Memorial Day Escapes: Some of the Best from East to West

The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Newport, RI (pictured)

This Memorial Day weekend,, the historic mansion turned hotel on Newport, Rhode Island's famous Cliff Walk is debuting its Cliff Walk Terrace for the summer season. Guests are invited to dine al fresco amid the glowing lights, breathtaking ocean views and experience a modern take on fresh Newport cuisine, infused with creativity and local flavor. Executive Chef Thomas Duffy designed a speciality menu with New England plates that focus on local and upscale comfort food including Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with lemon, feta, quinoa and olive tapenade and an Artisanal Seafood Charcuterie plate with pastrami-cured salmon, local smoked blue fish paté, and Asian-marinated calamari.

Mayflower Grace, Washington, CT

Starting Memorial Day Weekend, Mayflower Grace's outdoor pool be open with lunch service, as well as the tennis courts and putting green. Additionally, the Shakespeare Garden will be in full bloom for guests to enjoy. Located in the idyllic town of Washington, Connecticut, Mayflower Grace is an exquisite country retreat, nestled on 58 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland. Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect time for a quick getaway and to enjoy the perfectly manicured grounds that surround the property.

The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, VA

Package/program: Experience a Memorial Day tradition, the Rolling Thunder XXVII, Ride for Freedom on May 25, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Whether you are in active duty in the military, a war veteran, or patriotic citizen, you can witness or participate in this spectacular display of unity as thousands of motorcycles from all over the country converge on Washington, D.C.

Cost: $189 USD per night

Mission Point Resort , Mackinac Island, MI

Set on 18 acres of lakefront property where Lake Huron meets Lake Michigan, lies the 239 room Mission Point Resort. With new programming such as kite flying workshops and Michigan Music Showcases, a rotating lineup of young Michigan musicians including The Accidentals, Blake Elliot, Missy Zenker, E Minor, Jetty Rae and others, performing live, Mission Point will be a loaded getaway for Memorial Day weekend with full menu of activities offering sure to create your most memorable family vacation yet. Additionally, Mission Point will be selling frozen fudge, to ensure that Memorial Day weekend travelers staying cool.

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Package/program: The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale will be kicking off the start of the summer with activities and programs for all ages. While enjoying a fresh cocktails prepared to order “Margaritaville” from the newly launched cocktail cart, let the little ones have fun with different activities including tie dying, hair braiding, sand art, painting, DJ Trivia, and Ritz Kids Pool Dive.

Surf & Sand Resort, Laguna Beach, CA

Join Surf & Sand Resort, located right on Laguna Beach's pristine shoreline, for an incredible Memorial Day weekend right on the beach. Surf & Sand will be celebrating the kick-off of summer with a variety of fitness, spa, and dining activities from May 22-25! Start the weekend off right on Friday night with a Manager's Reception, welcoming guests with complimentary wine and appetizers at 15fiftyfive lounge at 5:30 p.m., while kid's can escape to arts & crafts, movies and pizza! Saturday and Sunday morning, choose from fitness on the beach at 9 a.m. or sleep in and wake up to the sounds of crashing waves followed by brunch at Splashes restaurant at 11:30 a.m. Spend the afternoon rewinding and relaxing with massages on the pool deck, overlooking the water. Additional weekend programming include Make-Your-Own Pancakes & Burritos at 15fiftyfive lounge, $10 for adults and $8 for kids, or choose from a variety of street tacos on the patio and drink specials on Sunday and Monday afternoon. You'll have plenty of options for celebrating the holiday weekend with fun in the sun, at Surf & Sand Resort!

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, San Diego, CA

This Memorial Day, Rancho Valencia is the perfect place to kick off summer fun in San Diego for the whole family. Rancho Valencia is located 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego and a short drive from the warm and sunny beaches of Del Mar and La Jolla. Rancho Valencia will be kicking off summer with its special Junior Ranchers camp with brand new programming including kid-friendly yoga in the mornings, behind the scenes action with Chef in the kitchen, tennis lessons, craft their own hot air balloons, and much more. Junior Ranchers camp is crafted just for kids ages 5-12 and is available six days a week in either a full day session for $95 or half day session for $55 this summer.

Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa, Henderson, NV

Enjoy some fun in the sun with the whole family for Memorial Day weekend at “the other Vegas.” The new Family Fun Zone by Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa, will offer families great activities such as cornhole games, oversized chess/checkers games, and outdoor ping pong. Located 20 minutes from The Strip, the resort is situated on Lake Las Vegas and is the perfect place to launch a desert adventure. The pool side will offer Dive In movies, where everyone can gather around the pool and enjoy what's playing or sit outside by the fire pit under the stars and make delicious s'mores. Book the “Escape to the Lake” package and enjoy overnight accommodations and daily American breakfast at Rick's Café with rates starting from $109 per night.

Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, AZ

Take a break this summer and escape to Tanque Verde Ranch, in Tucson Arizona, a desert wonderland of serene, breath taking backdrops, memorable experiences, and a place where guests can unwind from the stresses of reality. Tanque Verde Ranch is offering families a “Kids Stay Free” package that allows families, friends and loved ones to take on 60,000 acres of glorious adventures, relaxation, authentic cuisine, and ultimate family time, while taking a break with savings. With rates starting as low as $550/night, this package offers deluxe lodging, three daily heartily meals, supervised children's program, horseback trail rides and lessons, fishing, guided hikes, mountain biking, bingo, nature programs and many other family activities. This Memorial Day, book a minimum of 3 nights and 2 children from ages 4 - 11 can stay for free. This package is available from May 15 – September 16.

The Wigwam, Litchfield Park, AZ

The Wigwam is offering hot summer deals and cool activities for kids (and adults!) of all ages. Families have been creating memories at The Wigwam for decades and the fun continues this summer with room rates starting at $99 per night and new glow-in-the-dark games, zoo animals, and more! Summer is a great time to visit Arizona, as it cools down in the evenings, giving families the opportunity to experience The Wigwam's nighttime family-friendly festivities.

Travelers can take advantage of The Wigwam's special summer deals including the Summer Splash Package with rates starting at just $99*. Guests enjoy unlimited daily golf at Wigwam Golf Club for the price of a single round (kids under 17 years old golf free with a paying adult). Chill poolside with discounted cabana rentals for $50 Sunday-Thursday and $75 on Friday and Saturday. Children ages four and younger eat free in Litchfield's and Red's Bar & Grill with a paid adult entree per child. Valid for stay dates May 25–Sept. 10. Promo code: SPLASH15. Tax and $22 resort fee are not included in package rate. Other deals include the Summerscapes Package with rates starting at $129*, which includes a $50 resort credit per paid night per room. Valid for stay dates May 25–Sept. 10. Promo code: SMRSCAPES. Rates for the 3 2 1 Summer Fun Package start at $179*. Valid for stay dates June 1–Sept. 10; two-night minimum with a $10 resort fee. Promo code: 321SMR15. *Restrictions apply. All packages are subject to availability and blackout dates including but not limited to holidays and holiday weekends.

Cost: Rates starting at $99 per night.