Last-Minute Trips Before Back to School

Before school bells ring, families are looking for last minute getaways to savor the end of summer and embrace early joys of fall. If you’re looking to fit in one last summer trip before the kids head back to the classroom, you’re in the right spot!

While this list is far from exhaustive, we’ve rounded up some of the best domestic destinations perfect for family fun before the kids go back to school!

Buffalo, New York

Just a quick and affordable flight from most major U.S. hubs, Buffalo is the perfect spot for one last summer adventure before school starts. Families can meet 1,400 animals at the historic Buffalo Zoo (one of the nation’s oldest!), pick berries and play in the forested outdoor playground at Blueberry Treehouse Farm, or head to Canalside for kayaking, ice cream, and live music on the waterfront. Across the street, kids and parents can spark curiosity with interactive exhibits at the Explore & More Children’s Museum and with a Broadway-worthy show at Shea’s Performing Arts Center.

New York, New York

For families heading to NYC, brimming with world-class culture, dining, and iconic attractions, The Kimberly Hotel is a rare find — an all-suite boutique hotel in Midtown with spacious one- and two-bedroom layouts, many featuring private balconies. Its central location puts Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, and the Theater District just steps away, while on-site dining at Upstairs at The Kimberly, with panoramic city views, and at Bistango, with creative yet classic menu items that can all be prepared gluten-free, it easy to relax after a day of exploring.

Jekyll Island, Georgia

For those looking to slow down, reconnect and soak up every last drop of sunshine, Jekyll Island, Georgia, offers the ideal backdrop for summer’s last hurrah. Unlike other Southeastern beach destinations that are overrun by crowds and high-rise hotels, Jekyll is a state park with protected landscapes and a slower pace. Families can explore unique beaches like Driftwood Beach and Great Dunes Beach Park, encounter sea turtles at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center or enjoy fun water slides and lazy rivers at Summer Waves Water Park.

Cabarrus County, North Carolina

Cabarrus County, North Carolina provides endless ways for families to enjoy the last days of summer. Here, classic warm-weather fun like baseball games, outdoor movies and music and frozen treats pair with memorable adventures for an epic getaway. Families can pan for gold at Reed Gold Mine in Midland, the site of America’s first documented discovery of gold, go to a Kannapolis Cannon Ballers baseball game, or visit Charlotte Motor Speedway (aka “America’s Home for Racing”) for the SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs on September 6.

Brookgreen Gardens (Murrells Inlet, South Carolina)

In addition to this National Historic Landmark’s stunning seasonal blooms and nationally recognized sculpture collection, Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, invites families to soak up the last days of summer with hands-on exhibits, native animal encounters and active outdoor adventures. At the Pollinator Playground, little explorers can fly, leap and crawl through a colorful, life-size maze that teaches the importance of pollination through play. At the Floyd Family Farm, visitors will meet rare historic animal breeds like Marsh Tacky horses and Red Devon cows in a charming, storybook-style setting that brings South Carolina’s farming heritage to life.

And at the Lowcountry Zoo, six otter pups now greet guests daily with their playful personalities and swimming skills, joining hundreds of native animals that call this peaceful sanctuary home. Blending outdoor fun with interactive learning, Brookgreen Gardens inspires curiosity, compassion and conservation in its youngest guests — lessons that are sure to carry into the classroom this school year.

Montgomery, Alabama

Montgomery, Alabama, is a city that moves you — inside and out — and makes for an ideal back-to-school getaway, especially for families looking for meaningful experiences and thrilling outdoor adventures. Conveniently located just over a two-hour drive from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, this pivotal Civil Rights city blends its powerful history with energizing activities. Visitors can reflect and learn with one-of-a-kind experiences like the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy Sites, Rosa Parks Museum, and Civil Rights Memorial Center, then recharge with nature-driven excursions such as Montgomery Whitewater Park.

Just five minutes from downtown, this 120-acre outdoor lifestyle center features an Olympic-standard whitewater course with class II-VI rapids alongside land-based adventures like hiking and mountain biking, aerial ropes courses, ziplining and family-friendly festivals throughout the year. With its rich history, cultural depth and expansive outdoor recreation, Montgomery serves as a well-rounded destination perfect for savoring the last days of summer.

Monterey, California

Let the picturesque Monterey County sweep you off your feet for a final farewell to summer. Big Sur’s Highway 1 road trip offers an iconic stretch of jaw-dropping beaches, charming towns brimming with shops and eateries, and abundant California wildlife. Experience destinations like Carmel-by-the-Sea, Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Point Lobos State Reserve, and Moss Landing State Beach.

With the recent launch of HOW 2 HWY 1, travelers can now plan their journey along Monterey County’s Big Sur and beyond with an easy-to-use guide highlighting updated routes, tips, and insights to navigate the bucket-list worthy Highway 1. With direct flights into Monterey Regional Airport from cities like Denver, LA, Phoenix, Seattle, and more, this is a trip within reach for anyone looking to recharge, reconnect, and discover the magic of California’s coast.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

There’s nothing like a river city in the summertime — and Baton Rouge is the perfect end-of-summer getaway before the school year kicks in. Families can dine their way across Louisiana’s capital, sampling Cajun, Creole, and everything in between at restaurants like Dempsey’s, home of the locals’ favorite gumbo. Kids will love exploring two floors of interactive play at the award-winning Knock Knock Children’s Museum, while nature lovers can hike scenic trails at the Blackwater Conservation Area or get up close with big cats at the Baton Rouge Zoo’s “Realm of the Tiger.” Add in Saturday stargazing at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and a city that welcomes pets with open arms — and you’ve got a destination that balances outdoor adventure, family fun, and plenty of Louisiana flavor.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Return to school with western swagger after experiencing the true old west in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The largest city in the country’s least populated state, Cheyenne brings capital city flair while maintaining its quaint western town feel. The historic trolley tour takes you through the downtown while delighting riders with tales of Cheyenne’s railroading, wild west past (the wildest days in Deadwood, Tombstone, etc. Were merely sleepers in Cheyenne, they’ll tell you), with of course, a small detour to the grounds of Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. Once off the trolley, act the wild west part at photo saloon Emma’s, for a show-and-tell-worthy souvenir. And where else can you hand-feed bison but at Terry Bison Ranch — on their 90-minute bison train tour?