If done correctly, the weekend getaway can be just as rewarding as the full-fledged vacation. All of the following destinations offer an escape from the ordinary and the chance to live your best Friday to Sunday life.

Savvy cruisers have known for years about the magic of Mobile and you're sure to be under its spell after a couple of days in this coastal town. Explore its rich history (which includes being the home of America's original Mardi Gras) at a myriad of museums and the colonial fort before heading for the beach on nearby Dauphin Island. And if you happened to be in town around Mardi Gras or St. Patrick's Day, prepare for a party.

The "Salmon Capital of the World" is the perfect place to slow down the pace for a couple of days, especially if you arrive in offseason. Explore the historical sights and shops on Creek Street before making for mesmerizing Misty Fjords National Monument.

No matter the season, Flagstaff offers visitors fresh mountain air, fun events and an escape from the busier cities of Arizona. In summer, it's the perfect place to beat the heat, while in winter you can play in the snow on the local slopes and warm up inside the town's bistros and breweries. And if that wasn't enough, 'Flag is a great jumping-off point for the Grand Canyon.

Historic Eureka Springs is situated in the romantic rolling hills of Northern Arkansas and is the perfect place to slow down the pace for a couple of days. Spend your days exploring the wilderness, your evenings dining in historic downtown and your nights admiring the Victorian architecture from the seat of a horse-drawn carriage.

There are lots of places in California to hit the beach, but Catalina is where you go to spend a weekend on "island time". Sweeping sands, warm water, cotton candy-colored sunsets and a casino await on this carefree place located only 20 miles off the coast.

The bars and restaurants on Durango's Main Avenue will keep both food and beer lovers enthralled for an entire weekend while the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will provide memories (and photos) that will last a lifetime.

Stonington feels less discovered than some other towns on the Connecticut coast and that's a large part of its small-town charm. The romantic Stonington Inn hotel (complete with roaring fireplace) makes a great base from which to explore the town's stone lighthouse and many boutiques & galleries.

Get lost from the big city in Lewes for the weekend and you might not want to ever go back. Explore the historic seaside town can by foot-including the sands of Cape Henlopen- before taking to the ferry to the equally fetching nearby Cape May, New Jersey for the day.

How does the "southernmost weekend getaway in America" sound? Explore history and happening nightlife all just 90 miles from Cuba in Key West. You're sure to come back refreshed after a couple of days sipping cocktails, eating key lime pie and spending time out on the water.

Just off the shores of Savannah, you will find Tybee Island and its shores are sure to take you back in time for the weekend. Slow down the pace by exploring by bicycle and finishing your day off with a sunset libation at one of America's best beach bars.

Otherworldly landscapes. Heavenly beaches. Quiet retreats. You will find it all on Hawaii's "Garden Island" and you may not want to go back to the comparatively hectic pace of the main islands again.

Boise is buzzing right now and you can experience some of the best traits of this town in one weekend. Wake up early on Saturday to explore the surrounding hills by bike and then treat yourself to an afternoon full of local cans of craft beer and plates of gourmet food. But be careful, because you may find yourself wanting to move there.

With its bevy of well preserved 19th-century buildings, Galena is a great place to go in order to evade the pace of modern life for the weekend. Ulysses S. Grant loved it here and you're bound to follow in his footsteps.

Divine dunes of sand are the star attraction at America's newest national park. Explore the length and breadth of the majestic mounds before retreating back to a local B&B.

You already know that Lake Okoboji is the place to go when the heat gets cranked up in the Hawkeye State, but it doesn't shut down after summer has ended. No, you will find serene lakeside scenes and plenty of fun things to fill a weekend all winter long, too.

Wichita is the clear winner when it comes to a getaway in Kansas. Whether you are into the arts, entertainment, getting active or just watching a game, you won't run out of options here. All the action is overseen by the poignant Keeper of the Plains statue, a must-visit.

Kick-off your weekend in Lex' by visiting the galleries and fine restaurants downtown before topping your night off with a drink and the many lively bars. Then, spend Saturday exploring the rich equestrian heritage that makes the region so special.

You will be hard-pressed to eat and drink in all the delicious specialties of Baton Rouge in one weekend, but you will have fun trying. This lively town comes alive with music and nightlife, especially when the LSU Tigers play at home on Saturdays in the fall.

It doesn't get more New England than Kennebunkport. The invigorating sea air will help fuel Saturdays and Sundays full of shopping and meandering through museums while the weekend evenings are all about feasting on local seafood.

The historic and weathered streets of Maryland's capital make a great getaway from the metropolises of the East Coast. Spend your weekend on the water (Annapolis is known affectionately as "America's Sailing Capital") or stay high, dry and thoroughly impressed at the shops and top-notch restaurants.

This island is the place you go to slip into an easier pace of life and now ferries connect many major cities to Martha's Vineyard as well, which makes it more accessible than ever. Spend the days cycling and kayaking and the nights dining and imbibing.

So very much more than just a "college town", Ann Arbor will fill your weekend with foodie and cultural delights. Check out the latest displays at the local museums before taking in a concert at the famous venue The Ark. It's definitely still a college town so if the Wolverines happen to be playing a football game at home when you're there, your weekend just got that much more fun.

Spend a Saturday exploring the great outdoors on its doorstep and your bound to become smitten with this small town on the Mississippi. The local bluffs provide and especially enchanting view of the town from above.

World-class gaming. Coastal vibe. Great Seafood. Friendly faces. What's not to like about spending a couple of days in Biloxi and the surrounding Mississippi Gulf Coast?

No matter the season, a getaway to the Lake of the Ozarks is sure to reset your dials. Rent a boat (or provide your own) in order to spend your Saturday in a hidden cove and then top it off with a night out at one of the many lakeside watering holes.

All points lead to Billings and any weekend escape here is sure to be one to remember. Learn all about the region at the Western Heritage Center before setting off to explore the surrounding countryside under the state's signature oversized skies. At night, bounce between hip eateries and craft breweries.

Often overlooked by the state's biggest city Omaha, Lincoln is the perfect place to slip away for a couple of days. Hop around the historic Haymarket District on Friday night before spending a lazy Saturday admiring the state capitol or perusing the myriad of museums on the campus of the University of Nebraska.

The "Biggest Little City in the World" is a kaleidoscope of neon and flashing lights and will fill your weekend with fun from start to finish. Try out your luck at the casinos Friday night before spending Saturday breathing in the fresh air of nearby Lake Tahoe.

The "capital" of the Sea Coast is a walkable delight. The port is still working and the streets are lined with independent, locally-owned businesses that will give you a true flavor of the region.

No matter the time of year, the grand facades and soft sands of Cape May make for a welcome break from urban life. Whether you have an active day on the sea or about town, a sunset stroll down the promenade is a must-do.

A mecca for those who appreciate art and/or are intrigued by Southwest landscapes and Native American culture, Taos and the surrounding peaks will keep your interest piqued all weekend long.

From glacial lakes to great glasses of wine, the Finger Lakes are an Upstate Utopia. Spend your days visiting the vineyards and your evenings curled up by a log fire.

Charlotte often gets overlooked on lists like this, but North Carolina's biggest city of full of fun things to do for the weekend. You could take it slow and just luxuriate in one of the top-notch hotels or bounce around town between galleries, restaurants, bars and sporting events: it's up to you.

They are fond of saying that things are a little "cooler" up north in Fargo, and after a weekend there, you are bound to agree. Downtown Fargo buzzes day and night during summer-especially at the Red River market on Saturdays-but there's something fun going on all year-round.

Dayton lies close to both Cincinnati and Columbus but it retains its own unique personality. Spend time at the Dayton Art Institute before skipping over to nearby bohemian Yellow Springs to feel like you've left the city behind.

Whether or not you are an architecture aficionado or not, Tulsa's wealth of Art Deco buildings will make a fine first impression on year. Admire them as you spend a weekend visiting the myriad of attractions in downtown, including Gathering Place-America's most spectacular new riverfront park.

The home of the University of Oregon, Eugene is the perfect jumping-off point for an active weekend away from home. In addition to a lively town full of bars and restaurants, the region presents the chance to hike, kayak, river raft and swim in hot springs.

Erie has a tendency to surprise visitors and there are enough unexpected twists to keep you busy for a weekend. You'll want to spend plenty of time on the strands of sand at Presque Isle State Park, the jewel of the city and a refuge on the shores of Lake Erie.

Start out your weekend with a stroll on the world-famous Cliff Walk, which offers an up-close view of the sea and the Gilded Age mansions that Newport is known for. Then fast forward to modern times with a meal at one Newport's on-trend modern restaurants.

Greenville is on the rise and so you might as well spend a weekend now before all your friends do. What makes it special? The great food? The friendly locals? The "Main Street, USA" feel? The nearby mountains? How about all of the above.

They won't be confused with Niagara, but the cascades in Sioux Falls are still sure to take your breath away. Start your weekend with a visit to Falls Park to see them for yourself and then spend the rest of your time relaxing and seeing why South Dakota's biggest city is one of the West's best-kept secrets.

You probably already know that Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee, but the town is full of fun things that will keep you entertained for a weekend. For starters: admire Knox's signature Sunsphere before taking off down the Tennessee River on the Star of Knoxville riverboat.

This entire region of Texas is full of lovely towns that will take you away to another place. You may have spent the entire weekend in Texas, but you'll feel like you were much further afield. Fredricksburg is one of the highlights, as this town makes its German heritage a part of everything it does.

Ski mecca in winter, mountain playground in summer. Nope, it doesn't matter when you park up for a weekend in Park City, you're going to have a great time.

Montpelier often gets missed on checklists of "places to go in New England" but one weekend in Vermont's capital will have you crooning its praises. Admire the grand state house before perusing the bevy of local restaurants and bars.

Richmond is red hot and for very good reason. The arts scene is stimulating, the craft breweries are pouring high-quality suds and more and more people are discovering that the city's active pursuits are second-to-none. One weekend probably won't be enough time to truly appreciate this city, but it's sure better than staying home.

These pristine pearls of land off the coast offer the chance to either disappear into the wilderness on an active weekend away or to just laze the day away at rustic island hotel. The choice is yours.

Morgantown is sure to surprise. Spend your Friday night hanging out with WVU Mountaineers at one of the town's lively nightlife venues and the next day playing mountaineer yourself. Or you could opt to go white water rafting on the nearby Cheat River.

The capital of Wisconsin is also one of the country's coolest college towns. Spend some time throwing them back with the Badger-faithful but then take a dive into the cool arts and foodie scene that is making Madison a hot name in travel circles.

Cheyenne is the cultural capital of the state and you'll find plenty to do over 48 hours here. For starters, go on a "scavenger hunt-style" adventure finding all of the hand-painted eight-foot-tall cowboy boots on display in the city. Then, head out to one of the town's many galleries before settling in for an excellent meal.