I'm looking for a good city for a long weekend visit? My husband just found out he'll be able to take Monday off. He works for an airline so flying isn't a problem, we're just trying to find a place that can be adequately covered in a few days. We'd probably leave Friday night and return either Monday night or Tuesday - depending on flight availability. Here are some places we've been so you don't recommend one of those - New Orleans, Vegas, New York, Boston, Santa Fe, San Diego. With it being a holiday we'd prefer not to go somewhere that will be really crowded ie D.C. Thanks for your help in advance.

How about going to a Canadian city?? You certainly won't have to worry about July 4th crowds there! My favorites are Montreal, Quebec City, and Vancouver. In the US, how about San Francisco. You didnt mention that you've been there. It's a beautiful city. Others that come to mind would be Portland OR, Chicago or Denver.

Kelly, I agree w/ Betsy. Just got back from Chicago. Wonderful city, great people, food, culture, architecture, Cubs/Sox etc.

I'd also kill to go back to Montreal. (Especially during the Jazz Fest.)
Beautiful city and friendly
Fr-Canadians..love that accent...almost better than a New Orleans accent!

Dittos Vancouver, BC. I could sit in the bar and look out over the water for hours watching the sea planes fly in and out! Great scenery, too.

Went to Portland a few times last year and stayed at The Governor Hotel. Gorgeous. Right downtown and within walking distance to everything. Another pretty city and great restaurants.

And what can you say about SF?!?! Still one of my fave cities and since it's only about and hour away, we hit it often.
Good luck and "post us" when you get back.
Kal

Here's a vote for New Orleans. Great food, good music, and a fun atmosphere that just can't beat. It's hot in the summer but fall weather is superb. Weekends can be crowded, though.

I also like the idea of San Diego or Boston. Both are wonderful places to explore.

Well, I'm surely the only person who'll suggest this -- but how about Indianapolis? Not as crazy as it may sound... Centrally located, you can get there from almost anywhere in under 3 hours.

There is a lot to do there, it is very clean and safe, easy to drive in, not crowded--traffic jams are an oddity, and it is very affordable. You can stay 1st class in Indy for 1/2 what Chicago would cost, or less. There is a beautiful art museum on the old Eli Lilly family estate about 4 miles northwest of downtown, with nice gardens, and sometimes you can tour the old Lilly family home (depends on the season). There is a wonderful museum of Southwestern art in downtown with sculpture by Remington, paintings by O'Keefe, etc. The downtown is active night and day, with great restaurants, shopping, neighborhood jazz & blues clubs, a great symphony, etc. There's the wonderful new retro-style Conseco fieldhouse if you're a basketball fan, they have an extensive retrospective of the game. Victory Field hosts the farm team Indiana Indians baseball, and for a $7 ticket, you've also got a great view of downtown. If you're a racing fan, the 500 Speedway museum is very interesting. There are also several historic districts with wonderful homes if you just like driving around. Summer brings all sorts of festivals and musical events. If this interests you, please write me directly for more information. Happy to help. This city is very underrated.

Just returned from a nice 4 day weekend in Seattle. From there you can also get to Victoria, B.C. If it's this weekend, the "Taste of Chicago" is going on in Grant Park. That used to be fun. Santa Fe is a good idea. We're supposed to have wonderful weather this weekend in SF, if you can trust the weatherman. Lucky you to have such a choice.

D.C. isn't any more crowded this weekend than normal. However, the weather here has been pretty nasty, and I don't think it's going to get any drier over the next few days.

That said, New York or New Orleans. I'd lean in favor of N.O. just because I've been to N.Y. many more times. You can't lose with either one. Just don't stay in too cheap a hotel! That can ruin your trip.