Any Suggestions For Domestic Vacation Destinations?

[LeGOATski]

Yellowstone/Grand Tetons is the most beautiful place I've been to in the states so far.

 

San Diego and that whole area of the Cali coast, you get a lot of bang for your buck: beach life, city life, hiking, you name it.

 

Sedona is also wonderful, but I live close by so I've been there so many times.

[Draconator]

My wife and I did a 3000 mile, 3 state driving tour this past January. Flew into Reno, stayed in Lake Tahoe, Lone Pine, California (where westerns in the early days of film were made), drove through Death Valley, stayed in Vegas, Sedona and Phoenix, AZ, stayed in a little town called Solvang, CA which is the Dutch capital of the world, and then to the Bay Area of California to visit my daughter. Out of all these places Sedona was by far our favorite. That would be my recommendation. 

 

This year we are going to be buying a house so a trip may not happen. But if it does, we are going to Laurel, Mississippi as we see that town on the HGTV Show Home Town, and are super intrigued by it. Many of the home renovations on the show are available as AirBnB's. 

[Augie]

5 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

I hear hell is nice this time of year.  

 

You know I like it nice and warm! 

[Augie]

3 hours ago, qwksilver said:

Which island(s) in Hawaii? 

Napa County is a little more commercialized than it was on your 1st trip but Sonoma is still mostly farm country.

 

They went to Kauai and Maui and had a GREAT time. 

 

Even two plus decades ago I found that I preferred Sonoma to Napa for some reason. We would have benefited from better local knowledge I’m sure, but it was a FANTASTIC trip. We started in San Francisco and then went south seeing Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Pebble Beach and all that. We went up to a spa in Calistoga (north of Napa and Sonoma I think) and did the whole wine country thing. Probably my second favorite vacation after Spain and a Windstar cruise form Barcelona to Lisbon. Only about 300 passengers on a ship with masts, not one of the HUGE ships with 4-5k. It was another Windstar cruise we were hoping to take (Italy and Croatia) the next year, but……Covid stuff happened. You might have seen it in the news. 

[Augie]

2 hours ago, LeviF said:

I'll toss in Temecula. If you're a gambler the resort/casino there is fantastic. If not stay at the resort anyway and head out to wine country, golf, or detour to San Diego for a couple nights.  Maybe the resort will have a fight you can catch while you're there.

 

Not really a gambler, but the wife will play some blackjack. Having said that, I’ve never been to Vegas without having a good time. There is SO MUCH more to do than gamble. Really, @plenzmd1, it’s true! 

[Draconator]

5 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Not really a gambler, but the wife will play some blackjack. Having said that, I’ve never been to Vegas without having a good time. There is SO MUCH more to do than gamble. Really, @plenzmd1, it’s true! 

I second that. My wife and I walked through many casino's, didn't even think to gamble. The food choices and quality was amazing! Walking on the strip with almost no one there was surreal. And the gondola ride in the Venetian was so memorable.

[PastaJoe]

We’ve been going to the Jersey shore every July for 20 years. Cape May on the southern tip where our hotel is across the street from the beach. It’s quiet and more for older folks or families with little kids. If you have older kids that need entertainment then north of that is Wildwood which has a long boardwalk with amusement rides and a water park. It’s a day trip to drive there. Take the NYS Thruway to 81s, then south to the Penn extension through Philadelphia, across NJ to Atlantic City area, then south. It would be about 7-8 hours from Buffalo.

[SinceThe70s]

13 hours ago, billsfanmiamioh said:

Sedona, AZ / enchantment resort was a cool place we spent a few days at when my wife was pregnant. They have a world class spa that has been undergoing a major refurb and I think is supposed to open back up later this year. 

 

 

The Southwest is one of my favorite parts of the country and Sedona is a great choice. Lots to see not too far away too. Our Sedona/GC/Antelope Canyon/Monument Valley trip got scuttled due to Covid. 

 

8 hours ago, Mr Info said:

 

PCH highway trip. Book a couple nights at Deetjen’s in Big Sur. 
 

 

PCH is another great choice. The drive up the coast is fantastic. Fly in to LA and spend a few days driving up the coast (Big Sur, Carmel/Monterrey,..) and then fly out of SF. We also spent the last part of that trip in Yosemite.

 

Another spot to consider is Bar Harbor Maine. 

[Draconator]

59 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

They went to Kauai and Maui and had a GREAT time. 

 

Even two plus decades ago I found that I preferred Sonoma to Napa for some reason. We would have benefited from better local knowledge I’m sure, but it was a FANTASTIC trip. We started in San Francisco and then went south seeing Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Pebble Beach and all that. We went up to a spa in Calistoga (north of Napa and Sonoma I think) and did the whole wine country thing. Probably my second favorite vacation after Spain and a Windstar cruise form Barcelona to Lisbon. Only about 300 passengers on a ship with masts, not one of the HUGE ships with 4-5k. It was another Windstar cruise we were hoping to take (Italy and Croatia) the next year, but……Covid stuff happened. You might have seen it in the news. 

We love Sonoma, and Calistoga is my second favorite small town on earth! A pretty good quarterback with the last name of Montana lives in Calistoga. 

[LeviF]

17 minutes ago, Draconator said:

We love Sonoma, and Calistoga is my second favorite small town on earth! A pretty good quarterback with the last name of Montana lives in Calistoga. 

 

Yeah but don't try to kidnap his grandchild, won't end well! https://www.npr.org/2020/09/28/917738374/joe-and-jennifer-montana-foil-attempted-kidnapping-of-their-grandchild

[Nextmanup]

If you must travel domestically, I would suggest any destination involving America's gorgeous natural wonders.

 

That is where this country shines IMO, not in cultural destinations or cities.

 

I'm talking about Grand Canyon, Redwood Forest, Yosemite, Yellowstone, the rock formations/desert of southern Utah (some of the most gorgeous terrain on Earth), etc...stuff like that.

 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah:

 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

2 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

If you must travel domestically, I would suggest any destination involving America's gorgeous natural wonders.

 

That is where this country shines IMO, not in cultural destinations or cities.

 

I'm talking about Grand Canyon, Redwood Forest, Yosemite, Yellowstone, the rock formations/desert of southern Utah (some of the most gorgeous terrain on Earth), etc...stuff like that.

 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah:

 

Relatively close to some acquaintances of mine.  Drop by and say "High!"

Edited December 28, 2021 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[Augie]

2 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

The Southwest is one of my favorite parts of the country and Sedona is a great choice. Lots to see not too far away too. Our Sedona/GC/Antelope Canyon/Monument Valley trip got scuttled due to Covid. 

 

 

PCH is another great choice. The drive up the coast is fantastic. Fly in to LA and spend a few days driving up the coast (Big Sur, Carmel/Monterrey,..) and then fly out of SF. We also spent the last part of that trip in Yosemite.

 

Another spot to consider is Bar Harbor Maine. 

 

 

Years ago we went to Bar Harbor and stayed at a BEAUTIFUL place. To that date it was the most we ever spent (of our own money, not the bank’s) for a room. It would have been awesome….except my wife was chairing the Catholic Charities Ball for the first time that year, and the Bishop basically nixed the entire plan, from the title of the ball to the location to the invitations. (She fought back on location, and won with “if you want people who are going to write $25k checks, it HAS TO BE at the Ritz. They don’t go to Denny’s.”). She worked the entire vacation for something she was doing as a volunteer, while I vacationed mostly alone. She knocked it out of the park, and he later acknowledged she was right. He even started coming to our son’s football games. I wanted to choke him, but we warmed up. Ahhh, memories….

 

Bar Harbor is indeed a beautiful and worthy destination! 

2 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

If you must travel domestically, I would suggest any destination involving America's gorgeous natural wonders.

 

That is where this country shines IMO, not in cultural destinations or cities.

 

I'm talking about Grand Canyon, Redwood Forest, Yosemite, Yellowstone, the rock formations/desert of southern Utah (some of the most gorgeous terrain on Earth), etc...stuff like that.

 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah:

 

 

My sisters are pushing Bryce Canyon, and that is breathtaking! Is it near anything? Our only trip to Utah was a brief stop in Salt Lake City before a ski trip in Park City, which is nice. I’m done skiing (never loved it anyway), but I still like ski towns and a taste of snow. 

[Augie]

3 hours ago, Draconator said:

I second that. My wife and I walked through many casino's, didn't even think to gamble. The food choices and quality was amazing! Walking on the strip with almost no one there was surreal. And the gondola ride in the Venetian was so memorable.

 

Sometimes the wife is working while there, and I still love it as I can catch a comedian or magician during the day, have a great dinner then catch another show together at night. Unbelievable entertainment options, and just laying by the pool people watching is one low key form of that. 

[Augie]

16 hours ago, billsfanmiamioh said:

Sedona, AZ / enchantment resort was a cool place we spent a few days at when my wife was pregnant. They have a world class spa that has been undergoing a major refurb and I think is supposed to open back up later this year. 
 

Not sure what “type” of trip you’re looking for but if you like outdoor activities I’d also suggest Whitefish, MT as a bit of a under the radar place. Full disclosure, we bought a condo there a few months ago and do the Airbnb thing so I’m biased but it’s really a unique area! Very close proximity to glacier National park, lakes, a major ski resort and any outdoor activity you can imagine. The town of whitefish has some great shopping and dining as well (all local, no chains). Fly into glacier park international which is very easy. This hotel is very nice, has a spa and a great pool / tiki bar on the lake in the summertime. 
 

https://lodgeatwhitefishlake.com

 

Also been wanting to check this place out it’s about 2 hrs from whitefish 

 

https://www.quinnshotsprings.com

 

 

 

 

I mean, I had heard of Sedona, but never really knew much about it.  It certainly looks intriguing.

 

The wife had a birthday ending in a zero last year, and her special treat was almost a month in Blowing Rock, NC and the thing we did most was hike. Nothing overly exhausting or difficult, but tons of nice trails. We were lucky to have friends with a place near there to show us the ropes and take us to the coolest spots. That could be part of our annual routine one day when the wife retires. 

[The Warden]

18 hours ago, Augie said:

It looks like our trip to Italy/Croatia and the Windstar cruise in a few months is not going to happen. AGAIN! We first booked it about three years ago, and this will be the second time it’s been canceled. VERY frustrating! 

 

I don’t want to steer this in any direction by saying where we’ve been previously because I’m open to all options, but generally want to see new places. I just don’t want to have to deal with borders and getting stranded anywhere due to Covid. I will say, we like fairly nice accommodations and are not camping type people. I’m curious about any great cities, parks and/or resorts. Our son’s honeymoon had to go to Plan B as they couldn’t make Italy work either. They had a great time in a location I’ll withhold for now. 

 

Where have you been that you really enjoyed? I’m curious to hear all your thoughts. Thanks in advance. 

 

 

.

If you have not been to the Grand Canyon - shame on you 

[Augie]

8 minutes ago, The Warden said:

If you have not been to the Grand Canyon - shame on you 

 

I have twice, on trips to Vegas, taken the helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon for a little picnic. It is both breathtaking and humbling! (On the second trip friends surprised us with this rather extravagant adventure, and we didn’t have the heart to let on that we had done it before!) 

[The Warden]

49 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I have twice, on trips to Vegas, taken the helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon for a little picnic. It is both breathtaking and humbling! (On the second trip friends surprised us with this rather extravagant adventure, and we didn’t have the heart to let on that we had done it before!) 

I've been 3 times (once in the winter). The train ride from Williams is a must.

 

I would go again tomorrow. Humbling barely describes it

[Augie]

3 minutes ago, The Warden said:

I've been 3 times (once in the winter). The train ride from Williams is a must.

 

I would go again tomorrow. Humbling barely describes it

 

I left the strip one summer day, and by the time we got to the Reservation it FELT like winter. It must have dropped 25 degrees. I had to buy the worlds UGLIEST sweatshirt to stay warm, which it felt like it was kind of a joke on us tourists.  That thing went to Goodwill as soon as we got home, but should have stayed in the hotel room! 

 

Never did the train ride, but I am curious about those upscale trains thru beautiful scenery and mountains. Like Orient Express, but nobody gets killed hopefully. Also interested in an Alaskan cruise as I know the wife would like that, but then we are likely dealing with borders and such again with Canada. It can be fine when you leave, but the situation is so fluid I don’t know what to trust. 

[The Warden]

12 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I left the strip one summer day, and by the time we got to the Reservation it FELT like winter. It must have dropped 25 degrees. I had to buy the worlds UGLIEST sweatshirt to stay warm, which it felt like it was kind of a joke on us tourists.  That thing went to Goodwill as soon as we got home, but should have stayed in the hotel room! 

 

Never did the train ride, but I am curious about those upscale trains thru beautiful scenery and mountains. Like Orient Express, but nobody gets killed hopefully. Also interested in an Alaskan cruise as I know the wife would like that, but then we are likely dealing with borders and such again with Canada. It can be fine when you leave, but the situation is so fluid I don’t know what to trust. 

Been to  Alaska twice on cruises - unbelievable. Most cruise lines only stop in Vancouver to cover the casino clause - You don't have to get off. Go to Anchorage - take the train to Seward - board there. If you have a lot of time - you can go to Denali - but it is just a mountain