My husband and I are looking for a fun, romantic vacation during the first week of October. We live in the Northeast and would be flying or driving from there. We love the outdoors...whether hiking, biking or kicking back on the beach. We also dig museums, historical places and big cities. We are pretty much open to anything. Hoping for something cheap though, as our last vacation (to Italy) was big $$$. Any suggestions?

We live in the Northeast too and when we aren't sure what we want, we head to the Southwest Airlines website to see what's available on special. Check out other websites too..lastminutetravel, travelzoo, etc. There are a lot of inexpensive places you just need to surf the net and look! That's half the fun - finding a real deal that fits your criteria! Not sure where in the Northeast but fairly local spots are coastal Maine, northern Vermont...

What is your budget? What is considered "cheap" for some, may not be others. Do you have a preference for climate? You mentioned you like the beach, which in October in the Northeast would be cold.

I think many places can be visited "cheaply" if you do lots of research and use Priceline or Hotwire. Also pick a place which would be offseason.

Vermont! Big cities are usually not so cheap.

I'm with janwb,
What is cheap? Set your dollar amount and then look around. I would consider a romantic vacation in San Fransisco, Chicago, or Dallas: lots of handing holding, great places to eat and lots to see for a Big City experience. Of course, I would love to walk hand in hand with my love in Yellowstone or other National Park. How about a beach in Florida (love Key West) or for a romantic history jaunt, try Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Stay in one of the Colonial Houses - very romantic.

What is "sexy?"..Hiking?????

If big city, I vote Chicago, assuming you've never been. Hotels can be pricey but otherwise the cost of living is low relative to other big cities.

Another vote for Chicago. Gorgeous clean city, friendly people, wonderful museums and history, and the weather will be nice and crisp.

Nova Scotia would be pretty that time of year. You could drive up, and take the ferry. Do some hiking. Do a short stay in Halifax for a little bit of history and some nice dining. Go to Cape Breton and drive the Cabot trail. I think you coulddo all of this relatively cheaply.

Hello All-
Thanks for all the great responses. Cheap is under $1500 total not including spending money. I think that if we go big city we would try San Francisco or Chicago. In fact, We hope we get to go to both at some point, just not in the same week. I have been looking around all the websites for about a week now. A big project a work just got pushed out, so now I can now take that week off...our Anniversary week. I am not sure if we want to chance the Caribbean at that time of year. Other than that, maybe out West...National Parks. That is our problem...we can't decide. And by the way Dukey, hiking can be sexy...it just isn't most of the time...ha ha. We love it.