suggestions for 40th birthday trip in July
 

I am celebrating my 40th birthday with another girlfriend who is also turning 40 -- trip would be in late July. We want to feel safe at night, shop, eat, maybe see a show. We would be traveling from Philadelphia and Denver, and only have 4 days (probably Thursday - Sunday), so want to have as direct flights as possible from these cities.

We were both meeting planners at a past job, so have already been to the major meeting cities: New Orleans, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, etc.

Would love some suggestions -- maybe something more off the beaten path -- but still on the beaten path in terms of direct flights. Thanks.

We went to Boston and Nantucket in September - great history, restaurants, baseball, theater, whale watching, shopping; we loved it. I did a girlfriends' weekend in Charleston, and that was great too.

How about Bermuda? many cities have direct flights and it is amazing in July.

I agree boston would be perfect for what your looking for. How about vegas

New England is beautiful in the summer time. Boston is perfect. Stay at Hotel Commonwealth, http://www.hotelcommonwealth.com/ Great area (Fenway Park) close to everything.

Rent a car and ride to Hyannis. Take the fast ferry, Ivanough, to Nantucket, http://www.steamshipauthority.com or fly over in 20 minutes http://www.capeair.com

There is always a breeze on Cape Cod and the islands. We've vacationed here for years and never get tired. Nantucket itself an incredible experience: walking distance of everything, various outdoor activities, however, it is in the middle of the ocean, far away from everything. Martha's Vineyard is a bit commercial.

Even though Nantucket Island is changing we still found that there are a few places that are true and original Nantucket.

Dine: American Seasons, http://www.americanseasons.com/Le Languedoc, http://www.lelanguedoc.com/ Topper's at the Wauwinet, Black Eyed Susan's. Also, the sandwiches at Something Natural are the best.

Stay: Century House bed and breakfast, http//:www.centuryhouse.com or Hotel Cliffside http://www.cliffsidebeach.com/. Both are in a great location.

Activities: Ride a bike to Sconset. Good times at the Chicken Box, LoLa41. Go see the stars at night through the Maria Mitchell telescopes (we do that every year)...breathtaking views of the night sky. Rent a Jeep and drive on the beach then have a picnic. There are beautiful galleries and the best food.

If you want to eat, shop, see a show and have easy flights to and from the destination, how about Toronto? (I know that this is the US forum, but Canada is close.)

There is a wide range of cuisines available in Toronto restaurants and relatively more affordable than NYC, for example.

Air Canada flies direct to Philadelphia and Denver.

There is a thriving theatre scene in Toronto (both big shows as well as experimental theatre). If you time your trip right, you could catch the Fringe Festival. Although 4 days isn't a lot of time, you could also spend a night away from Toronto in Niagara-on-the-Lake (a couple of hours away by car), where the Shaw Festival takes place. NOTL is a bit twee but the festival is excellent (buy tickets well in advance) and it's adjacent to wine country.