Long weekend getaways are a great, short, well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With the August long weekend coming up fast, it’s time to plan out where you’re headed. 

The upcoming Civic Holiday is a wonderful chance to take a brief escape from your everyday life and explore a new place for the weekend. Whether you only have a day or want to spend the entire holiday exploring a new spot, we’ve gathered up our favourite day trips and weekend getaways from major Canadian cities to give you some inspiration for this summer long weekend. 

Where to go for a long weekend in August

If you’ve got the time and resources to take off for the August Civic Holiday and are looking for a short flight to a great destination, we’ve got three of the best weekend getaways in August!

Why visit: Portland is a great city for every type of traveller—whether you’re a foodie, looking for adventure or culture, or simply want to experience a different place, there’s something there for everyone.

What to do: There are a ton of amazing things to do in Portland, depending on what kind of tourist you are. You can get your hands dirty at The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, take the kids for a wander around Washington Park, and even visit the Children’s Museum and Japanese Gardens. 

If you’re looking for a more historic adventure, try out Pittock Mansion. For a short day trip outside of Portland, head to Cannon Beach for a day near the waves, about 90 minutes west of the city. 

Places to eat: Portland has just about any type of food you could ask for, so you won’t go hungry here. The Star serves some great Chicago-style pizza, or you can grab some Texas-style BBQ at Holy Trinity BBQ. For something sweet, go for an ice cream cone at Salt & Straw, a local favourite, and enjoy your evening wandering the streets.

Getting around: The cheapest way to get around Portland is by MAX Light Rail, which offers connections to the Portland International Airport (PDX). Portland also has a bus and streetcar system with frequent service that takes passengers around the city.

Why visit: New York City is one of the world's ultimate destinations, whether you're planning short- or long-term travel. Whatever your dream long weekend looks like, you can accomplish it in this grand city this August long weekend.

What to do: What’s there not to do in New York City? There’s no shortage of activities in the city that never sleeps. If you’re looking for carnival fun, consider hitting up Coney Island for some rides, the beach, and all-day fun with friends or family. Or head to Times Square and check out what’s playing on Broadway, and you’re sure to find a show that will interest you! 

If you’re looking for arts and culture, the Metropolitan Museum of Art always has something new to explore. After your museum day, you can spend the late afternoon soaking up some sun in Central Park. 

Places to eat: It’s hard to recommend only a handful of places to eat in New York City, so instead, let’s talk about the types of food you have to try when you head there. New York-style pizza will never be the same as it is in the city it’s named after. If you’re headed to a ballgame, it’s mandatory that you grab yourself a hot dog. And for breakfast or lunch? Definitely get yourself a bodega bacon, egg, and cheese.

Getting around: Your best bet for getting around New York City is the MTA subway system. While you can drive a car, you’ll probably spend most of your time stuck in traffic. You can also grab a cab or a rideshare (Lyft and Uber are the most used rideshare apps in New York), but depending on the time of day, walking may be your best bet.

Why visit: Boston is a quick skip-and-a-jump from Montreal—more specifically, it’s about an hour and fifteen minute flight. If you’re itching for some history, beauty, and lots of Italian food, then this is the perfect destination for you.

What to do: One of the top must-see attractions in Boston is the Freedom Trail, which includes 16 historic landmarks. It stretches over 4 km, so grab your walking shoes and immerse yourself in some history. 

If museums are more of your thing, Boston has a ton. A popular choice is the Museum of Fine Arts, where you can see over 450,000 works of art. Feeling sporty? Catch a baseball game at Fenway Park for laughs, cheers, and lots of hot dogs.

Places to eat: Boston has no shortage of Italian eateries, which is probably why almost all of the top restaurants are Italian. If you’re searching for some cheap eats, The Kitchen Cafe and Mike’s City Diner are both highly rated Boston restaurants. For a fancy fine dining experience, French Mistral comes highly recommended (one reviewer even said that it’s “not to be missed”), and if you’re looking for the top Italian eats, Mario’s Restaurant is the best in the city.

Getting around: Boston has an extensive transit system, including a bus system and the ‘T’ subway. In some of the more core travel areas, you can simply explore on foot or hop on a sightseeing bus tour for a quick zip around the city. Uber and Lyft are also popular options, so make sure to download them before your trip for easy access.

Other weekend getaway ideas

Curious what your other options are for long weekend getaways in August? Find somewhere else to spend your vacation by using Skyscanner’s Explore Everywhere to discover affordable destinations close to home. Here are some of the great deals we’ve found:

Short day trips

Not everyone has the time (or money) for a full-on getaway. If that’s the case for you, we’ve got some ideas for a short day or overnight trip you can take to get away this August long weekend. 

Why visit: Home to the longest freshwater beach in the world (yes, the entire world), Wasaga Beach is a great day trip from Toronto to end off your summer vacation. Located about 90 minutes outside of the city, this is a bustling summer vacation spot enjoyed by many travellers who want a beach getaway close to home.

What to do: If you’re up for kayaking, paddleboarding, or just sunning on the beach, hit up Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. Keep in mind that it’s a provincial park, so you’ll have to pay to access. If you’re looking for history, check out the Nancy Island Historic Site, where you can learn about the War of 1812, or bring your golf clubs and play a round at the Marlwood Golf & Country Club.

Places to eat: For cheap eats, head to Mosley Street Grill or Topper’s Pizza in Wasaga Beach. If you’re looking for something a little nicer for date night, Catch 22 Fresh Market Grill and the West River Cookhouse both serve delicious local cuisine!

Getting around: Wasaga Beach has local residential transit, but only two lines run from 7:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. Your best bet is to bring your own vehicle or try calling a cab.

Why visit: Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria is a blend of hipster-cool, natural beauty, and historic sites, perfect for your August long weekend trip. It’s a quiet oceanside city that somehow still bustles with activity. Plus, it’s just a ferry ride from Vancouver, making it a great day or overnight trip.

What to do: If you’re a history lover, Craigdarroch Castle, built by the Dunsmuir family, is a great choice for a tour. The Dunsmirs also built Hatley Castle, where they filmed some of your favourite Hollywood blockbuster films, like X-Men. 

Take a walk on the inner harbor wharf and watch the ships come in, then wander over to the British Columbia Legislature to take in the historic architecture (it’s especially beautiful at night when it’s lit up). Or head out on the ocean for a whale-watching expedition!

Places to eat: Victoria has a ton of amazing places to eat. If you’re looking for seafood, stop at Finn’s on Wharf Street to grab a bite on their balcony overlooking the harbour. For a fancy night out, the Steamship Grill offers a great selection of food. And if you want good ol’ fashioned diner food, check out Frankie’s Modern Diner.

Getting around: Victoria has a bus system that can get you from one place to another, and while it’s reliable, it can take quite a while since the Greater Victoria Area is so spread out. Victoria also uses rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, traditional taxis, and even water taxis to some places. But for the most flexibility, your best bet is probably to bring or rent a vehicle.

Why visit: Home to the bones of dinosaurs, the world’s largest T. rex, and otherworldly landscapes, Drumheller is a short hour-and-a-half drive from Calgary. If you’re looking for a unique small-city experience and have some little ones itching to learn about dinosaurs, then this is your ideal long weekend getaway.

What to do: The Royal Tyrrell Museum is Drumheller’s top tourist attraction. Housing some of the most amazing skeletons and displays of prehistoric beings. You can walk among the largest collection of dinosaur skeletons in the world in Dinosaur Hall, see a woolly mammoth in the ice age exhibit, and even go on a dig! While you’re in the area, make sure you pop by and visit the World’s Largest Dinosaur, check out the Hoodoos, or take a quick drive out to Coaldale and see the old mine.

Places to eat: If you’re looking for cheap eats, try a bite at Café Ole. The food at Athens Greek Restaurant is also a must-try, or check out the authentic atmosphere at the Last Chance Saloon. 

Getting around: Your best bet for getting around Drumheller is a car. While there is a transit system, the city is fairly small, so it’s not the same as taking transit in a major city. Likewise, you can take a taxi from place to place, but you won’t find any rideshare programs here.

Plan your August long weekend getaway

Not convinced that these destinations are for you, or simply want to see what else is out there? Check out our Savings Generator tool to easily discover flight deals for your perfect August long weekend vacation spot.

We’ve also created a handy guide to help you get the best deals on last-minute trips. And if you’ve got somewhere else in mind, use the search engine below to find the best fares.