The Black Girl’s Guide To Travel: Limited On Time? Try A ‘Ditch Day’ Trip

It started with a Stay Gone Travel calls a “Ditch Day.” A same-day or 24-hour getaway meant to help women press pause and reset without burning through paid time off or overspending on travel. Instead, I found myself unpacking my suitcase at home, scrolling through photos of the women who did make it to the Big Easy.

Their posts were of pure joy: sipping cocktails at Headquarters, enjoying grilled oysters from Katie’s, listening to live music on Bourbon Street, and even taking in history at Whitney Plantation. Even from my living room, I could feel the lively energy of community.

When Payne first created Ditch Day, she wasn’t trying to chase a trend. Instead, she was just reaching out to others who wanted to join her on her escapades. 

Courtesy of Meako Payne

“I posted on Facebook and was like, ‘Hey, who wants to go hang out with me for a day in New York? And it blew up overnight. I ended up with 75 people booking,” she says.

Based in Chicago, Payne focuses on destinations that are only a few hours away with affordable flights, typically under $200. Having started Ditch Day trips in April, Payne has already hosted travels to Louisville, Nashville, Austin, New York City, Orlando, and most recently, New Orleans. The concept is simple: book a flight in the morning, spend the day exploring a nearby city, and come home that night with a camera roll full of memories. 

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