Non-Disney vacation ideas?

[leebee]

My husband has had a bad time medically this year; he sustained a post-surgical infection in his leg which required three surgeries, a calf-muscle explant and skin grafting, and 6 weeks of keeping the leg horizontal and totally non-weight bearing while receiving 13+ hours a day of antibiotics via PICC line in a nursing home. Fortunately the medical interventions worked and he's not going to lose either his leg or his life, but it was really stressful for awhile there. He is facing a year of oral antibiotics and at least another 3 months of physical therapy while his reconstruction, surgical sites (one is in his tibia), and muscles heal and he re-learns to walk, run, etc. He's doing well, though, and is ahead of schedule, so there are things to celebrate! Bottom line is, WE NEED A VACATION from our every-day life. DH is NOT a Disney guy, so my first choice is out. I am looking for ideas of places to visit this summer. Here are the limitations on a trip:
>We'd want to be gone about a week;
>Airfare has to be via Southwest as I have points and he has a Companion Pass on my account, making air travel virtually free; we can fly from BOS, PWM, MHT;
>It can't be a beach or "lay out in the sun" vacation as he is restricted in his sun exposure due to the maintenance antibiotics;
>Location needs to be reasonably affordable. I can balance the number of travel days to fit our budget, but I can't afford $200 a night hotel rooms... KWIM?
>Although we are willing to revisit some locations, we are looking for new ideas. We've been to NYC, DC (although we'd revisit DC), Orlando, New Orleans, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, San Francisco (lived there for 3 years but would consider Napa), Denver (new ideas for the area?). We have family in southern Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, so not interested in that area particularly (we want to go on vacation, not visit family...), upstate NY (lived in Syracuse for 5 years), and Maine/New Hampshire/Boston are pretty much out as that's where we live!
>DH can spend limited time outdoors with appropriate protection, but we are not long-distance hikers or boaters. He is a history buff, loves museums, loves the mountains and ocean.

Anyone have any good suggestions? DH loves the Rocky Mountains and I'd consider a loop driving trip to state/national parks, but have no idea of the vastness or what is reasonable to try to accomplish. I'm just trying to come up with some new ideas, but DH really DESERVES a reward for all his patience and what he's been through this year!

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I would go with your Denver idea since you mention he likes the Rocky Mountains. I would split time between Estes Park near RMNP entrance, 2 nights in Laramie WY - there is a great scenic drive just west of there through Medicine Bow National Forest, and maybe a night in Vail, CO. That wouldn't put you at too much driving. If you wanted to go a little further though you could consider Grand Junction (Colorado National Monument), and Gunnison National Park as well.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Or else fly to DC, do a few things there, but also rent a car and spent about 3 nights in Williamburg, VA.

 

[Kae]

I have heard Puerto Rico is amazing great Culture. And thing to see.

 

[Kimberle]

The Black Hills area of SD is fun. There is a lot to do. Branson MO is also fun.

 

[Hikergirl]

Is this a surprise? If not, ask your dh where he would like to go. Maybe he has a bucket list of trips.

If he is a history buff, Washington DC combined with Williamsburg and Yorktown may be nice.

I would go to Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park but that is because I love it there.

Problem is those place would probably require alot of walking during the day, is your dh alright with that now?

 

[leebee]

I would go with your Denver idea since you mention he likes the Rocky Mountains. I would split time between Estes Park near RMNP entrance, 2 nights in Laramie WY - there is a great scenic drive just west of there through Medicine Bow National Forest, and maybe a night in Vail, CO. That wouldn't put you at too much driving. If you wanted to go a little further though you could consider Grand Junction (Colorado National Monument), and Gunnison National Park as well.

We might spend the time in the Rockies. DH went to college in Gunnison but hasn't been back in years, although I think he'd probably rather do some of the parks and areas north and west of Denver. I'd been thinking of flying into Denver and out of Las Vegas (or in reverse) but I'm not sure if that'd mean I'm spending more time driving than doing stuff!

Is this a surprise? If not, ask your dh where he would like to go. Maybe he has a bucket list of trips.

If he is a history buff, Washington DC combined with Williamsburg and Yorktown may be nice.

I would go to Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park but that is because I love it there.

Problem is those place would probably require alot of walking during the day, is your dh alright with that now?

He knows about this but the destination and planning are up to me. Walking might be a concern. Right now he is on one crutch around the house but uses 2 when he's out or has distance to cover. He's up to about 50% weight-bearing when using one crutch. Unfortunately, that's a play-it-by-ear situation, but we are optimistic he'll be pretty strong by mid-summer. Thanks for asking!

 

[DaisyJ]

Do you have passports? What about Canada? PEI or Montreal?

 

[ronandannette]

Do you have passports? What about Canada? PEI or Montreal?

If it matters, Southwest does not fly anywhere into Canada.

 

[arminnie]

I pick Boulder, CO (just outside Denver) over the city of Denver any day.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We really enjoyed Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown and then did Busch Gardens near there. I think that was the trip we went to a plantation too - maybe Thomas Jeffersons?

Anyways - it was fun and relaxing. There was plenty to do.

 

[DaisyJ]

If it matters, Southwest does not fly anywhere into Canada.

OP lives in Maine, I believe, so they should be able to drive there.

 

[leebee]

OP lives in Maine, I believe, so they should be able to drive there.

Yes, we are in Maine and have several times considered a driving trip to PEI, but right now I have a SW Companion Pass for DH and it seems a shame to waste the free air fare!

 

[HeatherC]

What about Santa Fe or Sedona? Or San Antonio.

Pacific Northwest?

 

[Planogirl]

Since he likes history, what about Philadelphia and the surrounding area? Or maybe Charleston or Savannah?

 

[McKelly]

How about Glacier National park in Montana? I think SW flies into Spokane, which is about 4-5 hour drive from the area. Instead of long hikes, you could take a red bus tour. You might have time to sneak up into Banff/Jasper for a couple of days too.

 

[PollyannaMom]

>DH can spend limited time outdoors with appropriate protection, but we are not long-distance hikers or boaters. He is a history buff, loves museums, loves the mountains and ocean.

Based on this, I second DC and Williamsburg! We did Williamsburg and Busch Gardens years ago, and I loved it! And we keep saying we're going to get to DC.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Charleston or Savannah are in my list but I don't know if SW flies there.

 

[anniemae]

My first thought was Savannah. It was wonderful. Lots of fun and historical stuff to do. Great restaurants too. We ate at the Pirates House, which is haunted. Really neat history. We took a carriage ride, did the hop on hop off trolley tour, took a ghost tour at night. There are lots of historical buildings and battlefields to explore. We did a day trip to Hilton Head which was nice too.

 

[Domo]

You know what I'm going to say... Vegas! You don't have to gamble to have an amazing time. There are tonnes of shows, excursions to places like the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon and sights to be seen. True, it's a little shallow, but it's one of those things that you just have to experience once in your lifetime.