A friend of mine and I are considering a long weekend getaway somewhere in mid January. We were thinking NYC but were told that it's really too cold to enjoy it. We haven't ruled that out yet but we're trying to figure out what other options might be. We don't mind cold weather, so we're looking for suggestions.

Vegas isn't an option, either is Charlotte.

Any suggestions? Or would you suggest we stick to NYC? We're looking for a city that will be fun to go to.

Thanks!

Miami Beach.

Stay at the Lowes if you can get a decent rate, or somewhere in that neighborhood. The beach is nice, the shopping good, the restaurants great, and the weather and people watching can't be beat.

I don't agree that NYC is too cold to enjoy during January. New Yorkers were happily walking through Central Park to see The Gates in January 2005. I've been to the Statue of Liberty in January. It's a pain to be in NYC if there's a huge snow storm, but otherwise, there are so many things to do here, that I just don't see cold weather being much of an obstacle. I've been to Chicago in January, and while it's really cold there, you can still have a good time.

Having said that, you have an infinite number of possibilities but have left out a crucial piece of information. Where are you coming from?

Agree totally with Doug. From where are you starting and who are you? (20 somethings? 50 somethings? Budget? Likes/dislikes?)

San Francisco....My favorite city in the States!

Lots to do and great food and wine - how can you go wrong...

You could also have a nice warm weekend in January too. It is totally unpredictable. Stick with NYC, you won't regret it.

If you don't mind cold, I'd stay with NYC. It's a fantastic place to visit, very fun with lots to do and tons of great food. Even if there is a snow storm, you might enjoy NYC - there's something magical about the entire city slowing down a bit for the snow.

It isn't a city to be done on a small budget, though, so if that's a consideration ...

OH MY GOODNESS we'd be THRILLED to be stuck there in the middle of a snowstorm. It would be gorgeous! We'd probably be out in the streets (for a short while) just to be IN it. Also, budget allowing, of course - if our plane was grounded and we couldn't go home!

We did consider San Francisco but think we'll do that another time of year. I was there over Christmas week 2003 and loved it. Beautiful city.

We're coming from SC. We're in our 30's.

Okay what about if you had to choose between a cruise or NYC trip? Would you still say NYC?

Thanks for all your help!

Toronto is a great city to visit in the winter as well.

I don't think it will be that cold, however, if you are born & bred in SC, you may disagree. If you are seeking, not cold, how about San Diego. If you are thinking not city, you could drive to Amelia Island or fly to Key West. Since I would never even consider a cruise, I'd stick w/NYC.

I think it just depends on your tastes, where the cruise is going and what you're looking for. If you're interested in perhaps meeting people and staying warm, a Caribbean cruise or even going to the Caribbean or Florida might make more sense. I personally wouldn't want to go on a cruise. Different strokes...I'd just be careful about what cruise you pick. Cruisecritic.com is the place to look for reviews. Sounds like you're not sure what kind of vacation you want. How many days will it be?

jenalr,

I'm getting the feeling that you really want to go to NYC and someone or something is making you concerned.

Go to NYC - go for it. Even if there is a storm, even if it's freezing, even if it's raining you will still get to see the city during whatever is going on.

My husband complains a lot when it's cold when he's playing golf. I have to stop and explain to him that he is still playing golf and having a great time - and other people are working somewhere in an office, but perfectly warm.

In other words, there are a lot worse things than being in NYC when its cold - have a great time!

We really were leaning towards NYC until someone told me that it's just too cold to enjoy. I think even if it's COLD we can still go in and out of places to take a break from the weather, etc.

I'm a cruise junkie and have been on several cruises. The cruise we are looking at would be to the Bahamas. Not a first choice, but it's a getaway. A getaway is what we're looking for, fun as the second requirement. The cruise is a LOT less expensive, so that's appealing as well.

Could you go on a cruise that leaves from New York?

VAcations To Go is a great website..I erally like some of their bargains..
wish I had known about them before we went to Alaska last year...

To help you make a decision

Go to wunderground.com or some other weather site and look at historical temps for the time you're thinking of traveling. Sometimes is freezing (and snowy)in NYC in Jan. and sometimes it's balmy. No way of predicting.

Jan. is typically a less expensive time for visiting NYC (good hotel sales), but I guess the all-inclusive aspect of the cruise can't be beat. A cruise or warm weather destination sounds more like a "getaway." If you're not interested in shows, museums and shopping, NYC might not be the right place for you in Jan.

unless the snow has melted and the streets are icy, there is no reason at all to not enjoy n.y.

altho' on second thoughts, nothing matters when you are in n.y.

The first destination that comes to my mind for people from SC in the middle of January is New Orleans.

The weather will be decent

The flight time to and fro won't be terrible

The crowds won't be NYC-like or Florida-like

And you'll be able to stand the climate in New Orleans during January, unlike during so many other months.

There are scores of possibilities, of course, in every direction, but this is my first vibe.

For a long weekend in January, I'd go to Key West, Florida. Fly to Ft Meyers on Southwest and take the ferry.

Or go down to Playa del Carmen in Mexico. Great town and easy to get to from Cancun.

I wouldn't take a Bahamas cruise then. Cold weather is a possibility in January. The Bahamas are pretty far north. The Caribbean would be better.

New York is great but January is the worst month of the year. When I lived in New York, we would sometimes go down to D.C. in January to get away from the frigid weather and enjoy all the museums without any crowds.

NYC is a wonderful place to visit, and if you haven't been here before, I'd definitely recommend a visit. There is still plenty to do in NYC in the cold, but there are some things that are harder to do in the winter - such as just stroll the streets leisurely and take in the people, or take in an outdoor concert.

But there are lots of wonderful museums and I could spend days just strolling through them and taking everything in. Theater is another good "cold weather option" and there are lots of great restaurants.

It certainly wouldn't be too cold to go from place to place, but it might be too cold to just walk around the city.

So I'd think about what you'd really want to do in NYC and see if it's the sort of thing you could do if you hit a cold spell.

If NYC isn't right for you on this trip, you might want to consider Miami. Cruises are fun too, but if you've been on them a number of times, it might be fun to do something different.

As long as you have proper clothes (coat, boots, hat, scarf, gloves)... I don't see the problem with going to NYC. I mean what about the bazillion New Yorkers who live there? They do OK

If you want to save money &/or want to go on a cruise instead, nothing wrong with that either. Just two entirely different things.

Either would be fun!