Memorial Day is our yearly reminder that summer is upon us. Hitting the hottest beaches or parties during the holiday weekend is typically the move for many. Travelers flock to Miami, Vegas, and even the Dominican Republic to bring in the start of summer. However, sometimes you just want to relax a little and have more of a low-key experience.
Whether it’s sitting out at a quiet beach or just enjoying friends and family, turning up doesn’t always have to be on the menu.
For those of you who want to be as far from the chaos as possible, we’ve curated 5 great destinations for a low-key Memorial Day celebration.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the perfect city to just sit back and unwind in. This southern city is filled with so much African American history, you could truly spend your days just learning about that. After you’ve learned all you can, check out one of the many restaurants in the area. Last but not least, no Memorial Day is complete without being around water. Charleston offers a beautiful beach for the ultimate relaxation.
Related: How To Spend A Day In Black-Owned Charleston, South Carolina
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Again, what’s a Memorial Day without a beach. The Clearwater area provides exactly that. Whether you travel solo or with family, you won’t have to worry about holiday party crowds here. Spend your time laying out and soaking up some sun. While it may not be a party town, it will still be somewhat crowded, so keep that in mind before heading out.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo can be a party town if you make it, but on any given day it’s not. Since Memorial Day isn’t really celebrated in Mexico, there’s nothing outside of the normal tourist crowds here during the holiday. Cabo is a very low-key place and mostly frequented by honeymooners. So you won’t have to worry about rowdy crowds and loud music blasting while you enjoy your vacation.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
While Puerto Rico is an American territory, Memorial Day still isn’t a big deal for the Caribbean country. You will find all of the holiday essentials minus the chaos. From the beautiful beaches to delicious cuisine and great weather, San Juan is a great choice for the lowkey traveler this holiday. Flights are typically inexpensive from most East coast states and of course, you won’t need a passport to enter.
Tulum, Mexico
This may be the country’s most slept on destination. It’s slowly getting the shine and traffic that it deserves. While many will head to Cancun for the partying and late nights, Tulum brings just the opposite. Only a short 90-minute bus ride from Cancun, Tulum is the perfect destination for those looking to keep it cool for the holiday. If you get bored, you can always just make the trip back into Cancun. It’s the best of both worlds, honestly.
