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Our Favorite Long Weekend Getaways – Just in Time for Memorial Day 🇺🇸: Travel Tuesday from Loving This Adventure blog 5/13/2025

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Travel Tuesday

Travel Tuesday by Katie from Loving This Adventure travel blog is a weekly newsletter delivered on Tuesdays to help busy moms plan and enjoy family vacations and adventures with their kids. Each issue is packed with practical family travel advice, packing tips, and inspiration to make every trip memorable and stress-free.

Hi Reader!

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer—which means it’s a great excuse for a quick family getaway! 🧳 🚗 ✈️

If you’re looking for a road trip or a close-to-home adventure, here are a few family-friendly destinations that are easy to do in a long weekend (especially if you're in the Midwest like we are!):

🌆 Kansas City, MO

Great BBQ, the incredible Science City at Union Station, LEGOLAND, the Crown Center, and more! Plus, plenty of kid-friendly museums and parks!

🎡 Branson, MO

Silver Dollar City is a must for families. Great shows, amusement park fun, and beautiful scenery. Also, make sure to do the Top of the Rock Lost Canyon and Nature Trail golf cart tour! It's our FAVORITE! 🤩

🦒 Omaha, NE

The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium alone is worth the trip! But also check out the Children’s Museum and walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (you can be in two states at once!). Plus, you can't forget Omaha's amazing downtown parks!

🌊 Chicago, IL

Millennium Park, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan views. There's so much to do and see for all ages.

🎢 Wisconsin Dells, WI

Waterpark capital of the world. Perfect if your kids love slides, pools, and splash zones.

🎨 St. Louis, MO

The Magic House, City Museum, and free zoo are family favorites—and don’t forget the Gateway Arch!


🌎 Not in the Midwest? Try These!

These are great long weekend getaways if you’re in other parts of the country or looking to try something new:

☀️ San Diego, CA – Beaches, Balboa Park, USS Midway and one of the best zoos around.

🌲 Gatlinburg, TN – Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a dream for outdoorsy families! Add Anakeesta, the SkyBridge, and The Island in Pigeon Forge for extra fun.

🛶 Lake of the Ozarks, MO or Lake Tahoe, CA/NV – Great for nature-loving families looking to unplug.

Wherever you head, don’t forget: the best trips don’t have to be big. Sometimes, a quick weekend away is all it takes to reset and reconnect as a family. 🥰

Stay tuned for more packing tips, behind-the-scenes travel hacks, and inspiration to make your trips stress-free and fun. I’m all about helping you make family travel as smooth as possible, so you can create memories without the headache.

Thanks for being part of the Travel Tuesday community, and I can’t wait to connect again soon!💕


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May you LOVE your adventure!

Travel Tuesday

Travel Tuesday by Katie from Loving This Adventure travel blog is a weekly newsletter delivered on Tuesdays to help busy moms plan and enjoy family vacations and adventures with their kids. Each issue is packed with practical family travel advice, packing tips, and inspiration to make every trip memorable and stress-free.