Weekend getaway: Planning a trip for Easter weekend

The signs of spring are abundant: warmer temperatures, the pollen covering my car, the Masters golf tournament next weekend and Easter weekend just two weeks away. Sure, plenty of travelers may have planned spring vacations months in advance. In fact, some of those trips may have already come and gone. Still, the holiday weekend later this month could be a great opportunity to get away for a couple of days.

Here are some destinations that might make for a nice Easter weekend getaway. The holiday is April 17 this year so I searched for deals starting Friday, April 14, and chose a variety of destinations for different types of travelers. Read on to see if there's a good fit for you.

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Craft beer, restaurants and Hiking: Asheville, North Carolina

This city in the Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina makes for a popular weekend getaway spot for craft beer lovers and those who enjoy spending time outdoors and in the mountains. Asheville has dozens of breweries and plenty of great restaurants, too. I visited twice in the month of April over the last several years, and with some exceptions, the temperatures are usually comfortable for sitting outdoors.

Related: Destinations with amazing spring celebrations

Getting there

I searched Easter weekend flights from the Washington, D.C., area. Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is the closest to the city, but on this weekend – as can often be the case – I found the cheapest flights when booking with cash or miles on flights into Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). I found a round trip from Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) on American Airlines for 16,000 miles, which is on the less expensive end when booking with AAdvantage miles.

Where to stay

Marriott has multiple properties available Easter weekend right in the heart of downtown that can be booked with Bonvoy points, and each of the three hotels you see in this screenshot are within walking distance to more breweries and eateries than you could possibly visit in one weekend. My wife and I stayed at the Aloft in downtown Asheville in spring 2021 and our car did not move the entire time we were there.

Related: Family fun in Asheville

Beach weekend: South Florida

While plenty of U.S. cities are already basking in the spring sunshine, there are other pockets of the country that have not yet had the chance to enjoy consistent warm weather. It’s a big reason why some may be in search of a warm weekend beach getaway. One of South Florida's many beaches could be a great way to enjoy some warm weather as part of a long holiday weekend.

Getting there

With Easter weekend happening in mid-April, we’ll be past the peak of spring break travel, so some of the demand in Florida may have lessened a bit compared to March. Booking from the mid-Atlantic to South Florida, I found a round trip from BWI to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) on Southwest for 15,038 Rapid Rewards points.

Where to stay

I found a great redemption at a Hyatt property in Miami Beach. The Confidante is right on the water with beach access and pools just steps from the sand as well. While the nightly rate is $579, you can get a room for 20,000 World of Hyatt points. That number of points is worth about $340, according to TPG’s April 2022 Points and Miles Valuations so you’re getting a great redemption!

Related: TPG's Ultimate Guide to Miami and South Florida

(Screenshot courtesy of World of Hyatt)

Late season ski trip: Park City, Utah

Let’s move from the warmth of South Florida to the Rocky Mountains. If residents of colder parts of the country are using the holiday weekend to spend a few days in the sun, we figure it’s equally possible those already in warm climates will try for a late season trip to the ski slopes. Park City is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders each winter, with multiple resorts in the region.

Related: How to ski in Park City with points and miles

Be sure to stay up to date with the the hours and season closing dates for each resort you’re planning on visiting, as well as the impact changing weather conditions could have at this point in the season.

Getting there

Park City is 30-40 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), and how long your drive takes will depend, of course, on the weather. For Easter weekend I found round trips from Los Angeles (LAX) for between $168 and $183 on three different airlines: JetBlue, Alaska and Delta, so you can have your pick.

Where to stay

While there are plenty of properties that go for a couple of hundred dollars per night, I found Marriott’s AC Hotel Park City, a few minutes outside downtown, for $100 per night. While there is a redemption available for 30,000-plus points per night, you’re better off just paying the bargain rate in cash!

Spectacular views & hikes: Sedona, Arizona

Maybe I’m being nostalgic by including this destination in this story, because I visited Sedona on Easter weekend exactly 20 years ago. I’ve wanted to return ever since, though. The red rock mountains are truly a remarkable sight. From longer hikes to shorter walks with spectacular views, or just a weekend lounging at a resort, this is a perfect place to unwind for the weekend.

Getting there

Your best bet for air travel may be to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) and drive the two hours to Sedona. You could always add a night in Phoenix on the front or back end of the trip if you’re hoping to see multiple parts of the state on this trip.

Searching trips from the Midwest, I found a round trip from Chicago-O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Phoenix (PHX) for 26,500 AAdvantage miles on American. It’s not the cheapest award flight you’ll ever find, but it was one of the cheaper weekend options I could find from Chicago to Phoenix over the next couple of months, so you’re not paying too high a premium for traveling on a holiday weekend.

Where to stay

The Hyatt Residence Club has a view of the iconic mountains in Sedona, and it's a great redemption Easter weekend. Instead of paying $450 per night, pay the points rate of 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night, which TPG’s valuations say is worth about $255.

Sightseeing: Washington, DC

Finally, we’ll mention our nation’s capital. As we’ve talked about in recent weeks, there’s a lot more opportunities to enjoy the city and its rich history, COVID-19 restriction-free, compared to just a few weeks ago.

Missed peak bloom of the cherry blossoms? That’s OK. The Smithsonian museums are open longer and with fewer rules, the U.S. Capitol is holding select tours again, and when you’re not sightseeing in the city you can make your way to some of Northern Virginia’s many wineries within an hour or so of downtown.

Getting there

More than any other destination we mentioned, the D.C. area has a host of airports that are home to a wide variety of airline hubs, not to mention extensive Amtrak service. Generally speaking, if you’re looking to burn Southwest points, check BWI first. If you’ve got AAdvantage miles to spend, start looking at flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Brimming with United MileagePlus miles? Try Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Related: Which DC airport should I fly to?

Where to stay

The Kimpton Hotel Monaco is right in the heart of downtown Washington, in a building that has stood for more than 200 years. You can get a great redemption Easter weekend. While you’d pay $331 per night for the cash rate, you’re much better off paying with points from IHG. The points rate of 49,000 per night is worth about $245 per night, according to TPG’s valuations.