Hey everyone!

My friend and I really want to go on a trip this summer, before starting back to college/university. We are planning on going somewhere for 4-5 days, and would like to keep it as inexpensive as possible, although money isn't a huge issue. So far, we have talked about NYC, Boston, and San Francisco, but we are open to pretty much anything. Out of those 3, I am leaning towards San Fran, but I was hoping to get some suggestions of other cities that would make for a fun vacation. Cities on the east coast would definitely be easier/faster to get to for us, however I would like to experience the west coast as well, so I am open to any suggestions. We would really appreciate any opinions!

Thanks guys!

What do you want out of the vacation? A big city experience with shopping and lots of variety of food and people? A nature based adventure? Something more touristy?

I've been up and down the east coast, though I'm originally from Virginia if I'm from anywhere (I'm a navy brat.). There are a LOT of great state parks through Virginia, the Shenandoah mountains and Lurray caverns are a lot of fun.

Washington, D.C. is beautiful and bustling in the summertime, there are festivals, people flying kits on the National Mall, and lots of free art and history to admire in the Smithsonian museums. The metro makes it pretty easy to get around. There's lots of great food and nightlife as well.

If you're amusement park people, it's actually pretty fun to stay in Williamsburg, VA and go to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg which has some great roller coasters and summer fireworks and shows. Williamsburg also has a great historical section that has reenactments throughout the summer, so if you're history nerds that could be fun. There are many cute bed and breakfasts and little inns to stay in as well.

I've been to Boston once during the summer, and I was only there for about a day, but it was a lot of fun. It's a great city and I wish I could've explored it more.

NYC is not my cup of tea, but there's definitely lots of shopping, nightlife, and food there, and it's relatively easy to get around as well!

Virginia Beach has a great boardwalk and the hotel prices, even for the ones right on the beach, are actually not horrible even in the summer time. The beach isn't the prettiest in the world, but it's still warm water and sand! Myrtle beach is fun as well.

Rehoboth, Delaware has awesome outlets, affordable hotels and miles of beach. You sort of have to drive through the middle of no where to get there, but I always have a great time when I go. Their boardwalk is a lot of fun and there are a lot of cute little shops.

Then there's always Orlando, Florida. Around this time of year is when you can get some good packages for summer vacations to Disney World or Universal studios.

As far as west coast, man, you can't beat San Diego. BEAUTIFUL weather, gorgeous downtown, and you can do just about anything from hiking and horseback riding to just laying on the beach for days. I've never been to San Fran, but I did live in San Diego and the minute I have a career that lets me afford to live there, that's where I'll be living. I don't know if you're considering L.A., but I don't really like that city very much. Beyond the touristy things that you can see in about a day, it's sort of a grungy city everywhere the celebrities don't live, and the traffic is just. awful.

Wow, I wrote you a novel. Let me know if you want any elaboration on any of the places I mentioned. I'm pretty well traveled up and down the east coast, and like I mentioned, I've lived in SoCal as well. good luck planning your trip!

You be able to see much of NYC in 4-5 days. I went there for about 7 or 8 days...didn't get to see everything I wanted too. The Museum of Natural History and The Metropolitan Museum of Art - you could spend a day in each one. For Broadway shows you could get student rush tickets if you have your student ID (You can also do this with ABT, my friend and I got $80 orchestra seats for $20).

You would be doing a lot of walking. If you stay in/on Manhattan taxis aren't really worth it if you are staying near Times Square or near enough to walk. You should get a pass for the subway.

Boston, NY or DC are all great choices. They all have good public transportation and lots of stuff to do without having to travel very far.

CHICAGO! You can do it on a small budget if you stay in the suberbs and take public transit. Depending on which stores/restaurants you go into, it can be either expensive or not too bad. There are a TON of museums to go to and you can get what's called a "city pass" for like $70 (?) and that gets you into most, if not all the museums downtown. There is also the Russian Pointe boutique. The first time we went downtown, my husband probably should have had me leashed, lol. I wanted to run off in so many different directions because I've never really been to a big city before.

There is also Navy Pier which is pretty cool. Macy's on State St. is pretty neat too, it's like 8 stories tall. PM me for more info.

New York is one of the great cities of the world.

If you aren't confined by dates, shop a bit for good room rates. Believe it or not, the rate varies quite a bit within the same hotel. I've stayed at places that were $900.00 a night because they had a park view and stayed in the same room ten floors down that was only $295. a night because it was next to the freight elevator and had a view of the dumpsters and the back door to the laundry room and scullery kitchen. Sometimes the view is worth it. In your case, it sound like you want to see the city, not relax between shows and restaurants. If you want to see the city, not hang out in a nice room with a cityscape to complete the experience, hunt out a cheap room in an expensive hotel. Check out special rates your parents might have with their credit card companies,professional organizations, AARP or AAA or their equivalents, the school you plan to attend in the fall, or your parent's employers (if this applies). American Express, for example,often has hotels that offer a better rate to card holders.

Research "free" events taking place while you are there. The Met has certain days that are "pay what you can afford". If you plan on spending several days at the museums consider buying a membership and get more than your money's worth on admissions and discounts. Some of them allow "benefits" to more than one museum and many are located along "Museum Row".

Let us know if you choose New York and many of us can provide tons of suggestions. The activities you plan will also influence your hotel choice.

(I hope you choose New York...BDC has lots of drop in classes, too. Check it out. www.broadwaydancecenter.com)

Have fun.

Keep On Dancing*

Wow! Thanks so much for your replies everyone!

I should have mentioned that I have been to NYC before, but my friend has not. I would of course love to go again, but surprisingly my friend didn't seem too enthusiastic when I suggested it. I'll keep working on her though, because NY is probably one of my top 3 favourite cities on the planet (that I've been to of course). We talked briefly about DC because I went when I was younger and had lots of fun. Chicago also came up but we crossed it off because we've both been several times. Boston sounds really cool, as does San Diego. She has been to California once when she was pretty young, but I have never been. We went to Seattle together last year and loved it; we both tend to like big cities with tons of downtown attractions that also have amazing natural sights, if that makes any sense . That's why right now, I am somewhat leaning towards somewhere in California (probably San Diego or San Fran), but I am planning on looking up more about Boston and DC.

Thanks again guys, you're awesome!

gottadance12 wrote:

We talked briefly about DC because I went when I was younger and had lots of fun. ...we both tend to like big cities with tons of downtown attractions that also have amazing natural sights, if that makes any sense .

Then I'll add my vote for Washington DC. Now that you are an adult you'll be able to really appreciate the beautiful vistas and squares with radiating avenues designed by master architect and civil engineer Pierre L'Enfant. There's so much history and so much of everything that you'll have plenty to do for 5 days. Plus, since it's less expensive for you to get to you'll have more money to spend once you're there.

Another plus for DC is that since the majority of the museums are free, you will have more money to spend on other things.

I'll chime in and suggest Asheville, NC. It's such a cool place, all local businesses, gorgeous scenery and really nice people. The night scene is fun, you can walk anywhere, there are some great local breweries and there are always people out. There's more than enough to do to occupy yourself, but not so much that you leave wishing you could have seen or done more. You could take a day to go hiking or rafting if you want, and you could see everything easily in 4-5 days. Not to mention, as it isn't a major city, it's much less expensive. Normally I'd suggest NYC or DC, but you guys don't seem too excited about those. Not to mention, as you've both seen some of our bigger cities, I'd suggest a smaller one (Asheville or otherwise) to get a different experience

Given what you've written so far, I'd recommend DC or Boston. I've lived for many years in each. Both are easy to get to by plane or train. Both have great public transportation systems so a car is unneccessary.

DC has the Smithsonian museums, the White House and all the great public buildings. As stated above, all of the Smithsonian museums have free admission. Gorgeous city, beautifully laid out by L'Enfant. I live in Boston again, but my sister and her husband had a great week in DC last summer, taking in the museums, good restaurants and even a Red Sox-Orioles game at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

Boston is a beautiful old city. There's lots to do; we have great art and science museums, wonderful restaurants, Faneuil Hall, tons of historical sites here. I am not a huge sports fan but even I enjoy spending a summer evening at a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. I don't know when in summer you plan to travel, but if you're in Boston for the 4th of July, you can't beat the Boston Pops concert at the Hatch Shell overlooking the Charles River. One of my favorite things about this area is that an hour out of Boston you can be in the mountains of NH or on the beaches of Cape Cod.

Wherever you decide to go, I suggest getting a Fodors or other guidebook for that city through your local library. A quick read through will give you a sense of the city you'll be visiting and will outline the highlights. Then you and your friend can decide what your priorities will be when sightseeing. Have a blast!

You have put a lot of attention on where to go (and you seem to prefer large cities) and none on how to get the most out of those cities.

I have no advice on New York, having no real experience there.

For DC, you get a good guidebook and make full use of the Metro, and yes, many of the museums are free.

For Boston, start with a Ducks Tour.

New Orleans! It is by fa my favorite city in the USA. There is such a good vibe to the city and so much to see, do, and eat! Some other members gave me some good advice on what to do there, and I had such an amazing time. The nightlife is really exciting, you can relax and have a beignet at Cafe du Monde, there are tons of tours: haunted walking tour, plantation tours (the plantations are beautiful), swamp tours, take a trip on the Natchez riverboat, etc etc. I have been to the majority of other big cities in the USA, like LA, Las Vegas, Chicago, etc., but they never touched me or impressed me as much as New Orleans did!

Sorry to bump this old thread!

But I have to just throw one in there for Los Angeles!
For a summer vacation, you absolutely cannot beat the LA beaches and weather. You could rent bikes or take a surf lesson, go to the pier and hang out on the beach.

You could spend the day in Malibu, or you could do the whole Hollywood tour and see the stars on the Walk of fame, and shop in all Rodeo and Melrose and the Grove.


Finally...(saving the best for last)....you can take dance classes in LA! EDGE, Millenium, IDA, you've seen these studios on shows like SYTYCD and Britney Spears and Selena Gomez, but the classes are actually fantastic!

The only bad thing about LA is....traffic....

hope this helps! By the way this thread gave me lots of inspiration to travel to the other cities, especially Washington DC.