10 destinations for making the most of your Summer Fridays
Not everyone is blessed with summer Fridays, but everyone certainly appreciates a weekend getaway, and some destinations are better (read: cheaper) than others for a quick vacation.
Here are the top 10 U.S. destinations for a long — or even regular — weekend getaway, according to KAYAK. The travel search engine ranked destinations based on searches for Friday-to-Sunday stays, and has also run the numbers so you know what it'll cost you to take a break.
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10. Key West, Florida
Airfare to Key West from U.S. and Canada averages $448 in May, and stays pretty steady throughout the summer: $466 in June, $471 in July, $445 in August and $446 in September.
The cheapest average hotel prices are in August and September, since the earlier months from May to July are peak.
9. Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth may remind you of the cold, but in the summer the city on Lake Superior can give you beautiful coastline views often without the stifling heat that hits so many other great destinations from June to August.
Airfare averages $450 to $525 from May to September, from the U.S. and Canada, and peaks in August.
8. Louisville, Kentucky
The most popular hotels in Louisville, Kentucky, according to KAYAK, are the Galt House Hotel, the Brown Hotel, the Seelbach Hilton and 21c Museum Hotel.
Average airfare throughout the summer ranges from a low of $348 in September, to a high of $436 in May.
7. Austin, Texas
Austin likes to keep it weird, which makes it great for a weekend away from the ordinary.
Average airfare from the U.S. and Canada stays in the low $300s throughout the summer, while hotels average in the low $200s.
6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is good at vacation.
Average airfare is at its lowest in September, at $186, and highest in July, at $296. And hotels follow the same trend, at the low average of $125 in September, and high of $220 in July.
5. Ocean City, Maryland
Maryland also has great beaches with the unmistakable East Coast vibe.
Average airfare to Ocean City from the U.S. and Canada is in the mid- to high-$200s throughout the summer months.
4. San Francisco, California
Average airfare to the Bay Area ranges from the mid- to high-$300s, while hotels hover right around $300 a night.
For a slightly cheaper getaway, look for hotels and rentals outside of the city center, either in the East Bay or north or south along the Pacific Coast Highway.
3. Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is looking to recreate itself to lose the image of a gambling hub. Instead, the New Jersey destination wants to lure people looking for a getaway.
2. Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville has more music than you can pack into a long weekend, but don't let that keep you from trying.
1. New Orleans, Louisiana
Airfare to New Orleans from the U.S. and Canada averaged $323 in May, $336 in June, $337 in July and $312 in August.
Temperatures in the Big Easy can get up there — as can the humidity — in the summer months, but for those willing to deal with it, there's an economic advantage. While hotel prices in May and June average more than $200, prices drop from July (average $191) through September (average $175).
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