Dh & I are wanting ideas on inexpensive vacation spots

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Do you want romance, adventure, fun, thought provoking???

Hard to make suggestions unless you know what type of trip you would like.

We had the good fortune of someone offering to watch our kids for a weekend and we were free to go ANYWHERE. We chose NYC. For us it was an adventure and it really fit the bill for us. It can be inexpensive or up there in price. I think we spent more than we should have as we had broadway tickets and ate at the revolving restaurant/bar at the top of the Marriott times square (we did the bar side and it wasn't cheap! PErhaps for new york it was cheap, but it wasnt cheap to me ).

Options--

*A national park that has a lovely lodge...Yosemite, grand canyon...

*History: Washington DC--can be inexpensive, but you can add in some paid museums in addition to the free museums, stay in a nicer hotel, eat in a nicer restaurant, or back off and do your frugal homework and happen upon some deals (many restaurants are on restaurants.com!)

*History: Boston?

*Romantic: Any romantic resort--no recommendations specifically

*Border Canadian Cities: Niagra Falls? Fly into buffalo so it is a domestic flight (assuming that is the correct city. Someone recently told me they did that and I think it was buffalo)

Montreal?

*San Antonio--the ads seemed appealing and doable for an annversary. On my list to do some day.

*Charleston--very nice historical city. Take a carriage ride, explore...see some history, visit a plantation.


*Las Vegas as someone had mentioned


Think of what type of vacation you envision for your anniversary and then narrow down your choices from there.

 

[rnorwo1]

Last year my DH and I decided to do a spur of the moment (2 weeks to decide and plan) trip for our 10 year anniversary, and we went to Niagara Falls... we flew to buffalo which was very inexpensive at that time, and then we took a cab over to the Canadian side (so you'll have to have a passport, I think the cab was about $50 each way); we just stayed 3 nights, we stayed inexpensively at the Embassy Suites right on top of the falls, we thought it was wonderful. I was a bit disappointed in the town, lots of cheesy, touristy stuff, but we found many things to do that we enjoyed and just found it very relaxing. The falls are just absolutely amazing, that was the only time I've ever been... can't wait to go back and take the kids to see them. I think the flights, hotel, food, entertainment and everything was between $800-900, and you could probably do better than that not planning so last minute like we did. You could also stay on the NY side, but I don't know anything about it.

I also agree with the Hilton Head suggestions, that is just such a nice town and the beaches are great... cute area where the light house is, cute shops. And it's very close to Savannah, so you could drive there for a day and tour the homes and city there also.

I also agree with the pp who suggested NYC, if you're looking for a more active trip... there is just so much to do there. You can get discounted tickets for same day shows making them very affordable, you can eat so cheaply by going for the food the "locals" eat (look for the places with long lines, we had so many great meals for less than $20 for the two of us), many of the museums, 9/11 exhibit, etc are very affordable. The possibilities here are endless, but not really a relaxing trip.

Have fun deciding!

 

[CTdiznymom]

You need anything with a Bank of America logo on it: check book, credit card, debit card, etc. First full weekend of every month in cities across the country you get free admission to museums, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums and whatever else they can dig up. Attractions vary by city and they change so you have to keep checking. Recently, for instance, Atlanta dropped the Museum of Natural History, the Zoo and the Botanical Garden but we still get the High Museum of Art so we saw the DaVinci exhibit, the Dali exhibit and this time we will see Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian Painting and Dali's most famous painting, Persistence of Memory, which was added after we saw the main exhibition. That's the one with the melting clocks.

http://museums.bankofamerica.com/

Thank you so much for posting this. We had no idea.

 

[missesdisney]

Didn't read the whole thread but a great low cost vacation spot is Washington DC. If you stay outside the city and use the metro (which is safe and cheap) you can get good rates on hotels and even a car if needed to get around. The museums and monuments are all free! Eating can be a little higher but you have no cost to visit anywhere. The National Zoo is amazing and you have 3 airports to choose from to get you in to find cheap flights. Can probably get a cheap rental too for some flexibility - parking is about $12 per day near the museums (on the weekends at least) and at the zoo. My son is 9 and we have been 4 times (once a year) and he loves it - we always see something different. We stay in Virginia usually and have stayed at residence inn with a kitchen to save some money too. Then you'd need a car likely though.

Good luck!

Maria

 

[missesdisney]

Great suggestions here. San Diego is amazing but you might find it a bit pricey.

You could go on a long ski weekend in the Rockies. Maybe rent a nice cabin.

We also enjoyed Philadelphia and found out that there is a lot to do in the whole area. Good food, history, themeparks, nature...they seem to have it all.

I live outside of Philly and there is a lot within driving from here - you could do a little northeast tour in the car if you have time - a day or two in philly then a day or two in NYC or DC. Two hours to DC or two hours to NYC by car. And about 45 minutes from Atlantic City which is by no means Vegas but the prices are much better too! Also 2 hours from Amish country which is something to see.

 

[KCmike]

Favorite places I've been:

San Diego - great beaches, weather, activities
Yosemite National Park - Favorite National Park - Must See Bucket List
Disneyland!!!
Chicago - Great city!

 

[Purseval]

Thank you so much for posting this. We had no idea.

If you're thinking of going this weekend make sure things are open Saturday. The exhibit we want to see is closed saturday but open sunday. Call ahead to be sure they aren't moving it up a week. And remember, as another person posted, only cardholders get free admission. That isn't a problem for my wife and myself but if you have kids they don't get in for free unless they have a passbook or something with their name on it.