Destination Anywhere -- for my Irish houseguest
 

I'm seeking creative ideas for my Irish visitor, age 30, coming to visit for 10 days in October. He's been here (Boston) more than a dozen times, and we've exhausted New England destinations. He liked: outlet shopping, Boston, Battleship Cove, restaurants like Hard Rock and TGIF, and anywhere there are pubs. He disliked: P'town and the Cape, Hartford, New Hampshire small towns. We've traveled extensively in Europe and he seems to favor big cities over small and scenic areas. He shows no interest in NYC and D.C. (for terror reasons, I think the appeal is there though) or Florida (too hot, not a theme park guy).

I've come up with a few ideas for a fall destination, but looking for more. No real budget, but we only want to spend 3-4 nights there, and would like to get there in less than 5 hours. A friend recommended New Orleans, but I'm unfamiliar with it and not sure. Anyone had a similar guest and a successful sidetrip? He's leaving it all up to me....

Asheville, NC for the fall foilage, beautiful downtown, Grove Park Inn for it's history and spa, Chimney Rock, and The Biltmore.

How about Chicago? It has everything it sounds like he is looking for. There are also a lot of Irish pubs here.

New Orleans would be great. My brother and his girlfriend are from Kerry and went there for a few days after spending a few weeks here with me in Boston area. They had a ball. It meets all their criteria for a good time. Fun bars, good food, good music, casinos, interesting people to chat with. Also good shopping and interesting sights like the river boats, the WWII museum, trolley cars, Garden District etc. From Boston you'll get cheap flights through Atlanta or Cinncinnati - about $230 each.

Or what about Las Vegas!!!!

If NYC and DC are out for terror-related reasons (too bad! he should reconsider...), Chicago might fit the bill, although it's a longer than 5 hour drive (did you mean 5 hours driving, or flying?). I would also recommend New Orleans, because it's very different from the Northeastern cities he's already seen, has a healthy party scene, unique culture and history and food, etc. (but it'a also a long drive, though a short flight). The waether is hot and steamy, though... I guess I wouldn't personally suggest the Carolinas for him, beacuse he hasn't enjoyed the small-town scene elsewhere. Good luck!

How about Montreal?

Amy - Terror reasons? I live in DC, should I be worried about something? :)

Seriously - NYC and DC would both be perfect for him, it sounds like. And trust me, there are tons of tourists here in DC this summer, and no one seems to be worried about anything!

New Orleans is supposed to be wonderful, although I haven't been. Chicago is also a good suggestion - I spent 4 months there and loved it.

Good luck!

Karen

How about Montreal? Quite a few Irish pubs there as well. And, lots to see and do. October is a wonderful time to visit.

Thank you all for suggestions so far. I should mention that he hated both casinos in CT, so Vegas is out too. (Try to explain there are other things there...)

The terror thing may seem irrational, but I'm dealing with traditional Irish superstition here and it's not exactly logical. Before he came to the States in the early 90s he thought he'd get shot and run into JR Ewing...go figure. I'm not kidding!

Chicago is someplace I hadn't considered but will now. New Orleans sounds encouraging. I'm trying to find a balance of someplace I might like too (we have very distinct tastes). I hadn't thought of Canada much so Montreal and Toronto both might be options (I would love to see the Hockey Hall of Fame again!)

Keep the ideas coming if there are more. Thanks!

Oh and fly/drive doesn't matter, but the less travel time would be better...he said 6 hours to the west coast would be too much for him in a week, which is why my first choice of San Diego is a no go.

Amyb, I believe you that your Irish friend that he would get shot! When I was in Ireland, I had several people ask me if I own a gun. (I was tempted to say no, just a cannon). I also have a friend from Italy that I've been trying to convince to come to Chicago. He is afraid to fly. But honestly, I also think he's afraid of "the big American crime-ridden city." I've been over to Europe enough times to know, that's how a lot of them really think!!

Hmmm, he's Irish, 30's, he'd probably enjoy the scene in NYC and DC (it's not really that terrorist infested - some of us have to go to work every day there)

But another good town - I think - might be Philadelphia PA - lots of great pubs and a pretty good contingency of Irishmen plus a great bit of American history. With all that it's probably one of the shorter distances for you. After he sees Philly, ask him to reconsider DC - he'd probably really like it IMHO!!

New Orleans is an A+ idea. Trust me, it has a wonderful variety of things to do for those with different tastes. The gorgeous garden district, the french quarter during the day, the MUSIC!, the friendly people, and of course the nightlife. And October should be about when it has cooled down from the hot and humid summer.

I wouldn't try too hard to talk him into Vegas, because although there are things to do besides gamble, it's a gambling town, with a gambling ambience, and if he's not into that, he won't like it.
I don't want to make you defend him further, but I just have to ask: is he not aware of terrorism in Ireland and the threats it poses? How does he manage there? Or is it just the sheer scale of 9/11 that has him spooked?

I find it funny that the visitor is coming to Boston in October and someone suggests Asheville for the "fall foliage". ;)

Anyways, another vote for Montreal. Have you been to Providence or Burlington Vermont though...2 great cities not mentioned in your original post.

Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee.

How about Dallas, deep in the heart of Texas? Maybe there is a JR tour.

Hey, E, the reason he is not afraid of terrorism back home would probably be because he is from Ireland, not Northern Ireland.

Actually, when you consider that Asheville sits amidst the highest mountain peaks in the eastern US, it's not that odd to suggest it to a visitor to America in October. There's something to be said for continuous lines of mountaintops from 3,000 to more than 6,500 feet high marching off into the sunset.

I second Asheville as a destination, because it's a unique small city with big city diversions and attractions. There's a wealth of information on the city here on Travel Talk, including a very detailed recent post for a traveler who plans to tour NC, SC and Savannah.

And speaking of that, how about Charleston, Savannah, or both? Surely that would be unique for a visitor from Ireland. I know you're looking for something less than five hours away from Boston, but if you don't plan to drive, Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah can all likely be reached via air with only one connection, by flights that may be within your desired time limit. I know Asheville can be reached from Boston via a single connection in either Newark, Charlotte, Atlanta, or Raleigh.

Let's see for some follow-ups...

He's well aware of terrorism in Ireland, but *for the most part* that is targeted and very seldom are there the "innocent" as victims (outside of incidents like Omagh). I think that and the scale of 9/11 spook him. He doesn't have the same qualms about Spain, where the ETA violence poses an IRA-like threat.

We have been to Providence and all over Vermont, Maine, CT and Mass. I definitely want to get out of New England, because over the last 10 years we've seen it all...

We've talked again and I may have sold him on New Orleans, although he's not at all familiar with the scene there. I'm not up for Vegas in the least, so it's a relief he's not big into it either!

Thanks for all the input!

amby:

Get him to NYC! I cannot think of anyplace more Irish!! (Boston of Course is first!)

What a wus! 9/11 was a wake up call to America! NYC will welcome him with 'open arms'!!

Tell him the first pint is on ME!
JOHN

If he likes big cities but balkes on N.Y.C. how about Chicago? I live in Boston and have been to N.Y.C many times however I made my first trip to Chicago and loved it. It must be one of the cleanest cities in the country and the flight is something like 2-3 hours.