rizzo0904

Trying to balance travel with visiting my mother in law. So we'd like to take her with us. We like to be active...hiking/caves/snorkeling. But she likes to shop, eat locally source foods, and be pampered. Where can we go that she can walk around a cute downtown while we spend a few hours in nature? We are coming from Boston, she's coming from Philly.

Flanderbust

I'm not sure where you're going to, but any midsize coastal city would probably be able to meet your requirements. Inland is usually cheaper as far as lodging and still puts you pretty close to the activities you listed.

ElendilPickle

Are you looking for something on the east coast? If you're willing to head west, I'd suggest Santa Fe.

Lee Ann

rizzo0904

Anywhere is fine. I was wondering if Asheville would work too? She rarely travels with us since she doesn't enjoy the things we enjoy. I'd like to give her some US locations that might interest her, other than Disney. I think she'd do Hershey PA. But we need something other than theme parks.

marvelousmouse

Santa Barbara, or a number of other places in California would work as well.

DebitNM

If not New Mexico - Durango CO would be great

marvelousmouse

Or Portland, Hood River, Cannon Beach Oregon.

Maine and Vermont, possibly? That would be closer to home. I know there's hiking in both places and the charming towns would appeal to my shopping relatives. But there are so many options and it's hard to know how much "nature" you need and how much "civilization" she needs.

rizzo0904

She needs a lot of civilization. We just need a bit of nature. The kids need to get some exercise and offload some energy. Burlington VT may be nice....

tomfuller

Portland Oregon is as civilized as it gets. Within an hour you can be well on your way to Mount Hood.
You can try kayaking or kite boarding on the Columbia River from Hood River.

fishee

Monterey, Pacific Grove, or Carmel. Carmel is the most upscale of these options.

marvelousmouse

Provincetown? Or Nantucket? Probably too close to home for you.

I'd go with Burlington, VT, if this is multi-generational.

Ackislander

Burlington, VT with day trips to Stowe and Montreal

Nantucket, MA: bike until you drop, beaches (gentle on the Sound side, surf your heart out on the Atlantic side.

Any ski resort town from North Conway, NH to Tahoe

Rockland/Camden, Maine: museums, shopping, Samoset resort, windjammers, lobsters, car museum, LL Bean on the drive up

Portland, Maine or Portsmouth, NH or both

jent103

You do have options closer to home (and perhaps easier to get to), but your idea of Asheville would work well, I think, if you're willing to go that far. Plenty of options for her (the Grove Park Inn has a spa: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/as...grove-park/spa ; locally sourced food is everywhere) and plenty of hiking, whitewater rafting, etc for you. Downtown Asheville is walkable but you'll need a car or two to get to everything else.

The Asheville airport is small, but you might be able to get a direct flight to Charlotte and drive from there.

sf7307

Do you want to stay closer to home? If it really doesn't matter, I think fishee's idea is excellent (Carmel/Monterey area)

Fodorite018

I agree that Portland, Hood River and Cannon Beach all fit your request perfectly.

In Portland, you don't even have to leave the city for the outdoorsy part. Just head to Forest Park. Over 80 miles of hiking trails and it is beautiful! A popular hike, one that we really enjoy, is the Wildwood trail from near the zoo up to Pittock Mansion. On a clear day the views of the city and Mt Hood are stunning. Forest Park is up in the NW area of town, and in the area of 21st/23rd Streets NW it is chuck full of great little shops and restaurants.

happytourist

Sedona, Arizona. She would love shopping at Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village. Everyone else would enjoy hiking, jeep rides, day trip to the Grand Canyon, etc.

rizzo0904

Happytourist....We are going to Sedona and the Grand canyon next month but she doesn't want to join us.

I'll email these suggestions to her with some info on what each location has to offer.

Thanks!

Gretchen

Asheville would do very very well. NO need to add a cross country flight/time change to the mix!!

Gretchen

You'll get flight connections through Charlotte for Asheville with no problem but the drive is an easy 2 hours and sort of scenic.

jj1206

Boone/Blowing Rock NC is great! I may be a little partial because I live here. When is your trip?
Endless miles of hiking, tubing, skiing, ziplining, horseback riding, wineries, drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tanger Outlet Mall in Blowing Rock. Also, Blowing Rock and Boone have adorable town areas for meandering. Valle Crucis is also adorable with the original Mast General Store and Valle Crucis Park.