Happy Tuesday!

Can you believe it’s May?!

This year has been flying by.

Before we know it, Memorial Day will be here, the kids will be out of school, and summer vacation season will officially begin. 😎

And honestly, Memorial Day weekend is one of those times when I start asking myself…

Should we stay home and catch up on life?
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Or should we squeeze in a quick trip?

If I’m being honest, I’m usually a fan of the second option 😄

I love a good 3-day weekend getaway.

Sometimes you don’t need a huge vacation or a full week off. Sometimes a simple road trip and a change of scenery is exactly what your family needs.

But I’ve also learned this…

Not every destination is worth the effort for just three days.

When you’re packing for kids, loading the car, figuring out meals, and trying to make everyone happy, even a quick trip still takes work.

So before I plan a long weekend getaway, I usually ask myself one thing:

Is this actually worth it for only three days?

Here’s what I look for:

1. The drive has to make sense

For a 3-day weekend, I don’t want the travel day to take over the whole trip.

I’m usually looking for somewhere that feels drivable without turning day one and day three into total exhaustion.

That’s why places like Omaha and Kansas City work really well for us. At about 2–3 hours from Des Moines, they feel easy and completely doable for a 3-day weekend.

Wisconsin Dells and Chicago are a little farther at around 5 hours, so they can still work, but they feel a little tighter for just a long weekend.

That’s usually where I stop and ask myself… does this feel like a quick getaway, or are we trying to force a full vacation into a long weekend?

2. There needs to be enough to do, but not too much

I want options, but I don’t want pressure.

The best 3-day destinations have a few main things to do and plenty of simple things in between.

Think:
a great zoo, a fun downtown area, a walkable riverfront, a children’s museum, mini golf, a pool at the hotel, or just a really good spot for dinner and ice cream.

It doesn’t need to be packed. It just needs to feel like a real getaway.

3. Where we stay matters a lot

For a short trip, location matters even more.

I’d rather stay somewhere walkable, close to the main attractions, and easy for everyone than save a little money and spend the whole weekend driving around.

Free breakfast, a pool, and enough space for all six of us? Even better.

That’s the kind of thing that can make or break a quick family trip.

4. It has to fit the season we’re in

Sometimes a destination sounds amazing… but it’s just not the right trip for that season of life.

Maybe the drive is too long.
Maybe the kids are already exhausted from sports and school.
Maybe we need simple, not ambitious.

And sometimes, the best choice is an old favorite.

A place you’ve been before.
A hotel you know works for your family.
A destination where you already know where to eat, what to do, and how the trip will flow.

There’s something really nice about that kind of trip.

Less guesswork. Less stress. More confidence.

I’ve learned that sometimes the best trip isn’t the biggest one.

It’s the one that fits your family best right now.

Maybe that’s a quick weekend in Omaha.
Maybe it’s revisiting a favorite hotel in Kansas City.
Maybe it’s finally checking out that small town or lake town you keep saying you should visit.

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Sometimes all you need is a really good long weekend.

Stay tuned for more packing tips, behind-the-scenes travel hacks, and inspiration to make your trips feel doable 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!💕

✨ Want to make trip planning feel more doable?

My Travel Itinerary Planner gives you a simple way to organize your trip, from ideas to daily plans, so everything feels easier and more put together. Click below to grab it! 👇

If you’re trying to decide if a destination is worth the drive for a long weekend, hit reply. I’m always happy to help 💛

May you LOVE your adventure!

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