Third Night’s a Charm: Most Popular Long-Weekend Getaways

Beloved by all, but often sneak up on you, the three-day weekend is another chance to fit more of what you love in life into 72 sweet, worry-free hours. It makes a great opportunity to travel, enjoy delicious food, and spend time with loved ones. So what happens the day before, when you’ve just realized you have more one more day of weekend you can’t let go to waste?

We’ve got you covered and combed through Vacasa’s reservation data to find our most popular destinations for three-day weekend getaways. All six spots are just a quick trip away from major metro areas and are ideal for a long weekend enjoying the great outdoors. So set your scene, plan your escape, and make sure you seize the (three-)day.

1. Fire Island, New York

Featured Vacasa rental: 15 Seneca

It’s no surprise this barrier island, just off the coast of Long Island, topped the list for a long-weekend jaunt. The house rentals here ooze coastal charm and, though some attractions will be closed for the off-season, it’s a perfect getaway for bundled-up beachcombing or quiet strolls through local nature preserves like the Sunken Forest. However, as cars aren’t allowed on many parts of the island, you’ll need to plan your arrival accordingly: by boat.

2. Electric City, Washington

Featured Vacasa rental: Constellations Lake House at Chelan

Set on the north end of Banks Lake, this small town in Washington is a hidden gem that offers fewer crowds than its busier neighbor to the west, Lake Chelan. Electric City gets its name from nearby Grand Coulee Dam, which provides hydroelectric power across the Pacific Northwest. While the lake itself is a star attraction, with year-round fishing and boating, there’s also plenty to explore among the basalt rock cliffs in Steamboat Rock State Park. No pressure, though, it’s also perfectly acceptable to simply indulge in some R&R and the quaint cabin life.

3. Lake Anna, Virginia

Featured Vacasa rental: Haupt Hut

This lakefront escape in Central Virginia is close to three major cities—Fredericksburg, Charlottesville and Richmond—so it’s long been a popular destination for day trips and weekend getaways. In addition to the 250 miles of shoreline that draw in visitors, history buffs also flock to the area for the significant role it played in the Civil War and its early days as a gold mining town. While visiting, check out The Boardwalk on Lake Anna or grab a to-go bottle from a local winery for a sunset sip on the deck of your lake house rental.

4. Sunriver, Oregon

Featured Vacasa rental: Whittier Cabin

This sunny and snowy resort community in Central Oregon is a year-round playground, with an abundance of cozy cabins nestled between Ponderosa pines. You can take your pick of activities and within half an hour be skiing on Mt. Bachelor, snowshoeing in Willamette National Forest, or brewery-hopping (outdoors, of course) in nearby Bend. Though popular as a family-friendly getaway, Sunriver also sets a romantic scene and has an array of vacation rentals with fireside views of snow-capped mountains.

5. Tannersville, Pennsylvania

Featured Vacasa rental: Northridge 363

The Pocono Mountains are a tried-and-true retreat, equally accessible from both Philadelphia and New York City. You’ll find all the scenic beauty you’d expect when surrounded by forested peaks, plus the added thrill of Camelback Mountain, home to one of the largest snow tubing parks in the U.S. Or, weather and safe conditions permitting, you can also lace up a pair of skates and glide across the lakes at Promised Land or Hickory Run State Park. Your cabin rental will be stocked with mugs for your après ski—or après skate—cocoa.

6. Sylva, North Carolina

Featured Vacasa rental: Mountain Heritage Lodge

The picturesque town of Sylva sits at the base of the Smoky Mountains, not far from Asheville if you want to squeeze in a visit to both. But Sylva has more than enough outdoor activities to fill your days, between hiking in Pinnacle Park, cruising Main Street (featured in the Oscar-winning movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), or climbing the steps to the historic Jackson County Courthouse. After all that, you’ve earned three restorative and relaxing evenings spent at your cabin rental, taking in the lush surroundings.

Third night’s a charm: Most popular long-weekend getaways