Recently updated on May 29th, 2025 at 03:33 pm
As this year’s USA Memorial Day celebrations come around, we take a look at some of the best ways to celebrate this country’s great history over the long weekend. From lively parades held in honour of military heroes, to some of the most significant sites to visit for a dose of history, here’s our pick of the best places to spend Memorial Day in the US.
Washington, D.C.
With so many memorials within its parameters, Washington, D.C. naturally had to be included in our selection of places to spend Memorial Day in the US. The city also hosts one of the country’s biggest parades, alongside other Memorial Day events that pay tribute to both the military and veterans over the three-day weekend. Constitution Avenue is the setting for the National Memorial Day Parade, which brings together marching bands, floats and performers. Then, over on the West Lawn of the US Capitol, there’s the free National Memorial Day Concert. While you’re in town, set aside enough time to stroll along the National Mall and stop by the National Museum of American History.
Visit Washington, D.C. on several of our tours, including Historic Highlights
New York
Parades take place across New York City, but The Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade in Queens is one of the city’s biggest processions. Having been held since 1927, 2025 will mark the event’s 98th year. Another of the city’s most notable events is over in Brooklyn. Now 149 years old, the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade is among the country’s oldest, and this year it will be led by the United States Military Academy Band.
GO THERE: All the Trafalgar tours that take you to explore New York City
Mount Rushmore
Offering both natural beauty and an insight into the history of the United States, it’s no wonder Mount Rushmore attracts visitors from across the world. See the monument to US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, carved into Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and take the chance to look back at the history that made the United States what it is today.
Boston
In celebration of the beginning of summer in Boston and in honour of those who fought for the country, Boston bursts with activity over the long weekend. Each year at this time, the Massachusetts Military Heroes organisation places 37,000 US flags, known as the Garden of Flags, in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Boston Common. At Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, meanwhile, visitors can catch the free-to-attend Honour & Tribute: Memorial Day Concert, which this year features the Boston City Singers and the Metropolitan Wind Symphony Orchestra.
Gettysburg
Another of the country’s longest running Memorial Day parades takes place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where it has been held for 149 years. Spending the weekend in Gettysburg also means having the opportunity to explore the region’s poignant and historically significant sites. Visit Gettysburg Battlefield, and then stop by the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum.
Charleston
Charleston is not only rich in colonial and Civil War history—it also hosted one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations in 1865. Today, visitors can honor fallen soldiers by exploring historic Magnolia Cemetery or attending local parades and patriotic concerts. While in town, stroll past antebellum mansions, explore Fort Sumter, and soak in the coastal charm. Don’t miss a walk along the Battery or a ferry ride to nearby barrier islands.
Honolulu
Memorial Day in Honolulu includes one of the most moving tributes in the country—the Lantern Floating Ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park, where thousands of glowing lanterns are set adrift in honor of those lost. While in Oahu, visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, a deeply poignant site of reflection and remembrance.
Philadelphia
As the birthplace of American independence, Philadelphia is a natural choice for Memorial Day weekend. Highlights include the Memorial Day ceremony at the Korean War Memorial and historic walking tours through Old City. Be sure to visit Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Museum of the American Revolution. The city’s cobblestone streets and colonial architecture make history feel strikingly present.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, once the capital of the Confederacy, is filled with Civil War history and layered legacies. The city’s Memorial Day observances often include ceremonies at the Virginia War Memorial and Hollywood Cemetery, where thousands of soldiers are buried. Take time to explore Monument Avenue, the American Civil War Museum, and nearby historic battlefields like Cold Harbor and Gaines’ Mill. Richmond’s museums and monuments invite thoughtful reflection on the country’s complex past.
San Francisco
In San Francisco, Memorial Day is marked by a solemn ceremony at the Presidio, featuring military honors and a parade of flags. The city’s history-rich neighborhoods and landmarks like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge provide a reflective backdrop for the long weekend. A cruise on the Bay offers stunning views and peaceful moments. Stop by the National Cemetery or take a walk through Golden Gate Park for a moment of quiet remembrance.
READ MORE: Check out our San Francisco travel guide
Memphis
Memphis honors Memorial Day with ceremonies at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery and musical tributes around town. It’s also a great time to visit the National Civil Rights Museum and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. With live blues, barbecue, and riverfront walks, it’s a soulful place to reflect and celebrate memories of loved ones at an upbeat tempo. Don’t miss the chance to explore Beale Street or take a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi.
Cover photo Image Source: © iStock / Kenneth Wiedemann