Spring Vacation Ideas?

[Doug5984]

Me and the wife always like to take a vacation after tax day, normally something around the first couple of weeks of May (most schools are in so things seem to be a little cheaper).

We talked about going to Disney World again, but the wife doesn't ride roller coasters, and we've went 2 years ago, and Disney Land the year before that. So we may wait and go there at the end of the summer/next year with my family.

Without knowing much I looked at NYC, and Wash DC both places seemed pretty expensive, and while we have vacation money saved, and miles for free airfare we are on a budget. We both like history, museums, nature stuff/outdoor. Neither of us really drink, or stay out late... so a "party" city is not for us.

We went to San Diego a few years ago and it was the best trip we've ever had, a good mix of things to do. Went on a cruise 2 years ago, another good trip, but we want to explore some place new. Went to Vegas couple months ago to get hitched, and it was a good trip- something we may go do again in a few years, but not so soon.

I have a butt load of frequent flier miles with southwest, so any city they go to is a plus.

Thought about Nashville. But just trying to get other ideas on places we need to see.

[JediKooter]

Ever think about going to Vancouver? Never been there, but, never heard anything bad about the place.

[Doug5984]

Never thought about Vancouver, will have to look into that. Have to check the weather mainly- we really don't like cold weather, guess I should have mentioned that also.

[JediKooter]

Totally understand the cold weather thing. I would think in May it should be fairly decent there though. Looking at the May weather for Vancouver on wikipedia: mid 50s to low 60s during that month.

[cartman]

How long of a vacation are you looking to take? That would have an impact on places to recommend. If you are looking at a week, have you thought of taking a cruise out of New Orleans or Galveston?

[JPhillips]

San Fran is a great city to visit if you've never been.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Savannah & Charleston combo trip maybe?

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

San Fran is a great city to visit if you've never been.

I agree. There's probably not a more fun city to visit. It's expensive, but there's just so much to see, do and eat...

Really oddball pick - Santa Fe/Albuquerque NM. Amazingly beautiful in the spring, lots of stuff to do, funky atmosphere, good people. Highly recommended and Southwest flies into Albuquerque.

Cartman - fuck New Orleans. That was easily the worst vacation I've ever been on. I friggin' HATE that place.

[Doug5984]

Originally Posted by cartman

How long of a vacation are you looking to take? That would have an impact on places to recommend. If you are looking at a week, have you thought of taking a cruise out of New Orleans or Galveston?

Up to a week, shorter would work also. I have very flexible vacation time at my office, like no one tracks it at all, so we'd figure out how long based on flight prices / where to go what to do.

We've looked at the cruises and that's a possibility, they are pretty cheap out of both those places- and an easy drive there as well. We went on one 2 years ago out of Galveston, and will do it again (most likely out of NOLA, since it's closer) and only if it's to different ports. Just getting ideas to try something new, but a cruise is a definite option.

Never thought about San Fran, I'll check that out- have always wanted to see the red woods, Alcatraz, golden gate bridge.

[Doug5984]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Savannah & Charleston combo trip maybe?

Never thought about Savannah, have heard great things about that. Need to look into that one- thanks.

Originally Posted by Blackadar

I agree. There's probably not a more fun city to visit. It's expensive, but there's just so much to see, do and eat...

Really oddball pick - Santa Fe/Albuquerque NM. Amazingly beautiful in the spring, lots of stuff to do, funky atmosphere, good people. Highly recommended and Southwest flies into Albuquerque.

Cartman - fuck New Orleans. That was easily the worst vacation I've ever been on. I friggin' HATE that place.

New Orleans is one of the greatest cities around The wife lived there for 4-1/2 years, and we are there every other weekend during football season.

I can see why people would hate it, it's pretty dirty. Love to visit, could never live there.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

I can see why people would hate it, it's pretty dirty. Love to visit, could never live there.

That's pretty much my feelings on San Francisco.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Blackadar

Cartman - fuck New Orleans. That was easily the worst vacation I've ever been on. I friggin' HATE that place.

Didn't suggest they vacation there, just catch a cruise ship out of there.

[johnnyshaka]

Vancouver was mentioned (still haven't been there longer than a day and will get there, eventually!) but I thought I'd toss Ottawa into the mix as you have plenty of history, museums, and outdoors stuff to enjoy.

The average high in May is around 70 or so. Downtown is vibrant and always a fun place to be, day or night. Parliament buildings, several "national" museums/galleries, day cruises on the various rivers and waterways and Montreal being less than a 2 hour drive away (or hop on the train as it takes you right to the heart of Montreal) if you want to spend a day or two there.

I grew up there and would be happy to provide more details if are considering going there.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Savannah & Charleston combo trip maybe?

I think that's a great idea for May. Two very tourist-friendly cities.

[albionmoonlight]

Also, this is a bit more "early summer" than Spring, but we've been meaning to do this: Spoleto Festival USA 2012 » Home for a long time. Haven't been yet, but have heard great things.

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

Never thought about San Fran, I'll check that out- have always wanted to see the red woods, Alcatraz, golden gate bridge.

Muir Woods is just outside the city across the Golden Gate with some magnificent redwoods. Get tickets early for Alcatraz. Boat tours under the golden gate leave the dock every half hour or so it seemed.

Other things to do:

Chinatown (must-visit)
Union Square (if you like shopping)
Union Park (pretty cool park with bison in the middle of the city)
Union Street (old cool houses, funky shops)
Tons of museums
Broadway / "Italytown"
Haight Ashbury - daylight only, even if you're a hippie
Ansel Adams gallery in South of Market
Theater/zoo/clubs...TONS of nightlife including the Castro Theater
Sausalito just across the bay for more funky shopping
Napa valley is like two hours away
Presido
Marin Headlands - opposite SF across the Golden Gate. Awesome natural spot.
AT&T Park baseball game
Cable Cars
Fisherman's Wharf
Coit Tower (Civ fans rejoice!)

...and probably the best food in the entire nation.

[AENeuman]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Savannah & Charleston combo trip maybe?

Funny, Charleston just passed San Francisco as most visited place. I don't understand why people would rather go to a city that is clearly out of touch with the rest of the nation

Charleston, S.C. replaces S.F. as top tourist destination in U.S.

BTW, May and October are usually the best months to visit, after the rain, before the fog

[JonInMiddleGA]

FWIW, my wife had two suggestions

Williamsburg -- said she loved it & would easily do that trip again

and/or

D.C. -- she suggesting seeing what sort of deal you could get at that time of year via Priceline. Her thinking was that a good deal with them + all of the attractions that are free might make it quite doable even with a budget.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by johnnyshaka

Vancouver was mentioned (still haven't been there longer than a day and will get there, eventually!) but I thought I'd toss Ottawa into the mix as you have plenty of history, museums, and outdoors stuff to enjoy.

The average high in May is around 70 or so. Downtown is vibrant and always a fun place to be, day or night. Parliament buildings, several "national" museums/galleries, day cruises on the various rivers and waterways and Montreal being less than a 2 hour drive away (or hop on the train as it takes you right to the heart of Montreal) if you want to spend a day or two there.

I grew up there and would be happy to provide more details if are considering going there.

I was going to suggest Toronto. I know Doug's in the NHL thread some and in the FOFC Yahoo hockey...but then he said early May so he'd miss any part of the Leafs season.

[Lathum]

San Fran is great, we went for a long weekend and I was left with wanting more. If you are a baseball fan Giants games are a lot of fun

[rowech]

Originally Posted by AENeuman

Funny, Charleston just passed San Francisco as most visited place. I don't understand why people would rather go to a city that is clearly out of touch with the rest of the nation

Charleston, S.C. replaces S.F. as top tourist destination in U.S.

BTW, May and October are usually the best months to visit, after the rain, before the fog

A couple of summers ago we went to Charleston, then Savannah. Charleston is without question my favorite city after just one visit. Just a fantastic place and we hope to go back this summer. I love Chicago, I liked San Diego, but they both pale compared to Charleston.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by rowech

A couple of summers ago we went to Charleston, then Savannah. Charleston is without question my favorite city after just one visit. Just a fantastic place and we hope to go back this summer.

I have to admit that doing them in combination is a darned good deal, even to a grumpy bastard like me. Fairly few places that I'd have no objection to visiting repeatedly, that's one of them (at this point I basically consider them together).

I also recommend spending at least one transitional night (or more) in Beaufort, SC. Just a very nice little place that's tucked in between them but has a lot of charm about it.

[Doug5984]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

I was going to suggest Toronto. I know Doug's in the NHL thread some and in the FOFC Yahoo hockey...but then he said early May so he'd miss any part of the Leafs season.

heh- we are actually thinking about hockey as well, if we could double up a trip and see a playoff game somewhere that'd be a huge plus, we've still never been to an NHL game, the Stars are 6 hours away and it seems when they get a Sat game it's a busy weekend for us, or a shit team that neither really want to see. We were supposed to go to Nashville and see a Preds game, but that trip got canceled after we decided to hurry up and get hitched in Vegas a couple weeks before. It would be very hard to plan in advance, really it'd have to be a city that's in the playoff run and hope to just get lucky and catch a game while we were there.

[johnnyshaka]

Toronto does have the Hockey Hall of Fame...so you could get your hockey fill despite not seeing any playoff hockey.

[sterlingice]

Wait- DC too expensive so we're talking San Fran? DC has tons of free stuff and you just stay outside the beltway and take the Metro. The expensive part is going to be eating.

My two long, obligatory posts about DC:
http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/...7&postcount=16
http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/...6&postcount=41

SI

[BillyNYC]

Vancouver's been mentioned a few times. Maybe combine it with Seattle and/or Portland? All are outdoorsy, with walkable neighborhoods and things to do. Not sure about weather in the spring though.

If you're a bit more adventurous, I recommend Mexico City (seriously...). Took a 5-night Thanksgiving trip there 2 months back. Lots of history and sites, cheap and good food, and friendly people. It's definitely not Disney and doesn't have much of a tourist infrastructure and the language barrier was an issue at times, but was a surprisingly positive experience. And cheap.

Also, I don't think Boston's been mentioned yet. Great for history/museums and more affordable (and approachable) than NYC.

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Wait- DC too expensive so we're talking San Fran? DC has tons of free stuff and you just stay outside the beltway and take the Metro. The expensive part is going to be eating.

My two long, obligatory posts about DC:
Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Vacation idea : Washington D.C.
Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Considering A Trip To DC

SI

As a former resident, I agree - DC really isn't that expensive. Especially if you stay outside the city and take the Metro into town. Most of the stuff in the Mall is free and you can spend a solid week (or more) there.

[albionmoonlight]

I would also note that, in D.C., as long as your hotel is close to a metro stop, you can easily spend a lot of time there without spending a lot of money.

I don't even think that you would need to stay outside of the beltline. Go to hotels.com or something and look around. As long as the hotel is within walking distance of a metro stop, you will be fine. You might even find one in town if you time it right.

[Doug5984]

Never thought about staying further and taking the metro... will check that out (not used to public transit- don't really have that down here) DC is high up on our list of places to go, so that would be nice if the hotels were cheaper further away, saw one near the zoo for $190ish / night

[CU Tiger]

Ok, what am I missing?

I am in Charleston at least once and usually twice a month....and I dont see anythign special. There is the market which is ove run by chinese imported shit that locals claim to make....a dozen or so chain seafood restaraunts and the battery. What else?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Ok, what am I missing?

I am in Charleston at least once and usually twice a month....and I dont see anythign special.

You're not looking at it like a tourist.

Hell, I've been 3-4 times and still haven't been through all the house museums yet (not for the lack of my wife trying either).

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

Never thought about staying further and taking the metro... will check that out (not used to public transit- don't really have that down here) DC is high up on our list of places to go, so that would be nice if the hotels were cheaper further away, saw one near the zoo for $190ish / night

I was in DC in March. We used the Metro for everything. Studied the map for a few minutes and it was easy peasy. Their public transit is quite good.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

Never thought about staying further and taking the metro... will check that out (not used to public transit- don't really have that down here) DC is high up on our list of places to go, so that would be nice if the hotels were cheaper further away, saw one near the zoo for $190ish / night

Yeah, the Metro is one of the easiest mass transits I've ever used.

There's a Courtyard we stayed at quite a few times: 2722 Gallows Rd Vienna, 22180. Looks like it still runs between $79-$119 per night and it's one parking lot away from the Dunn-Loring Metro so you can park for free at the hotel and just walk to the Metro. Also, if you fly in to town, you can just take the Metro from Reagan to the hotel and never have to rent a car at all and save some cash. Just remember, with the Metro, you build in a half hour to hour to go in and out of town every day.

2012 Centennial | National Cherry Blossom Festival
DC is a great place to visit in the Spring with the Cherry Blossom Festival. But I hear that with the really warm winter, it's screwing with the timing of the peak bloom and it could be as early as mid March instead of the usual early April. You really should try to visit the Mall during the blooming time- it's absolutely beautiful. Really hard to get the timing right, tho- too early and there's not much to see and too late and it's just trees with no blooms left

SI

[Izulde]

Yes, DC has an excellent Metro system. I used it extensively when I was there for AWP last year.