Places to Visit on Short Notice

Americans are notorious for working too hard and leaving vacation time on the table; when that happens, a list of places to visit on short notice comes in handy.

According to a survey of 1,387 workers conducted at the end of 2024 by Eagle Hill Consulting, 48 percent of U.S. workers said they did not expect to take all of their allotted vacation days that year. And more than one-third (36 percent) said they had not taken a vacation in the past 12 months.

With a new year upon us, perhaps it’s time to make a resolution to turn those figures around. Meaning, let’s make sure 2026 is the year we all use our vacation time to the fullest. (Because we deserve it.)

However, if you find yourself nearing the end of yet another year with vacation days still available, we’ve got you covered with places to visit on short notice.

The following five destinations are incredibly easy to visit at the last minute. That’s due to an abundance of flight service or because the destination is easily reached by car. In addition, each option on our list has an ample variety of accommodations, as well as entertainment or activities that do not require advance reservations. 

Translation: If you find yourself in need of last-minute travel inspo as 2026 comes to a close, refer back to this list of places to visit on short notice for a little travel inspiration. 

1. Monterey County, California

Words do not do justice to the stunning scenery in Monterey County, which is located along the California coast just south of San Francisco. Known for is striking coastal views along the Pacific Ocean, lush landscape, hidden beaches and marine life, Monterey is a great option for last minute getaways.

Here’s why: In-state visitors can enjoy scenic drives from San Francisco, reaching Monterey County in about two hours. Out-of-state guests, meanwhile, can fly directly into Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) from a long list of cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Seattle—with additional connections available through nearby San Jose and San Francisco airports for an even wider range of domestic and international routes.

Once you arrive, there’s plenty to do with no advance notice required. One of the most popular activities here is simply driving along the coastline taking in the unforgettable cliffside vistas.

“Bucket-list worthy Highway 1 is now fully open for the first time in three years, offering one of America’s most iconic coastal drives that unwinds past rugged bluffs and ocean views,” says Jennifer Chiesa, director of public relations at See Monterey.

Additional options include visiting the many picturesque beaches and state parks here, watching migrating whales in Monterey Bay, and exploring the story-book streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea with its eclectic art galleries and boutique shops, says Chiesa.

“Add in historic Cannery Row, abundant outdoor adventures and state parks, and the many artisanal food and wine offerings, and Monterey delivers a coastal escape that feels both effortlessly reachable and endlessly rewarding,” adds Chiesa.

One more all-important factor: Monterey County offers a truly diverse range of accommodations, with options to meet all travel budgets. There are campgrounds and RV parks, a variety of charming bed-and-breakfasts, and of course, plenty of hotels and resorts.

2. Las Vegas, Nevada

With its sheer abundance of hotel rooms, Las Vegas is one of the easiest places in the country to visit on short notice. There’s 37 hotels along the Las Vegas Strip, with a combined inventory of 85,612 rooms. 

Flights to the city are equally plentiful. In fact, according to the website Flight Connections, “In total there are 172 airports around the world that have direct flights to Las Vegas, spread around 161 cities in 14 countries.” There are also 144 domestic flights to Las Vegas. In January alone, 14,276 flights arrived at Las Vegas airport, amounting to 476 flights per day or 20 flights per hour.

“Las Vegas is ideal for last-minute booking with constant flight volume and high hotel turnover, as well as competitive pricing, which means both airlines and hoteliers expect flexible inventory,” says Jay Wardle, president of Adara, a data company that works with brands and destinations.

Added bonus, once you arrive, there’s no end to the entertainment options. Sure, you can just head to the casino. But Las Vegas is a city with a constantly evolving lineup of shows, nightlife, and cultural attractions.

It’s the ideal place to “decide what activities you’d like to do upon arrival, as it’s not like a Disney-type vacation where you have to book attractions in advance,” says Wardle.

3. Orlando, Florida

Speaking of Disney, Orlando, a destination that’s perhaps most famously home to Walt Disney World, is another noteworthy choice when it comes to scheduling a vacation on the fly. And that’s not because it’s home to the most famous theme park in the country.

“Orlando is one of the top, most highly trafficked airports in the country, which means hotels are plentiful, far beyond theme parks,” Wardle tells TravelPulse.

Because Orlando attracts far more than just vacation-bound visitors, it’s a safe bet that you’ll find a fairly affordable flight here, have plenty of rental car options, and myriad accommodation options to choose from, explains Wardle.

Let’s break that down a little further. First, the accommodations. Yes, there are numerous big resorts and hotels to choose from in the Orlando area, but there’s also an abundance of what Wardle calls “non-hotel” options beyond the theme park corridor area. Think: Airbnbs, VRBO and the like.

“Private rentals like personal homes, villas, or condo-style properties in areas like Winter Park, Celebration, and Kissimmee can be found on platforms like VRBO or AirBNB, often at the last minute,” continues Wardle. “These kinds of private options are often quieter, more spacious, and have more of a casual ‘like home’ feel while being within an easy driving distance to the airport and major attractions.”

One more important note about Orlando for last-minute travelers. The city also has a high volume of outbound flights. And here’s why that matters if you’re trying to plan a trip with relatively short notice.

“Travelers who book last minute typically have more options if they need or want to adjust their return timeframe,” Wardle says. “That flexibility can prove invaluable and almost unmatched compared to most other areas when trying to use up vacation days at the last minute or when plans are fluid.”

And in case you’re curious, since we didn’t already discuss, it is also possible to visit Orlando’s many theme parks without much advance planning. But you’ll want to aim to do that on weekdays or outside peak holiday periods, just to be safe. The best way to score a last-minute theme park trip is to buy a single-day ticket at the park entrance, not online, advises Wardle. “Theme parks do reward flexibility,” he says. 



4. Phoenix, Arizona

If it’s endless sun you’re seeking on a last-minute getaway, Phoenix is another one of the places to visit on short notice to keep top of mind. The Arizona city (known for 300 days of sunshine annually) is another place with abundant flight service, says Maddi Bourgerie, a travel expert with the platform Reshare.

According to Flight Connections, there were 17,544 flights serving Phoenix Airport this month, which amounts to a whopping 585 flights per day or 24 flights per hour. (Putting it ahead of even Las Vegas).


Phoenix is also known for its many reasonably priced hotels, says Bourgerie. In total, there are more than 72,000 hotel rooms across 560 hotels in the greater Phoenix area. You’ll also find 40 full-service resorts here.

Once you’ve arrived, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in the city and beyond. “Travelers can base in Phoenix for sunshine and dining, or rent a car and be in Sedona, Flagstaff, or even the Grand Canyon within a few hours,” explains Bourgerie. 

“For outdoor-focused travelers with unused vacation days, Northern Arizona delivers bucket-list trails and red rock views without requiring months of planning, Bourgerie adds. “We also see RV rentals in this region surge during shoulder seasons, giving last-minute travelers even more flexibility around lodging.”

5. Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania 

An up-and-comer or somewhat less well-known destination compared to the others on our list, there’s much to love about Lehigh Valley for travelers, especially when it comes to visiting on a moment’s notice.

The region is known for its beautiful green countryside and for being home to the communities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.

But here’s what makes Lehigh so convenient: It’s close to two major East Coast cities, being just 90 minutes from New York City and 60 minutes from Philadelphia, making it a great choice for road trippers. Travelers can also fly into Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) with direct flights from hubs like Atlanta, Charlotte, and Orlando, making it a simple option for both Northeast and out-of-market travelers.

Here are still more reasons to visit: Lehigh is a destination that offers an abundance of activities and entertainment without the crowds or premium pricing of bigger destinations. During winter, for instance, there is the Christkindlmarkt (named one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel + Leisure), ice skating, brewery hopping, and winery tastings.

For spring and summer visitors, there’s plenty of outdoor adventures, craft beer trails, and Musikfest (the nation’s largest free-admission music festival with 500+ performances). Fall, meanwhile, features a variety of harvest festivals, stunning foliage, and apple picking. In addition to all that, there’s an active arts and dining scene year-round.

Lehigh is also home to many downtowns worth exploring, including Bethlehem, Easton, and Allentown. In each of these communities, visitors will find breweries, cocktail bars, live music, galleries, and restaurants without a complicated itinerary.

“Lehigh Valley makes last-minute travel easy,” says Alex Michaels, president and CEO of Discover Lehigh Valley. “Accommodations are typically available without inflated pricing, and our walkable downtowns make it simple to arrive and start exploring — from craft breweries and live music to great dining and history.”

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to plan and book a trip to one of the places to visit on short notice.