Palm Springs. Hike the Indian Canyons, ride the tram to the top, take a day trip to Joshua Tree park. Awesome.
If you’re willing to fly to Canada, Montreal and Quebec City are good weekend destinations.
We did Quebec in the fall in 2015. We are really looking to go someplace that’s easy to get to (close to an airport (or possibly an easy drive)). We live near DC, and I worked there for 20ish years, so it’s not on my list. Philly may be an additional trip, because I have been there several times, but only for specific events, never as a tourist.
I keep hearing good things about Pittsburg also, so we may go there at some point this year.
I lived in CA for many years, and we may take a “bigger” trip there either this year or next (mostly to visit Yosemite), so it’s not on the list. We love Portland and the surrounding area, and Seattle is on our short list for a " real" vacation, so they are not on this list either.
Portland Maine would be nice. The downtown is terrific. You can easily get to hiking and that outdoor activities. For fun, you could drive up to Freeport for a day or part of a day. Airport is right in Portland ME,and there are direct flights from BWI.
Lots to see and do within an hour of Portland too…as well as IN Portland.
If you’re talking late Spring, I’d second Portland, ME. If you’re talking soon, I’d opt for something warmer where there isn’t snow on the ground.
My understanding is Nashville is a great place to visit. Also a trip to Albuquerque, NM would be great. Rent a car and drive up to Santa Fe. You will not be disappointed.And visit Taos as well.
Portland, OR sounds like a good fit–amazing nature very close by, and of course Portland itself offers a lot (great food, beer, wine, coffee, clean air and water…).
How about Vancouver? We took my son one year to snowboard the Backcomb glacier in June and spent some time in Vancouver. Really great city with plenty to do.
If you only have a weekend, I’d vote for something not on the West Coast as you’d burn up a lot of your time in the air. Save those trips for when you have more time to spare.
For a long weekend trip…or even a week…I would not travel across the country across three time zones. There would be one day on each end consumed with travel only. In my opinion…that isn’t much of a vacation.
There are so many places east of the Mississippi River which would be fine.
Nashville is another good option…and is on my bucket list.
What about Savannah?
From your original list, I would pick Austin. I was there in mid January and it was wonderful but now is probably even better. Wild poppies, blanket flowers and blue bonnets are all in bloom. You can hike from downtown as far as you want to go. Your dog can go everywhere with you if you wish. The food is great and there is wine country to visit too. You can also swim and paddle right downtown on spring fed water. Hard to beat!
I like the idea of San Antonio for a long weekend.
I like a lot of the suggestions you’ve received. I’m biased, but Chicago has so much to offer. I would only recommend it if your trip is at least 3 full days (€preferably more) in the city and when the weather is likely to be good to you.
Here’s my list of suggestions:
- The Art Institute/Millenium Park/Architectural boat tour/Michigan Ave stroll…check out the exterior of the Trib bldg.
- catch a Cubs game…tickets can be expensive but perhaps you’d enjoy catching the game at one of the local bars in Wrigleyville…you can also take a tour of Wrigley Field
- hike along the lakefront/Lincoln Park Zoo/Lincoln Park Conservatory
- Second City, the Goodman Theater or any theatrical production…there are lots of shows from which to choose
Lastly, I just got back from a European trip and took a food tour for the first time. My husband and I loved it! I suggest you go to TripAdvisor and see if there is one that interests you…wherever you go. A walking tour with short stops for food tastings and history lessons was a highlight of our trip. We live in a western suburb of Chicago and now I want to do one in Chicago!
Have fun wherever you decide to go! 
Santa Fe… you fly into Albuquerque, rent a car and drive to SF. It’s got everything: exoticism, great food, art/shopping, hiking and mountain biking galore.
I love Chicago, too…but the weather is still so iffy in the spring. The tours could be really cold. I’d wait for better weather. I do love Chicago.
St. Petersburg, FL. Great walking and biking paths. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards. Lots to see and do downtown and along the waterfront. Museums, galleries, theater, building murals, boutiques, great places to eat. Weedon Island Preserve, Boyd Hill Nature Center, (biking there too). You can go down to Myaka river to hike, canoe, look at the hundreds of alligators on the shore. Visit Mote Marine research center, search for ancient shark teeth in Venice beach,explore Ft. DeSoto, go to the Big Cat rescue…
I found out my boss is taking three weeks off Mid-May to early June, so my date options are becoming more limited.
If I can Work around my husband’s work travel schedule, we will likely wind up going to Charleston or Santa Fe.
We can get a good timeshare deal in Santa Fe, southwest prices look reasonable, and we have a free place to stay in Charleston, if we choose to take advantage of it. Of course this may change at any point. I will let you know if I make it out of metro DC-Baltimore area. I have said we are going to try and do this a couple of times this year, but that’s somewhat of a “dream” as opposed to reality.
Thanks everyone -
Both are great places,
1214mom, as someone who has spent many years of my life in Memphis, I recommend that you cross it off your list. 
Sedona, AZ is amazing in the Spring. We loved Seattle and the Olympic Penninsula, Oregon Coast. Would love to go to San Francisco and Napa