Yes...another 50th birthday getaway! My 3 sisters and I are planning my 50th next year in October (1st half of month) and are trying to narrow down destinations. We all currently live in the Northeast (NY, CT & PA) and would like to travel to a city that would not require renting a car. We did Fort. Lauderdale and Nashville for 2 previous 50th b'days. Looking for an area that has a walkable strip with live music, restaurants, shops, etc (spas are not important). It would be for a 3 day getaway. Suggestions so far have included Las Vegas, Montreal, Ashville or Charlotte NC, Atlanta...
Since the trip is only a long weekend, didn't want to fly to far (def not outside of the US/Canada area). I really loved Nashville but since that's already been done, can't do again! I did check out Austin earlier this year but ruled that out.

Any other suggestions?

TYIA

Las Vegas can be stinkin' hot in October. Atlanta weather would most likely be nice.

Fly into Los Angeles , it's a long flight but if you leave NE at 8am you'll land at 11am California time. Manhattan Beach is a 9 minute taxi ride from the airport and you'll have everything you need there for 3 days of relaxation. Great place if you love to walk a lot, and window shop. Book soon though there are only 2 hotels by the beach & pier, Shade Hotel or Sea View Inn. There are a couple more just south of MB in Hermosa Beach.

The California coast is usually at its best in early October. So you could fly into LAX or San Diego. Or, if you were willing to rent a car, in to SFO and spend the time in Carmel/Monterey or in the Napa/Sonoma area.

OR . . . San Francisco which would not require a car.

Personally, I’d go to New Orleans -fantastic food, endless live music and excellent sightseeing.

You can get nonstop flights from EWR (best NYC airport, IMO) to SAT and do just fine without a rental car in San Antonio. Public transit and/or uber will more than suffice to let you (over-) indulge. Savor the tastes and sights of old Mexico with no worries about "turista"

We love San Diego/La Jolla - tons to do and very pretty.

Another vote for New Orleans!
We just did a weekend trip there. It was super easy to get there and to sight see. It has everything you asked for!

We got a non-stop flight, grabbed a taxi to our hotel and we were eating dinner in about an hour after landing. You absolutely do not need (or want) a car. You can walk everywhere in the French Quarter in just a few minutes. Restaurants are on every block. Musicians are playing on every corner, in parks, squares and, of course, clubs. There are some wonderful art galleries. I am not an ice-cream person, but did have some one night, and it was the best I have ever tasted, kind of a high light.

One of the most historic old homes, The Hermann-Grimi House, is right in the French Quarter, so easy to tour without much planning. We took the trolley (very beautiful, old wood) to the garden district to see and tour one of the old cemeteries. Both provided insight into the history and culture of New Orleans, a truly unique place.

It was surprisingly about 10 degrees cooler there than on the mid-Atlantic Coast.

Charleston or Savanah are also places you can get acquainted with quickly, without a car.

I am not sue that this fits what you want but I will throw it out there. We have always enjoyed Niagara on the Lake in Canada. It would be a driving destination for you. Niagara on the Lake has a quaint main street with many restaurants and shops, wineries, a cute English pub, etc. Just down the road is Niagara Falls with a casino and louder nightlife.

Thank you for the recommendations! I was hoping to stay closer to the East Coast to avoid long flights and time changes since it is only a 3 day get away. Montreal is a possibility although the weather can be quite cool in October. Have never been to New Orleans and it sounds interesting...is there any live music other than jazz? (more country music fans than jazz).
Also considering Boston and Annapolis...any thoughts?

Thanks!

It seemed to me that music in NO, was mostly blues, rock and roll (think Fats Domino) and jazz. For a short weekend though, you could experience more the food and culture. We did not make it to any clubs, just listened to street music. Weather would be warm.

I lived very near Boston for a few years and now about an hour from Annapolis.
I would Not spend a weekend in Annapolis (a day is enough), unless you are going to do some sailing, etc. Weather would be good though.
Boston for a weekend would be wonderful. Fabulous museums, great restaurants, lovely walking. It can start to be chilly by October, so sweaters and jackets needed.

Memphis? St Louis? Richmond?
St Louis is a really interesting city, but you need a car.
I love Richmond, but don't know the flight availability and you might want a car.

It will be interesting to hear what you decide.

We loved Boston, tons to do there and the history is so great, good food too. Have you thought about Newport? We loved it, and there are some beautiful historic mansions you can tour, very pretty and nice to be on the water.

What made you rule out Austin?

i'd vote for New Orleans for myself, but if you want country music you could look into Branson, MO. Fall colors should be good around that time and you'll find enough country music.

I ruled out Austin because the music strip there was relatively small compared to Nashville. Music didn't start until mid to late afternoon each day, and there is a rather large homeless shelter 1 block over from 6th Street so at night there were quite a few homeless on the strip.

Definitely will consider New Orleans and will check out Branson! Thank you.

Birthday greetings, norahe! As you, I loved Nashville.

I'd vote for NOLA also. Lots of music and great food in a reasonably walkable area.
Boston has SO much to do--more spread out though.
Annapolis has scads of restos, theatres, boat rides but not quite the music vibe of NOLA. Try to stay downtown if possible. Google 'Ego alley hotels'

One note of caution for the above--watch hurricanes in October.

I stayed very near the homeless area in Austin and it wasn't a problem. Some homeless men on a bus were very helpful. Others on the street were perfectly polite. Perhaps others can add about the music scene there.

Not to dissuade you from New Orleans, but you will almost certainly see some homeless people and various panhandlers in the tourist areas. I wouldn't let it stop you from visiting.

You will definitely see homeless or people who appear to have little to do, hanging out on the streets and street corners in NOLA, but there will be musicians as well, playing on many street corners. Our experience was good, all polite. No one bothered us.

IF you go to NOLA and someone bets you $5 dollars that "I know where you got those shoes", the answer is "I got those shoes on my feet on [whatever] Street" and collect the $.

Wqy more homeless people in New Orleans than in Austin based on what we've seen. We got that same thing about knowing where we got our shoes. Lots of folks trying to hustle for money. Not rude but persistent.

Years ago four of us did NO on an extra long weekend by going Veteran's Day weekend. Since we flew, I agree you really need 4 days not 3.

Boston is a fairly frequent weekend getaway for us when we have our annual getaway which is usually third weekend in September. You might run into college weekends in early October. Highly recommend food tour of Boston's North End. We're doing South Boston food tour this year. Last year we did Newport and I think you really need a car for Newport. Boston has good public transportation but we used cabs at night. Only recently started using Uber in other cities.

I like the San Diego idea but it is a longer flight than staying central.

Why not Chicago?