May Long Weekend
May Long Weekend
I think we can all agree that we do not get nearly enough free time to spend with friends and family and to take a break from work. So let’s make the most of this time and take advantage of the May long weekend! Here you will find some top May 24 and Memorial Day weekend suggestions to make your holiday a great one!
What is May 24?
The May long weekend, formally known as Victoria Day or colloquially know as May 24 (two four) since we Canadians like to call it by our nickname for a case of 24 beers (two four of beer). It is the first of the fair weather holidays and is celebrated in the honor of Queen Victoria’s birthday (May 24). Finally the snow is melted and we can start our spring and summer activities.
What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a federal holiday set aside to remember the fallen men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
When is the May 24 long weekend 2014?
The Monday of the long weekend is a statutory federal holiday. The May long weekend falls on the Monday preceding May 25th. Therefore the May 24 weekend often does not include May the 24th. For example the holiday Monday is May 20 in 2019 and will be May 18 in 2020.
When is the Memorial Day long weekend 2014?
Memorial Day is held on the last Monday of the month of May. Memorial Day 2019 is May 27th, 2019. Please remember to pay your respects while celebrating your weekend.
Top 6 May Long Weekend Ideas:
1) Go to the Cottage!
Don’t exclude yourself from this if you don’t own a cottage. Go up with friends, rent or borrow one. Do whatever you have to do to get the cottage experience. I strongly recommend leaving the night before to beat traffic unless you enjoy doubling your travel time. In any case try and be patient, remember the weekend is about relaxing and having a good time.
The water will still be chilly with snow melt, but you can still enjoy the outdoors, campfires, cottage food, fishing and boating.
2) Fireworks!
May long weekend fireworks are one of the high lights for me. Whether it’s attending a professional firework display or putting on your own amateur fireworks display you are sure to have a good time.
Try taking long exposure pictures with sparklers and writing your name or drawing pictures!
3) Sports!
Both NHL hockey and Major League Baseball are in season. There are Pro-Am golf tournaments and other sporting events. There are lots of choices for live sporting events to attend, so take advantage of the reduced population on the city from the mass cottage exodus and get out to an event.
Of course, if there are no live sporting events in your city there is always the option to get your friends together and play a game.
Where do you prefer to be for the long weekend
4) Local Events
Check your cities local website and find out what local events are available. Often there are fun outdoor events to attend. Rib-fest, auto shows, air shows or fly-ins are even in season in some areas.
5) Explore your city
Be a tourist! Learn something new about your city. GO on a bus tour or walking tour that you wouldn’t normally do because you “live here” and it’s a touristy thing to do. Go to a public park or beach and enjoy the outdoors. If the weather didn’t turn out then go to a museum gallery.
6) Get out of town!
Go on a short vacation and coincide it with the may long weekend so that you get a free day! Make sure to leave and return midweek for the best deals and to avoid all the other travelers.
The general point is to get outside and spend time with your friends and family. Make the most of your weekend and relax!
Typical May Long Weekend
Here is an example of a typical May long weekend plan that incorporates many of the above activities.
Hit the patio after work on Friday to soak up the sun and relax as everyone else is sitting in traffic. Friday night is spent out on the town or with family and friends.
Saturday morning make your way into the city to catch a Major League Baseball game. Go Blue Jays! Enjoy a few overpriced beers and nachos then head to a waterfront patio for dinner. After dinner go to a local venue for live music. Be a tourist and go to the outdoor events and music and enjoy the atmosphere.
Sunday morning hop in the car and drive out of the city to a cottage (whether it is yours or a rental, or a friends). Have an afternoon of games and lounging followed by a pot luck dinner and fireworks display. Get everyone to contribute to the fireworks stockpile that way your get quite the show without having o spend lots of money.
Stay overnight and get out on the lake to do some boating and fishing before starting the commute back to the city. Take the back roads and stop in small towns you have never visited.
Now doesn’t that sound like a nice weekend?
I hope you enjoyed these May Long Weekend Ideas. Please comment below with your own May 24 adventures.