Hi all,
My husband and I have an open week from August 9th-15th and would like to travel somewhere. We have been to many places across the United States, and I don't think we have much time to travel abroad.
So far this year we have been to D.C. (loved it), Key West (Ok, just a family trip), and SF/Napa (absolutely loved it). We are traveling to Denver this weekend and to NYC in late August.
I am thinking we could go from Wednesday/Thursday to Saturday/Sunday depending on the destination. Including airfare from Minneapolis, I'd like to spend $1,500 or thereabouts. We don't care much about the lodging as long as it's clean and comfortable. We are in our mid twenties and like to explore and learn, a driving trip would be fun. (Ex. our favorite part of SF was Alcatraz and our favorite part of Napa was learning about the winemaking process).
Any suggestions for August?
Thanks in advance!

Chicago? That's definately drivable from Minn.

Thanks for the suggestion swalter.
However we both grew up in Wisconsin and have been to Chicago a few too many times. . .

Seattle, Portland, Montreal, Quebec City are all great August destinations. In any of these check out the nearby countryside as well (especially Seattle and Portland).

? Toronto

Fly to Phoenix (yes I know it's hot) and see Sedona (cooler) and the Grand Canyon, or fly to Vegas and see Zion and Bryce? It's peak season in the national parks, reservations may be tight.

Pick a cabin in the north of Maine and, if the night is clear, see a trillion stars at night. One of the most spectacular sights I've ever gazed at. The fishing was great, too.

Michigan? My husband and I did a last minute trip a few years back around Lake Michigan and really enjoyed it.

Have you done the Black Hills/Bad Lands/Devils tower thing?

Closer to home, you could do a Houseboat for a week on Rainey, Voyagers National Park and connected lakes. It's on my to do list but have not yet. If you like that idea but want warmer, this also happens on Lake of the Ozarks and Land between the Lakes.

I know you did say you were from WI but another idea is the Apostle Islands.

What do you like? The things that you mentioned seem mostly city oriented, is that what you are looking for?

One other thing....Vegas is always fun if you have never been.

I'd agree with the comment about Vegas - there is so much to see and do even if you don't like gambling.

If you haven't been, one of the most cultural and interesting places I've been to in the US (I'm English) is Charleston, SC and its so pretty too. You could get a car and check out Savannah, Georgia too which is also really interesting. No its not "adventure" like a national park would be, but I don't think you'd be bored. Not sure how hot it would be though!

Wow, Thanks for all of the great suggestions!

Yes we have been to Devils Tower, Badlands, Black Hills, etc. (Midwestern road trips galore). We have not been to the Apostle Islands nor to much around Minnesota (except the Boundary Waters). We have also been to Vegas, just last month in fact. (Sorry to leave that out of my OP).

Charleston/Savannah piqued my interest, as did a few of the other suggestions. (I need to check on the heat/humidity issue!) I guess I need to see what DH thinks!
Thanks again-- what a great resource.

Vancouver Island?

Toronto's a great suggestion if you're up for an urban vacation. And Portland, OR is a great city with great deals on downtown hotels.

The fact that you're going in August - I would pick a place that's cooler.
Seattle
Vancouver
Oregon
Maine
Montreal/Quebec city

If heat and humidity are an issue, skip Charleston and Savannah.

Hot, humid, sticky, and muggy.

There are also lots of wineries and gorgeous scenary a short drive from Portland.

If you don't want the heat and humidity I'd fly into San Jose and and take a drive down coast to Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur. Depending on how much you want to drive, you also could add in a visit to Hearst Castle. There are many wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountain near San Jose as well as in the Monterey area.

St. Louis? You can ride in the capsule to the top of the Arch, eat concrete (frozen custard) at Ted Drewes, check out all the museums in beautiful Forest Park, go on the Anhauser Busch Tour (free beer), check out the sculpture park, and stay at a 4 star hotel through Priceline for about $48 a night.

Banff and Jasper Alberta - Stay in Banff up at Sunshine Village Resort. It's on the top of a mountain, so you have to ride a gondola to get up there (note: make sure you make it on the last gondola running for the night.) It actually sits right over a mtn top from the continental divide. You can ride a chair lift up there and there is a viewing platform of one of the most amazing sights in N. American. In Banff you can sign up to do a whitewater rafting trip on the Maligne River. Then drive up to the Columbia Ice Fields and you can go on a giant 6-wheel drive bus right out on to the glacier. Beyond that is Jasper which is very beautiful also.

Note: you'll need to fly into Calgary and rent a car. The farthest away from Calgary you'll get is Jasper and then it's maybe 6 hrs back but the scenery all along the drive is fabulous!