Where should we go....
 

I have 2 free airline tickets for anywhere in the continental US. We just need to pay for our hotel. We leave in Michigan, and are date flexible.

I want to be gone for about 5 days. It is gong to be my husband and I (we are leaving our 6 month with grandma and grampa).

I do not want to be totally over the top...but, someplace cool.

My one thought is San Antonio.

tina, you want we should talk you out of your "one thought"? I don't think so. I will say, though, that five days in San Antonio is a long time, IMHO.

But maybe some of those from SA will have ideas on how to spend five days there.

Tina, a few questions.

Warm weather or cool weather?

Foodies?

Art?

Museums?

Shopping?

City?

Beaches?

Sports?

What about Scottsdale, AZ? Nice resorts with golf, spa treatments, pools...relaxing. Pretty scenery.

If not, we need more clues about what you like and what you hope to get out of the trip (aside from a few days of grown up time).

New York of course.

I thought of NYC. I have never been there.

The weather does not really matter much.

I like to be somewhat busy. Not really interested in museums or art.

Good food is always a plus. I am not a shopper. I am not a golfer, my husband is, but he would not do it without me.

Remember, I live in Michigan, so anywhere is generally warmer than Mich.

We like the beach, but don't necessarily need to go to the beach for Holiday.

I know that this is a broad topic, however, I like to hear what ideas people have...I am sort of blanking out.

How about Santa Fe and Taos? Definitely cool places. And there's plenty to do for five days. And great food.

I will consider that.

San Francisco/Wine Country? One of my favorites.

We have been to SanFran before. So I am not sure if we want to go back just yet.

San Diego? Seattle? Thinking of places to take you furthest for your free tickets.

What about Key West? It has an excessive amount of excellent restaurants for such a small town and is a great place for R&R.

You can party your booty off, veg by a pool, shop til you drop, do all or do none of the above.

To go to Santa Fe, you will fly into Albuquerque and rent a car. SF is an hour or so, Taos is 45 minutes from there. The best time to go to SF is in late spring/early summer, it is really beautiful. You will feel like magic is around you. SF is a great place to look at Southwestern art and culture, and have all the amenities of home. Fabulous hotels, spas, world-class restaurants as well as distinctive northern New Mexican cuisine (not to be confused with southern New Mexican with its beans and rice and no posole), there's even a terrific opera in Santa Fe. I've stayed at the St. Francis Inn which was wonderful.

You'll want to spend most of your time in SF but a great day trip is the back road (or the "high road") to Taos for the breathtaking view, traveling through Chimayo (think Milagro Bean Field, go get the movie). In Taos, take in the Millicent Rogers Museum and the Taos Pueblo, an entire town made of adobe stucco. And buy yourself some nice turquiose to remember your trip.

I vote for Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

Another vote for NYC. Everyone should see that sometime. Scottsdale and the like, while beautiful and nice, should be seen after you've checked NYC off your list.

Definitly not Las Vegas, we have been there several times recently. While I think Vegas is fun...I am not a huge fan of Vegas. Too Crowded...

If you've never been to NYC then it is time to make that trip.

I think you still haven't expressed what you like to do - all you have said is that you like to be somewhat busy, but not with museums, art, shopping or golf.

Based only on "someplace cool" and the fact you haven't been there, New York.

I like to do historical things, like to swim, like the beach.

I am seriously thinking NYC. It seems pretty nice with a lot to do.

Go to NYC. It's a great city with a ton to do-you won't get the beach unless you leave the city but you won't need it.

tinathetoad: I love your screen name!

I was serious when I said New York of course. No matter what your interests are New York has something to offer for everyone. I could spend months there and not do or see everything that I want to.
Everyone should see New York at least once in their lives, just my opinion.

Miami and then drive the keys...a couple of nights in Key West and a great night in Miami before you head home? Or NYC? But since your one thought is San Antonio, research and find out what that area has to offer.

thanks to all...I am thinking NYC. I just have to convince my hubby...

5 days is such a short time. New York City is definatly something to see once in a lifetime! See a show on Broadway, take a long walk in Central Park, walk in Time Square. Take the free ferry and see the Statue of Liberty and Manahtten from another point of view.

I would suggest you go in May, when the weather is nice and the days are long

Yes May in NYC is amazing......catch a show as the Tony's get into full gear! Take the Staten Island Ferry. Watch the leaves and flowers come to bloom. Take a yellow water taxi, eat pizza at Grimaldi's and walk over the brooklyn bridge. My first walk over the Brooklyn Bridge was a pilgrimage from Manhattan, after witnessing the blackout, and 9/11 mass exodus on the news. Now I go the other way to walk off that pizza and Jaques Torres chocolates!!! Is there a public golf course accessable to Manhattan to help tina convince her husband???

We're going to SA for Fiesta! in April.
See http://www.fiesta-sa.org/.
The whole city parties all week long!

Just noticed that you like historical places. We like colonial history. Colonial Williamsburg is great! Also see Yorktown and Jamestown Settlement. The first time we went, we flew to Washington DC and then drove there. There are several Civil War sites along the way. The second time, we flew directly to Newport News or Norfolk - can't remember which. Virginia Beach is east of there.

I have been to Williamsburg before and DC a lot of times as my Aunt and Uncle lived in Alexandria for 20 years, before moving to LA.

However, I do like Williamsburg a lot.

New Orleans

NYC is terrific, and my guy who hates big cities always has a good time there-so go figure! I had to drag him there the first time and he still will not dress, but now at least he will go back. If I can do it, you can too.

If you can't talk your husband into NYC, then try San Diego as a second possible, as swalter518 first posted. It's far from you- and therefore great for a freebie. Plus you will be outside with a totally different California than say SF, and it has an Old Town plus an ocean that would hold your interest- without the museum/arts end of it. So much to do there that we spent 5 days and could have used 2 more at least. Harbor has the Navy ships etc. If your husband likes laid back, it is.

If I had a free one and it was in May, I would take NYC. In May Seattle might be another choice, as I have heard it is fun to visit and also a long ticket for you.

I have a vacation home in Southwest Michigan- and do know Michigan quite well. What airport do you depart from?

Where is your vacation home at? We depart from DTW. The armpit of America....unless you are out of the NW terminal.

IMHO, The Northworst terminal is worse than the old Smith terminal, etc. I think it is a nightmare to get your gate - and I'm a pretty young, travelin' kinda' guy. I could never imagine sending an older person through that mess of escalators and corridors.

BTW - I'm from MI too. Have fun on your trip. At this particular time of year, I'd be hard-pressed to think of traveling anywhere other than someplace warm! :-)

Just to let everyone know..we have decided to use our tickets for our summer vacation with our 1 year old. I have a posting at the following site:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...me=tinathetoad

We have decided to go to Boston, then tour Canada; Quebeck city, Montreal, and Ottawa. We will fly to Boston, then drive to Quebec, then take the train across, ending up in Ottawa, then flying home from there.

Thanks for all your suggestion..