Life is busy, which is why sometimes everyone reaches a point where they need to get out of town for a bit. It’s refreshing to see new places and experience new things. Getting stuck in a rut isn’t fun, but you don’t need to save up for an expensive vacation to head out and enjoy life.

Even on the tightest budget, you can dream up a weekend getaway that will leave you with lasting memories. It all depends on how you plan your trip. Whether you’re a natural planner or someone who likes to do things at the last minute, read on for helpful tips that will get you to the best weekend getaway. Regardless of if you want some time alone or a great trip with your friends or family, you’ll soon be able to plan the perfect vacation.

5 Ways to Plan a Memorable Weekend Getaway

1. Strategize by Season

The time of year you decide to travel during will play a significant role in how your weekend getaway goes. Certain seasons will make people want to go to specific locations. Warm weather gets people itching to jump in the ocean, and cooler weather is the best time of year to go for a hike and see incredible views. Hospitality businesses know that, which is why they charge increased prices for boarding during those times of the year.

Strategize your weekend getaway by thinking about what time of year it is. If it’s warmer weather, consider going skiing or traveling up north. There will still be plenty of time to head to the beach if the weather is cooler. Travel to places that are out of season to save money and avoid the hassle and traffic of tourist spots.

2. Consider What You Love

What do you love to do on vacation? Some people are more into seeing museums, exploring nature or immersing themselves into the local culture. When you’ve gone on vacations in the past, what activities were your favorite? Figuring this out will help you narrow down where you should travel. You can research areas that have what you love, then look for great hotel deals.

3. Look for a Package Deal

It’s one thing to plan a quick trip for yourself, but if you’re traveling with other people, things can get expensive. Try to find a good package deal for your destination. Big tourist spots like theme parks will often have part of their website dedicated to package deals so you can stay on site. You could also get to other places by getting an all-inclusive rate that bundles your ticket prices and meals all in one. Depending on where you want to go, you’ll most likely be able to find a package deal that will help you get there with the people you love.

4. Check Your Bucket List

Almost everyone keeps a bucket list, whether it’s an actual written list or just a mental collection of things you want to do. When was the last time you checked that list? Go back and look over it to see if any of your bucket list items can fit into a weekend getaway. It’s the ultimate inspiration to plan a vacation and make memories that will last a lifetime.

5. Leave Room to Freestyle

Not everyone is a natural planner, and that’s OK! You can still plan a weekend getaway even if you don’t have every minute of your days mapped out. Leaving room to freestyle on your trip is possible while you’re planning. Once you’ve got a place to stay, restaurants to eat at and a general idea of what you can do while you’re there, you can hang loose.

Figure out what you want to do with your time once you get there. You may end up discovering new things you didn’t find out about while you were planning.