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Open to offers!
We plan to visit USA from Europe in mid-February - taking advantage of the current €/$ exchange rate but more importantly escaping cold and dark weather.
Unusually for Irish people we do not have any close relatives in USA and so are free to choose any State to visit. Therefore, we are wide open to readers suggestions and Forum tips. What we would like is a destination for one week that is warm (jumpers -yes/coats - no), relaxed and relaxing, not overrun by tourists but with sufficient things to do to keep two curious adults and two even-more-curious children (7yrs and 5yrs)occupied. Off-the-beaten track is an advantage (Tennessee looks good - California/New York less so). So, here is a chance for Forum readers to boost their State's tourism earnings by wooing this family to your State! All ideas carefully considered and we will post our final choice on this forum shortly before Christmas. Thanks Tim |
No thanks.
<i>Tennessee looks good - California/New York less so.</i> I like your unique point of view! I live in Washington, but I would send you and your family to Southern California. You will find plenty to do in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. For weather information: http://www.weather.com/outlook/event...om=wed_setdate Happy Trails to You |
I think you may find even Tennessee could be cold.
I live in Southern Florida and we get a cold snap for a couple of weeks and it could be quite cold in Central Florida. Although it may or may not be pool weather then, central Florida has quite a bit to do. DisneyWorld for starters and the other attractions. There an Orlando resident on the board who knows the attractions well. Hopefully he'll join in. Also, the further South you go the longer are those short winter days. |
If you want a destination that is so warm that you won't need coats in February, then you will be limited to the deep South and West coast, I would think. Tennessee will probably require a coat in February, so even that won't be warm enough.
Florida will be warm enough, but I can't think of anyplace in Florida that is "off the beaten path." And Southern California definitely is as ON the beaten path as it gets. New Orleans would also be warm, and there is a lot to do there, but again, not really off the beaten path either. Maybe Atlanta, Georgia, or San Antonio, Texas? |
Definitely agree that you need to look Southern CA / Arizona or South Florida for that time of year. Otherwise, you will have cold / snow (Tennessee has snow that time of year - even Northern FL can get snow)
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Charleston South Carolina.
New Orleans, Louisiana. Tennessee will be cold. Anywhere in Florida will be packed with visitors in mid February because that is a huge school break for New Englanders. |
Wow but you're quick on this forum! Thanks.
OK lets scratch Tennessee - shows you what I kmow about US weather! Of the suggestions S. Carolina /S. Antonio sound most promising. Any other Louisiana offers than N. Orleans. I'm not so sure about Florida - especially those parts that are home to Disney. I spent a week in Orlando/Kissimmee a few years ago, vainly looking for the centre. Turned out there wasn't one - shows you what I know about US urban planning! Thanks again Tim |
Arizona- Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon and the Navajo lands, Tucson, dude ranches, cowboys, the old west, Tombstone, Bisbee.
It might be warm enough to sit by the pool and enjoy the sun. Usually up to the mid-70's by February. (About 23 C). |
Your family could easily enjoy a week in Florida without going the Disney route. Miami, the keys, and the Everglades come to mind.
The west coast of the state is also interesting. Corkscrew Swamp, near Naples, is a bird sanctuary of the kind you won't find in Ireland. An excellent boardwalk staffed with guides is maintained by the Audubon Society. Farther north is one of Edison's workshops, a circus museum, and much more. |
Thanks again (esp Happytrailstoyou).
The shortlist is now as follows: S. Carolina (Columbia or Charleston?) San Antonio Disney-free Florida (Fort Myers?) Still open for Louisiana ideas and is there a reason nobody has proposed Alabama? Tim |
Yes, there is a reason. The warm parts of Alabama don't offer as much to see for visitors as some of the other suggestions. (I like Mobile fine, but it's not exactly a tourist hot spot.)
There are just other warm places with a lot more to see and do, especially for kids. I actually think a dude ranch in Arizona would be something that might be fun for a family, plus the Grand Canyon and Sedona and everything else in Arizona. |
I live in North Carolina and we can have a fine day or two in February, but it isn't going to fit your criteria.
Here are my ideas: a. CHARLESTON-beautiful city with a great choice of historical points of interest, restaurants, shopping and lovely for a walker. (skip Columbia) b. SAN ANTONIO-wonderful city with many of the same qualities as Charleston though with a very Western flavor. ,maybe slip up to Austin for the music scene or down to Padre Island for a little beach time. c. The Panhandle of FLORIDA and ALABAMA-no huge tourist destinations but plenty of pretty beaches and small towns to engage you. If none of these interest you, give us another chance to make some suggestions. I think the only bright side of the current devaluation of our currency is that we are getting so many wonderful visitors from Europe. Oh, if you decide to visit again say in late April-October, I will be glad to suggest some wonderful places in North Carolina. Welcome to the USA! |
Here is a thought: St. Augustine, Florida. I think it would meet your weather requirements but would have a lot of other positives too.
1. Two outlet shopping malls. 2. 400+ years of history (America's oldest city) including the Castillo de San Marcos <http://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm> 3. Many good and very reasonable restaurants 4. A few attractions that will appeal to children (St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Fiesta Falls Miniature Golf Course) but reasonable proximity to Central FL, 2 hours/100 miles away by car 5. Art Galleries Think about it. You can research it very well here. |
Now we're getting places. One hour ago, my focus was on a rather large swathe of America. Now I'm down to looking at St. Augustine Florida pop. 12,000.(Thanks Orlando_Vic).
I haven't given up on S. Carolina either. I travelled down the I 95 a number of years ago with a bunch of desperados who were amazed to find we were stopping overnight in a "dry" county in S. Carolina. They were even more amazed after we drove to the next county to the nearest bar to find it was huge and also empty - "The only [expletive deleted] bar for 25 miles and it is [further expletive deleted] empty" was the pithiest remark. Truly they did not understand the South! And maybe I don't either. Taking cmcfong's advice I'll scratch Columbia and add-in Charleston. Still not convinced by San Antonio -Texan websites seem to be built to a different logical design so I'm struggling to absorb the official propaganda. If it is the 8th largest city in the US - maybe a smaller place within 90 minutes drive might be better. Updated short-list: Fort Myers/Naples St. Augustine Charleston and, slipping slightly, San Antonio Can I go wrong with any of these?? |
San Antonio is certainly not the eighth largest city in the USA. Maybe in Texas, but not the country. It is a great place with a wonderful walkable area, Riverwalk. Plenty of .....bars there. Check out http://www.sanantoniocvb.com/ for some info.
I was in St. Augustine last week and had a great time. I stayed at the Inn on St. Francis. $139 a day including breakfast, cocktail/apps, and a dessert bar. Free bikes for guests and it is haunted. A number of excellent restaurants in the area. I will be in Naples/Ft.Myers in February so certainly I would agree it has great appeal. Add to that the fact that a resident frequents this board with outstanding counsel (NeoPatrick). Can't go wrong with Charleston in my opinion and trust me you will have no trouble finding a dozen rocking bars with all you can drink. Looks to me like you have a pretty good working list! |
It looks like I have to eat my words. I just checked on the rankings and you are right, San Antonio is listed as number eight. As we say in the South "Well, shut my mouth"....though I should have looked before I jumped, I apologize. All I can say in my own defense is that I don't think the size of San Antonio accurately reflects the "feel" of the area. It is a great city for visitors and very manageable. My apologies for my mistake.
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I thought San Antonio was actually #7 in the latest census figures . . .
but cmcfong: You are right that the San Antonio "metro" area isn't nearly one of the largest - I don't think it even cracks the top 25. It doesn't have a lot of suburbs like most of the "major" cities do, so it doesn't feel all that big. (Or so I'm told by my Texan friends, since I've never actually been there.) My parents visited it recently and really enjoyed it, much more than they thought. I think it would be warmer than Charleston, which will still be pretty chilly in February. |
Much of the US is considerably colder than Ireland - so to avoid any snow or possibility of winter weather you'll have to go quite far south (FL, south texas, southern Cali, pars of Arizona, New Mex). Even Georgia and north Texas can get snow and ice storms. (There's a reason FL is mobbed in Jan/Feb.)
Yes, even Tennessee - or any place with mountains has a resonable chance of cold weather and snow. You might well get 50's - but 30's are also possible. |
Rigarama--
I'm here to put San Antonio back in the running! :) I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the weather will probably be warm enough even here for no coats. But it <i>definitely</i> will be warm enough in San Antonio. One of the great things about San Antonio is that you are just a short drive from Austin, which also has a lot to offer. You're also just an hour or so from Fredericksburg, a wonderful hill-country town settled by some German immigrants. Great shopping and beautiful scenery. (It is known as the "hill country".) In San Antonio itself- tons of stuff to do for the family! There is the Alamo and SeaWorld, and Six Flags Amusement Park. There is the Riverwalk and if you like American basketball, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the best teams in the league. You can buy tickets on line, they will be playing in February. :) I think you cannot go wrong with San Antonio!! Good luck and have fun!!! |
[You might well get 50's - but 30's are also possible.]
The same can be said for south Alabama & the panhandle of FL. Too bad you couldn't make in in January, when Mardi Gras is going on in Mobile (and of course NO, but if you want smaller, you'd want Mobile). http://tinyurl.com/yov48y However, IMO, Charleston is a better suggestion. |
I've never been to Texas, but I think San Antonio with trips to Austin & Fredericksburg sounds great. There is a lot of history and entertainment there. I think it could be chilly in Charleston in mid-February. I remember winter days that only reached temps in the thirties. It's more likely that it would be in the fifties, but still, there is a chance of cold weather.
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Just want to point out that you want to avoid going to New Orleans during Mardi Gras. That is the week of Feb 5th I believe. It is no place for young children during Mardi Gras, IMHO.
(It sure is a lot of fun for adults, though!) :-)) |
San Antonio, hands down. Since moving here in the late 70's I have left twice and returned both times, and keep saying that next time I leave it will be in an urn.
SA is indeed 8th largest city in the US but it decidedly does not feel as big as that sounds - things are very much on a human scale. There is a strong sense of history, even tourist areas are more authentic than disneyfied (though in the last couple years some chain restaurants have opened, to much local protest.) Functionally, SA is the nicest city in Northern Mexico, and you essentially get two cultures for the price of one. Weather in mid February is generally quite nice, though it can be a bit cool at night (jumper cool, not topcoat cool.) And it is a very family friendly place, too. |
If you want us to advertise our own state, then I suggest going south.. deep south.. come on down to Australia. It definitely won't be cold. I'm sure in February we can throw in a few 42 degrees C days so you can frazzle on the beautiful beaches we have - just mind the White Pointer sharks! And remember, you still get more bang for your buck in Oz than you will in the US.
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Surprised no one has mentioned Savannah, Ga. Yes, it's an actual "city" in size but I love it for its funk underpinnings as well as the graceful oldness of many parts of it, and the good food. By Feb., some things will have begun to bloom, but the Spanish moss everywhere gives it a special feel, even in the "dead" of winter. There's plenty to do and see -- historical and other -- including visits to the islands (Tybee, Defuskie, etc.) nearby.
I like it better than Charleston, in part because although Charleston is better "organized" for visitors and a more manicured place in general, the absence of those traits are what I like about Savannah. Suggest you look into it (and the classic thing to do in the US before you go is to see the very funky movie, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." |
PS: It's further south than Charleston, and if you're lucky you'll get a warm spell in Feb. that will make it downright balmy -- can get into mid 70s F and, occasionally, warmer.
PPS: My second vote would be St. Augustine, which is actually not far from Savannah. |
Charleston is great,but can be chilly in Feb. St. Augustine with your children might be better as it would be warmer than Charleston.
Both are wonderful places, but definitely not very warm in Feb. Then maybe we might have a warm week in the South. You never know as you can't predict the weather anywhere in the world. |
Neither is "my state" but think suggestions re: St. Augustine and Savannah are probably your best bet. Don't let the suggestion that Savannah is a bit dodgy turn you off about bringing kids. If you're really lucky with weather, the island beaches will be warm enough for them to have a great time.
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Padre Island and South Padre Island.
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I vote for the Sanibel Island/Captiva Island areas of southwest Florida. (You would still fly into the Fort Meyers airport, then it is a short drive and a bridge to the islands) Beaches there are absolutely gorgeous...weather would be warm and your kids would love it. The best "seashelling" most anywhere in the world, there is a nature sanctuary, you can rent bikes. There are lots of condos to rent (check out vrbo.com) in addition to traditional hotel rooms, fun family restaurants, etc. Because it is such a great location, technically it is a "tourist" location, but also feels "off the beaten path" in terms of it being a slow pace, relaxing atmosophere.
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I notice that at least two responses mentioned Arizona, and you didn't seem to pick up on that. Arizona was one of the best trips of my life!
Very nice weather, so many Native American ancient sights, beautiful scenery, tons of recreational choices, Grand Canyon and other spectacular parks, incredible food, horses for kids, and in some locations, swimming pools. I would go back to Arizona in a flash. And I think your kids would enjoy it. We spent a day north of Sedona that was so much fun at Slide Rock and other forested areas. Sedona itself is a bit developed in an ugly way, but the scenery is just amazing. We were up close with deer and an elk at the Grand Canyon. Why not Arizona? We found it to be well priced. |
I'm with LH - West Coast of Florida. I've spent quite a bit of time in Europe during that part of the year - and Florida will be a nice, sunny change. When Floridians say there's a cold snap - they do have a different barometer (my sister lives in Central Florida, and she whines if it's 50 degrees out). With the West Coast, in addition to gorgeous beaches, beautiful sunsets - there's the Everglades (which are awesome) and there's also a cool place called Homasassa Springs. The other great thing about Florida is since it's a fairly narrow state - you can actually drive from Coast to Coast - and it's interesting. You could do Naples/Sannibel, etc - and spend a day or two at the Keys. Sunlight is GOOD in Florida in February....
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Come to San Diego!
It's stunning and will be in the 60's..cheap flights to Las Vegas/Phoenix & Sedona/Tucson on Southwest Airlines.. Tons of fun in SD too.. La Jolla on the coast about 15 minutes north of SD is probably one of the prettiest places in the world. Lots of Irish here so you won't feel left out. I will help you plan your trip Rigarama.. Best to you! thegrandecolonial.com expedia.com |
Charleston doesn't really get 'cold' in the winter but it can have a few chilly snaps.
My votes go to: Charleston Savannah New Orleans St. Augustine Key West would be awsome but it will also be packed that time of year. |
Rigarama,
I second San Antonio. Although a big city, it doesn't feel like one. The Riverwalk will be beautiful and the weather should be nice enough to walk around and enjoy. I also think you should drive on up to Austin from San Antonio. You'll find a city that is very open-minded about alcohol (you won't have to worry about what happened in SC about finding a bar non-packed - all the bars will be lively in Austin...) There is a definite city center in both San Antonio and Austin, and both cities have great cuisine, with San Antonio more traditional Tex-Mex and Austin offering every type of cuisine under the sun. A quick drive to the Hill Country would be nice so you could get an idea of the surrouding area, which is very beautiful. The weather will usually be mild, on the cool side most likely, but it can occasionally get cold. However, the cold snap usually only lasts a day or two before warmer temps return. Please note that it won't be nearly as warm as Central or South Florida this time of year. |
Why on earth would you go go Texas when you could go to Arizona?
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Savannah and St. Augustine would be a great trip. Neither of them are obvious kid destinations, but I've done both with kids, (Savannah on Amtrak from New York with a two-and-a-half year old!) and enjoyed them hugely. They should be fairly warm in February (warning, I think it's fairly close to high season in St. Augustine and it may be expensive). Also both cities are much boozier than Charleston, which I've always found to be comparatively strait-laced. You may not want to do much partying with two young children in tow, but St. Augustine in particular has the kind of place that it is possible to sit comfortably in with children while you eat, drink, and listen to music. Anyway, both are lovely, friendly, interesting places that are a lot of fun to visit, and they are only about a 3 hour drive apart (at least with my husband at the wheel).
Also, regarding Tennesee, it's a big state. Parts of it are probably quite cold in February, but I bet Memphis is fairly comfortable (middle 50's, I think), and while I've never been, my sister loves it. |
Start in Austin, head up to Georgetown and West on 29, just past Burnet and head south on 4 passing through Inks Lake state park. Feed the deer.
Continue south on 4 to Longhorn Caverns. Head east on 4 to 281 South. 281 S to Johnson City and stop to check out the LBJ National Park and/or Pedernales Falls. Jump on 290 West and head to Fredericksburg. Take 16 down to Kerrville and then 16 towards Medina. Take 16 to 46, towards Boerne. Then jump back on 46 and head to Spring Branch Road and Guadalupe State Park. Go back to 46 and hook a right on 281 and head to San Antonio. Last but not least, head up 35 towards Austin stopping in New Braunfels and San Marcos. There! Your trip is planned. Allow 4 weeks :) |
"Why on earth would you go go Texas when you could go to Arizona?"
Arizona is nice, especially in the winter, but you have to remember that is high season in Arizona, where everything is overpriced, especially hotels. The OP expressed an interest in "off the beaten path", and I think an off-season visit to TX Hill Country would fit the OP's criteria. |
KEY WEST!
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