Where would you go???

[Kimmumum]

I have to take a trip (the reasons don't matter so I won't go into it...). This needs to be a budget trip on SWA from Chicago. Long Island, NY, Denver, CO, Buffalo, NY, Columbus, OH or Cincinnati, OH seem to have cheap flights. We have never been to any of these cities and have not idea which is the best for 3-4 days. Are there any good cheap hotels that are near things to do? Any thoughts?

 

[Ladysunflr]

Long Island would be pretty close to NYC... Cant go wrong with Manhattan!

 

[java]

Where on LI(McCarthur?)

Then you could hang out in the Hamptons. Easthampton is our favorite fun place.

Ohio could be fun if you are into amusement parks_ we've always wanted to do Cedar Rapids.

So Cincinnati and Long Island get my vote. But if you share what you are into that might help make the choice.

 

[etoiles]

We went to Denver on Southwest from Chicago last summer and had a great time. we stayed about 40 min north of the city just east of Boulder. (we did rent a car) The hotel we got for a great deal and we drove the car to visit Boulder. We saw the Celestial Seasonings tea factory (tour, free) and did some window shopping in the downtown Boulder area. We also drove through Rocky Mountain National Park (great for a budget as well)

We saw a ton of wildlife and the mountains were gorgeous. It was perfect weather in the summer for it.

All the activities are budget friendly, just need to rent a cheap car to travel around.

 

[Cruise]

I agree with etoiles. Colorado is just beautiful. It's a great place to "get out of the city" for a while and you'll really feel like you've been somewhere from Chicago!

 

[Planogirl]

Another vote for Denver. There's a lot to do in the area and the surroundings are amazingly beautiful.

 

[Ashlander]

I would go for Denver - I bet it is beautiful there. Plus you can probably get better deals on Hotels, etc.

 

[JoyG]

There's no way you could do the Hamptons on a budget in the summertime. If you're going after Labor Day, there are some budget places available, but you also run the risk of businesses being closed for the season.

You could do Buffalo/Niagara Falls on a budget. And you could see the whole thing in 3-4 days. If you have a passport, you could drive into Canada and do a day trip in Toronto.

 

[Avonlady1001]

Well, I live on Long Island, so I can say that other than Manhattan which is about an hour from Islip Airport, give or take, and the Hamptons which is a decent drive too, there's not much to do here that you can't do anywhere. There are museums, and dead people's houses (Teddy Roosevelt, Walt Whitman, and the like...) but that's about it. Been here my whole life, so maybe I'm not seeing things as touristy, but I wouldn't take a vacation here. LOL

I vote for Colorado...looks like a BEAUTIFUL place! The mountains alone would draw me there.

 

[mlaw]

Another vote for Denver!

 

[Kies99]

Ohio could be fun if you are into amusement parks_ we've always wanted to do Cedar Rapids.

I think you mean Cedar Point. Cedar Rapids is a town in Iowa.

Plus that's a little bit of a drive from Columbus or Cincy.

 

[wall*e2008]

Since it is only 3-4 days I would do Denver and tour the rocky mountains. If it was longer then I would say LI and tour NYC and the area. LI will be VERY expensive for hotels.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Does it have to be this summer, or can you go in the fall? I got an e-mail from SW about $30-60-90 fares for fall, and it said every city was on sale. We could fly from RDU to San Diego for $90 each way!

From the cities you listed, I'd choose Denver. It's beautiful, and it is different enough from Chicago to seem like a vacation. Buffalo would be my second choice so you could go to Niagara Falls.

 

[ceecee]

I think you mean Cedar Point. Cedar Rapids is a town in Iowa.

Plus that's a little bit of a drive from Columbus or Cincy.

LONG drive from either city. King's Island is in Cincinnati, the Aquarium, zoo and things like that. I would vote Denver. Or just drive if you have to rent a car it may be less expensive even with a cheaper flight.

 

[robinb]

Another vote for Denver. You can get a cheap hotel on Priceline or Hotwire. Go to www.betterbidding.com to find out how to get the best deal.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I'm partial to Colorado ;-)

Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park would make a great day trip. I'm not sure if you are traveling with kids, but we have an excellent zoo. Boulder has a nice pedestrian section with lots of neat little shops and sidewalk cafes.

There's a Renaissance Festival going on during the weekends throughout the summer in Larkspur.

Also, Breckenridge and Vail can be done as a day trip. Holiday Inn Expresses tend to run about 75-85 dollars in/around the Denver metro area. You will definitely need to rent a car.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

I love vacations in Colorado so I vote for Denver. Rent a car and go to Pike's Peak, Garden of the God's, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Seven Falls, Cave of the Winds, the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, the North Pole, etc. Pike's Peak is only an hours drive from Denver, and there is so much to do in that area, and the scenery is unreal. Go online and order a free DVD and check out all the things to do in that area before you get there. Plus there are many coupons you can print off for free and reduced rates on the area's attractions.

One more fun thing would be going to a concert at Red Rock Amphitheater. Their website doesn't list all the good bands playing there this summer but if you'll do a search for concerts in and around Denver, it will pull up all the concerts. We are wanting to see Counting Crows at Red Rock on the 29th.

 

[StefnMike]

Are you looking for a busy, sight seeing trip? Then go to Long Island.
Are you looking for relaxation? Then go to Denver
Are you looking for ocean views? Long Island
Mountain Vistas? Denver

Hotels by the Long Island airport are decently priced. You can take a train into Manhatten and you can get hotels for $100-$150 a night.

I am not sure of the cost of hotels in Denver as when I go my company pays for it.

Denver you will need a car.
NYC you will not (but if you want to tour Long Island you will).

Buffalo...I've never been.
Ohio....same thing.

It all depends on the "whys" and "what do I want to see?"

Either way...ENJOY!

 

[Kimmumum]

Thanks everyone for your responses. It seems like most people are voting for Denver.

The purpose of this trip is because I have 14 credits on SWA. You need 16 for a free flight. My credits will start to expire the very end of August. It was going to be a girls trip but with school starting that didn't pan out. So DH and I are just going away for a few days. It is really just for relaxing with maybe a little sightseeing. Our 20th wedding anniversary was over Memorial Day weekend and we haven't done anything so we thought this was a good chance to go away......are you sorry you asked now???

Thanks again.....