Weekend break? Best cities in the US for time out

Along the Appalachian Trail. Image by Patorjk CC3.0

A new review has assessed the best day-trip cities near major metros in the U.S. This reveals:

• Annapolis, Maryland, is the best day trip destination in America, with 300+ cafes and restaurants and more than 30 historic sites to explore.
• Fort Lauderdale gives Miami visitors over 200 things to do in a single day, from beaches to museums, all within an hour’s drive.
• Jersey City sits 18 minutes from Manhattan, but meals there cost half as much, with typical restaurants charging under $25 for local specialties.

The assessment was conducted during March 2026, undertaken by JB.com. The firm examined 27 cities located within 1 to 3 hours of major metros to find the best destinations for a single-day trip.

The report tracked how many attractions each city offers per capita, including museums, parks, historic sites, and free activities. It also counted restaurants and cafes per resident, and looked at typical costs for meals, drinks, and coffee.

Each city received a score based on these factors, with higher points going to places that offer more to do, more dining options, and lower prices. Distance from major cities was considered as well, since shorter drives leave more time for exploring.

The top ten cities were assessed as:

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis is America’s best day-trip destination. The Maryland capital sits just over an hour from DC, close enough to visit without losing half the day on the highway. Once there, visitors can find over 300 cafes and restaurants, making it an ideal getaway for foodies. To work off those delicious meals, tourists can then explore over 30 historic sites across this small city, or just take a stroll through its parks that are always within walking distance.

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence ranks second among cities within easy reach of Boston. The drive takes under 2 hours, and once tourists arrive, they can kick off their day by visiting one of 35+ museums across the city. Alternatively, they can also take up one of 30+ free activities, like exploring the Riverwalk or catching an outdoor performance at Waterplace Park. Between attractions, there are also many places to grab a bite. For example, the city has over 740 restaurants, which usually charge around $19 for lunch, making Providence one of the more affordable getaways.

Naples, Florida

Naples takes third place as the best day trip from Miami. The2-hour-45-minute drive is longer than others on this list. But the destination makes up for it by offering 900+ cafes and restaurants, giving visitors more dining options than almost any other small city in Florida. That means you can spend the morning at one of 60 museums, grab lunch at a waterfront cafe for around $30, and still have dozens of dinner spots to choose from later. The city also has 3 historic sites for anyone interested in local heritage.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale sits just over an hour south of Miami, making it one of the closest getaways on this list. The city offers 200+ attractions, giving visitors more than enough to fill a full day. That includes 70+ parks where you can take breaks between activities, and almost 60 museums covering everything from art to science. Fort Lauderdale can also be a great pick for those on a budget, as mid-range spots here offer meals for only $25, while drinks can be grabbed for just 5 dollars, keeping the day affordable.

Ojai, California

Ojai rounds out the top five getaways for a day trip. The town is located about 80 minutes from LA and offers 60 attractions despite being just 4 square miles in size, meaning everything stays within a short walk or drive. Families can visit 18 museums here, most of them small galleries showcasing local artists, then head to one of 16 parks for mountain views. Ojai also offers nearly 20 free activities, from hiking trails to outdoor markets, giving budget travelers plenty of options. The town also has almost 80 cafes and restaurants, where meals average around $25.