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!

I second Bermuda - such a short flight from here, and for just a few days you should be able to occupy yourselves.

How about S.F./Napa/Sonoma?

DH and I are in the same boat - we have the big trip coming up in the fall, but we wanted to go someplace new to both of us this weekend. We surfed the last minute deal sites and ended up with Austin, TX. We didn't know anything about Austin other than that it was "cool," but now we've done a little research and we're really looking forward to it.

Since you're not averse to a 6-8 hour flight each way, flight (3.5 hours from Logan)plus transfers time(2.5 hours from MoBay to Treasure Beach/South Coast (via private van/driver), Jamaica is 6 hours. See the community Web site
at http://www.treasurebeach.net
Mt.biking, wild dolphins/croc watching,
Pelican Bar in midst of ocean, river cruises, snorkelling and seakayaking,
YS falls waterfalling/tubing -- lots of active choices if you inclined to do more than beachcomb and bliss out...

Fly to Vancouver for a few days. Drive up to Whistler and hike in the mountains. Food in Whistler is best I've had anywhere in except maybe Quebec City and New Orleans. Take a float plane from Vancouver to Victoria and spend several days on Vancouver Island. Drive up to Tofino and stay at the Wickininnish Inn for a night and try out their world class spa. The view from the resort is fantastic.

As I was reading through the OP, first place that came to mind was Quebec City --we went there when we also had limited time and needed a weekend away. Loved that it felt like we were "abroad" but no jetlag. Stayed at the Hotel Dominion 1912 -- lovely boutique hotel, right in the old town and near the waterway.

Vancouver was the second place that came to mind: we stayed there after an Alaska vacation, great hotel (Pan Pacific) overlooking the harbor. Great restaurants, lots of beautiful countryside near by. If you go there, be sure to eat at Vij's (we went twice!)

And of course, Bermuda is also great, and an easy flight from Boston -- but hurricane season could be, um, unpredictable.

Great dilemma to have... ;-)

BostonGal, I would recommend Vancouver but I know it's really alot for 3 days. We did the trip a few years ago and it will take a full day to travel from Boston as we did. However, if you do, you will be amazed at the beauty of the coastline compared to the East Coast.

O.K., that was one suggestion, Quebec City would also be my second choice for a closer destination. Great for walking and eating. Charleston, can't be beat but I think somewhere in your letter you might have mentioned this summer....too hot there.

We must love the same type of travel as we have also done the circle tour in Utah, it's doable Moab, Arches Natil Park, Canyonlands, and then drive to Mesa Verde Nat'l park. One more thought, Colorado Springs, wonderful scenery and then there's the Broadmoor Hotel and if you can't afford to stay there you should have drinks on the patio and maybe dinner. Manitou Springs is a short distance from there and it was a really charming western town to stay in. Let us know what you've decided. Have a safe and healthy trip! >:D<

As another city girl who loves the outdoors, I'd second a Portland-Hood River, OR trip for someplace new. Portland is small but fun... Take the historic Columbia River Highway (Rt. 100) east out of Portland along the Columbia; it's the oldest scenic highway in the country, from the days when auto touring was all the rage. Hood River is a cute town, with lots of activity when I was there, as a hub for windsurfers and also for Mt. Hood. In the other direction from Portland, you could check out Cape Disappointment on the WA side where the Columbia meets the Pacific (and where the Lewis & Clark expedition ended). When I was there, we did a loop from Seattle, and so were able to drive through the Mt. St. Helens park - when there was a lot less volcanic activity than at present!

I also want to mention that friends of mine have enjoyed Austin, TX and Nashville, TN for weekend getaways from NYC...

Boston Gal, this might help. Did the portland/hood river trip in 3 1/2 days in april. and in those 3 1/2 days, we did alot - including hitting cannon beach. Here's the trip report. It's long but we were so happy with our trip, it was a shame to cut anything out!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...ame=maria%5Fso

You mentioned Niagara Falls, what about the Finger Lakes region? You get scenic beauty with the lakes and gorges, great local wineries to "sample," summer-stock theater and musical events. Oh shopping too, like Stueben Glass and Corning. We loved our Getaway time on Lake Seneca.

Thanks for the additional thoughts, and the trip report maria_so, I'm forwarding to my husband to see what he thinks.

bon100 - thanks for the new destination suggestion, I'll check it out now!

We loved Quebec City as well as many other posters. Plenty of restaurants, bars and a some clubs ( this assures that you won't be "sleepy". Beautiful walled town with cobblestoned streets along the St. Lawrence river. Very European feel without being too far from home. People were very friendly. Highly recommend a boat ride and walking along the boardwalk. The revolving restaurant atop the Lowes Hotel has amazing views. Enjoy.

BostonGal,

Sorry, that link just gives you all the posts I've done in fodors. I had to actually email it to me to get to the right trip report. Anyway, here it is. I'm sure you'll love it there.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34790703

i can't see taking the time for a cross-country flight for only 3 days away.

how 'bout a road trip to New England somewhere? Coast of New Hampshire &/or Maine have some lobster on the beach. Or into the White Mountains. The Berkshires in western Mass? Loads of nice towns in southern Vermont... Brattleboro, Bennington, etc.

Boston Gal ~ I'll second the Portland suggestion to include a visit to the Hood River area -- there's lots of great hiking there and many other outdoor activities, too. Personally I would skip Cannon Beach if I only had 3 days. (We visited all three but had 5 or 6 nights.)