Where should I go on vacation?

[prolesunited]

I live in the Chicago area and I have two weeks off in the beginning of August. Money is an object, so no European adventure, but something a little more reasonable.

I enjoy the outdoors -- hiking, biking, blading -- and photography. I'll be flying solo. Any suggestions?

[GOPisEvil]

1. Alberta, Canada

Banff would be lovely this time of year.

[HEyHEY]

18. ALBERTA!?!??!

Nah, hit the interior of BC. Osoyoos is where it's at!

[Nikia]

2. Wisconsin

Isn't that where all Chicago people go that like the outdoors? I live in Wisconsin. We get a lot of people from that area.

[prolesunited]

19. You're right

I've been to Wisconsin a number of times. My mom was from there and we used to visit my grandparents there and my aunt and uncle still live in the Madison area. Where are you at?

Michigan also is big and a lot of people have cottages there.

Have you ever been to the Bristol Renaissance Faire?
http://www.renfair.com/bristol/index.php

[TheBigGuy]

22. Isnt Bristol close to Lake Geneva?

when I was a kid we used to go to Lake Geneva alot.

[Nikia]

31. In Wisconsin

I am near the Fox Cities and Chain-O-Lakes area. The Chain is a beautiful set of lakes. This isn't my native land but it is intersting. Madison is a nice area too. I personally like Door County (the finger like part of Wisconsin), but I think that it is rather expensive this time of year. Unfortunately, I have not been to the Bristol Renaissance Faire, but have heard that it is fun and intersting from some people who have gone.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Too bad France is out.

How about Canada?

[carpetbagger]

7. French Canada- poor man's Europe.

There's some pretty impressive natural areas north and east of Quebec City.

[Skittles]

4. EUROPE CAN BE QUITE CHEAP

I flew round trip for $420 bucks and stayed in bed and breakfasts in England. It can be done!

[prolesunited]

6. Don't have a passport. (gasp)

Maybe next year. :shrug:

[Skittles]

24. go ahead and make arrangements to get a passport

it's not hard. Then next time you're researching vacations Europe will be an option. Honestly, it can be done. Do some research on budget vacations "England on X bucks a day" - check it out.

[DODI]

5. Canada

Alberta, as mentioned above, is fantastic. If you can't go to France, Quebec is the next best thing. We are going to Mont Tremblant in August. One hour north of Montreal in the mountains. Check out their web site. Montreal and Quebec City are great too.

[prolesunited]

8. I was just in Toronto

for a week in June. It was very nice and the exchange rate is quite favorable.

[rwheeler31]

9. our spot

san franciso

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. Cape Cod Massachusetts is really lovely.

And a great getaway. Though it tends to be costly in midsummer, and difficult to get reservations. But it is great, if you can do it.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

28. There are inexpensive campgrounds and hostels on Cape Cod

there are beautiful beaches, a scenic bike trail that runs the length of the National Seashore, and lots of things to do. If you need any info, let me know!

RR

[WatchWhatISay]

11. Negril, Jamaica

I am about to leave for 3 weeks in Jamaica. The only reason I can afford to stay that long is because for the last two weeks I will stay in Negril. There are some neat hotels that you can stay in there for about $40/day, and other options that are even cheaper if your budget is really tight. Negril is much cheaper than Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. And its a big party city.

There are two main parts to it - the beach and the cliffs. The beach is where most of the bigger parties are. The cliffs are good if you want more of a quiet, relaxing vacation, though there are party spots there too.

Plenty of great Jamaican music, great food, Red Stripe beer and clothing optional beaches and ganga if that's your thing. All kinds of water sports from snorkeling among the reefs, windsurfing, etc. You cant rent bikes, scooter or motorcycles. You dont need a car there - taxis are cheap. Tons of waterfalls, caves, and the Blue Mountains to explore.

Here are some links:
www.negrilonesstop.com
http://www.geocities.com/negrilsbluecave/
http://www.negrilonestop.com/banana/bananamain.htm
http://www.funholidaybeachresort.com/

[prolesunited]

13. That sounds exciting

Do you need a passport? I'll check out the links. Thanks!

[WatchWhatISay]

14. No you don't need a passport

Just a certified copy of your birth certificate, and if you are a married female, whose name is different that what's on your birth certificate, then you need a certified copy of your marriage license as well.

If some of those links didn't work, try again. I think I fixed them.

[shanti]

29. i agree about jamaica!

been there, WILL return:-)...another beautiful area in jamaica is port antonio.

[Semi_subversive]

12. Pismo Beach, CA

Just south of San Luis Obispo on the gorgeous Central CA coast. You can fly into LA and drive there in a couple of hours. Great food, friendly people and then rent a quad for a couple of hours and get lost in the beauty of miles and miles of sand dunes. Or rent a surf board and make a fool of your self (like I did). Hearst Castle is nearby as well. It's an incredible structure.

[scucci]

15. How about the old standards?

The Grand Canyon, or the Tetons or Yosemite? Plenty of what you want to do there.

If you want to stay closer to home why not try southern Missouri, Arkansas or Kentucky? Those areas aren't expensive and are absolutely beautiful. Very under-rated.

http://www.missouritourism.org/
http://www.state.ar.us/travel.php?
http://www.kytourism.com/

[prolesunited]

34. Missouri looked interesting

Do you know of anyone who has done the Katy Trail?

[rogerashton]

16. Quebec is wonderful

but you may need a passport, since our relations with Canada have soured a bit.

I have been in Washington State -- the Puget Sound Country -- for the last few days. If you don't mind waiting for ferries, try the San Juan Islands. We were there earlier in the week. And Washington has mountains and fiords to compare with anybody's.

A couple of years ago we traveled 1000 miles to go to Door County, Wisc. If you haven't been, go there for a great spot in your backyard.

Just don't go to New Hampshire. I've already got it booked for August.

[caledesi]

17. Easy. Newport, RI.

New England resort on an island with the ocean, historial homes (walking tours), very liberal, ocean, mansions to tour. Cobblestone streets, good bars, good restaurants, it's the best.

I grew up there and this is the "new" Cape Cod.

And if you are a Howard Dean fan...he went to prep school at St. George's which is situated on a hill right over the ocean. Need I say more?

[bocadem]

20. Las Vegas

That's where I'm headed the 2nd week of August.


And not just to gamble! Lake Mead has some fun water activities.


bocadem

[TheBigGuy]

21. Lake Michigan, north.....Sleeping Bear Dunes.

The area around the Sleeping Bear Dunes, on the northern shore of the Lower Pennisula of Michigan....near the towns of Empire and Leland.

This is a great area. Great beaches. Also, you can take a ferry to Manitou island and backpack to a campgrounds there. There are dunes and beaches on the island too.

The beach at Empire was rated by Outside magazine as one of the top fiver or ten in the USA.


I also liked the Apostle Islands and Bayfield on the Lake Superior shore of Wisconsin. Another good backpacking spot is the Porcupine Mountains and Isle Royale in the Upper Penninsula.

[prolesunited]

23. Went to Michigan last year

Drove up to Mackinac Island and then worked my way down the eastern coast of Lake Michigan -- Traverse Bay, Holland, etc. It was beautiful.

[ScreamingMeemie]

32. Empire is where I wanna live someday...

We just got back from a trip "up North"...Damn it's hard to believe there's a place that pretty four hours from my house...

[Misinformed01]

25. Bandon, Oregon

http://www.bandonbythesea.com/

Best place to stay, Sea Star Hostel...I had a private room for less than $20; you are allowed to use the kitchen and living room. The living room has a wood stove, and lots of books left from other hostelers. Chances are very good you will make new friends there-

http://www.seastarbandon.com/hi-sea.htm

[Shakeydave]

26. What? No trip to Florida?

Just kidding! Mrs. Shakey and I just got back from Las Vegas. We had never been before. We won, therefore we had a good time! But Jesus Christ, what a City of the Worst America Has To Offer! I kept hearing people coooo about how nice the indoor malls fashioned to look like Europe were and how clean everything was! For our money, give us New Orleans everytime! NOLA isn't sanitized, it has a great mix of ethnic groups, it's open 24/7 and it generally has no whining tourists going off over the heat, homeless and party go'ers. Las Vegas was like a City-Wide Disney. Not my gig! Give NOLA a try and PM me for some great watering holes and tucked away restaurants! Woo Hoo! :hi:

[prolesunited]

27. Great suggestions so far!

Maybe I'll take the whole month off and travel through the U.S. Perhaps I could meet up with different DUers throughout the country.

It could be like DU does America and we could post an ongoing travelogue. I could take pictures and write vignettes for each stop. Wouldn't that be cool!

[LWolf]

30. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Yosemite.

2. Paulina Lake in the Newberry Crater in Oregon...stay in the Bluebird log cabin on the lake.

3. Monterey, CA.

4. Anyplace in the rockies.

5. Numerous places on the Oregon coast; a previous poster mentioned one. The Oregon coast in beautiful!

6. Sequoia Nat'l park and/or Kings Canyon. If you have not seen a sequoia tree up close and personal, make sure you put it on your list of things to do in your lifetime!

I haven't been west of Nevada since 1971, so most of my suggestions are over here on the left coast. One place I hope to get to someday is Alaska.

Let us know what you decide on!

[ScreamingMeemie]

33. The Blue Ridge Mountains...

Beautiful country. Great hiking, not so great biking or blading, what with them being mountains and all, and the best thing...lodging is relatively inexpensive. Let us know where you decide to go...have fun!!

[MissMillie]

35. Acadia National Park

in Maine! great fun! and LOBSTER!

[XNASA]

36. Estes Park, Colorado

Flagstaff/Sedona, Arizona

or

Marin County, California.

That's where I'd go. When are we leaving?

[prolesunited]

37. I LOVED both

Estes Park and Sedona. I haven't been to Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon yet, but not sure if I want to deal with the family crowds there in August. When I am communing with nature, I do not want to listen to screaming kids or get stuck in traffic jams.

There have been lots of great suggestions so far. I hardly know where to begin. I love the west and have been to San Francisco once. With the exception of D.C., I've not spent much time out east. Both the Smokies and Rockies were incredible. I don't know if I want to do New Orleans in August. When I was there in June before, it already was sweltering. I did notice Oregon received a few nods.

[XNASA]

38. As you know, we were at the Grand Canyon in June.

We were pleasantly suprised by the fact that it wasn't crowded at all. And if you're looking for solitude, there's always the North Rim.

Same goes for Rocky Mountain National Park. The east half of it seems to always be crowded. But the trailheads on the west side of the park are quiet.

How about Adorondack? Or Montreal?

[maxanne]

39. visit NH

http://www.mountwashington.org/index.html

check out that picture of the sunrise!!

There are plenty of beautiful spots here in the White Mountains, especially if you're camping. Let me know if you want more info.

Stop here for a while, then head up the coast of Maine. Someone suggested Acadia National Park - one of the most beautiful places in Maine. I'm heading up there next week, in fact.

Alaska is not to be missed, either. Homer, Alaska may be the most beautiful place on earth.