Short Flights, Great Adventures – Ideas for Chol Hamoed Sukkos 2026

avidtraveller
September 8, 2026
0 Comments
Read Time:18 Minutes, 43 Seconds

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we might make a small commission off any purchases at no additional cost to you.

6 0
Read Time:18 Minutes, 43 Seconds

With all 4 days Chol Hamoed this year falling during the week, it is a great opportunity to venture a little further with your family. If flights + hotels is within your budget and schedule constraints, here are some great ideas for a short 4 day getaway.

Please Note: We are reaching out to each eatery to confirm that they are open Chol Hamoed and if they have a sukkah on location. We will update the list accordingly.

Atlanta

Do

Georgia Aquarium – The largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, it is home to thousands of animals, including whale sharks, beluga whales and manta rays. They also put on amazing dolphin and sea lion shows.

World of Coca-Cola – At the headquarters to Coca Cola Factory, learn how coca cola is made, the history of everyone’s favorite drink and even get to taste flavors from around the world. A fun, interactive, activity for the whole family. Note: According to Kosher Atlanta, all the drinks from North America are certified by the OU. Other inter-continental drinks are not recommended.

Atlanta Botanical Garden – The garden is well worth visiting for its stunning plant collections, immersive indoor greenhouses, and unique art installations. Walk along a 600 foot long skywalk that takes you high into the treetops and enjoy the collection of rare orchids.

SkyView Atlanta – Ride the 20-story Ferris wheel located in Centennial Park for sweeping views of the city.

Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park & Birth Home – Join a ranger led tour of MLK Jr’s home and learn about his life and Atlanta’s segregated history.

College Football Hall of Fame – If you’re into College football, this is definitely worth the time. With interactive exhibits, a 47-yard turf field where visitors can test skills, and lots of football memorabilia, this is a college football fan’s haven.

Zoo Atlanta – The zoo boasts one of the largest populations of great apes including gorillas and orangutans. They also have an African Savanna section that is home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, bontebok, warthogs, meerkats, and southern white rhinos.

Helen, GA – Located 1.5 hours from Atlanta is a charming, Bavarian-style Alpine village nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, ideal for a day trip or more. You can tube down the Chattahoochee River, shop for cuckoo clocks, and hike to the gorgeous twin cascades at Anna Ruby Falls.

Blue Ridge, GA – Also about 1.5 hour drive from Atlanta is Blue Ridge. A town ideal for picking apples at local orchards, exploring upscale boutiques, and riding the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway along the Toccoa River.

Eat

Toco Grill
Israeli style glatt
404-996-2279
1658 LaVista Rd.
Sukkah on site.

Formaggio Mio
Kosher Italian Bistro. Dairy, Brick oven Pizza, Cholov Yisroel.
678-973-0360
2157 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

Fuego Kitchen
Glatt kosher, craft burgers and South American cuisine
404-256-4330
5590 Roswell Road Sandy Springs, GA 30342

Chai Peking
Glatt kosher Chinese, take-out, seating available
404-327-7810, 2205 LaVista Rd. (inside Kroger – Toco Hills )

Bruster’s Ice Cream
Kosher flavors listed at location (not Cholov Yisroel)
404-320-7166
2095 LaVista Rd

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt, kosher flavors & toppings listed at location (not Cholov Yisroel)
404-228-6229
3011 North Druid Hills Rd

Krispy Kreme Donuts Stores
Select stores under AKC supervision posted at each location, also in grocery stores with AKC symbol. (not Cholov Yisroel)

Sublime Doughnuts
Only the Toco Hills location under AKC supervision. (not Cholov Yisroel)
404-315-6899
2566 Briarcliff Rd NE

Honey & Challah Cafe
Cafe. Cholov yisroel.
(470) 640-3600
6120 Powers Ferry Rd NW #110
Atlanta, GA 30339

Stay

Toco Hills – If you’d like to stay in the the main Orthodox community area, this is the place. Find a sukkah at Chabad of Toco Hills and many kosher restaurants and groceries in the area.

Downtown Atlanta – If you’d rather stay further away from Kosher but closer to attractions, there are many hotels in Downtown Atlanta at decent prices. There are a few Chabad centers in the city for a sukkah.

Fly

There are flights from JetBlue, Delta, American Airlines and Frontier Airlines all day. View all flights

Trip Reports

Read the following trip report for @globetrottinggeek’s personal experiences A Weekend in Atlanta.

Orlando

Do

Walt Disney World Resort – Explore four major theme parks: Magic Kingdom – The iconic park with the Cinderella Castle, spectacular rides and an epic nightly fireworks show; Epcot – A unique blend of culture and amazing rides, with real life structures of around the world; Disney’s Hollywood Studios – thrilling rides based on movies, as well as immersive experiences in Star Wars; and Animal Kingdom – incredible animal encounters and breathtaking attractions like Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest.

Universal Studios – Experience high-thrill rides and immersive lands across Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure with a full Harry Potter themed area.

Madame Tussauds Orlando – incredibly realistic wax figures of celebrities, historical figures, and fictional characters, with many interactive exhibits and themed rooms.

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium – immersive exhibits with a wide variety of marine life and a 360-degree ocean tunnel and interactive touch pools.

Gatorland – See thousands of alligators and other animals, watch live animal shows and encounters, and try a zipline over alligators.

Sea World Orland – Get up close with animals, take on epic coasters and water slides, or just kick back and relax on pristine beaches.

Airboat Tours – Take a guided airboat ride through swamps & the Everglades, with chances to spot gators, eagles & turtles.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition – An interactive museum about the Titanic with immersive experiences, real-life recreations and countless artifacts. They also have guided tours and a VR experience letting you fully experience the ship.

Kennedy Space Center – A must for any space geek, is a visit to this Nasa Space Center. View the space shuttle Atlantis, enjoy a bus tour past the restricted areas and launchpads to a massive, genuine Saturn V moon rocket, and walk among historic rockets from early space missions.

Icebar Orlando – Cool up from the heat in the Icebar – a below-freezing room with a bar built from ice & an adjacent lounge with dancing for warming up. Kids are welcome until 9pm after which it is 21+ only. You are given a coat and gloves to stay warm.

Eat

Chabad sets up a sukkah in Disney. This year’s sukkah is located down the Amaze & Imagine walkway to the far left of the ticket counters. It’s in the first row of the second section of parking in Row Create 39. The sukkah will be there until about 4pm on Monday and on Tuesday from roughly 11:30am until 3pm.

Kosher Grill
Meat restaurant
RCF Hechsher
5615 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 392-2292
Open, but no sukkah on location

Kosher Eatery
Dairy Restaurant
RCF Hechsher
13401 Blue Heron Beach Drive #100, Orlando, FL 32821
407-354-1296
Open and planning to have a sukkah on location

KREMBO
Bakery & Dairy Café
RCF Hechsher, Cholov Yisroel
8015 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando, FL 32819
407-225-2944

Eat’n Gardens
Meat Food Truck
RCF Hechsher
Eden Gardens Resort, 111 Fuji Way, Kissimmee, FL 34747
(551) 404-9389
CALL AHEAD! Due to the nature of food trucks, hours and dates may vary.
Sukkah available

Paradise Bites
Dairy Food Truck
RCF Hechsher
Eden Gardens Resort, 111 Fuji Way, Kissimmee, FL 34747
(551) 404-9389
CALL AHEAD! Due to the nature of food trucks, hours and dates may vary.
Sukkah available

The Glass Jar
Ice Cream Truck
RCF Hechsher
(407) 801-2525

Krispy Kreme
There are three Kosher Krispy Kremes
OVO Hechsher (Dairy products are Cholov Stam)
407-730-7922

Stay

You can stay in a Disney resort, Universal hotel, or opt for a villa instead. There are many Kosher villa options, some with Sukkahs included or available for an additional fee.

Fly

Delta, American Airlines and JetBlue have flights all day. View all flights

Additional Info

For more attractions in Orlando and surrounding areas check out: Map: Activities in Flordia.

Chicago

Do

Millennium Park – Three square blocks of open lakefront complete with a Ferris Wheel, outdoor music pavillion and public art exhibits.

Chicago Sukkah Festival – An annual sukkah design contest bringing together Jews of all walks of life and presenting unique and beautiful sukkah designs.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry – The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere which offers immersive, hands-on exhibits that appeal to both adults and children. Features include, a full-sized U-505 German submarine, a 40-foot indoor tornado, a working coal mine, and a fully restored United Airlines 727 jet.

Skydeck Chicago – Willis Tower – The highest observation deck in the United States, in the famous Willis Tower.

Wrigley Field – There are public tours on non-game days exploring the history architecture of the famous ball park.

Shedd Aquarium – World class aquarium 12. Shedd Aquarium featuring a massive collection of marine life, including beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, penguins, and a multi-level Caribbean Reef.

Medieval Torture Museum – If you’re into the macabre, you can visit the USA’s largest interactive torture museum.

Chicago Riverwalk – A beautiful 1.25 mile path along the river with great city views, kayaks rentals, and boat tours.

Indiana Dunes National Park – About an hour drive from Chicago is this national park running along Lake Michigan with beaches for days, great hiking trails with challenging dune climbs, and helpful park rangers.

Milwaukee – Spend the day in Milwaukee – 1.5 hours away – visiting local attractions like Harley Davidson Museum, Miller Brewing Company, and Milwaukee Art Museum.

Eat

Chicago has many a wide selection of Kosher restaurants. You can find an extensive list at https://consumer.crckosher.org/kosher-establishments/.

You can find Sukkahs at the following restaurants:

  • Crunch (Wi-Fi Building)
  • E.J.’s Pizzeria
  • Emma’s Bagel Cafe
  • Evita Argentinian Steakhouse
  • Great Chicago Food and Beverage Co. (2 sukkahs)
  • Main Pizza Chalavi
  • Mizrahi Grill
  • Nuovo Chicago (Seating is allocated to reservations first, and walk-ins second. Any reservations for outside seating will be for the sukkah. Reservations for inside seating will not.)
  • The Sandwich Club
  • Shallots Bistro (reservations required)
  • Smoke By Crunch (in their parking lot)
  • Taboun Grill
  • Tel Aviv Kosher Pizza
  • Zalman’s Hot Dogs

Stay

The primary Jewish areas with shuls and restaurants are:

West Rogers Park – hotels here are limited. Airbnb is a good option if staying here.

Skokie –

Fly

Delta, American Airlines and JetBlue have nonstop flights all day. View all flights

Trip Reports

Read the following trip report for @globetrottinggeek’s personal experiences in the sections on Chicago in the following two retports Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Seven Weeks Roadtripping.

Puerto Rico

Do

Old San Juan – Take a tour, or even just a walk, through the charming streets of historic Old Town. Enjoy the colored houses, lively bars, and overall old city vibe.

Casa Bacardi – Discover BACARDI’s history through a guided tour, become a rum maestro with the Rum Tasting Tour, or master the Mojito with an interactive Mixology Class!

El Yunque National Forest – A beautiful, tropical rainforest with great hikes, a walkway winds through the surrounding treetops, and full day tours with adventures like natural waterslides, rope swings, and ziplines.

Bioluminescent Bays – Puerto Rico is home to three famous bioluminescent bays where microscopic organisms light up the water with a bright blue-green glow when disturbed. There are glass bottom tours you can join for a better view. (Just beware of the mosquitos)

Flamenco Beach – Commonly ranked as one of the world’s top beaches, Flamenco beach is reachable by taking a ferry or a short flight. Enjoy endless blue ocean, soft white sand, and snorkel to see the beautiful marine wildlife.

Castillo De San Cristobal – Built between 1634 and 1783, and considered the largest fortification built by the Spanish Empire in the New World, this historic fort has great tours and even greater ocean views.

Eat

Kosher in Paradise
Chabad-Run Service: Order Online
Pickup & Delivery Only

OMRKT Kosher
Kosher Restaurant
Miramar Plaza, 954 Ave Juan Ponce de León Suite 101, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico

Stay

Chabad is located in Carolina and is near the following hotels:

Fly

Delta and JetBlue have nonstop flights a few times a day. View all flights

Trip Reports

Read the following trip report for @globetrottinggeek’s personal experiences in Extended Weekend in Puerto Rico and @nerdrider’s in Avoiding the Snow in Puerto Rico.

Aruba

Do

Eagle Beach – the widest beach in Aruba and has the perfectly soft, white sand that you’d expect in the Caribbean.

Sunset Sail – enjoy a relaxing sail while watching the brilliant colors of sunset and sipping a beer and spotting dolphins pass by.

Arikok National Park & Natural Pool – Rent a 4×4 vehicle or book a guided ATV/UTV tour (highly recommended, as regular cars cannot handle the terrain). Explore the desert-like coastline and swim inside Conchi, a protected natural pool made of volcanic rock. Visit Fontein Cave for Arawak Indian rock drawings and pictographs on the ceilings, alongside hanging crystal formations and a small underground water source and Guadirikiri Cave for large vaulted chambers with sunlight shining through.

Palm Beach – a 2 mile high-energy, high-rise resort strip with immediate access to nightlife and water sports.

Renaissance Island – a 40 acre private island owned by Renaissance Wind Creek Resort, with day passes available based on availability and with a spa treatment. Highlights on the island are Flamingo Beach: an adults-only beach where pink flamingos roam freely. Children are only allowed here during a specific morning hour (9:00 AM – 10:00 AM) to protect the animals; and Iguana Beach: a more spacious, family-friendly beach where kids are welcome all day.

Downtown Oranjestad – Admire the bright, pastel-colored Dutch colonial architecture and ride the free eco-trolley down Main Street.

Street Art in San Nicolas – Drive south to San Nicolas (the “Sunrise City”) to see incredible, large-scale murals painted by international artists.

Snorkel at Tres Trapi – a tiny rock cove where you can easily swim with wild sea turtles in shallow water, Malmok Beach – for excellent reef snorkeling, and among the shipwrecks nearby (tours available).

California Lighthouse – Head to the top of the tallest structure in Aruba for islandwide views!

Aruba Aloe Factory Museum – learn about the historic importance of aloe in Aruba, what aloe is used for, why it grows so well in Aruba, and more! Fun Fact: Aloe is the only export of Aruba.

Mount Hooiberg – If you enjoy hiking, it’s well worth the quick hike to reach the highest point in Aruba! This mountain stands alone in a central part of Aruba and is shaped like a cone.

Mangel Halto Beach – enjoy the secluded views, snorkeling and shore diving (you can walk out to a reef). There are mangrove trees along the shore, creating shady areas and peaceful nooks to relax.

Eat

Piccolo
A modern Aruba dining experience where talented chefs and bartenders bring exceptional skill and open‑kitchen artistry to life.
RSVP is strongly suggested.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 85, Palm Beach
Open and Sukkah at location

Pizzaiolo Kosher Food Truck
Pizza, meet beach. Beach, meet pizza. Serving up the best, ocean side with the new pizza food truck.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 85, Palm Beach
Open, sukkah at Piccolo

Shoco Mini Market
The only kosher items available are: kosher pastries, kosher sandwiches, salads, and fresh cut fruit. All marked with Chabad Aruba kosher certification.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 85, Palm Beach

Chabad Aruba
Chabad runs a small kosher market.
For more information about Kosher or using their Sukkah, reach out to them directly at +297 592 7613.
Chabad will also have daily Shachris at 8:30 and Mincha/Arvit at 6:15.
Monday 5:30PM there will be Sushi in the Sukkah (RSVP required).

Stay

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino – with most Kosher options on the island located here, it’s a no brainer.

Besides for that Chabad is in close distance to the popular hotels and resorts of Palm Beach, Aruba. There are also many Airbnbs, villas, and boutique hotels located in the surrounding area. You can find a map with all options on their site.

Fly

There are multiple direct flights by JetBlue and Delta all leaving in the morning. There are more airline and timing options with one stop. View all flights

Trip Reports

Read the following trip reports for personal experiences:

London

Do

Buckingham Palace – Visiting Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic experiences in London, offering a rare glimpse inside the working residence of the British monarch. You can see the Changing of the Guards Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11:00 a.m. and lasts about 45 minutes. Tours of the palace is only during the summer and ends September 27.

Tower of London – See the Crown Jewels and learn nearly 1,000 years of royal history and the tower’s history as a secure fortress, a royal palace, and an infamous prison.

The British Museum – Huge showcase for global antiquities, including Egyptian mummies and ancient Greek sculptures as well as Jewish artifacts including The Lachish Reliefs, Silver-Gilt Torah Shield, The Cyrus Cylinder and more.

London Eye – Located along the Thames River, this iconic observation wheel offers unobstructed views from its glass pods.

Harrods – London’s most famous and iconic luxury department store, known for its designer retail, famous clientele, and beautiful exterior.

City Tour – Take a city walking tour, bus tour or river tour to learn about the long and interesting history of London and see famous landmarks like The Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey and more.

Hyde Park – Famous as a massive 350-acre historic green space, royal hunting ground turned public park, and a legendary venue for free speech, major concerts, and public events

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre – A reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, the Elizabethan playhouse first built in 1599 for which William Shakespeare wrote his plays.

Churchill War Rooms – The underground bunker where Churchill and his war cabinet planned military operations during ww2. It was sealed in 1945 and left almost untouched, meaning you see the actual rooms, and an extensive biographical museum detailing Churchill’s life, career, and legacy.

Eat

If you’d like to stay in Central London for easy exploring, Kosher options are somewhat limited.

Reuben’s Deli & Restaurant
79 Baker Street, London, W1U 6RG
Tel +44 (0)207486 0035
Open, but no sukkah on location.

TONY PAGE
26 Paddington St, London, W1U 5QY
Tel +44 (0)20 7139 8500
Open, but no sukkah on location.

CENTRAL KOSHER
11 Grosvenor pl sw1x7hh, London
+44 7592 453797
In Belgravia
Sukkah available at Chabad (same address), but store may be closed

There are many more Kosher options in Golder’s Green and further out in Stamford Hill.

Stay

To be close to attractions and easy transportation, staying in Central London is most convenient:

To be in the Orthodox Jewish community, you can stay in Golder’s Green.

For a more Chasidic community, stay in Stamford Hill.

There are also a few Kosher hotels in London. View the list.

Fly

There are many flights during the day as well as at night with the latest flight leaving at 11:55pm. View all flights here

Iceland

Do

Golden Circle Loop – A popular road trip starting and ending in Reykjavik passing along breathtaking stops including the following. Plan a full day to explore properly or at least 6-8 hours if only covering the highlights. You can drive it yourself or join a guided tour.

  • Þingvellir National Park – Walk through the dramatic continental drift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart.
  • Haukadalur Geothermal Valley – Watch the Strokkur geyser erupt boiling water up to 100 feet in the air every few minutes.
  • Gullfoss Waterfall – Take in the sheer power of this massive, two-tiered roaring waterfall.

Seljalandsfoss – Walk completely behind this unique 200-foot waterfall (make sure your waterproof gear is on!)

Skógafoss – marvel at one of Iceland’s biggest and most perfectly rectangular waterfalls.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Explore the striking basalt columns, massive sea stacks, and pitch-black volcanic sands near the town of Vík. (Note: Never turn your back to the ocean here due to dangerous sneaker waves).

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – see massive blue icebergs calve off the glacier and float peacefully out to sea.

Skaftafell – known for its incredible concentration of diverse landscapes, including glacial tongues, black basalt columns, and stunning hiking trails.

Blue Lagoon – a geothermal spa with milky-blue, mineral-rich water heated to a warm 98°F to 104°F (37°C to 40°C) year-round.

Sky Lagoon – another spa known for its premium atmosphere, oceanfront infinity edge, and convenient location just 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavík.

Northern Lights – September is a great time for viewing the Northern lights. They are usually visible between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., with peak activity often hitting around midnight. Þingvellir National Park, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Vík are all good places to view the lights.

Eat

The only Kosher is provided by Chabad Iceland. Contact them for more details about food and sukkah.

Stay

You might want to stay in different areas every night to decrease your travel time. If you’d like to stay near Chabad base yourself in Reykjavik instead and explore from there. Chabad has a list of nearby hotels:

Fly

There are some good nighttime options by Iceland Air if you’d like to leave Motzei Shabbos and maximize your time in Iceland. View more flights

Trip Reports

Read the following trip report for @traveling-married-couple’s personal experiences in 7 Days in Iceland.

About Post Author

avidtraveller

Join us as we travel and explore the world.

About Post Author

avidtraveller

Join us as we travel and explore the world.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Share your story

Do you love to travel and want to share your story? Join now and share your travel expertise with the world.

Start Writing