By: Miriam Bribiesca
Would you believe us if we told you that one of the best trips you’ll ever take doesn’t require a hotel booking or emptying the savings account you’ve been building since January? Well the 24 hour trip could be your next favorite adventure and it is exactly what it sounds like.You fly out as early as you can, spend an entire day fully living somewhere else, and you’re back in your own bed before the next day starts.
This is the travel trend that fits perfectly around a college schedule, and once you do it, you’ll wonder why you ever thought you needed a week to make a trip worth it.
The 24 hour trip works best when you follow three simple principles:
- Book the earliest flight out and the latest flight back, you’re buying yourself maximum hours at your destination.
- Pack light, personal items only because checked bags will slow everything down.
- Commit to the day fully, no sitting in a café scrolling on your phone when there’s a whole new city outside the door. Make use of every second!
Now if this got you all pumped up, same. That’s why we put together a list of 5 locations that have something for every kind of person, and yes, that includes you!
For the Adventure Seekers Go With Disney World, Orlando
Disney World in a day is absolutely possible and honestly worth it. Sure it’s exhausting, but it is absolutely the most fun you’ll have on a random Thursday!
Here’s the game plan: Download the app and get familiar with the map before you even board the plane. Use the money you saved skipping the hotel and put it towards Lightning Lane passes the second you land. Of course, get there before the gates open, hit the rides that have the shortest lines before the crowds catch on.
Eight hours will disappear faster than you think, and by the time you’re back at the airport you’ll be tired in the best possible way. The flight home is your decompression nap, and you’ll wake up in your own city with a full day of Disney already in your pocket.
For the History Buffs Go With Washington DC
DC is genuinely one of the best 24 hour cities in the country and almost everything worth seeing is completely free. The National Mall, the Smithsonian museums, the Lincoln Memorial, the Library of Congress all of it is yours from the moment you land. The one thing worth doing before you go is mapping out a walking route and grabbing any free timed entry reservations in advance, some of the most popular spots fill up fast.
Once you are there, grab breakfast from a food truck or a corner shop, and spend the day moving through American history at whatever pace feels right. If the day has room for it, wander into one of DC’s neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Georgetown, and Adams Morgan, where some of the best restaurants in the country are serving up a storm. DC is the kind of city that rewards the person who just shows up and starts walking. Be that person.
For the Outdoor Crowd Go With Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is one of those places that sounds like a tourist trap until you’re actually standing in front of it and realize it’s one of the most spectacular sights you’ve ever seen. The falls are free from the American side, the surrounding state park is nearly free, and the sheer scale of standing next to that much moving water hits in a way that no photo ever gets right. By the end of it you’ll be thoroughly soaked, thoroughly amazed, and thoroughly back at the airport within a single day.
And if you have your passport in hand, the Canadian side is a short walk across the border, making this officially the only day trip where you can casually visit two countries before dinner. Now that is overachiever behavior, and we fully encourage it!
For the City Lovers Go With New York City
New York hits different when you stop trying to recreate everyone else’s Tiktok video and just pick a corner of the city to actually live in for a few hours. You can go to Williamsburg for the vibes. Harlem for the soul. The West Village for the NY fantasy and Chinatown when you want the city turned all the way up.
Clearly, NYC doesn’t need another itinerary. It simply needs you, your enthusiasm, and your MetroCard. Fly into JFK or Newark early, pick your borough, and let the city carry you. You’ll be exhausted by 9pm, which is exactly when you should be heading back to the gate anyway. After all is said and done you’ll have bragging rights that you visited the big apple and made the most of it. We are here for that. And if in another one of your trips to the big apple happens to be longer, we recommend experiencing the world of succession and following our guide to live your tv dreams.
For the Music Obsessed Go With Nashville
Nashville is one of the most walkable, most alive, and most generous cities in the US for a day trip. Lower Broadway is a live concert that starts before noon and doesn’t stop, with multiple stages running simultaneously across the strip. The best part is that there is no cover, you just walk in and let the music move you.
Of course, Nashville’s music scene goes way beyond Broadway. You can go to the Gulch for indie and local energy, the Printers Alley for that old Nashville magic, and anywhere for the food scene which is incredible and very affordable! So your itinerary will look something like this: Hot chicken first, live music second, and rooftop bar third all the way until your flight. We hear Nashville converts people…and we have no doubt you’ll leave planning who you’re bringing back next time.
This list could have been so much longer, maybe we will do a part two? But now the only barrier left is the flight, and honestly that’s the easy part! ScholarTrip exists specifically for college students like you who need the flight to not cost more than the whole trip. Now if you find yourself with insufficient funds and need some time to save, no worries, we already thought of that and have an entire article about 4 Unexpected Side Hustles That Can Pay for Your Travels. And when you are ready to book that flight you can take advantage of our deals so you can make spontaneous 24 hour trips happen. You got this!
