looking for suggestions/recommendations for vacation spots

[GibsonMarshallGuy47]

I'm 48, my wife is 45. we have a 21 year old son who is away at college, and a 17 year old son who is fairly independent. my wife and I rarely ever travel together. we usually do our annual family vacation for a week, and not much else... we're usually very much home bodies. we've only travelled just me and her a handful of times over the past 27 years we've been together. we can't really afford to do any serious travelling too often, but once every 7 or 8 years we like to go somewhere special.

we live in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia, and we are looking to finally travel sometime soon and go somewhere nice, just for an extended weekend trip. with our work schedule, we aren't able to do anything longer than that. so I am trying to do some research to find out what cool U.S. cities or towns would be nice to visit during the fall, and I am open to suggestions & recommendations.

I decided that I do not want to go somewhere too far, since I loathe long plane rides. for me, anything longer than a 4 hour flight is just too much. so, from the Philly area, I'd like to stick to places within 1,200 miles if possible - pretty much nothing in the Pacific time zone (sorry, west coast)... and neither of us drink, so we're not looking to go to any alcoholic friendly places where booze flows like a river. that doesn't appeal to us at all, although we are both avid marijuana enthusiasts, so states where its legal for recreational use is a bonus, and we love places that have great food. and of course I would love somewhere that has some gorgeous scenery.

I'd like to get some input from anyone if there's any folks that have some good ideas.

 

[Browneyesound]

If you like the beach, I can wholeheartedly recommend Hilton Head SC. Relatively short flight for you.

 

[GibsonMarshallGuy47]

thanks for the input. unfortunately though, SC is one of the very few states where cannabis is 100% completely illegal.

keep 'em coming, folks.

and by the way, take a look at this U.S. map. recommendations only for states that are dark green, please... LoL

MARIJUANA LEGALITY BY STATE - Updated September 2, 2024

In order to keep up with the ever-changing laws, DISA has provided this interactive map for information on legalization, medical use, and recreational use.

disa.com

 

[Vinsanitizer]

You're not going on a vacation.
There is work to do.

Now get to work.

 

[GibsonMarshallGuy47]

You're not going on a vacation.
There is work to do.

Now get to work.

cool story, bro...

 

[Lo-Tek]

Iirc there are now direct flights from Philly to Traverse City, if you want a small town get away.
Lots of good restaurants and rec weed. Casinos if you want. Vinyards. Close to Sleeping Bear Dunes but plenty of good scenery in general.

Not the greatest night life. Peak fall color is probably mid-October but weather is hit or miss this time of year.

 

[anitoli]

Acadia National Park is nice this time of year. All the tourists are gone.

 

[paul-e-mann]

thanks for the input. unfortunately though, SC is one of the very few states where cannabis is 100% completely illegal.

keep 'em coming, folks.

and by the way, take a look at this U.S. map. recommendations only for states that are dark green, please... LoL

MARIJUANA LEGALITY BY STATE - Updated September 2, 2024

In order to keep up with the ever-changing laws, DISA has provided this interactive map for information on legalization, medical use, and recreational use.

disa.com

Grab a couple fat joints and walk around Longwood Gardens, the light show I expect will be pretty trippy when youre high.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

cool story, bro...

Now go home and get your ******' shine box.

 

[Geeze]

Black Hills in SD - lots of scenery, things to do mild climate not loads of people. Crazy Horse, Mt Rushmore, Needles Hwy [granite that is] Devil's Tower, no Idea on the weed. Colorado is wide open weed, bigger mountains, Western wyo - may be a bit far - Jackson Hole, Yellowstone.

Russ

 

[Vinsanitizer]

I was never a vacationer, never had the time away from work. One week isn't enough time, it takes a week just for me to wind down. IMO, you need at least 2 weeks off, 3 or 4 would be ideal. But if I could, I would love to visit some the the best national parks with an RV, and take loads and loads of photos. I live near the Adirondack Mountains all my life. The further in you go the more beautiful it gets. If it weren't for the long winters, I'd live there.

I prefer forests, lakes and fishing streams. Never understood why people go to Las Vegas, on cruise ships, I guess everyone has their thing.

 

[Derek S]

I was never a vacationer, never had the time away from work. One week isn't enough time, it takes a week just for me to wind down. IMO, you need at least 2 weeks off, 3 or 4 would be ideal. But if I could, I would love to visit some the the best national parks with an RV, and take loads and loads of photos. I live near the Adirondack Mountains all my life. The further in you go the more beautiful it gets. If it weren't for the long winters, I'd live there.

I prefer forests, lakes and fishing streams. Never understood why people go to Las Vegas, on cruise ships, I guess everyone has their thing.

Same. Much prefer mountain trails & views, rivers, forests, wildlife, etc. Not knocking the cliche beach or cruise thing, the majority of folks go that route for good reason and honestly, any one can do it....but I need some adventure on my get-aways (while I still can at this stage of life lol). This summer we went to Glacier, Grand Teton, Jackson Hole (mountain climbing and kayaking!) and Yellowstone parks, an epic, memorable time. Tossing a towel down and napping at the beach just wouldn't do much for me and I'd probably forget about it in no time...but I do understand, everyone has their preference. Someday I'm sure I'll be on a cruise ship destroying the buffet tables, playing slots and lounging in the sun....I'm just not ready for that yet!

 

[FleshOnGear]

@GibsonMarshallGuy47, if you’re not set on a beach destination, I’d like to humbly suggest my lovely home state of Virginia. I live in Richmond, which has a nice set of parks along the James River and a great bunch of restaurants. If you’re more into a mountain type scene, the Blue Ridge is lovely this time of year. Cities like Charlottesville are closer to the mountains, and have decent restaurants. My family rented a house along the Shenandoah River a few years ago and did some rafting, and that was cool. Just thinking out loud. Good luck finding your getaway!

 

[PelliX]

If you’re more into a mountain type scene, the Blue Ridge is lovely this time of year. Cities like Charlottesville are closer to the mountains, and have decent restaurants. My family rented a house along the Shenandoah River a few years ago and did some rafting, and that was cool.

*flashbacks of covering John Denver*....

 

[GibsonMarshallGuy47]

I was never a vacationer, never had the time away from work. One week isn't enough time, it takes a week just for me to wind down. IMO, you need at least 2 weeks off, 3 or 4 would be ideal. But if I could, I would love to visit some the the best national parks with an RV, and take loads and loads of photos. I live near the Adirondack Mountains all my life. The further in you go the more beautiful it gets. If it weren't for the long winters, I'd live there.

I prefer forests, lakes and fishing streams. Never understood why people go to Las Vegas, on cruise ships, I guess everyone has their thing.

I've never, ever liked really long vacations. I can't do more than a full week, at the most. people think I'm crazy, but after about a week, I start getting anxious, and antsy. I don't like being away from normal life any longer than that. in my opinion, the longer the vacation is, the harder it will be to get back to regular home/work life. not only that, but I can't afford to be away from work to do a getaway that is longer than a week. I can barely do an extended weekend. also, we have a 17 year old son, so I don't really want to be away for any longer than 3 or 4 days, tops.

and honestly, I'm not really set on any one particular type of scenery - beach vibe or mountain/forest vibe - either one would be fine. I like them both. for me, its more important to pick somewhere that me and my wife haven't been to before (and somewhere that is weed-friendly), and somewhere that has really good food.

 

[Resident 217]

North Eastern Seaboard is gorgeous this time of year.
Came down from Canada on a motorcycle and a camera one fall in the early 80's . Lots of colour.
north eastern NY, Vermont ,New Hampshire I found all nice folks and a great part of the US.

Ran out of gas in the middle of the night in a tiny sea side village. It was wet, foggy and I was tired as well as NOTHING was open -
No motels or camp grounds nothing couldn't even get a coffee,
sitting on the side of the road, I ws approached by a fellow walking home from work.
We talked a bit and he ended up giving me the gas from his lawn mower so I could get to the next city where the gas station was sure to be open. Great trip.

 

[GibsonMarshallGuy47]

Grab a couple fat joints and walk around Longwood Gardens, the light show I expect will be pretty trippy when you're high.

its funny... I only live about a 25 minute drive from Longwood Gardens, but I've never actually been there before. I guess I should probably remedy that sometime.

 

[paul-e-mann]

its funny... I only live about a 25 minute drive from Longwood Gardens, but I've never actually been there before. I guess I should probably remedy that sometime.

Then you gotta go! Food is good there too. We've been wanting to get back there, they have special events all year round. Have you gotten to Philadelphia? Its a good overnighter, lots to do there. Lancaster PA, another good overnighter.

A couple other local ideas near you, Lewes DE, a great place for an overnighter, its an old shipping town from colonial times, stay at the Rodney Hotel, everything is walking distance, lots of places for good food. Mystic Seaport CT, thats another great overnighter. Then of course Times Square NYC, get a hotel there and no lack of things to do and places to go all hours of the day and night! Cape May NJ, hotels, bed and breakfasts, camping, a cool Victorian town to hang out in. If you can travel a little further, Williamsburg VA in one direction, Marthas Vinyard MA in the other direction. Great places to spend a night or two.

We dont vacation much and cant afford expensive vacations, but overnighters and long weekends we do.

 

[Browneyesound]

yeah. If you can get there before the weather gets too cold, Cape May has nice beaches.

 

[GibsonMarshallGuy47]

yeah. If you can get there before the weather gets too cold, Cape May has nice beaches.

I go to the North Cape May area every few months because my parents retired there.