Need ideas, I'm planning a vacation and don't know where to go.

[JoshT]

As my title suggests I'm planning a short vacation and I don't really have a clue where I want to go. I need to get away from work, this town and the people in it. Hell I could use a break from the state and family as well. I have the entire week of Thanksgiving scheduled off from work this year, and want to use the first half of it to go somewhere.

Initially I was thinking about flying up to DC and looking around the Smithsonian and other museums/historic stuff in that area. I was up there back in '10 for the BSA National Jamboree commemorating the 100th anniversary of Scouting in the USA, but I was there as an Assistant Scoutmaster and didn't get to see the things I wanted to see. We did the usual tours Pentagon, White House, National Archives, and treasury even if they were rushed. Probably the coolest tour we got was of the Secret Service HQ, sure we only got to see a very small part of it but it was more than most people ever see. We also walked around Arlington a little, and hit up a few of the national monuments. The focus was more on government workings than history because most of the scouts were working on merit badges pertaining to such. I want to someday go back and see the things that would interest me. The more I think about it, with this being an election year, I'm not sure if I want to be in that city in November.

All that said I'm trying to come up with some other potential destinations. My plan is to fly out on the Friday before Thanksgiving and come back on either Tuesday or Wednesday. I want some place where most of the sites are within walking distance, or that has cheap safe public transportation. Preferably within about a 5 hour flight time, though I realize flight delays could affect that. FWIW I've been most places in GA that I'm interested in seeing, same with Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and the Carolinas that's why I'm looking for some place I can fly to and not spend half the trip driving. I've also been to NYC and not interested in going back anytime soon.

If it helps with making suggestions I'm 28, single, and will be going on this trip alone (and returning alone but while I'm there...). I'm not a party guy, I don't drink and neither will be a focal point of any trip. I am interested in history, hence my interest in seeing the museums and such around DC, and I like exploring new places, which is why I don't like going back after I've seen what there is to see. The main exception the the latter is I'd like to go back to the Keys, but I want someone to go with and a little more time. Cost of the trip really isn't an issue either. The cheaper the better, I'm a natural born cheap ass, but I have plenty to spend on a trip like this.

 

[stegomon]

portland maine area is good. there are some chops open in the old port..some nice local bars if you like that. ok ferret about the bars. lots of light houses. culture is good. we are friendly. and if it is not to cold out i can always show you around. i live about 45 miles north of portland..there is an off road park in my area...if my bronco is fixed and there is no snow on the ground. i could take you weeling...not much happening...but if you want quiet..maine is the place to be.

boston is also good as well. more history and culture in that area

 

[Will]

You can come paint my barn. It'll get you away from Georgia and I won't charge you very much for the experience.

 

[RonD]

Philly has some nice walk around historic areas, good food, bit cold in Nov.

 

[40410]

portland maine area is good.

I would not go anywhere upper east coast at the time period you are looking at. Maine is good before Oct....after that you could end up spending your time inside your hotel. I'd stick with the southern half of the US for T-day weekend.

Austin is supposed to be a pretty neat place to visit. Clean, and lots of great eating places. Plus, the Alamo is there.

My 2 cents.

 

[stegomon]

I would not go anywhere upper east coast at the time period you are looking at. Maine is good before Oct....after that you could end up spending your time inside your hotel. I'd

 

[det107]

Go to Florida with metal detector. You might find a doubloon on the beach. And engage in the most dangerous sport........Girl Watching-

 

[mpreece]

Williamsburg/Yorktown VA. Full of history.

 

[woodyedmiston]

I have to second the Williamsburg and Yourktown as being full of History. My other choice, only because you have nixed the DC area, is Boston. I stopped trying to do
"tour" vacations involving several stops some time ago. It has always worked out better to go to a city and just see everything it has to offer. Boston . . . from a history point of view . . . is chocked full of things. The Greyline bus - normally a tour - is actually a series of busses running throughout Boston. They allow on/off at all the main stops all day . . you can work your way back to car or hotel. We spent all day - myself and two teens and saw it all. Highpoint was Old Ironsides - still a ship of the line of US Navy. Greyline actually has a boat that takes you across the harbor (The Boston Tea Party harbor) to the ship. (Don't even take a nail file in line to get on the boat, I lost a twenty year old Boy Scout knife because they don't allow giving it to another person nor do they have a place to store them.....they all get shredded.)

 

[adsm08]

Baltimore is nice, but maybe not in late November.

I would stay out of Philly. I just would.

Atlanta has some cool stuff.

If you are into fishing grab a rod and a reel and head south. Florida has a massive infestation of snakeshead, to the point where you are encouraged to catch and kill as many as you can, even if you don't want to eat them, but it is legal to drive dead ones over state lines and I hear they are a delicacy in south east Asia.

 

[cvar]

If you want majestic scenery, start in San Fransisco and drive to Yosemite, then thru Death Valley, to Las Vegas, to Zion Natl Park, to Bryce Canyon, to Grand Canyon, to Monument Valley. That's almost 24 hrs driving time (1 way), but truly magnificent sights along the way, and plenty of stuff to stop & visit whatever catches your fancy.

 

[JoshT]

Woah guys, those sound like great suggestions, but that was a year ago. Hell, I don't even remember what I did now.

I have to second the Williamsburg and Yourktown as being full of History. My other choice, only because you have nixed the DC area, is Boston.

Old Ironsides... (Don't even take a nail file in line to get on the boat, I lost a twenty year old Boy Scout knife because they don't allow giving it to another person nor do they have a place to store them.....they all get shredded.)

Noted, not sure about Boston, but it might happen someday. DC is back on the option list, and will happen sooner than later. I actually have an aunt living and working in DC now. I have an open invitation to crash at her apartment anytime I feel like heading that way. I am a federal employee, while I haven't been hit by the government shutdown and furloughs yet, it could hit any day. Supposedly the budget I fall under won't run out for two more weeks, but no guarantee. If I got furloughed and they were open I'd head that way as soon as I could get a flight. Unfortunately given their funding source they are probably closed already.

Thanks for the heads up on Old Ironsides. If I ever get the opportunity, I'll remember to leave the blades in the car.

Baltimore is nice, but maybe not in late November.

I would stay out of Philly. I just would.

Atlanta has some cool stuff.

If you are into fishing grab a rod and a reel and head south. Florida has a massive infestation of snakeshead, to the point where you are encouraged to catch and kill as many as you can, even if you don't want to eat them, but it is legal to drive dead ones over state lines and I hear they are a delicacy in south east Asia.

Cold isn't much of an issue for me if it's in the right place, not sure that Baltimore is the right place. I already had intentions to stay out of Philly, but thanks for the warning.

IMO you can add Atlanta to the same list as Philly. I grew up less than a 2 hour drive from there and there is almost nothing there I am interested. Actually I can name the three or four places that do interest me. Pull-A-Part (three locations) the closest pick-n-pull to where I live. Tilted Kilt the Scottish (I guess) version Hooters, I think the uniforms look better haven't eaten there enough to be sure about the food. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport cause it's my gateway to the rest of the world. Don't feel like driving more than a day to a destination, its a waste of time if its just me. Beyond a days drive plane ticket for one is the better option IMO, have more time at destination and not as tired from driving.

Florida is a great destination for exactly the reasons you and det107 mentioned. If I get hit by the current furloughs I might head in that direction.

If you want majestic scenery, start in San Fransisco and drive to Yosemite, then thru Death Valley, to Las Vegas, to Zion Natl Park, to Bryce Canyon, to Grand Canyon, to Monument Valley. That's almost 24 hrs driving time (1 way), but truly magnificent sights along the way, and plenty of stuff to stop & visit whatever catches your fancy.

That would be a great trip, would love to see all of those places. Too bad it's on the other side of the country. Being one person I wouldn't rent a car to make that drive, and not about to drive my car 30 hours to san fran to start that trip by myself. Someday I'll hit all those places in smaller groups. Most likely fly in, rent a car and explore.