I am turning 50 in September. I'm looking for somewhere to to with my two adult children, my son's wife and my husband that's not too long of a flight from Detroit, Chicago and NYC, and not too far from the airport where we arrive. We'll only be going for a long weekend and we don't want to spend too much time getting there. We want to eat, drink and relax...and maybe do something adventurous. I was thinking maybe Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head...or maybe someplace in Florida. Any ideas?

Considering all the constraints--New Orleans would be fun.

Enjoy, HTTY

My vote would be for Charleston, SC. Perfect to eat, drink & relax. Very good food, rooftop bars to view the harbor, strolling the historic district is very enjoyable, or you could take a carriage ride. Stay in the historic district, and you'll be able to park your car & walk to most areas. Don't know how "adventurous" you want to be; perhaps a ghost tour or something on the water such as kayaking, sailing or sea fishing? (We're in the process of planning another trip there soon!)

My first thought was the same as happytrailstoyou - NEW ORLEANS!!!

And another thing, (smile) - I can speak from experience since I spent my 50th birthday in NOLA......and my 49th, 48th, 51st, 52nd........

great ideas! thank you!
I've never been to either place. What are some of the fun things you've done in New Orleans?

Another vote for Charleston. More relaxing than NOLA I think. But no doubt NOLA would be fun.
I would NOT go to MB or Hilton Head.

In New Orleans we just watch the natives, wander around, "eat, drink and relax." Here are some of the attractions there: http://www.frommers.com/destinations...0_indattr.html

HTTY

This is long, but it’s full of good info (at least as far as I’m concerned *smile*). We aren’t big spenders while on vacations, so restaurants will be pretty inexpensive. The Inn on Bourbon is a great place to stay - that’s where most of our money goes because we get a Bourbon Street balcony room. When you need a break you can sit out front and just watch everybody coming and going on the street and all their antics. The bad part is that if you’re on Bourbon Street, you’re going to have noise at night. And I mean a LOT of noise! About the time the revelers are done for the night, the street car cleaners begin and they go at it with a purpose! If you want to keep beverages in your room there’s a Rouses market in the Quarter (701 Royal St) that sells cheap coolers (along with pop, beer, liquor, wine, snacks, etc.) which is good since IOB doesn’t have refrigerators in the rooms. They are located pretty close to the center of the Quarter so you don’t need a car for most of your travels.

If you want a swamp or plantation tour most of them will pick you up at your hotel so that’s no problem (if you decide on a swamp tour, just go for ½ a day, that‘s plenty long enough.) Hotel pick-up does add about $20.00 to the cost of the tour.
For other things to do:
Ride the Canal Street Streetcar to the Garden District to see the mansions - it’s only $1.25 each way and you get a lot of sights.
Take a walk through Jackson Square, the French Market and of course Bourbon Street - Frenchman Street is located just at the end of the Quarter and is great for jazz.
Gray Line has a city tour that has a short cemetery stop so you can see one without spending much time on it.
Along with the artists and palm readers, there is a ton of history at Jackson Square - three buildings to see are the Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Presbytère.
At the far end of Jackson Square is Café DuMonde which is a definite breakfast stop for beignets and café au lait. Use the to-go window and take them up on the Riverwalk to watch the Mississippi as you eat.
There are a couple cooking classes you can take that are fun.
A ride on the Steamboat Natchez is ok but don’t go for a dinner cruise, there are too many places in NOLA with much better food.

Which brings us to food (all located within walking distance in the Quarter):
Acme Oyster House or Felix’s (right across the street from Acme)
YoMama’s (the best burgers in the Quarter, but it’s a dive!)
Maspero’s on Decatur
Central Grocery if you want to try a muffuletta
Court of Two Sisters for brunch
Pat O’Brien’s for hurricanes (might want to stick with one, if any!)
Johnny‘s Po-Boys
If you‘re really brave try a Lucky Dog.
Razoo’s and Cat’s Meow are crazy 3-1 drink bars located right on Bourbon Lafitte’s Bar for “atmosphere”
Clover Grill or Oceana for breakfast
Margaritaville (should you happen to be a Parrothead)
Déjà vu (another dive but great food)
Pier 424 (great seafood)

Here are some websites that can also help out and the webcams are to get you in the mood - I love to watch the people…..

http://www.louisianatravel.com/guide-order
http://www.neworleansonline.com/
http://www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com/
http://www.experienceneworleans.com/...ons/index.html
http://www.luckydogs.us/

Webcams
http://www.nola.com/jacksonsquarecam/
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/louisian...bourbonstreet/

thank you sooo much! I really appreciate it!