Top summer getaways

Looking to plan a last-minute escape this Memorial Day weekend? These destinations are perfect for a weekend trip.

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Surfers stay in a designated surfing area near 92nd Street at Rockaway Beach in New York. In recent years, Rockaway has gone from bedraggled to beloved by artists, surfers and Brooklyn and Manhattan hipsters. Rockaway Beach has had a certain cachet for natives of Queens, if only because it’s supposedly the largest urban beach in the United States.

Kirsten Luce / For The Washington Post

Sun umbrellas rise on the first day of summer at Seattle's Alki Beach Park. The park is one of many <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/urban-beaches-around-the-country/2011/06/07/AGDBMmtH_story.html'>beaches nationwide</a> that are close to urban centers, providing locals with gems of sand and surf. Visitors, take note.

Sun umbrellas rise on the first day of summer at Seattle's Alki Beach Park. The park is one of many beaches nationwide that are close to urban centers, providing locals with gems of sand and surf. Visitors, take note.

Elaine Thompson / AP

It's screams galore on the 'Tornado' ride at <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/kings-dominion-wet-for-a-day/2011/07/12/gIQAwV7bTI_story.html'>Kings Dominion Amusement Park</a> in Doswell, Va., about 20 miles north of Richmond. WaterWorks, 20-plus acres of aquatic attractions inside Kings Dominion, dripping like a golden retriever on Lake Winnipesaukee. The park boasts multiple rides, and the Roller-coaster, the Intimidator 305, the tallest and fastest roller coaster of its type on the East Coast and much more.

It's screams galore on the "Tornado" ride at Kings Dominion Amusement Park in Doswell, Va., about 20 miles north of Richmond. WaterWorks, 20-plus acres of aquatic attractions inside Kings Dominion, dripping like a golden retriever on Lake Winnipesaukee. The park boasts multiple rides, and the Roller-coaster, the Intimidator 305, the tallest and fastest roller coaster of its type on the East Coast and much more.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

A double helix-like stairway spirals through the Dali Museum lobby to the floors above. The <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/11/AR2011021104087.html'>St. Petersburg, Fla., museum</a> houses the largest collection of Dali’s work outside his native Spain with 2,140 pieces - including 96 oils, eight monumental canvases and, of course, the lobster telephone.

A double helix-like stairway spirals through the Dali Museum lobby to the floors above. The St. Petersburg, Fla., museum houses the largest collection of Dali’s work outside his native Spain with 2,140 pieces - including 96 oils, eight monumental canvases and, of course, the lobster telephone.

Judy Wells

<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/escapes-in-philadelphia-you-dont-have-to-go-far-for-a-vegan-treat/2011/02/08/ABLGMRH_story.html'>Philadelphia</a> is a tasty place for vegans to visit, with several animal and health concious food venders such as Vegan Treats. The Philly based shop Treats supplies desserts for restaurants and shops in New York, Philadelphia, Washington and more. The Phillies also claim the country’s top-ranked vegetarian ballpark.

Philadelphia is a tasty place for vegans to visit, with several animal and health concious food venders such as Vegan Treats. The Philly based shop Treats supplies desserts for restaurants and shops in New York, Philadelphia, Washington and more. The Phillies also claim the country’s top-ranked vegetarian ballpark.

Melanie D.G. Kaplan

A mural marks the hallway of Tone On Lex hostel on East 94th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/hostel-environments-in-new-york/2011/02/15/ABVhOBJ_story.html'>Hostels in New York</a> are a cheap way to stay in the city and can provide more fun and entertainment than humdrum hotels.

A mural marks the hallway of Tone On Lex hostel on East 94th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Hostels in New York are a cheap way to stay in the city and can provide more fun and entertainment than humdrum hotels.

Helayne Seidman / For The Washington Post

The Moonlite Theatre opened in 1949 and is one of a very few drive-in movie theaters that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Moonlite is one of several monuments to Hollywood and America’s car culture along U.S. Route 11, which slips through the western part of Virginia, skirting mountains and shadowing rivers as it travels from the West Virginia state line just north of Winchester to the Tennessee line in Bristol.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

The Seneca Rocks, in the Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, are part of the Monongahela National Forest. There are several protected forests within driving distance from Washington, D.C., including the Monongahela, which is about a three hour drive. The closest to Washington are the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, which are also the largest.

Monongahela National Forest

The <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/escapes-falling-for-a-nature-trail-through-pennsylvanias-ricketts-glen-state-park/2011/06/08/AGqzPQXH_story.html'>Falls Trail in Ricketts Glen State Park</a>, may be one of the most spectacular hiking routes in the East. About 30 miles west of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., at the eastern edge of the Endless Mountains, the complete loop is a bit less than 8 miles long, with 21 waterfalls in the area.

The Falls Trail in Ricketts Glen State Park, may be one of the most spectacular hiking routes in the East. About 30 miles west of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., at the eastern edge of the Endless Mountains, the complete loop is a bit less than 8 miles long, with 21 waterfalls in the area.

Brian Yarvin / For The Washington Post

<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/staying-cool-underground-in-pennsylvania/2011/07/13/gIQAsMzcTI_story.html'>Penn's Cave</a> is a natural cavern ocated in central Pennsylvania about 14 miles east of the town of State College, and is one of a handful of caves that you can ride through in a boat. Penn's Cave has been offering boat tours since 1885.

Penn's Cave is a natural cavern ocated in central Pennsylvania about 14 miles east of the town of State College, and is one of a handful of caves that you can ride through in a boat. Penn's Cave has been offering boat tours since 1885.

Penn's Cave

The Appalachian Trail leads towards the top of <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/want-to-beat-the-heat-climb-every-mountain/2011/07/15/gIQAODmeTI_story.html'>Whitetop Mountain</a>, in Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. Whitetop is the second-highest peak in the state of Virginia. The temperature can dip into the low 60s at night, providing a nice escape from the summer heat.

The Appalachian Trail leads towards the top of Whitetop Mountain, in Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. Whitetop is the second-highest peak in the state of Virginia. The temperature can dip into the low 60s at night, providing a nice escape from the summer heat.

Norm Shafer / For The Washington Post

People walk along a path on the second section of the <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/side-order-high-on-the-high-line-phase-ii/2011/06/14/AG7ga8iH_story.html'>High Line park</a> that opened in June in New York City. The above ground park was a former railway line that is now populated by lush vegetation. The second section doubles the length of the park, which has drawn more than 4 million visitors since its opening in June 2009.

People walk along a path on the second section of the High Line park that opened in June in New York City. The above ground park was a former railway line that is now populated by lush vegetation. The second section doubles the length of the park, which has drawn more than 4 million visitors since its opening in June 2009.

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

The Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant offers outdoor dining and drinking, as well as dock space for the Manayunk Dragon Boat Racing Team in <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/up-up-up-with-manayunk/2011/06/08/AGMPWFPH_story.html'>Manayunk, Pa</a>. Manayunk is home to “the Wall,” a hill with a 17 percent grade that is a legend for cyclists, and is one of the most challenging legs of the Philadelphia International Championship.

The Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant offers outdoor dining and drinking, as well as dock space for the Manayunk Dragon Boat Racing Team in Manayunk, Pa. Manayunk is home to “the Wall,” a hill with a 17 percent grade that is a legend for cyclists, and is one of the most challenging legs of the Philadelphia International Championship.

Andrea Sachs / The Washington Post

At 876 feet high and more than 3,000 feet long, the <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/escapes-take-a-tour-of-the-new-river-gorge-bridge/2011/06/24/gIQAYeaM2H_story.html'>New River Gorge Bridge</a> is an engineering marvel. A catwalk running below the roadway recently opened for guided one-way tours.

At 876 feet high and more than 3,000 feet long, the New River Gorge Bridge is an engineering marvel. A catwalk running below the roadway recently opened for guided one-way tours.

Becky Krystal / The Washington Post

The <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/escapes-a-day-long-hike-around-the-appalachian-trail-museum/2011/04/27/AFdbnVzF_story.html'>Appalachian Trail Museum</a> is near the mid-point of the legendary route that runs from Georgia to Maine. The country’s only official homage to hiking opened last June in an 18th-century grist mill in southern Pennsylvania’s Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

The Appalachian Trail Museum is near the mid-point of the legendary route that runs from Georgia to Maine. The country’s only official homage to hiking opened last June in an 18th-century grist mill in southern Pennsylvania’s Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Christine Dell'Amore

<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/the-impulsive-traveler-going-green-in-greensboro-nc/2011/02/24/AFoEhKWB_story.html'>Greensboro, N.C.</a>, is part of the 1.5-million-inhabitant Piedmont Triad (along with the smaller Winston-Salem and High Point). The Triad grew first into a national textile and furniture-making hub and more recently added technology and biotechnology to the mix. In 2004, the Department of Energy awarded Greensboro entry to the Clean Cities Hall of Fame, and is busy constructing one of the country’s first urban greenway loops, complete with bike and walking trails, as well as a space for public art displays.

Greensboro, N.C., is part of the 1.5-million-inhabitant Piedmont Triad (along with the smaller Winston-Salem and High Point). The Triad grew first into a national textile and furniture-making hub and more recently added technology and biotechnology to the mix. In 2004, the Department of Energy awarded Greensboro entry to the Clean Cities Hall of Fame, and is busy constructing one of the country’s first urban greenway loops, complete with bike and walking trails, as well as a space for public art displays.

Andre Jenny / Alamy

Heartwood / Heartwood is an appropriate name for southwest Virginia’s newest attraction, which officially opened this July in Abingdon, Va. Its founders, a coalition of several local art and economic development groups, hope that it will become the heart of the region’s cultural, musical and artisan communities. Another important goal: showcasing the area’s natural beauty.

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In this image released by the Miss Universe Organization, Miss Washington USA 2012, Christina Clarke; Miss West Virginia USA 2012, Andrea Rogers; and Miss Wisconsin USA 2012, Emily Guerin compete in their swimwear by Kooey Australia and fashion footwear by Chinese Laundry during the 2012 Miss USA Presentation Show on May 30, 2012 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2012 MISS USA Pageant will air LIVE on NBC June 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET from the Theatre for Performing Arts in Las Vegas. = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT 'AFP PHOTO / Miss Universe Organization / DARREN DECKER' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS =DARREN DECKER/AFP/GettyImages

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more in the day in photos

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 30: Jon Stewart attends the Sesame Street Workshop 10th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 30, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jon Stewart, Justin Bieber, Bruce Springsteen, Lil Wayne, Michelle Williams and other celebrities.

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is seen in a camera on the end of the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm as it moves away from the station in preparation for its return to earth in this image from NASA TV May 31, 2012. REUTERS/NASA TV (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

SpaceX prepares to return home

The SpaceX Dragon capsule detached from the international space station Thursday morning.

Police investigate the scene where a man who was believed to have shot and killed several people earlier in the day shot himself Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle. A gunman opened fire at a Seattle cafe earlier Wednesday, killing three people and critically wounding two others and later a man believed to be the same suspect shot and killed a woman and took her car near downtown, abandoning it less than two miles from where the alleged shooter shot himself as officers closed in on him, authorities said. His condition wasn't immediately known. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Gunman kills five, shoots himself in Seattle

A gunman killed five people in Seattle — four at a cafe and another in a carjacking.

LANDOVER, MD May 30, 2012 U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Fabian Johnson (23) hits a crossing pass to forward Herculez Gomez (9) for their 1st half goal against Brazil Men's National Team goalie Rafael (12) on May 30, 2012 in Landover, MD (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

Brazil too much for U.S. to handle

Herculez Gomez scores just before halftime, but Brazil runs away with a 4-1 victory.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

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HANDOUT PHOTO: Camera men film as the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew, U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, blasts off from it's launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. (Courtesy of Shamil Zhumatov/ADAY.org)

A snapshot of life

ADAY.org aimed to capture a picture of life across the globe on one day: May, 15, 2012.

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