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

January might as well be called Plan-uary. It’s a somewhat celebratory month when we reset and plot out the year ahead—and that includes trip planning, according to the latest Vacasa data. In the first week of January, we had our highest single day of new reservations in the past six months, just in time for the upcoming three-day weekends.

Federal holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day, have historically been popular times to escape town, with schools and offices closing in recognition. So we pulled the destinations with the most three-night stays in 2020 to offer ideas of where you can safely enjoy a little extra weekend and kickstart your 2021 travels.

Note: All featured destinations are subject to changes in travel guidelines due to COVID-19. Vacasa recommends checking local regulations prior to any travel.

1. Fire Island, New York

Featured Vacasa rental: 603 Bayberry Walk

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: Beachfront Cottages #609 & #610

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: Northridge122

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