Don’t waste your long weekend! Take a few days to experience a new city (or go back and explore some hidden gems in one of your favourite destinations). These cheap weekend flights from Vancouver offer an ideal getaway for a long weekend.
There are long weekends throughout the year for you to choose from, so plan your vacation time and don’t miss out! Here are the statutory holidays for people in British Columbia.
Long Weekends in Canada
British Columbia’s Statutory holidays
- Victoria Day: Monday, May 20th, 2019
- Canada Day: Monday, July 1st, 2019
- B.C. Day: Monday, August 5th, 2019
- Labour Day: Monday, September 2nd, 2019
- Thanksgiving Day: Monday, October 14th, 2019
- Remembrance Day: Monday, November 11th, 2019
Below we’ve picked five cities that offer cheap weekend flights from Vancouver, which you can head to for a quick refresh! Pack your carry-on, book your flight and let’s head out on an adventure.
1. Calgary
Experience the urban cowboy vibe in the beautiful city of Calgary
Why visit Calgary?
Just east of the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a mix of urban and rural life. This scenic Canadian city is known for its cold winters where winter sports enthusiasts drive off to the mountains to enjoy the fresh mountain snow and the warm summers where locals party at the World’s Largest Stampede. It makes a great cheap weekend flight from Vancouver, with a flight that’s just over an hour.
What to do in Calgary
Calgary has a lot of great activities, depending on what you’re up for. If you’re up for seeing cute baby pandas or taking a walk through a prehistoric land, the Calgary Zoo is for you. If you’re looking for food and shopping hit up Stephen Avenue and TD Square. History and art fanatic? Check out the Glenbow Museum. And if you’re visiting in early-to-mid July, remember to hit up the Calgary Stampede—the world’s largest rodeo. But make sure you book your stay early because the city’s accommodations book up fast.
Places to eat in Calgary
Calgary has some great restaurants, depending on what you’re in the mood for. Burger joint Peter’s Drive-In is a local summer favourite. Posto has great pizza and pasta (especially if you head there for their late-night happy hour where everything is half off). If you want some brunch, Red’s Diner serves up a great breakfast or lunch. And if you’re looking for dessert, the best ice cream can be found at Village Ice Cream.
Find more places to eat in Calgary!
Getting around Calgary
Calgary has a frequent bus system that runs from around 5 a.m. to just after midnight and the C-Train Calgary’s light rail transit system runs from the city centre to some of the suburb communities. Downtown, you can rent a bike or take a Car2Go, and you can book rides through Uber and traditional taxi services.
2. Los Angeles
Beaches, theme parks, and taco trucks
Why visit Los Angeles?
Los Angeles seems to be a great place to visit, but does it live up to its reputation? It totally does. Whether you’re a nature lover, beach bum, Disney enthusiast or simply fascinated by Old Hollywood, there is something for everyone. Not to mention, LA has consistently beautiful weather (especially if you’re comparing it to the cold Canadian winter), great food and countless entertainment choices. If you’re looking for some glitz and glam on your cheap weekend flight from Vancouver, then Los Angeles is your getaway destination.
What to do in Los Angeles
Deciding what to do in Los Angeles depends on what kind of traveller you are, but there’s something for everyone. If you’re visiting Los Angeles for the Hollywood vibe, then you’ll want to make your way to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, followed by an afternoon of shopping and enjoying the many cafés on Melrose Avenue.
LA is filled with arts, history, and so many cultural museums, like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. If you’re on the prowl for a new suntan, check out Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Hermosa Beach. And if you’re in it for themed fun, make sure to hit up Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood.
Looking for something else? Find more things to do in LA.
Places to eat in Los Angeles
First things first. You can’t go to California without going to an In-N-Out Burger at least once. Order your meal “animal style” and you won’t be disappointed! There are hundreds of locations throughout the city. For more delicious cheap food and local experience, be sure to stop by one of LA’s many tacos trucks. A favourite late-night spot (and centrally located) is Leo’s Taco Truck on South La Brea. Koreatown in Los Angeles is practically a city in itself, and you’ll find plenty of excellent food options here like Here’s Looking At You and Slurpin’ Ramen.
How to get around Los Angeles
You can ride the Metro Rail line to some (but not all) places in Los Angeles (for instance, from Downtown Los Angeles to Hollywood Boulevard). It’s also a popular option with tourists to rent a bike to get around the beach neighbourhoods like Santa Monica and Venice Beach, as there are well-marked bike paths on this scenic route along the Pacific Ocean! And for those longer trips where there are fewer options, you can always catch an Uber or Lyft. This is the overall best option, especially to get from LAX to your accommodation in Los Angeles.
3. Edmonton
Get your shop on at one of the world’s largest mall and more
Why visit Edmonton?
At first glance, Edmonton doesn’t seem like the ideal cheap weekend getaway from Canada, but it has a lot to offer tourists. Edmonton has one of the world’s largest malls, it’s got museums, parks, and plenty to do, along beautiful neighbourhoods to wander and great food to eat!
What to do in Edmonton
There’s a ton to do in Edmonton for every type of traveller. If you’re looking to have some fun you can visit West Edmonton Mall, which houses both a large indoor theme park and waterpark, not to mention all of the shopping. Visit the Royal Alberta Museum to discover some history and see their collection of dinosaur bones. And grab some local goods from Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market.
Places to eat in Edmonton
Edmonton has a lot of food choices. Foodies love Rosso where you can get some Italian food and pizza. Grab some southern BBQ at a restaurant aptly titled Meat, or have a chic night out at Izakaya Tomo. For some excellent coffee and baked goods, check out The WoodRack Café (and make sure to take some of those chill vibes with your). Take your cafe experience a little further at Edmonton’s Cat Café on Whyte, Edmonton’s first cat café!
Getting around Edmonton
Edmonton Transit has a bus and light rail transit system that you can use to get around the city. The downtown area is also very walkable, and there are a few great options for self-guided arts and culture walking tours of downtown Edmonton. Just outside the city centre, there are so many opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy Edmonton’s nature trails. Check out the city’s community walking maps here.
4. Las Vegas
Play high-roller and experience cheap drinks, food and lodging in Las Vegas
Why visit Las Vegas
If you’re looking for cheap weekend flights from Vancouver, Las Vegas has you covered. With cheap food, stylish hotels and drinks (especially if you’re in the casino), you can have a great time on a serious budget – especially if you’re headed there on the off-season. Plus, there’s something to do for everyone whether you’re looking for history, fun or a show!
What to do in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has a ton to offer travellers looking for a cheap weekend getaway. If you’re looking for something romantic for you and your significant other, put Gondola Rides at the Venetian on your list. The Mob Museum is a local favourite, especially with crime history enthusiasts. Itching to take in a show? Cirque du Soleil “O” is by far the best show in Vegas. And, if you’d rather spend your long weekend in nature, then add Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to your list.
Places to eat in Las Vegas
You can find food everywhere in Las Vegas—cheap food and good food. Ellis Island is home to great, dirt-cheap food (and you can play the slots while you wait). You can hit up Margaritaville for great drinks (because it’s 5 o’clock somewhere). Grab some “twisted farm food” at Hash House A Go Go or oysters at The Oyster Bar. Or even have a quick slice at Secret Pizza inside the Cosmopolitan Hotel along The Strip.
Check out this list of the best pools in Las Vegas.
Getting around Las Vegas
Las Vegas has a few transportation choices for you, in addition to your traditional cabs, Uber and Lyft rides (make sure you have the apps downloaded before your trip!), you can ride the Monorail that operates on the Las Vegas Strip or the Deuce—Vegas’ public transit system.
5. Portland, Oregon
Hipster city vibes and the great outdoors along the west coast
Why visit Portland
One of the greenest city’s in the U.S., Portland has a perfect mix of urban escape and outdoor fun around the city. Explore the city’s many independent businesses from restaurants, boutique clothing shops, and bookstores, and let your inner hippie shine with a trip to Portland. With one of the best public transportation systems and a temperate climate year-round, there’s no bad time to visit this beautiful west coast city. And it’s just over an hour by flight from Vancouver, so what’s not to love?
What to do in Portland
Not-to-be-missed attractions in Portland include the Portland Japanese Garden, a tranquil and beautiful set of five gardens worth experiencing any time of year and it’s easily accessible by bus. If you’re in the city over the weekend, be sure to go to the Portland Saturday Market, the oldest local artisan market in the U.S.! Another recommendation is to take a short drive just outside of Portland to the nearby Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon. For more outdoor fun, the Powell Butte Nature Park offers so many walking and biking trails in east Portland where you can experience the diverse fauna of the Pacific Northwest.
Places to eat in Portland
Vegetarians and vegans, meat-eaters, and all foodie’s under the sun are bound to have a blast sampling all the food that Portland has to offer. Start with some of Portland’s best street food at Hapa, which serves veggie and meat ramen and rice bowls. If you’re in the mood for something sweet you won’t regret a trip to Pip’s Original Donuts, where a cup of chai and a plate of their delicious mini donuts are a slice of heaven. For some good food and fresh craft beer, head to Portland’s Pearl District, where you’ll find beloved spots like the Deschutes Brewery and more.
Portland for penny-pinchers: a budget traveller’s guide
Getting around Portland
Portland is a very well-connected city, with the TriMet MAX Light Rail, WES Commuter Rail and efficient bus system taking people in and around the city. There’s also the Portland Streetcar, which frequently serves passengers in and around Portland and is cheap and accessible to everyone. The Portland MAX Light Rail Red Line also connects to PDX, so this is your overall best option from the airport.
Looking for More Great Cheap Getaway Ideas?
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- Summer Holidays and Vacation Deals 2019
- Cheap Weekend Flights from Toronto
Find Your Perfect Hotel Deal
Find great hotel deals in any of these cities for your long weekend getaway using our hotel search below. Happy travels!
