High School Graduation Trip Ideas

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High School Graduation Trip Ideas

Are you a recent graduate looking to take a quick trip or know someone that is? Right after you graduate from high school or college you may want to get away before you get busy and find yourself short of time. It’s the perfect time to take a domestic trip as it can be more of a quick getaway and end of being a lot cheaper than it would if you were to travel internationally.  Also, if you are just starting your senior year, this is a great time to start planning for a trip after graduation.

Consider traveling with a group that specializes in trips for 18 to 35 years olds like Contiki tours 2019.  They are the #1 travel company for this age group and offer affordable trips around the world.  They have all types of discounts for groups of 5 or more people, early payment deals and more.

The following places are affordable and make for great destinations for recent graduates as well.

Miami
For those looking for sun and fun, Miami is the place to go. There are miles of beaches here and plenty of refreshing water. There’s also a lot of culture and you can spend the day exploring Little Havana or head on over to Coconut Grove. The city of Miami does offer a free trolley system to get around on as well.

Denver
Many travelers think you should go to Denver just for it’s skiing, but the summer is also a great time to visit it. Every Sunday there are free jazz nights in the City Park. You can also find free concerts at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. Denver is also home to 14,000 acres of parks so there is plenty to do if you are wanting to spend time outdoors.

Washington D.C.
The nation’s capital is a popular choice for recent graduates. There are all sorts of free museums and monuments to visit. The area also has a lot of history and culture and there’s always something going on. For instance, the National Gallery of Art has free jazz on Fridays during the summer months. You can also take a free tour each day at the U.S. Capitol. Another perk when it comes to traveling to Washington D.C. is that you don’t have to rent a car as the Metro system is very affordable and convenient.

Portland
All the way on the other coast is Portland. It’s very different than D.C., but has a lot to offer. You can easily get around by foot, hop on the streetcar or even rent a bike for the day. If you are looking for something free to do, head over to the Ground Breaker Brewery as they offer free tours. If you are looking for a sweet treat, head on over to Voodoo Doughnut as they have plenty of them with some of them costing less than a dollar.

Boston
Despite the fact that some major universities, like Harvard are located here, Boston isn’t just a college town. There are 16 historical sites located within 2.5 miles of each other on the Freedom Trail. You can also visit the USS Constitution to go on a free tour or just hop on the “T” train for $3. This city is also home to quite a few restaurants and is considered a great place for foodies to visit.

Popular Contiki tours in the US include New York, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Los Angeles and US National Parks tours.

The Best Trips For Graduates

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Sue Lobo
Sue Lobo is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) and Senior Travel Advisor at Atlas Travel Center, one of the most decorated travel agencies in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue has planned, booked, and personally accompanied trips for thousands of clients — from first-time cruisers to seasoned luxury travelers who have circled the globe multiple times. Sue's areas of deep expertise include ocean and river cruising, European tours, group travel coordination, luxury travel, honeymoon planning, and family vacation design. She is a CLIA-certified cruise specialist and works within an agency that holds IATA and ARC accreditation and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Over her career, Sue has been involved in more than 30,000 bookings and has personally coordinated over 200 travel groups — from faith-based group cruises and HBCU alumni trips to women's retreats, family reunions, and corporate incentive travel. What sets Sue apart is not just the credentials — it is the firsthand experience behind them. Sue has personally traveled to more than 20 countries across three continents, including Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe. She has sailed on dozens of cruise ships across nearly every major line, walked the river cruise routes she recommends, and eaten at the restaurants she suggests to clients. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not brochures. In addition to advising clients, Sue writes extensively about travel for The Traveler's Atlas blog — covering everything from cruise line comparisons and overtourism trends to destination guides and practical travel tips. Her writing is grounded in the same expertise she brings to every client conversation: honest, specific, and built on decades of real-world travel experience. Sue is based in the United States and available to help travelers plan cruises, European tours, group trips, river cruises, honeymoons, family vacations, and more. To work with Sue, contact Atlas Travel Center at atlastravelweb.com.