Looking for vacation ideas

[midjd]

I didn't want to hijack Dark's thread, but I've been kind of blah lately and think some kind of vacation might do the trick. We've been married almost 2 years and have yet to go on a honeymoon (we did go to King's Island's Halloween fest the day after the wedding, it was fun). Anyway, it seems like I'm always saying "Oh, we should go to X next summer/fall/winter" but the plans either never materialize, or get pushed back indefinitely. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever taken a vacation as an adult (unless you count moving to and from NYC).

So I think it might be time to *make* myself go somewhere. Ideas?

Parameters:
We are in central Indiana;
We both like mountains, oceans, parks, cities, pretty much whatever;
Neither of us has a passport, though I suppose we could get some;
I'd feel OK spending up to $2-3K if it was somewhere nice... not spending that on a trip to Dollywood;
But local-ish for up to $1000 is OK.

Go!

[illinicheme]

San Francisco! A small and (mostly) walkable city with a ton of stuff to do.

The Caribbean. Depending on airfare, you could probably do at least 3-4 days at someplace like one of the Sandals resorts in Jamaica for your $2-3k budget.

National parks. So many amazing places to visit.

Alaska. Probably not doable on $2-3k, but goddamn is it beautiful.

[souldoubt]

San Fran is awesome but depending on where you stay that might not be cheap. Another option near San Fran is Sonoma/Napa. Once again not necessarily cheap depending on where you stay but you can do bike tours of some of the wineries, drink at said wineries and so on. The actual main street area of Sonoma is small and laid back and it's just a gorgeous area. You could probably pull off a 3-4 day trip for a decent price, stay busy but not too busy and leave while starting to plan your next trip back.

I'd recommend an all inclusive trip to somewhere like Cabo or PV but obviously you'd need your passports. I've been there twice since they've had problems in Mexico and if you go to resorts like that you're fine. I've heard that some of the Alaskan cruises are awesome but generally that requires flights to Seattle or Vancouver and then the cost of the cruise.

[mtntigger]

San Francisco is a great idea and perfect for the summer! ;D
If you want to wait until autumn, try the east coast. Driving tour of lighthouses and trees; bike ride portions of the Appalachian trail staying at B&Bs (even stopping off at Dollywood ); D.C or Williamsburg, VA.
New Orleans is a crazy fun place.
The Rockies are just plain gorgeous if you like the outdoors. Heck, take a trip to Yellowstone or Moab if you want a specific place to visit.

Really, there is no end to the number of great spots in the U.S. I wouldn't even worry about the Caribbean if you haven't been on a vacation for awhile.

[midjd]

Thanks for the suggestions! One of my pipe dreams was to fly to San Fran, rent a car, and drive up the Pacific coast to Seattle (or maybe through BC into Alaska), then fly home. But I spend so much time in the car it's kind of lost its luster

I'd really like to go somewhere in the Caribbean but that may be more of a winter trip, since it takes what, a couple of months to get a passport? It would be pretty awesome to go to Jamaica when it's 20 degrees and snowy, though!

Williamsburg... hmm, my mom, siblings and I went to Virginia Beach once and spent a day at Busch Gardens. It was awesome! DH and I both love theme parks, and that's only about an 11-hr drive from here. We could probably do a trip like that for $1000ish.

Hmmm... decisions, decisions...

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

I personally hate San Francisco. I live 90 minutes away and won't set foot there unless I have to.

I can suggest Monterey, Yosemite, the CA Redwoods, or Lake Tahoe.

[midjd]

You know, I was in a real funk after work today, but just thinking about a vacation has brightened my spirits. Thanks, you guys

[thyme4change]

One of the most spectacular things we ever did was a rafting trip through the grand canyon. I have heard the first part of the Canyon from Lee's Ferry to wherever is more spectacular than Lava Falls to Lake Mead, so that is the portion I did. It looks like you have to do the 6 day to see that, which is out of your price range. But, oh-my-god, was it worth it. Also, even if you are able to do the 3-day trip, try and schedule it when there is a full moon.

www.westernriver.com/

[Cookies Galore]

We are going to Cooperstown, NY in September, this thread is making me remember that we want to get a house in Nags Heads in a couple of years for a week. Yeah! Much cheaper than the stupid Jersey shore.

For our trip to Cooperstown we're staying in a B&B, but I booked the best room so we're not exactly going cheap in that regard (screw it, it's my 30th birthday trip), but not having to worry about breakfast means more money for alcohol- I mean, dinners. We're going to the Baseball Hall of Fame and that weekend is Ommefest at Brewery Ommegang. A coworker of mine is from that area so she emailed me a bunch of stuff to do. There is a booze train, so we're totally doing that. Well, it's the Blues Express, but they have a bar, so booze train.

You can definitely do something for $1000 or so, go for it, relax, and enjoy! Have fun looking for ideas!

[kgb18]

New Orleans is a crazy fun place.

Granted, when I was there I was pregnant (trip was booked before I was pregnant), so I didn't get to experience the "crazy" part. But I loved it there. It's a city that feels very European. The food was great. It's a great city for just wandering. I can't wait to go back.

[mtntigger]

There is also a travel subboard under EE that you may want to check out.

Meghan - You reminded me of the Canadian Rocky Mountain train trip that I ponder on every now and again. ;D I'm sure that is more than $3K though.

[Regis]

Last year we left central Indiana, stopped in Chicago and then drove to the Wisconsin Dells for ziplining and a waterpark. From there, we drove out to Mt. Rushmore with stops to see some quirkly things like the Spam Museum in Austin, Minnesota and the Corn Palace. Also went to Crazy Horse and Jewel Cave in South Dakota. A similar trip should fit your budget.

[phil5185]

Thanks for the suggestions! One of my pipe dreams was to fly to San Fran, rent a car, and drive up the Pacific coast to Seattle (or maybe through BC into Alaska), then fly home.

We do that except that we take our own car. Up the PCH to Seattle, ferry over the Vancouver, drive 300 miles to the other end of Vancouver (Port Hardy), ferry to Prince Rupert (19 hrs). And then drive the Cassiar Hwy thru BC. Saw 16 bears along that road one morning, 3 were griz. And an assortment of moose, moose calves, eagles, sheep - it's the prettiest drive we've ever found.

We spend about 3 weeks (retired). It costs about $2000 for motels and $1500 for gas, maybe $500 for whale-watch ships, ferry rides, glacier trips, tram rides, etc. But you can do it in 2 weeks.

Another fun trip that we did in January was Keystone, CO - we stayed in a condo on the edge of the 5-acre Ice Skating Lake.

[crockpottin]

On the higher end of the price range, I am a huge fan of cruises and have taken a couple to the Caribbean & Bermuda. That said, I don't get seasick easily & I'm content to hang out at the pool while the boat is at sea. YMMV

On the other end of the price spectrum, if you're into camping the NY state parks are awesome. My DH & I have camped at the Taconic state park several times, and we're going to the Adirondacks later this summer. Never been there personally but DH assures me its beautiful.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Another vote for California, here. I really recommend Monterey/Carmel, as well as Yosemite National Park. (We're 1.5 hours from Yosemite National Park, by the way ... we honeymooned there! ***) We vacation in Monterey/Carmel about 6 times every year and can recommend some great places to stay/things to do. Lots of wineries in the area, too.

*** We have a lovely guestroom, if you're interested. (Assuming you have no cat allergies.)

[Deleted]

I was in the SF area last week to visit one of our properties (we lived there 14 years). I stayed in Oyster Point (technically South San Francisco) but you can take their shuttle and get dropped off at BART (subway system) or Caltrain (commuter railroad) a few blocks away. On my return trip (I was driving to and from Portland OR) I stayed in Montara which is a funky and fun town to be in located on Hwy 1 and a day's trip to Santa Cruz. You can PM me if you want the hotel names where I stayed < $100/per night including breakfast.

I think Napa is too touristy and crazy/expensive and prefer the Sonoma Coast. Check out the town of Windsor (vs Healdsburg) for better pricing.

BTW it's well worth it to check out the reviews on Trip Advisor and book through Hotels.com.

[illinicheme]

Jun 21, 2011 22:26:41 GMT -5 @bonnap said:

I was in the SF area last week to visit one of our properties (we lived there 14 years). I stayed in Oyster Point (technically South San Francisco)

I probably should have waved every morning as I drove into work! ;D

[happyscooter]

Never been there but I have heard good things about Mackinaw Island in Michigan. Would that be within a days drive for you?

[CarolinaKat]

The Outer Banks in NC are really pretty, if you want beachy-ness, and the ocean is nice and warm now. You can get a condo for less than 1000 for the whole week.

I'm going to central indiana for July 4th week

[Colleenz]

You don't need a passport for US Virgin Islands. If you want a laid back relaxing beach vacation try St. Croix. Check this out.

www.vrbo.com/113201

[pig]

You'll need a passport now a days but from hearing what you like (outdoors, mountains etc) Banff national park is quite beautiful and won't cost you that much so it fits all that you described.

www.banff.com/

[midjd]

So many awesome ideas!! I will have to send DH the link to this thread and see what he thinks. I've been to the Wisconsin Dells before when my sister was in gymnastics camp, it was beautiful (and we saw a moose) ;D I'd love to go back.

Rafting sounds awesome, too. I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.

And Meghan, a booze train is all the vacation I need!

Never been there but I have heard good things about Mackinaw Island in Michigan. Would that be within a days drive for you?

I think so... looks like we're about 8 hours away.

I'm going to central indiana for July 4th week

Let me know if you want food/drink/activity recommendations!

And thanks for the link, Colleenz... going to check that out. If we're going somewhere for more than a couple of days, renting a condo is probably the way to go (my family did that at Virginia Beach, it was nice to be able to cook our own meals

[CarolinaKat]

Jun 22, 2011 7:54:25 GMT -5 midjd said:

I'm going to central indiana for July 4th week

Let me know if you want food/drink/activity recommendations!

That would be appreciated. We'll be in Indianoplis. I'm hoping we'll get some alone time at some point to have a nice dinner with him.

However, I am going to be spending most of my time going "Yes I'm really DBF's girlfriend" "Yes I am ACTUALLY an engineer" "No I don't have any kids" "No I'm not pregnant" "No he's not blackmailing me" "Yes I live in a house and have a job." I"m meeting the family At least I got him to agree to a hotel room

[swasat]

midwestern, I am in Ohio, your neighboring state

I would also recommend Niagara falls in Buffalo, NY. Awesomeness!! It will be around 8 hour drive for you. Chicago is pretty good too. Within a day's drive and lots to do.

Check out Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area in the Smokies too. It was about 9 hours drive for us. That place is absolutely beautiful in summer. You could rent a log cabin in the Gatlinburg area. We did that it before we had kids and it was pure heaven for DH and I. A second honeymoon ;D

There is another place in Lake Erie, off Toledo OH, called Putin Bay. Never been there, but people say its a smaller version of Mackinac island.

[kdamron]

'You don't need a passport for US Virgin Islands'

You don't need a passport to get there, but you need one to come back. At least if you fly into St. Thomas.

[muttleynfelix]

We honeymooned in Gatlinburg TN! LOVED IT!! Another midwest trip if you are an outdoors person is the Buffalo River in Arkansas. I have not been (despite living only a couple hours away), but my coworkers have all been and it is fantastic. I want to go, but it is not a practical trip with a toddler.

[jeffreymo]

Jun 22, 2011 8:53:42 GMT -5 swasat said:

There is another place in Lake Erie, off Toledo OH, called Putin Bay. Never been there, but people say its a smaller version of Mackinac island.

As someone who's been to Put-in-bay a few times, I'd advise that it can be similar to Mackinac Island (from what I've heard) during the week, but on the weekend it mimics something more like Key West/Mardi gras in terms of atmosphere - lots of heavy drinking going on there.

[kgb18]

midwesternjd, This may sound funny, but what about Cleveland? I don't live too far from there. A friend of mine who is really into travel just send me an email this morning about all the outdoor activities in Cleveland. Plus they have some great museums, beaches, etc. If you're interested, PM me, and I'll forward you the info.

[cpadvisor]

Okoboji, Iowa - you won't regret it.

www.vacationokoboji.com

[Clever Username]

Jun 22, 2011 7:34:59 GMT -5 CarolinaKat said:

The Outer Banks in NC are really pretty, if you want beachy-ness, and the ocean is nice and warm now. You can get a condo for less than 1000 for the whole week.

I'm going to central indiana for July 4th week

From Central IN, you can get similar digs on rental houses along the Lake Michigan shore of Michigan.
I've booked for 3 years running.