com/about.html, who long has entertained crowds under the historic oak tree in Harbour Town. Many of the Island’s hotels and properties open their summer children’s camps over Memorial Day, too.

Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is just 60 miles from Albany in upstate New York, and features a storied history that will captivate even the most distracted little ones. The city was officially founded in 1786 by William Cooper, father of America’s first internationally know novelist, James Fenimore Cooper. Cooperstown has continued to maintain its cultural and historical roots through various attractions and points of interest, such as the ones listed below.
Memorial Weekend Activities: Over Memorial Day weekend, the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum will unveil its new Viva Beisbol exhibit dedicated to Latin American players in baseball. Also, the Farmers’ Museum will have a Memorial Day Weekend Celebration including demonstrations of sheep shearing, spinning, weaving and dyeing wool, and demonstrations of 19th-century crafts.

Palm Desert, California
Sure, it’s hot in Palm Desert—but isn’t getting a little sun what Memorial Day Weekend getaways are all about? In this popular California spot, visitors can learn about environmental preservation, climate change, and endangered species at The Living Desert—a 450-acre museum, zoo, nature preserve, and botanical garden in one. Afterwards, you and your brood can enjoy more than 40 miles of marked hiking trails and more than 50 miles of designated bike trails, 150 tennis courts, and 32 golf courses within city limits.
Memorial Weekend Activities: Enjoy the Art in Public Places Program, which features more than 150 works in parks, street medians, public facilities, bus shelters, and the like. Civic Center Park hosts free concerts and movies during the summer. And you can always get your shop on at El Paseo!

Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire
Mt. Washington is the tallest peak in the Northeastern U.S., surrounded by 27 towns filled with family-friendly experiences that everyone can enjoy. The area boasts 660,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest, with stunning natural waterfalls to enjoy while hiking. Amusement parks like Story Land and Santa’s Village are great places to while away an afternoon, as are Attitash's water parks. Memorial Day Weekend is considered off season, which means great deals on hotel rooms.
Memorial Weekend Activities: The Wildcat Express Scenic Gondola and ZipRider (www.skiwildcat.com) opens for business, offering skyrides for the daring. The Barra MacNeils are performing on Saturday, May 23rd at the Stone Mountain Arts Center (www.stonemountainartscenter.com), with a plethora of instruments ranging from acoustic, stringed, percussion, and wind.

Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
Once the only stop for travelers heading from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, Boalsburg lays claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. It’s also where you can find the Pennsylvania Military Museum, and the headquarters of the Civil War reenacting unit, 3rd Pennsylvania Light Artillery Battery "B" (aka F Troop). How’s that for appreciating America’s history?
Memorial Weekend Activities: The 145th Annual Memorial Day service starts at 6pm, with an address from Harris Township Supervisor and CEO of the Boal Mansion Museum Christopher Lee on “Boalsburg: 200 Years of Community and a Vision for the Future." Festivities run all day Monday, including the History of Memorial Day with food, music, crafts and a maypole dance. The Boalsburg Heritage Museum opens up their Blacksmith shop for visitors, who can also enjoy a special Boalsburg 200th exhibit, children’s art, and a petting zoo…and that’s just scratching the surface!

Fallbrook, California
Fallbrook, located under the picturesque Rock Mountain, is a treasure trove of open spaces filled with trees, wildlife, art and culture under picturesque mountains, mixing rich, natural beauty with small-town charm. It’s a quick drive from Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, offering families the opportunity to hike, ride bikes, play tennis, golf, or go to nearby San Diego Wild Animal Park. The nearby Pala Mesa Resort offers packages for families including youth tennis and golf lessons, horseback riding, art classes, yoga, and a new kid's room for kids 12 and under with a Nintendo Wii, games, movies and snacks.
Memorial Weekend Activities: Check out Beeline Airlines (www.flybeeline.com) for Bi-Plane adventures. The Welburn Gourd Farm (www.welburngourdfarm.com) is the largest supplier of quality, organic hard-shell gourds in the USA, and offers both self-guided and pro-guided tours. And Zoofari Compound Tours (www.zoofari.net) offers tours of their wildlife center, where participants can get close to binturongs, foxes, kinkajous and more.

Honoka’a, Hawaii
With sweeping views of the Pacific, Waipio Valley and Mauna Kea, Honokaa is located on Hawaii’s Big Island’s northeastern shore. It’s a quaint town with the history of being a former sugar cane plantation, but has since evolved into being an agricultural and adventure destination. Families can enjoy its many Farmer’s Markets, the close-knit artist’s community, nifty boutiques and more. Stay at the luxury B&B Waianuhea (www.waianuhea.com), or check out the historic Waipio Wayside B&B (www.waipiowayside.com).
Memorial Weekend Activities: The Honoka‘a Town Western Week and Rodeo is a supremely popular annual celebration featuring a Saturday Paniolo Parade with an agricultural festival, kids’ activities and exciting contests. Plus, the Paniolo Barbecue and giant block party features live country and western dance music, a live auction and live Saloon Girl Contest. And don’t forget the rodeo!