Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and getting ready for it means more than just planning the cookout menu. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, hitting the beach, or doing both, these memorial day weekend essentials will make sure the long weekend actually feels like a vacation.
1. Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
The Weber Go-Anywhere is a compact, no-nonsense charcoal grill that weighs just 12 pounds and folds flat for transport. It’s not going to feed a crowd of 20, but for a beach cookout or a small patio setup, the 160-square-inch cooking surface handles burgers, dogs, and even a couple of steaks without issue. Plus, the porcelain-enamel coating holds up season after season, which is more than most budget portables can say.
2. YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler
The Hopper Flip 12 holds up to 24 cans and keeps ice for days, not hours. It’s leakproof, puncture-resistant, and has a wide-mouth opening that makes grabbing a drink easy without rearranging everything inside. It’s expensive for a soft cooler, though, so if you’re only using it once a year, a cheaper option might make more sense.
3. JBL Charge 6
For outdoor sound, the JBL Charge 6 is hard to beat right now. It packs an IP68 waterproof rating, 28 hours of battery life, and enough volume to fill a backyard without distortion. It also doubles as a power bank for charging your phone, which is genuinely useful when you’re away from outlets all day.
4. Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Sun Bum’s SPF 50 lotion goes on smooth, doesn’t leave a white cast, and smells like a tropical vacation instead of a chemistry lab. It’s reef-friendly (no octinoxate or oxybenzone) and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Because it’s one of Amazon’s bestselling sunscreens for a reason, this is a safe pick if you haven’t found your go-to SPF yet.
5. Goodr OG Polarized Sunglasses
Goodr’s OG sunglasses cost around $25 and punch way above their price point. The polarized lenses block glare off water and pavement, the grip-coated frames stay put when you sweat, and they come in dozens of fun colorways. Plus, for a holiday weekend where sunglasses might end up at the bottom of a cooler or lost in the sand, spending $25 instead of $200 just makes sense.
6. WETCAT Turkish Beach Towel
This 100% Turkish cotton towel measures 38 by 71 inches, dries fast, and rolls up smaller than a traditional terry cloth towel. It works as a beach blanket, a pool towel, or a picnic spread, which makes it one of the more versatile memorial day weekend essentials on this list. However, if you prefer thick and plush towels, the thin weave might not be your thing.
7. Sport-Brella Super-Brella Beach Umbrella
The Super-Brella earns its name with UPF 50+ sun protection and a design that doesn’t require you to screw it into sand. It sets up in seconds and provides enough shade for two or three people to sit comfortably underneath. That said, it’s bulkier than a standard beach umbrella, so keep that in mind if you’re walking a long stretch to your spot.
8. Cuisinart Grilling Prep and Serve Trays
This two-tray set (red for raw, black for cooked) takes the guesswork out of safe grilling. They’re made from shatter-resistant melamine, so dropping one on the patio won’t ruin your day, and they’re dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Also, for anyone who’s been ferrying burgers to the grill on a paper plate, these are a small upgrade that makes a real difference.
9. Ekouaer V-Neck Tie Waist Swimsuit Cover-Up
Ekouaer’s bestselling cover-up is lightweight, comes in over 20 colors, and transitions from the pool to a casual lunch without looking like you just threw something on. The tie waist gives it a bit of shape, and the price usually sits under $30. Still, the fabric is thin by design, so treat it as a cover-up and not a standalone dress.
Your Memorial Day Weekend Essentials Checklist
The best long weekends come down to a little bit of planning, so grab the grill and cooler, lock in your sun protection, and add a speaker so the playlist isn’t coming out of a phone. These memorial day weekend essentials cover the basics across categories, and you can find more seasonal picks at Gabi’s List Home & Garden.
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