I would love some advice - we are a family of four - 2 adults, a 17 and a 13 year old. we return to Fort Lauderdale on 9th January after a Caribbean cruise and we only need to head back to Cape Town on 17th January, so we have about 8 days to spend in America.

Dec/ Jan 06 we did a Florida "road trip" that took in Miami, the keys, Fort Lauderdale, Naples , up to Homosassa, Tarpon Springs and ending in Orlando - it was wonderful. Other than that my family do not know America. One caviat - no sun = no smiles, so a cold or snowy place is not an option, it does not need to be hot, moderate (light jackets etc) is fine.

Does anyone have any suggestions? What about Arizona, the Grand Canyon, Vegas? We like the outdoors - we love snorkeling and the ocean, we like history and culture and a little shopping. The 13 year old and husband are happy anywhere there is water!

I know this question is very open ended but advice from Fodors has led to our best ever holidays, so thank you in advance

My first choice would be NY City or
Washington, DC, if you have not been there. NY will be cold, even in good weather a heck of a lot colder than Cape Town, but a week there can show you a lot. A week in Washington and environs will tell you a lot about the US, and it is chock full of great art, science and cultural museums -- happily free! Every known cuisine and excellent transportation without a car, though you could rent one for excursions to Mount Vernon or Monticello. Washington should be 55 or so fahrenheit.

If you must be warmer, I would give a lot of thought to New Orleans or LA. It will not be Florida warm in either, but each is absolutely uniquely American, though I think the climate and plants in LA may remind you of home. There is nothing quite like standing beneath a palm tree in shorts looking up at snow-capped mountains!

San Francisco has a very temperate climate, especially at that time of the year and is set in one of the world's most spectacular settings, though you know all about spectacular setting from home. The city is not particularly beautiful, but there is lots for a family to do, and you could drive to the ski areas for a really major change of scene.

I second New Orleans. Even the Grand Canyon can get snow in January and Vegas can get below freezing at night. It is the rainy season in San Francisco in January, so that's out as well. Really, your only choice is New Orleans, and there is plenty to see and do. Walk the French Quarter, the Garden District, dine at the fabulous restaurants, visit the Audubon Aquarium, Insectarium, and Zoo, and much much more.

When you say no sun = no smiles, I understand fully. New York City and Washington, DC will be quite cold in January.

Phoenix and Tucson might be another option for you. Unfortunately Grand Canyon (South Rim) and Sedona do not appear to meet your "light jacket" standard, but Phoenix could be absolutely georgeous at that time of year.

New Orleans is an excellent suggestion.


Another option is San Antonio, Texas. It doesn't fit your ocean request, but it does have history and is a fun place to visit. You can also visit the Hill Country and Austin. There are lots of things to do in those areas.

As far as actually getting in water in January, the only place I can think of would be an indoor waterpark. There is a neat hotel called the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas (suburb in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area)that houses a huge indoor waterpark complete with slides, lazy river and wave pool. It is about a five hour drive from San Antonio and you risk running into colder weather in that part of Texas in January. You can check it out at www.greatwolf.com

Good luck researching your trip, I'm sure you'll find a great place!

Thank you all for your great advice.
New Orleans is now high on the list and I love the idea of a day at that water park for the children - I will follow up.
I was very suprised to learn how cold the Grand Canyon area is in January, so that is now probably out.
I will research some more and let you all know and no doubt come back with more questions

thanks again!

Look at San Diego. It has moderate temps in January and is a great city to visit.

I would agree with San Diego wholeheartedly, except for the fact that you're returning to Capetown at the end of the week, and that's an awful lot of extra flying. If you're up for it, though, San Diego/LA usually have pretty temperate weather conditions in January. (P.S. I would NOT choose San Antonio for a whole week -- it's a nice town, but 2-3 days is plenty).

dmlove,

I agree a week is too much for San Antonio. That's why I suggested to also visit the Hill Country and Austin. That would provide plenty to do for a week...especially if they make the approximately 5 hour drive to Grapevine and DFW as I also mentioned.

If you choose Texas, there's a Schlitterbaun in Galveston that is indoors and heated. Schlitterbaun (the outdoor one in New Braunsfels) was rated the best waterpark in the US, but I haven't been to the Galveston one. Galveston is a cute town as well, and returning back to Cape Town will be easy from Houston (IAH). Just a thought.

Hey Houston people, I actually recommended something in your area - are you happy???

I'd go for San Diego or Vegas over New Orleans, for a family.

Or the San Francisco area; you could then cruise "Route 1", others can tell you the best bits.

The problem with San Francisco is January is the height of the rainy season. Otherwise, it's a great place to visit!

We have an 11 y/o and have been to San Antonio and Austin, San Diego, and New Orleans - in terms of looking for more temperate climates and from these I would recommend San Diego as the best choice. First, it will have the best weather of any of these choices. It has the best zoo, fabulous SeaWorld, a Wildlife Park (probably not a big draw for someone from South Africa), Spanish Missions, and nearby LaJolla or even a quick trip to Mexico. So much more to do that would interest 13 and 17 year-olds. Or you could combine with a visit to LA, with Universal Studios, the Gehry Symphony Hall, etc.

If you are seriously thinking about flying as far as San Diego and really want sun and warmth and are willing to see another country, I'd fly down to the Cancun/Playa del Carmen area of Mexico.