There’s tired, and then there’s just being burnt out. Oh yeah, you know the difference. Like, tired is crashing on the couch after a long day. But being full-on burnt out is staring at your laptop, questioning your life choices, and wondering if it’s socially acceptable to run away to a cabin in the woods forever. A lot of people think about it; they think about East Coast escapes, they think about beaches, the woods, basically anywhere else but home (and work).
When that “I can’t do this anymore” feeling hits, you don’t need a motivational podcast. Honestly, that might not even do much either. Instead, you just need a weekend away. Honestly, you probably just need a quick escape that reminds you life isn’t just deadlines, traffic, and reheated coffee. Maybe just two or three days in the right place can do more for your soul than weeks of pretending self-care means lighting a candle while you keep working.
So, where are some quick little weekend getaways you can head to domestically?
Charleston, South Carolina
You could basically see Charleston as like “therapy in pastel form”. How so? Well, Rainbow Row looks like a row of super colorful (and tasty) macarons. Plus, there’s the cobblestone streets make you slow down (not like there’s much of a choice). Oh, and you can’t forget about the food, southern cuisine just hits differently than any other cuisine (it’s called soul food for a reason). If you live close enough to the southeast, or at least around the eastern part of the US, it’s worth going here at least once. You can basically count on feeling a little “reset” from within.
Basically, you can always find recommendations for must-see places this year that’ll show you the real magic of the city. And of course, it’s a lot more than Rainbow Row. You’ll feel soft again coming here, but try not to cram a whole bunch of things into a day, just take it slow pace.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
You could pretty much say that Santa Fe is where burnout goes to die. How? Well, between the adobe buildings glowing in the desert sun, the spicy food that wakes up your taste buds, and the art on every corner, it’s impossible not to slow down. You just read all the fun things listed, so that should already give you an idea of what you’re in for. But even if you arrive wound tight, the desert air and slower pace strip all that tension away. But really, burnout doesn’t stand a chance against any of that.
Asheville, North Carolina
If you have one Carolina on the list, you need the other. So, if your soul’s craving balance, Asheville’s got it. How so? Well, one minute you’re sipping craft coffee downtown, the next you’re cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway with views that make you forget your boss’s name. Then, by evening, you’re sampling local beer flights in a brewery where no one cares what you do for a living. Like, what’s not to love about this description?
You get that big city and that small mountain town feeling smashed into one. Plus, you can even take a hike or eat at one of the (very many) farm-to-table restaurants. If you want to feel like you’re in a quintessential Hallmark movie, well, this is it!
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona feels like it was designed by someone who wanted stressed-out people to chill. Okay, maybe that’s literally not the case, but it does sort of feel like it at least. For example, those red rock formations are just flat-out therapeutic to look at. The same goes for the trails, too. But even if nature is quite literally not your thing (granted it should be), you can at least just go to the spas or one of the slower-paced areas there. People come here to feel replenished, and chances are, it’ll work for you too.
Portland, Maine
Some people fix burnout with beaches. Yeah, it can sometimes do the trick, while others need cozy vibes. Portland is for the second group. Basically, it’s one of those cute seaside towns. It has cobblestone streets, fresh lobster rolls, and harborside views that look like they belong on the front of a puzzle box. Like, what’s not to love there?
Napa Valley, California
Oh yeah, of course this one had to be on the list! So, everyone knows that wine solves a lot, but Napa takes it to another level. You’ve got the endless vineyards, sunshine, and the slowest of slow living. So a weekend here is about saying yes to tastings, yes to spa days, and yes to long dinners where the biggest decision you’ll make is red or white. Oh, and don’t forget the Napa Valley train, try and book that earlier.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is one of those towns that knows exactly what it is: built for tourists and not shy about it. The main strip is packed with fudge shops, mini golf, and enough quirky attractions to keep you entertained for hours. It’s busy, it’s a little over-the-top, and honestly, that’s part of its charm.
Ideally, you live close enough for a drive, because the closest airport would be the one in Nashville or Knoxville. But the Great Smoky Mountains surround the area, and Dolly Parton’s birthplace, Sevierville, is close by too, and worth a visit (her face is literally plastered about everywhere).
New Orleans, Louisiana
Now, you have to keep in mind that New Orleans isn’t just Bourbon Street chaos (granted that can sometimes be fun). It’s jazz drifting through Frenchmen Street, beignets at Café du Monde (but plenty of other bakeries and cafes sell these too), and of course, you can’t forget about the secret courtyards in the French Quarter. Sure, a lot of people take a full-fledged vacation here, and it’s a great idea too, but a weekend can scratch the surface as well.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is one of those cities that sneaks up on you in the best way. Sure, it’s famous for bourbon (and mint juleps) and the Kentucky Derby, but spend a weekend here and you’ll realize it’s way more layered than that. The food scene is ridiculous (yes, order the hot brown), the bourbon tastings are practically therapy, and the riverfront views make it easy to just sit and unwind. Plus, there’s a pretty big airport nearby, too, which helps.
