Dearest fellow travelers, I need your advice. Yes, instead of me imparting pearls of wisdom to you, this time I’d like some insight from your fine selves. This fall, my sisters and I are going on a weeklong trip, but we have no idea where to go.
We were meant to meet up in Portland for an event and travel around for a bit, but the event got canceled, so now we’re not tied to any specific location and we’re thinking of going somewhere less expensive to get to. When we realized we had the whole US of A to choose from, we got a little overwhelmed. I’ve traveled to at least two places outside of my state every year since college, but on each of those occasions, I was visiting someone for at least part of the time. The last time I traveled anywhere just because it looked like fun, and not because I knew someone who lived there, was in 2002, when my boyfriend and I drove to New Orleans for spring break our freshman year of college. (Side note: we were so naive and law-abiding that we didn’t even try to buy alcohol, although clearly we could have walked down the street with a giant margarita in each hand and no one would have blinked.)
If you could go anywhere in the US east of the Mississippi for a vacation with beloved family members, where would it be and why? If you’ve already been to great places and have tips on why we should go there, share that too! Drop hints, links, places NOT to go, etc. in the comments below.
Here are the requirements:
- Must not be more than $300 round-trip from Chicago, Michigan, or New York in late September.
- Must be gay-friendly.
- Must be east of the Mississippi River.
- Must have a balance of city/country life within a couple of hours’ driving distance (we’re going to rent a car). We’ll need to be able to go to a sports bar, take a hike in some mountains or stroll around a big park, visit a museum or cultural attraction, and relax in a cheap but tasty restaurant. (We have many interests.)
And… GO! Thanks in advance for your help!
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Thanks for the tip! I checked out your blog and no wonder you’re a photographer; you clearly have a gift. I might stop by for some questions as I get closer to my world trip and need camera advice.
Linds and I took a road trip to Kentucky a few years ago. It was awesome. We stayed at a B&B in Louisville, which is relatively hip. We enjoyed its coffee shops and restaurants, though didn’t check out the museum or other cultural scenes. Then we wen to Bardstown which is bourbon central and toured the Maker’s Mark Distillery. There’re tons of whikey distiller tours and tastings. That’s super. We finished at Cumberland Gap Park before we came back. It’s very pretty. If not loudly gay-friendly, Louisville was at least chill, but everywhere else is… not so much.
Cool! We were thinking maybe Nashville, which I realize is not the same but is maybe similar. Thanks for the tip, Rachel!
Of course, I’ve been watching “Justified” so now when I think of Kentucky, I just think of violent wackos and attractive federal marshals in cowboy hats… hmm.
P.S. I love following your blog and it was great to meet Lindsey a few weeks ago.
My best friend and I went to Washington DC for about a week this past March. It was AMAZING and I would recommend it to anyone. They’ve got good public transit for when you don’t want to drive, a lot of rural attractions for when you do, and…
-Excellent theater (check out the Woolly Mammoth and their Stampede Tickets for great deals on some of the best theater in the country)
– Fascinating nightlife (have you been to a speakeasy bar yet? Because OMG The Gibson.)
– Some of the best museums around (we loved the National Museum of the American Indian– it’s co-curated by Smithsonian staff AND representatives from the Native American Nations represented in the collection which makes for a fascinating experience)
– Their own sports teams for the sports fans (replete with sports bars and everything else)
– According to my friends who live out there, a pretty vibrant and gay-friendly scene (just google “Gay Washington DC” for a huge number of hits)
– The Folger Shakespeare Library (“The world’s largest and finest collection of Shakespeare materials” including original copies of the First Folio)
Washington DC has a pretty stodgy and staid reputation as, to quote my friend, “that place with all the monuments to dead white guys” but the city has so much more to offer and it’s a blast discovering it. You could spend a full week there doing everything but the typical tourist stuff.
Most excellent, Cat. Thanks for all the advice, especially all the details. Clearly, “original copies of the First Folio” is making my heart go pitter-pat. I have been to the National Archives, and it’s a good thing all the documents are under glass, because I drooled on just about everything there.
I’ve been to DC exactly twice: the first time, I was 16 and my mom and I did touristy things in ungodly heat for a couple days in-between her educators’ conference, and the second time, I froze on the Mall during an anti-war rally and was there for all of 16 hours. So it is time for a proper look. Added to the list!
I really wanted to cast my vote for Key West but DC makes so much more sense. It’s the optimal mix of city and country side activities (lots of good trails run out from the city and you can also make the drive to Monticello for a day trip in beautiful Virginia); very gay friendly [insert congressman joke here]; more museums than you can see in a week; is probably the cheapest to get to for all of you (you can also fly into Baltimore and take the train in, that’s what I did last summer, NYC sis can hop on the SARS bus for $25); and if you’re going in September, the humidity of August will have dried up.
That said, still check out Key West! Hemingway’s house! Other Keys for nature walks! Island life! Palm Trees! Practically *invented* gay-friendly! Maybe there will be a groupon deal to Miami…
Congressman joke haha.
Island life, though! Keep an eye out for those Groupon deals.
Ogunquit, Maine might be a little far from New York City, but way cool.
Closer, and wonderful cities in their own right: Providence, RI and Baltimore, MD. Both have great vibes, great restaurants, cool downtowns, and general quirkiness. What more could you ask for?
Emily mentioned Providence too! I just heard “Rhode Island” and thought “why?” but maybe I’ll have to reconsider. Thanks, Rob!
Asheville, NC!! One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, plus it has a funky, adorable downtown AND is basically in the middle of the Blue Mountains. OR Savannah, GA. SUCH a cool place. I want to go back!
Megan, that’s so funny, because my coworker suggested those exact places too. She said they’re just gorgeous. Thanks for the tip! See you TOMORROW.
Thank you, RK! Yes, Providence! I’ve never been and EVERYONE (read: Kate Clinton) goes there! And Baltimore! I have a friend who lives there! We could go there and shoot for that Ace of Bakes show place via New Jersey and go to that cake shop that is on that TLC show. Ok vagueness is not helpful here!
These are the best comments ever! Keep ’em coming, everyone!
PROVIDENCE IS THE BEST YALL. Seriously, I LOVE this city. Can I tell you a few highlights that I think you would enjoy?
Lots of beautiful beaches
Lots of hiking and apple-picking
Lots of queer bars, including queer salsa night!
Apsara, my favorite southeast Asian restaurant EVER. Plus lots of other amazing restaurants (Seven Stars bakery, Nick’s for brunch) and quirky bars that I can’t remember the name of right now
TONS of visual art all around. And theater! Check out the Black Rep and Trinity Rep.
Lisa, am I going to see you tonight at Josh’s show? Can we talk more about Providence, the Renaissance city?
Emma, you will see me there and you may attempt to convince me further of the charms of Providence. This list is a good start.