Can anyone suggest a QUAINT place for a quick getaway?
 

We are looking for a place to get away for a few days (without our children!). We would like to go somewhere kind of quaint. Proximity to oceans, lakes, boats is a plus. We're not too restricted by price, but only by time. We have four days/3 nights in mid September, so we're probably confined to North America. We live in the midwest. Any suggestions you have are welcomed. Thanks in advance!<BR>Courtney

Cape May, New Jersey

Lake Tahoe. The weather will be perfect, and the crowds will be gone! It`s a gorgeous area!

A couple of years ago, my wife and I stayed at the Two Harbors Lighthouse B&B, in MN, on the Superior north shore about 40 miles N of Duluth. Absolutely delightful. I believe it's lighthousebb.org . <BR><BR>Our son was living in Stillwater MN at the time, and that, too, is worth a stop. Check out Marine on St Croix if you get to this area. The grocery store there is said to be the original inspiration for "Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery" of Lake Woebegone fame. Nice bar in twon, as well.<BR><BR>Both the lighthouse and Stillwater, I believe, would fit your desires.

Here in CA: Cambria, Carmel, Pacific Grove. Fly into San Jose to get a jump start on the drive.

Rockport, MA. 45ish minutes north of Boston.<BR>http://www.rockportusa.com/

Another vote for Cape May, NJ

TTT

Oh my god! I can't believe anyone, yet alone 2 people, would recommend Cape May! What a dump. There is maybe one street that's vaguely charming, surrounded by very little natural beauty and outside of a contrived 1 mile radius, architecture of very little character.<BR><BR>I went on the recommendation of several people and couldn't believe I wasted 4 hours driving time to get to such a crummy destination.<BR><BR>Here are a few far more quaint locales. Charleston SC, Bristol and Narragansett Rhode Island, Saratoga, NY, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Woodstock Vermont, Niagara village (NOT to be condused with Niagara Falls) Gasparilla Island in Florida, Wine Country has many quaint towns. <BR><BR>Please, pleas don't waste your time in Cape May NJ. It may be the best New Jersey has to offer (and I even doubt that), but that's not saying much!

If you live near a larger airport, it saves a lot of time to get a nonstop flight to a destination. Given that, it depends on the airlines/schedules serving your airport. Personally, from the Midwest, I would shoot for something into Albany, Hartford, Portland, Providence, Burlington or Boston. Each of those locations has what you are looking for within driving distance (or would be fine on their own for a few days). Mid September would be a good time too (after the summer rush, before the foliage crush -- probably cheaper).

In California - Cambia on the Central Coast, or Mendocino in northern Cal. For Cambria, fly into Sna Jose and go south. Mendocino probably Oakland or SFO.

I agree with upper Minnesota. Late Sept. is great up there. Gooseberry Falls is just by Duluth. Great place to relax and enjoy the crisp, warm air of fall. We consistently send our parents to Two Harbors for their anniversary, which is in early Sept. There are also tons of great hotels for good prices in the area, if you don't like B&B's. Just remember, get into the outdoors, don't stay in Duluth the whole trip. It's a one day town.

would not recommend wine country, as it is busy in Sept. However, beach areas in East will be deserted. Charleston, Duck, Cumberland Island, Amelia Island, Finger lakes in NY very nice....Geneva on the lake, etc.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Cape May is out because I will be there visiting family this month. I had considered Tahoe, but I didn't know what the area was like. You also came up with alot of suggestions I hadn't considered. Thanks, now I have ALOT of research to do. By the way, I probably won't be making my decision for awhile, so any other suggestions are welcome! THANKS!<BR>Courtney

Consider a direct flight to South Florida.

This is to Don't: I've never in my life heard anyone criticize Cape May. However your ignorance shows with your comment about it being "the best that jersey has to offer". I'm betting NJ has more beautiful places than wherever you're from - but you're in that sad percentage that think NJ is some barren wasteland.<BR><BR>Do us all a favor and enlighten yourself.

One person's quaint is another person's kitsch, of course. But a couple of thoughts:<BR><BR>Langley on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound (1 hr. from Seattle.) Start at http://www.whidbey.net/visitor/visitors.html<BR><BR>Whistler/Blackcombe, around 2 hours north of Vancouver BC. Many luxurious accommodations, quite affordable in the summer/fall (not so cheap during skiing season) and the drive from Van. up the "Sea to Sky Highway" is just about as beautiful as it gets on this continent IMO. http://www.tourismwhistler.com/<BR><BR>Closer to home (slightly) is Quebec City - http://www.quebecregion.com Not on the ocean but the river is pretty wide.

I'd opt for a destination close to an airport. My suggestion to you would be Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL. It's 5 miles north of Ft. Lauderdale. All motels have to be 3 stories or lower and if you stay on El Mar Drive (I stay at the Coral Key Inn) you will be right on the ocean. LBTS is a peninsula just off Ft. Lauderdale. I would suggest you rent a car if you want to venture off to other towns. Love this place, such a nice walking town on the ocean.

NJisgreat, Ha,ha,ha,ha ha.. I'm dying here! You've never heard anyone criticize Cape May? Well I guess compared to Atlantic City or Wildwood it's an improvement. The other 2 couples we went with thought the same thing - Peaople actually think this place is nice?????<BR><BR>It's not truly heinous, but it's certainly not worth a drive from anywhere. I live in Connecticut in a town that is far more beautiful than Cape May New Jersey. Maybe that's why I was so disappointed.<BR><BR>By the way, what exit do you live off of ?- Gee, I can't imagine why NJ is the butt of soooo many jokes if it's such a beautiful state. Whatever is wrong with all those people who make fun of it? I quess they just have a distorted perception. That must be it.<BR><BR>That reminds of something I saw in college. I was in the restroom and on the wall of the stall someone stuck a booger. It was kind of in the shape of NJ. Someone had circled it in pen with an arrow pointing to it and wrote "New Jersey". Still makes me laugh to this day.<BR><BR>Look, If Courtney ever makes it to Cape May, I'm sure she'll thank me for warning her not to waste her time and money.

Eastern coast of Maryland is nice. Fly to BWI.

Try Savannah, GA. There are some great bed and breakfasts here (The Manor House Inn is a must!) It also has a great deal of history. The water/pier/beaches are all right there!

I'd consider Victoria, B.C.

TAOS,NM...WAIT, QUICK IS RELEVANT TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW.

St. Michael's, Maryland.<BR><BR>Mackinac (sp?) Island, Michigan, stay at the Grand Hotel.<BR><BR>If you like music and such, the Chautauqua Institute in Chautaqua, New York (southwest part of the state). It's an artists' colony type place, and there are wonderful concerts, exhibits, etc.<BR><BR>

Annapolis, MD, if you want a small city/town feel. It's gorgeous. I moved out to DC from the midwest a couple years back, and I love Annapolis. It's "quaint" as you say.

Don't: since you seem to love playing up stereotypes so much, here's one for you: growing up it was common knowledge that people from Conn. are stuck-up bitches. You fit the bill perfectly.<BR><BR>Again, I reiterate that you are an ignorant ass and hope you visit NJ again soon. We'll give you a warm welcome!

Newport, RI or Nantucket, MA for warm waters. Camden, Maine for foliage along the ocean.<BR>

Without a doubt, Claytor Lake, Virginia. It's so lovely, picturesque, like nothing else I've ever seen and I've been all over Europe and USA.

carlsbad or laguna beach in california<BR>banff/lake louise in alberta (our dollar sucks so you may save some money)<BR>victoria, b.c.<BR>palm springs if you like the heat<BR>lake tahoe would be nice

njisgreat, It is also common knowledge that people from New Jersey are low lifes who, because of their inferior educations and deficient vocabularies, must resort to profanity.<BR><BR>I don't expect I'll be visiting anytime soon.<BR><BR>

I recommend you fly to Seattle and drive to Anacortes (1.5 hrs) and take the ferry to the San Juan Islands (Orcas or San Juan). <BR>Where you will experience spectacular scenery, food and quaintness! Check for lodging availability.

Another thought: How about Eagle Ridge Inn in Galena, IL. It's a quaint historically preserved town from the 1800s with antique stores and little restaurants. The Eagle Ridge Inn is a vacation community 7 miles east--tennis, golf, horses, lake with boats, either hotel with all amenities or little townhouses to rent. We used to own a home there and spent most 3 day weekends with our kids. September is a nice time of year and it doesn't look like the midwest---it has rolling hills and lots of wildlife. 3 hours west of O'Hare.

Well, we LOVED Cape May. Went for Labor Day weekend and ended up staying a whole week. We've also enjoyed Rockport, MA, Newburyport, MA, Oqunquit, ME, Kennebunkport, ME, Newport, RI, Baltimore, MD, Rehoboth, DE. If you haven't been to NYC, that's a fabulous destination. We are going to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake this September to re-do all our favorite things. Montreal is another terrific destination. Quebec City is the ultimate in "quaint", though.

Burlington Vermont is a great place-- easily reachable by air from the midwest. Two wonderful B&Bs are Willard St Inn and Lang House. Sept. is a perfect time to visit here on the shores of Lake Champlain. You're also close enough for a day trip (90 min) to Montreal. Vermont is a small state so you would be able to see quite a bit of it during your short stay.

Thousand Island, NY...there's a little B&B can't remember the name...look out your window and see the river...Laura Ashley bedrooms...curtains blowing in from the breeze...its great!

Alana:<BR><BR>I have to agree with Burlington, VT. It has good flight service and you don't have to travel 1-3 hrs. to your final destination. The problem with the other suggestions is that when you arrive you have to drive at least an 1 or 2 to get to it and the woman who posted stated she only had 3 or 4 days to enjoy.

Niagara on the Lake Canada. It is dubbed the prettiest town in Canada. Beautiful old hotels some with high teas, other with spas, wonderful wineries, great culture because the George Bernard Shaw Festival is running at several different theatres. Charming restaurants, lovely scenery all on the banks of Lake Ontario. We go every year for our anniversary.

You must see Stowe Vermont!!!

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a great suggestion! Very nice, and affordable if you stay in a B&B.

Historic Bristol, RI sounds exactly like the spot you're looking for.<BR><BR><BR>http://www.discoverbristol.com/<BR>