Get me out of Boston!! I need a getaway!
 

So, here's the deal..
Over the last year and a half, hubby and I have been traveling bandits.

We are midway through 2006 and I am yearning for another trip. However, our Africa trip early this year plus obligations over the summer leave us with little time and even less money to work with.

We are now at a point where we can do a couple long weekends. I wanted to still head overseas, but in the end, I don't think it's worth the cost of flights to just spend 3 days.. so now we're thinking domestic. We most likely can use airline miles to get us both free domestic airline tickets which is another perk of staying in North America.

Here's where we've been so far:
well, we live in Boston and have done plenty of east coast travel including the major cities, skiing in VT, Acadia, Moosehead Lake in ME, Montreal, and more. We've also done Chicago, Grand Canyon, Vegas, San Francisco, Napa Valley, Yosemite, Big Sky, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Denver, Colorado's ski country, and Seattle.

He's done the Keys; I've done San Diego and LA.

We're hoping to go somewhere new to both of us.

I was thinking maybe head to Vancouver? Or maybe Sedona? I'd love to possibly hit the Keys (he'd be willing to head there again), but our timetables with our summer bookings is tough for Florida beach weather and hurricane season.. Any other suggestions for us?

A bit about us: We are cityfolk, but we also love the outdoors (hence the hiking and national park trips). I don't think I can handle anything too sleepy or TOO laid back, there's only so much relaxing this citygal can do! We're not much into Disney.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Input? Huge lightbulb great ideas to get us overseas on a budget?!! =P

Thanks in advance for your help,
BostonGal

Oops, one more detail everyone usually likes to know - we're 30.

Did you love Montreal?

How about Quebec City? It isn't too far but feels European. It's a beautiful, romantic city with cobbled streets and fine restaurants.

Perfect for a 3 day escape IMO.

I second Quebec City.
You mention skiing in VT, but how about visiting? Burlington would be a fun long weekend. Great outdoor activities at it's doorstep and a lively, small city.

or montreal

Oh! I've done Burlington too. Hubby might like it, now that you say that.

I've heard Quebec City is kind of "sleepy" - true or false??

Montreal...

personally I dont think it would be worth it to fly anywhere far away for just 3 days. But if you want to fly what about Nashville? Or what about Bermuda!

For a driving trip - check out litchfield county in ct. There are some really beautiful small towns with real new england charm. Lakes, hiking, great boutiquey shops. You could stay at a Bed and Breakfast.

Or, if you are into high-budget accomnadations...check out mohonk mountainhouse. 

September weather is so nice up in New England, how about York Harbor Inn up in Maine or maybe just a weekend on Cape Cod?

Jet Blue starts flying to Aruba in September.

What airline are your freebies on? Helps to get something that your airline flies to nonstop when you've only got 3 days i think.

vancouver is a great city but a pretty long flight for a long weekend.
maybe it's too "sleepy" for you but i'd consider halifax, nova scotia. i'd also consider quebec city and although it doesn't appeal to me, you might like toronto. calgary, alberta is a large city and you can do day trips to the mountains.
new orleans.

You didn't have New Mexico on your list - anta Fe and Taos are quite nice. Also Hood River in Portland/Washington (Gorge area). Nice little town like Sedona but has all the things to do like water activities, hiking, white water, wineries. Those would be good 3 day trips.

We've done insane trips in very short time periods (both for work and pleasure), so the time crunch doesn't concern me so much, I'm happy to do a 6-8hr flight each way for a weekend..

Been to Montreal, as stated in OP. We're actually headed to Mohonk for their very rare discount weekends for my dad's bday soon (YAY!!), and I grew up very close to Litchfield. Otherwise, very good suggestions, thanks! Not interested in staying in New England; we've lived here all our lives and want something different.

I will definitely think about Hood River, San Antonio, Halifax, and Vancouver is definitely still a contender. Possibly top choice for at least one of the weekends.

What about Niagra Falls? Any input there?

whooooops I meant Santa Fe, not San Antonio, sorry!

Well, Santa Fe will be different, definitely, from the East Coast and even the west coast feel.

Niagra Falls - if you do, do the canada side. The US side is dingy and dirty feeling, IMO......

Let us know where you decide to go!

Portland, OR is a great place to visit for city and/or outdoors activities.

Agree with Faina - it's an hour drive from Portland to Hood River with all those fantastic falls on the way....

I miss that area. Wish we were there.

One good trip, for later in the fall when the weather cools off, is a flight into Vegas for a luxury hotel room and a great dinner and a great show, then off to Zion National Park (2.5 hour drive)....continuing on through Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef Park and then fly home from Salt Lake City.

I don't think Quebec City is sleepy. It can be very busy in the summer...we were there when some biannual fete was taking place and there were lots of locals dressed in period costumes parading around the old town. We watched the fireworks from Chateau Frontenac... they were set off over Montmarcy(sp?) falls.

Tracy2cents almost seems to describe the exact trip we took last summer ... but we took a week and it seems way too ambitious for a 3 day trip. I'd shorten it to a loop from Las Vegas to Zion and Bryce and back. Bearing in mind it'll be HOT!

Oops, sorry Tracy did mention late fall...

and the falls near Quebec are called Montmarency!

We're DYING to do the grand circle of Utah, but we need to wait until my injuries have healed so we can truly enjoy it to the fullest and hike as much as we want!
We were just in Seattle, but the Oregon area sounds so pretty and relaxing, I'll look into that too.
Thanks so much for the suggestions!