A weekend adventure is the perfect mini vacation. It doesn’t need a lot of effort, a lot of planning, or a lot of money. Last month I planned two different weekend trips and didn’t break a sweat. Easy planning enabled me to focus my time on the people I was with and enjoying myself more.

I love my house. But after well over a year of cancelled trips and watching everything on Netflix, I was eager to get away. My couch needed a break! Big trips aren’t an option just yet, so weekend getaways are the perfect option. There are three important things I do to ensure an easy, lost cost weekend trip. If you’re ready to book that little getaway, grab your laptop and your overnight bag and let’s get going!

Don’t travel too far

My favorite part of any future trip is deciding where to go. I have a long list of places I want to visit one day. But sometimes, like for a quick weekend trip, it’s more about the mileage than the dream destination. I try to keep the drive under three hours for these types of adventures. A three-hour road trip means you only need one bathroom break. Even if you hit a lot of traffic, the driving time still won’t be terrible. If your weekend trip starts after work on Friday, you’ll be at your destination in time for a late dinner.

My search starts by looking at Google Maps and seeing what is in a three-hour radius. I always strive to find a place I’ve never been before.

Pack organized

We often stay in Air BNBs when we go away. I find these accommodations are more eclectic, comfortable, and often less expensive than a hotel. But staying at a rental property often requires bringing a lot of your own stuff. This is when my stellar organization skills get to shine!

I pack a separate bag for each category of items. This way I know exactly where everything is so it’s easy to find (or direct someone else to find).  Categorized bags also keeps my stress levels way down. Everything has a place and it’s easy to find what you need. Here are the various bags I pack depending on our plans:

1. Linens and towels
2. Dog stuff
3. Food
4. Cooler with cold food
5. Overnight bag
6. Running or activity gear

Being organized from the start lends itself to a smoother trip!

Pick One adventure (okay, maybe two)

Once you’ve arrived, you have to decide what to do! When visiting a new destination, there is often a long list of things to do and places to visit. You want to see and do it all! But when you’re only there for 2 or 3 days trying to squeeze everything in can lead to stress and overwhelm. My advice is to limit your weekend getaway to only one adventure. The rest of your time can be spent exploring the new destination, relaxing, sleeping in, or staying up late.

There are a few things I will do to help decide what our weekend adventure or activity will be.

• Do a quick Google Search of the area. What are the top attractions? Are there any special events taking place while you’re in town? Make reservations or buy tickets ahead of time.  If you need a map, like a trail map for a hike, pull it up on your phone from home and save a screen shot. Cell service in the woods can be spotty!
• What restaurants and cafes are in the area? Are there any that are a must visit? I love to search specifically for coffee shops since I enjoy visiting local cafes. I also really enjoy local beer so I search the area specifically for breweries. When you’re searching for food options, it’s always a good idea to check for reservation requirements. Make them ahead of time as needed!
• Talk with your travel companions. Is there something they really want to do? Or something they really don’t want to do that you can cross off the list right away? Ensuring everyone is happy on a weekend trip is the key to a good time!
• Check the weather. If your activity is an outdoor one, you definitely want to know what the weather is going to be and pack accordingly. Remember, pack a separate bag if you need to for your adventure (beach bag, hiking bag, ski bag).

If you’re ready for a weekend away, now is the time to plan it. Grab your computer and get started planning! And remember these three key tips for a fun, stress free, low cost weekend away!

1. Don’t travel too far, keep it under a three hour drive.
2. Organize your packing so it’s easy to find what you need.
3. Pick only one adventure or activity and spend the rest of your time resting and exploring.