My summer trip has been cancelled, where shall I go now?
 

I am usually a poster to the Europe board, but I'm hoping you folks can help me with my dilemma. I was scheduled to fly to Charleston SC tomorrow to stay with a friend at her summer place on Kiawah, but she called me last night to tell me that there had been a tragic death in their family and the trip had to be cancelled. I was able to cancel my Orbitz ticket with a penalty ($130) but I have until next April 15th to rebook.

So, my thought is maybe my friend can meet me in either Chicago, NYC, Boston or somewhere wonderful. She lives in DE and I live in WA. What's a great place to visit in the east between Jan - April 15th. We both love art, food, theater, museums.

Why not just head down by yourself? Charleston is a wonderful city and downtown hotel rates are off peak right now.

I head into town all the time by myself and have a great time.

I had thought about doing that, but because I was staying at my friend's house, I didn't plan for hotels in my trip budget and because I'm going to Italy in Oct. - I know, poor me, I can't really afford hotels. By next year though, I will just budget accordingly.

Jan - April 15 is not great weather-wise for Boston, NYC or Chicago. You could have fantastic spring weather in April but you could also have a snow storm. Maybe try for Charleston again during their spring garden festival? If you're willing to chance snow storms, I'd pick Boston but make sure your return flight is in the morning. We use the theory that the plane can always get out in the morning but later flights frequently depend on planes able to fly into the airport from someplace else. Or, if it snows, the airport doesn't have a problem until later in the day. You could also have fantastic weather in early April.

I haven't been, but have seen many good posts about San Antonio, TX. That might be a nice location in early spring - before it's warmed up at you own houses.

New York. Who cares what the weather's like? From WA all of a sudden there are tons of cheap airline seats between SEA and NYC, Priceline for hotels... it doesn't have to be killer expensive, and there's no shortage of things to do. Besides, if the weather turns nice, there's ferries to Ellis Island or go out to Coney Island, or walks in Central Park...

DC also qualifies for a great destination in early spring/late winter. Close for her, also easy to get to from the west coast.

Early April in Charleston should have wonderful weather. Blooming azaleas and dogwoods and other flowers around. Warm weather before the heat of the summer.

If you're looking for a winter escape try southern Florida, like the keys for something quiet, or Miami for something not as quiet.

Thanks all for your great suggestions. Point well taken about bad weather and flight delays. I'm leaning towards NYC, but as my son pointed out, you can't beat the Florida Keys at that time of year. Ah, beaches and sun in March....