Lori

My husband wants to take me somewhere for my 40th b-day. (weekend of Jan 26th) I want to do something fun, so I still feel like I'm young. (I grew up near WDW, so no thankyou) Caribbean would probably be ideal, but we're going to the later in March for our anniversary, so that's out. (yes, I'm lucky!)

We've talked about snowmobiling in Yellowstone, maybe Cancun (is Cabos any good in Jan?). Unfortunatley knee problems makes anymore than one day of skiing an issue. (but we love outdoors and sports) I also like the apres ski fun scene. Do they have that near Yellowstone or other ideas like that? Anything in the mtns on the East coast? Other warm/fun spots in Jan? (not S. Calif)

We could go for a long weekend or a week if the area really warranted it.

What do you think? Any ideas?

(sorry if I sound a little negative, I just wanted to let you know what was out of consideration...maybe I'm feeling old tonight

Thanks,
Lori

Laura

Maybe Jackson Hole, WY? It has a nice town area with shops and restaurants, you could do a little skiing, and I believe there are companies offering snowboarding from the area as well. My other suggestion is Sun Valley, Idaho, one of the oldest ski towns in the country. Good luck.

c

One of my favorite cities for birthday celebrations is New Orleans. So many great restaurants to choose from for a celebration dinner. And there's plenty of nightlife.

c

Oops - I accidently hit the send button before I was done.

Another idea would be the Palm Springs or Phoenix areas. The weather tends to be nicer in these desert areas. And there's always plenty of outdoor activities to choose from...hiking, biking, tennis and of course golf. And both areas have plenty of resorts and good restaurants to choose from.

Cheryl

I vote for New Orleans or Vegas. Plenty of fun stuff to do and you'll do enough walking in either place to get your workout. Either place would be great to celebrate the 40th - just turned 40 myself and celebrated in Las Vegas. Have fun.

Dottie

If you like sunshine and water, try French Polynisia. Bora Bora or Moorea. Rent a little grass hut over the water where your front porch is the Ocean. Any travel agent can help. Take a jeep safari into the interior and a boat trip to snorkle with the Manta Rays and sharks. Most of all, know that you ARE young. The best is yet to come, I am 58 and my 50's have been the best of a lot of good yrs. There are a lot more to come. Happy Birthday!! Post what you decide to do!!

gabby

Another vote for: New Orleans!!! and a Big Vote at that... Fun, fun, fun. Take a ride on a steam boat; party with jazz.
Take a walking tour through the French Quarter, stop at Cafe de Munde for Beingettes and chickory coffee. Tour the old plantations, take a buggy ride, have some Jumbalaya. Southern hospitality is no cliche'. I have done lots of traveling, New Orleans ranks right up there with Paris. You name it they got it and then some!

John

I'm partial because I live here, but I have to vote for New Orleans as well. It's hard for me to imagine a better "special birthday" town.`

Nicole

New Orleans is great. Wonderful food, nightlife and shopping. If you want a Carib feel and stay in the US, Key West is not bad either. Lots of history if you want it and very interesting characters. Fun to walk Duval Street at night. I'm younger and I really did not like Cancun. Too many drunk 18 year olds, but I was there in early March so it may have been more spring breakers there at that time. Playa del Carmen was fab and only 30 minutes from Cancun. Wherever you go, let us know!

Lori

Thanks for the replies. Good suggestions, but I probably should have also told you that N.O. isn't an option for me as my brother lives there and we're going to have been there before my b-day. Key West sounds interesting. Anything on the mtns in the East Coast?

cdf

Hi Lori--For my birthday,(we live in NY), my husband took me to Las Vegas.We had 5 days of fun, good food, rented a car and drove into the desert one day and to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam another day, it was March, and the weather was beautiful.At night we went to great restaurants,saw shows, and just had fun! If this does not interest you-"The mts on the East Coast" there are a lot-I can tell you about the mts in NC, Blue Ridge, very beautiful, lots of small and charming towns, not too much to do besides winter mt sports.The mts of NY state-The Catskills, not too interesting (to me) and the Adirondacks-fantastic, huge,Lake Placid, Lake George,lots of places to stay,ski,winter sports, near Canada-what about Montreal? There you can have it all-ski,snowmobile,French atmosphere,shopping,museums,good hotels,good food.Well, I guess I have used up all of my ideas now, Happy Birthday~

penny

It's sad, Lori, that you've reached 40 and still can't make decisions for yourself. You should probably stay home.

Sarah

40 is great it forces you to do new things, take care of yourself and answer unanswered questions about your life. That said 41 is Monday WHAAAAAAH why me why me????

pj

I turned 40 last year and it sill hurts!! I started my celebrations [you have to do multiple celebrations] in Chicago. We stayed at Hotel Burnham which is awesome! Then dinner at Tru, my favorite resturant of all time. Then off to Italy Courmayour for snowboarding. To top off the grieving we went to Paris! Well all I can say it helped ease me into the forties!! I better stop I think I am having a panic attack-really enjoy 40!!!

Sarah

Pj you are having a panic attack I had dinner at Roy's with a friend in NYC where I live. I am depressed all over again you went to a hotel in Chicago and I am guessing not alone!!!! …You did say “we” and then you went to Paris!!! COUNT YOUR GIFTS MISSY!!!!...or take a seat next to me at Roy's again this year. Ok Lori I have not answered all the unanswered questions but 41 needs to be good for something beyond wrinkles.

Cheryl

If you are considering east coast mountain towns, I would second the above poster's recommendation for Lake Placid and would recommend staying at the Mirror Lake Inn, or you may also want to consider Stowe, Vermont. (If you do a search on this site you can come up with more information these towns.) Both are nice ... I would pick Lake Placid over Stowe for a more fun town, which is still very charming. However, I would pick Stowe over Lake Placid for skiing ... I like the skiing in Vermont over Whiteface Mountain in NY (which is close to Lake Placid).

pj

Well I am still a litle shaky from turning 40.....so a group of us will be celebrating 41 oh my!! In Paris....you want to go Sarah??! Really go for it turn 40 in Paris!

Arabella

Celebrated my 40th in NYC. There's really no place like it for sophisticated fun -- and that's what turning 40 is all about, isn't it?

Laura

Lori, Have you been to Quebec City? If not, I'd highly recommend a long weekend there. It's probably the closest thing to Europe that we have here in North America. A romantic city with great french dining, shopping and plenty of sightseeing. And the best part is that our dollar goes so much further up north.

kamq

I went to London for my 40th--it was November. Nice change. But, if you want warm outdoors, how about Playa del Carmen, just south (and quieter, prettier) than Cancun. If you go to the S. America board you'll find hotel recommendation. You can snorkel over at Cozumel from there and go to some of the Mayan ruins. Weather wonderful in January.