My husband and I are going to go on vacation around the end of August or beginning of September for 1 to 2 weeks. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for a good vacation? We live in the Midwest, but we are willing to travel about anywhere in the US. Our budget is up to $4000. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
By Mindy from Washington, IN
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Considering where you live, I'd spend a couple days in Indianapolis then hop Amtrak to Chicago. I really enjoy the distinct neighborhoods in Indianapolis, especially the Fountain Square and Monument Circle areas. There are some beautiful hotels and nice restaurants downtown as well. And in Chicago, I could personally spend two months there and not get to see and do everything! Plus ... taking Amtrak means no tiresome driving and taking advantage of good public transit!
Have a fun trip wherever you go.
How about the coast of Maine? Lots of beaches, lighthouses, artists' colonies, lobsters, seafood, a fast trip to Nova Scotia from Portland is available, fishing, Acadia Forest for hiking, a 1.5+ ride to Boston to see the Freedom Trail, the U.S. Consitution, Salem & the witchcraft trials etc., blueberry picking, hiking trails, sailing, bike trails, camping opportunities, etc. Send to Maine tourism & they will send tons of ideas. Also, there are tons of outlet shopping areas.
I agree, Maine is a wonderful travel destination, especially, in early September after Labor Day. I live in Portland, Maine. Portland has history, culture, nightlife and amazing restaurants.
Disney Resorts may still have packages going. You can select how much you want to spend and they will tell you what they can give you. They have amazing restaurants and being in the midwest/east it may be cheaper to fly down there, hey, that may even be pat of their package deals.
It's nice because you don't have to do any price searching or matching, they just tell you what you can get for what you want to spend and you pick the package and book it then its settled.
Google, Where to vacation in USA. There are a lot of ideas.
As a Canadian, I recommend the Black Hills. I think there is something for everyone there. I have been there twice -- with my family when the kids were 3, 6, & 9; and then again when the youngest was 15, as he didn't remember much from the first time. There are all kinds of things to do -- the Passion Play at Spearfish, gambling and tours, play, wax museum at Deadwood; dinosaur museums; museums,etc at Rapid City; Mammoth site and Hot Springs at Hot Springs; Mr. Rushmore, of course; train rides and ghost towns; great scenery; Crazy Horse monument; the badlands; Wall Drug in Wall; caves, Reptile World, mazes, go-carts, all sorts of stuff.
Why not go for the gold and go to the islands of Kauai, and Hawaii? (unless you're resort folks?Then it's Maui!) I prefer the charm of old Hawaii, the awesomeness of Volcano Natl Park on the Big Is., a helicopter ride over the mountains/following coastline to the "wettest place on earth" with multi-waterfalls in a deep cavern covered by rainforest.
Oahu is just too commercialized for me, having lived there for three years when it was quaint and interesting, but now is just a tourist trap.
You might consider a moonlight dinner on a Catamaran, or from the nighttime docks of some of the Hawwii Is. finest hotels you can catch a school of Manta Rays lured by huge spotlights into the water. You might also rent bikes or parasail in Kauai, watching for the historic old frame builldings/ churches/ museums, and then go to the black sand beach.
You MUST see any lava that might be flowing at the time you visit, IF they are allowing visitors. However,
just viewing in person the Volcano Nat. Park is worth it to see where there are miles in every direction of chared boulders the size of cars on top of each other as far as the eye can see, which were spewed out of the cauldron time after time. There are remains of charred bodies from one of the earlier eruptions on display, if you can stomach it.
If possible, go to a pineapple farm and buy a plate of fresh cut pineapple for the whole family, NOT a plate for each, or your mouths will be scalled for several days and you will not be able to speak for a time, either!
Wear whatever floral fabrics, sandals, swim suits, hats, sunglasses, and don't go out in the sun between 11:30 and 2 PM as you will be blistered and most native folks will tell you that. We ignored them and regretted it big time!
It's the best U.S. place for the money, if you can fly into Hilo airport on the big island/ fly by private plane to Kauai/rent a med. sized car/ and enjoy all the PRAWNS you can eat! Mahi-Mahi is a fish, not a porpoise as we thought, and it tastes like chicken/fish. Unless you are Oriental, don't bother trying to eat Squid/ Cuttlefish, it's awful to all of us. Most hotels have the best food, not cheap, so try store-bought soups/sandwiches/nuts/ fruit in between, in your hotel rooms.
I cannot remember which island the multi-waterfalls via Helicopter is on, sorry. It may be too costly now?
God bless, help, and keep you safe. : )
P.S. For best rates, book early, like asap once you get your dates set/ lots of travel brochures from travel agencies, expenses worked out. Stay about 10 days if possible, otherwise you will be very tired all of the time! Don't waste your time snorkeling, or deep sea diving unless an expert. Don't try to hike up any rain forest trails alone, it's not safe, believe me. Ity's in the middle of the Pacific, and there are serious sharks there. Use common sense and swim
in hotel pools instead, only beach combing during the right time of day and never alone! It's mostly
Oriental, so prepare for that.
There are almost no authentic Hawaiians that are still alive, mostly mixed blood with others. If you must fly into Oahu, try to see their museum a whole day before leaving there. It's well worth it.
Of course, you should also try to see one hula dance or attend one "Hukilau"(feast on the beach), if it's affordable, but don't go hungry because the food is very different. If you want a flower lei, go for the cheapest one because all will lose petals quickly and are very costly! Bring an umbrella, windbreaker w/hood, and a sweater for cooler nights. Aloha means hello/goodbye as appropriate. : )
Stay around the tourist places, ask questions, network with other tourists, have a great time.
Being from the Pacific Northwest, I suggest there. Seattle is a beautiful and romantic city, there are plenty of things to do there.
While Seattle is a big and bustling city, you can drive short distances and go into some beautiful areas. Mercer Island has the best of both, shopping and a beautiful drive.
I found a pretty decent site for Seattle vacation:
www.go-washington.com/
Although now called Salish Lodge and Spa, when I was a kid, we went to Snoqualime Falls, where they had a lodge that served some of the best food ever. Absolutely stunning views, and just so peaceful. My time there as a kid is a special memory to me.
travel.nextag.com/
Another place you could go is Victoria, BC. One of the most beautiful cities to visit in western Canada.
Charming, the people are polite and friendly, the weather there is not too hot or cold, and it is just a lovely way to spend some time in a country that is just different enough for you to appreciate their culture and yours, but not get lost in translation or bogged down by worrying about strange foods, customs, or things like that.
If you do go to Victoria, visit Buschart Gardens, the Empress Hotel and visit the little towns nearby. Just gorgeous scenery, friendly people, and a spot just to treasure, away from the commercialism, the gaudy tourist traps (although there are a few, not like many other too commercial spots where it ruins the city for it)
Wherever you go, just remember, it is where you want to relax, enjoy the place, the people and each other, not have to worry (too much) about schedules, or learning language or customs.
I suggest the seacoast of Maine, it is beautiful. I also recommend the disney packages. There are island trips as well. Canada and Nova Scotia is supposed to be beautiful as well as the thousand Islands in Canada. How about the Grand canyon?
Send this week for info from all the chambers of commerce or tourism for all different areas and then make some calls.
here is a web page for the whole USA: www.usa.gov/
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