Memorial Day Travel Trends: Kicking off the Summer Across the U.S.

For most, Memorial Day kicks off the summer season and as such is one of the most popular travel weekends of the year. AAA is predicting that 36 million Americans will travel this weekend — a post-recession high. From coast to coast, whether the weather cooperates or not, you can bet all will find a way outdoors or to that favorite destination that says summer is right around the corner. And, of course, the whole country remembers the fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Maine community around Boston East India Hotels’ The Daniel joins together in celebration. The towns of Brunswick and Topsham unite on Memorial Day to honor this country’s heroes with the annual Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade. This year the parade is remembering D-Day, which celebrates its 70^th anniversary on June 6.

Brunswick is also set to host Maine Gov. Paul LePage for the “Fallen Warrior” ceremony that is open to the public and will feature an address from the governor.

Many of the areas’ summer enthusiasts will take a gamble on the weather and plan a trip over to nearby Georgetown and hit up the beaches at Reid State Park or Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg. Whether shorts and t-shirts or pants and heavy jackets and blankets are needed, the beach enthusiasts will not pass up the summer season’s first long weekend.

A recent survey by Expedia highlighted some of the best hotel deals for Memorial Day weekend and also examined some of the spots travelers are targeting.

While average U.S. flight prices are up five percent over last summer to $499 and the average daily room rate predicted for the summer is up three percent to $171, these increases are not going to be enough to keep travelers home.

The best deals for Memorial Day weekend? According to Expedia findings, in terms of the biggest price changes year-over-year, the places to be are:

• Chicago at Hilton Hotels, starting at $79 per night 
• Las Vegas at Wynn Resorts, starting at $359 per night
• Reno, Nev., at MGM Properties, starting at $150 per night 
•  Lake Buena Vista, Fla., at Hilton Hotels, starting at $99 per night 
•  Los Angeles, at Hilton Hotels, starting at $152 per night

Some other spots that Expedia found sharp drops in hotel prices for a Friday, May 23, to Monday, May 26, stay are in Panama City, Fla.; South Padre Island, Texas; Memphis, Tenn.; Providence, R.I.; and Ocean City, Md.

Search patterns show that Las Vegas, New York, San Diego, Chicago and Miami are the top destinations that travelers are looking for on the Web to find the best hotels deals.

In the spirit of Memorial Day, Boston East India Hotels has put together a list of a few other hot spots for travel over the three-day weekend.

Washington, D.C.

Memorial Day is about remembering this country’s fallen soldiers so there is no more patriotic place to celebrate this day of remembrance than the nation’s capital. Don’t miss the National Memorial Day Parade at the National Mall, the National Memorial Day Concert or the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Atlanta

In the heart of Georgia, visitors can get some traditional Memorial Day activities such as fireworks and military tributes at Stone Mountain Park. However, the Atlanta Jazz Festival also runs over the weekend for some great music. The free festival, which is held in Piedmont Park featuring some of the biggest names in jazz, is in its 37^th year and is attended by an estimated 150,000 people each day.

Miami

The March of Colors in Miami sets the tone for the weekend with a 21-gun salute at All Wars Memorial Park, followed by a parade through town. On the beach, though, partying rules the day with over 250,000 descending on the sand and surrounding clubs and bars for a weekend of music, dancing and plenty of sunbathing. The highlight of the weekend is the Best of the Best Concert on Sunday, held in downtown Bicentennial Park. The 10-hour concert features all Caribbean music and keeps the dancing going from start to finish.

Las Vegas

Perhaps not considered a traditional destination for Memorial Day weekend getaways, the three-day weekend is actually one of the city of sin’s busiest time of the year, right up there with New Year’s Eve. While gaming is always Vegas’ main draw, on Memorial Day weekend — up and down the strip — hotel pools are the hot spot for parties and special events. None is more popular than the Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace.

So whether your Memorial Day traditions lean more toward the traditional or you might want to take a chance on something new this year, Boston East India Hotels wishes you safe travels and a great holiday weekend!