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alligator · Sep 14, 2006, 03:03 PM

My wife has been asking to go on a trip for quite some time. It's finally time to pick a place to go. My only problem is that I can't find a good weekend destination. It would be Friday - Sunday, max.

Here are our requirements:

1. Start from Minneapolis, MN
2. Keep plane flights as short as possible (preferably 4 hours or less, which really covers all of the US and some of Canada)
3. Must be a good location to use a new camera and take some interesting photos.

Any ideas? We really want something cool that very few people know about. Just for sightseeing, walking around and enjoying time away from the kids.

macroy · Sep 14, 2006, 03:09 PM

Sedona, AZ.

Great for photos, hiking, and just being away from it all.

It "used" to be a place no many know of.. but its getting more and more popular. So not sure if that still meets your criteria.

And if you can make plans real soon, you can catch this: Sedona Jazz On the Rocks - Jazz For the Next Generation

Landos Mustache · Sep 14, 2006, 03:11 PM

At least get the hell out of your own country to see there is a world outside of wal-marts and MacDonalds.

Dominican Republic.

waxcrash · Sep 14, 2006, 03:13 PM

San Francisco, CA or San Diego, CA

El Gato · Sep 14, 2006, 03:17 PM

Whistler, British Columbia

El Gato · Sep 14, 2006, 03:25 PM

... or go east. Acadia National Park in Maine.

GSixZero · Sep 14, 2006, 03:32 PM

Go to Thailand.

Take a benadryl and drink a beer. The flight will feel way shorter than 4 hours.

SVass · Sep 14, 2006, 03:34 PM

Drive to Amana. sam

Lava Lamp Freak · Sep 14, 2006, 03:42 PM

Everglades National Park. Take some new pictures of alligators to use for your sig.

turtle777 · Sep 14, 2006, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

At least get the hell out of your own country to see there is a world outside of wal-marts and MacDonalds.

Yeah, go to Canada. That's what you mean, right ?

-t

nonhuman · Sep 14, 2006, 03:48 PM

If you're staying in the US, I'd definitely recommend the North West. Beautiful scenery for photography.

Of course I also love Jamaica. So much so that I'm getting married there!

RAILhead · Sep 14, 2006, 03:57 PM

What are you guys wanting to do, mostly? Scenery? Shop? Outdoor? City? You can "sight-see" and "walk" urban or suburban...

If it's quiet and calm, I cannot recommend Rose Hill Manor in Fredericksburg, TX enough. There's just something about waking up to acres of rolling wheat fields, drinking a cup of coffee, watching families of deer graze in the early hours of morning...then heading into town for some Mom and Pop shopping (and getting some GREAT food).

macboy · Sep 14, 2006, 04:02 PM

A little too far off but Goa is beautiful and super cheap. $500 could get you a lovely suite at sea-facing Hilton's or the exotic Taj. That price includes all the food you can eat, the massages you could get, the liquor you can drink and the traveling you can do within.. All with exceptional service!

Within the states, San Francisco could be a good option.

itai195 · Sep 14, 2006, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

At least get the hell out of your own country to see there is a world outside of wal-marts and MacDonalds.

You may escape Wal-Mart but I'm not so sure about McDonalds.

Anyway, for photography I am a big fan of the southwest. Sedona, already suggested, is beautiful.

Landos Mustache · Sep 14, 2006, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Yeah, go to Canada. That's what you mean, right ?

-t

Errr actually as you can see in the same post where I said that I mentioned Dominican Republic but I guess your geography is a bit rusty (hint, it is an island south of the US).

DigitalEl · Sep 14, 2006, 04:20 PM

A third vote here for Sedona, AZ. You can do all the outdoorsy stuff 'til your tired and dirty, then .. if it's your thing .. drive down to the Valley (Phoenix area) for city stuff. Snot, er, Scottsdale has world class resorts.

Your timeframe is a little tight though. In all reality, flying anywhere is going to be a half-day or more of headache. For a long weekend, that only leaves one day of real activity. Maybe you should stick to driving trips close to home?

Monique · Sep 14, 2006, 04:36 PM

If it is now, San Francisco with the San Jose valley and with the Napa valley.

Yosomete park, or any of the national parks.

rickey939 · Sep 14, 2006, 04:45 PM

Kansas City.

turtle777 · Sep 14, 2006, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Errr actually as you can see in the same post where I said that I mentioned Dominican Republic but I guess your geography is a bit rusty (hint, it is an island south of the US).

LOL, didn't catch the irnoy, did you ?
I was refering to your "world outside of wal-marts and MacDonalds" comment.

Ah well...

-t

USB HUB · Sep 14, 2006, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by rickey939

Kansas City.

Why Kansas City? Stockyards or Plaza?

rickey939 · Sep 14, 2006, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by USB HUB

Why Kansas City? Stockyards or Plaza?

BBQ and The Plaza. Oh, and the Royals.

USB HUB · Sep 14, 2006, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by rickey939

BBQ and The Plaza. Oh, and the Royals.

And there is an Apple store in the Plaza. The steaks are the best. And the Royals are great. And the people are the nicest people. I know quite a few people there.

rickey939 · Sep 14, 2006, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by USB HUB

And there is an Apple store in the Plaza. The steaks are the best. And the Royals are great. And the people are the nicest people. I know quite a few people there.

Exactly.

C.A.T.S. CEO · Sep 14, 2006, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by USB HUB

And there is an Apple store in the Plaza. The steaks are the best. And the Royals are great. And the people are the nicest people. I know quite a few people there.

Duh your from there.

alligator · Sep 14, 2006, 08:46 PM

My wife is thinking Vermont for the fall colors. What's good there?

We are just looking to get away - shopping is fine, walking is fine, lounging around is fine - but I'm not going mountain climbing on this trip. Just a weekend away.

We did Boston once like this and it was a lot of fun.

Lava Lamp Freak · Sep 14, 2006, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by alligator

My wife is thinking Vermont for the fall colors. What's good there?

We are just looking to get away - shopping is fine, walking is fine, lounging around is fine - but I'm not going mountain climbing on this trip. Just a weekend away.

We did Boston once like this and it was a lot of fun.

Vermont should be beautiful this time of year, with all that snow.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

goMac · Sep 14, 2006, 10:55 PM

San Jose/San Francisco.

San Francisco is pretty self explanatory. If you go to San Jose, you should stop by Santa Cruz, which is less than an hour drive away. There's also some great hiking trails in the hills around San Jose.

Kind of a large area for such a short time frame though.

KeriVit · Sep 14, 2006, 11:06 PM

White sands, NM

GFitzy · Sep 15, 2006, 04:06 PM

check it Preferred Inns and Bed and Breakfasts in Stowe, Vermont. & Fall Foliage

Atheist · Sep 15, 2006, 04:21 PM

Mackinac Island, Michigan

alligator · Sep 15, 2006, 07:48 PM

Why is San Francisco self explanatory? I've never been to the West coast. Romantic locations will score me bonus points with my wife. Things to do will make it worthwhile. With my new camera, I really want to take some cool photos of an interesting place to go.

jckalen · Sep 15, 2006, 07:55 PM

Of course I also love Jamaica. So much so that I'm getting married there!

I got married in Jamaica - Sandals Montego Bay. It was a blast but overall, the marriage was a bit of a letdown after that

imitchellg5 · Sep 15, 2006, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by macroy

Sedona, AZ.

Great for photos, hiking, and just being away from it all.

It "used" to be a place no many know of.. but its getting more and more popular. So not sure if that still meets your criteria.

And if you can make plans real soon, you can catch this: Sedona Jazz On the Rocks - Jazz For the Next Generation

Sedona is awesome! I really recommend it. It really is a unique place, plus it isn't to far from the Grand Canyon. I've been there once and can't wait to go back.

imitchellg5 · Sep 15, 2006, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

At least get the hell out of your own country to see there is a world outside of wal-marts and MacDonalds.

Dominican Republic.

No. Barrow, AK. Lived there once.

itai195 · Sep 15, 2006, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by alligator

Why is San Francisco self explanatory? I've never been to the West coast. Romantic locations will score me bonus points with my wife. Things to do will make it worthwhile. With my new camera, I really want to take some cool photos of an interesting place to go.

SF has lots of great restaurants and sites to see: golden gate bridge, fishermans wharf, alcatraz, lombard street, golden gate park, etc. Plus lots of good shopping, for the ladies

Really it's too far and too much to see in a weekend tho, IMO. I think Sedona is a good idea. Don't really need more than a weekend to enjoy it. If your wife is into the spa thing, she'll love it. And there are some beautiful red mountains to photograph. Only thing is I wouldn't say very few people know about it... It's pretty touristy.