Inexpensive US honeymoon ideas?

nmauser82

Ok, So we never got around to getting our passports. We are about 2 and a half months away and just don't have the extra funds right now for it. We will be stretching it for a honeymoon as it is. Which sucks because we had found a great 4 day cruise to Mexico that leaves the day after our wedding. It was perfect.

SO, now I'm looking for a sweet romantic getaway. We like mountains and nature views. Our dream trip would be an Alaskan cruise but they don't sail until May and our wedding is in April, bummer.

Does anyone have any ideas? I know that this country has some breathtaking locations. I'm sure you ladies have been on some great vacations and honeymoons. Where was your favorite place?

We are located on the west coast by the way in case that helps. I'm going to cross post to my local board and the honeymoon boards as well. Thanks!

MikesAngie

The west coast has a lot of great areas to visit.  Of course the further south you go the warmer it will be in April.  Oregon and Washington coasts are lovely but will require jackets and sweaters. And the coastal drive is great - there are also train vacation/honeymoons that I have heard are great.


HTH

right1thistime

You may need a passport for an Alaskan Cruise also.  I would love to visit wine country, Northern CA is lovely.  Other than that, I want to see everything on the west coast- and have never been (other than Sacramento), so I am no help. ~Donna

Sue-n-Kevin

"sweet romantic getaway. We like mountains and nature views"

We were originally planning a HM to Europe, but decided we didn't want to go that far while we have kids under 21 at home. I know, silly, but with a lot of unrest on the other continents, we are staying in the US

I'm planning a great trip to CA right now. We are flying into San Fran, renting a convertible (cuz we are wild and crazy middle-aged kids), going to Napa, then back to San Fran, down the Pacific Coast Hwy all the way to San Diego and Coronado Bay. Since you live there, this is probably not something you'd enjoy, LOL. But if you consider it, there are great B&B's in Napa.

If you want to visit somewhere farther away, we were just in Charleston SC and it's a fabulously romantic town with great restaurants and a lot of history. No mountains, but on the ocean. PM me if you want more info.

If you've never been to Washington DC, that is also a great place to visit. We've been there 3 times and always find something to see that we have not seen yet.

If you want a road trip, I'd recommend the Grand Canyon if you haven't been there. I haven't either, and would love to go.

I'd also recommend subscribing to www.travelzoo.com. They send emails once a week with last minute deals, some of which you won't need a passport for. Here are their current "last minute deals" (which is really a misnomer because many of them have to be booked quickly, but are good into the future 3-4 months)
http://www.travelzoo.com/last-minute/

Also, go to www.budgettravel.com. They have road trips, all sorts of things you can review as well. Also, check Fodor's website.

If you still don't get any highly recommended places, I'd say go to a book store and visit their travel section. You might be surprised to find a place you've never thought of before.

handfast4me

Since you're in San Diego (at least according to your bio--and why does your profile say central Florida, btw?) but I digress.  A few hours east and you can visit Tucson, AZ.  Love it there.  More of a "living" place than vacation, however, IMO.  But there is great scenery on the drive, April is usually the time when all the desert flowers are out, and there's a great wildlife place, called the desert museum in Tucson, as well as the Observatory.  If you go to the desert museum be sure to visit just before sunset (they close shortly after) because all the animals will be up and moving around at that time.

There are also a lot of missions to visit--can't remember which one, but they had a scavenger hunt for visitors. I did it with my then 15 year old daughter and thought it was a blast.  At the time I thought "wow, this would make a great romantic afternoon!"  There are plenty of places to stay that would be inexpensive, and you can hear the coyote off in the distance and view the mountains, and the incredible sunsets if you stay in a place just outside (south) of Tucson. 

Lisa50

First of all, I highly recommend you apply for your passports and the passport cards.  The sooner, the better -- even if you don't foresee an immediate need.

Second, a lot of good places have been recommended.  I'll list the places I've lived (some already suggested):

Washington, DC - my hometown, great hotels, lots of sightseeing, free museums, great culture, international night life and in the 'burbs, the best Korean food in the US!  Top "must sees" are the Lincoln Memorial at night; the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception; and the National Cathedral.

New York, NY - great theater, museums, etc., excellent restaurants and shopping galore if that floats your boat.  Top "must see" is the view of Manhattan from the Empire State Building.

Boston, MA- perfect place for a spring vacation! great history, very walkable.  Top "must sees" are the Old North Church and the MIT campus (my grad school alma mater).

New Orleans, LA- best music ever, amazing food, beautiful architecture.  Top "must sees" are the French Quarter; The Historic New Orleans Collection (museum); and Tulane University campus (my undergrad alma mater).

When you decide where to go, if you choose any of the above, please let me know and I'll be happy to make more detailed recommendations.  Good luck!

thealphabride

I'm planning a great trip to CA right now. We are flying into San Fran, renting a convertible (cuz we are wild and crazy middle-aged kids), going to Napa, then back to San Fran, down the Pacific Coast Hwy all the way to San Diego and Coronado Bay. Since you live there, this is probably not something you'd enjoy, LOL. But if you consider it, there are great B&B's in Napa.

SUE: You are taking my dream honeymoon!!!! I wanted to do exactly what you are doing but we decided on Hilton Head because the CA trip was just a bit too pricey right after the wedding. I hope to do that trip sometime in the next few years.

Lisa50

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_second-weddings_inexpensive-honeymoon-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:35Discussion:5615b975-0b61-4b8a-b0fb-8a12d8fe1cfcPost:6cc8f3f8-fc58-40be-8db0-f4431dad8244">Re: Inexpensive US honeymoon ideas?</a>:
[QUOTE]"sweet romantic getaway. We like mountains and nature views" We were originally planning a HM to Europe, but decided we didn't want to go that far while we have kids under 21 at home. I know, silly, but with a lot of unrest on the other continents, we are staying in the US I'm planning a great trip to CA right now. <strong><font color="#0000ff">We are flying into San Fran, renting a convertible (cuz we are wild and crazy middle-aged kids), going to Napa, then back to San Fran, down the Pacific Coast Hwy all the way to San Diego and Coronado Bay. Since you live there, this is probably not something you'd enjoy, LOL. But if you consider it, there are great B&B's in Napa.</font></strong>Posted by Sue-n-Kevin[/QUOTE]

Believe it or not, my FI has never been to California.  <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-surprised.gif" border="0" alt="Surprised" title="Surprised" />

I have vowed to take him there someday.  I did a trip similar to the one you've described, Sue. Mine began in San Diego, to visit a friend who moved there for a job (we'd just graduated from college).  I hung out there for a few days then went up to LA to visit a cousin for an additional day or two.  From there, I rented a convertible and took 2 1/2 days to drive up to San Francisco on the PCH, stopping at several "must sees" of the day ... some of which are no longer around, ha!  I'm a big museum fan, so I had a ball!  Wine Country (vineyard tours). Big Sur (beautiful lunch overlooking the vista).  I ended up in SF in time for Halloween.  I had a great time and cannot wait to recreate parts of that adventure for FI (H!) once we're settled into married life!

Have a ball, Sue!  It is the trip of a lifetime ... enjoy!

Sue-n-Kevin

Alphabride: Come ON, you can afford it! We don't have the money right now, but because we anticipate (I know, sounds terribly immature and materialistic) getting money for our wedding gifts, we'll pay off the credit card after the wedding.

Lisa: My fiance has never been to CA either! Because I have cousins and an aunt in the Orange County area, I've been there 3 times with my kids. I took the road trip in a convertible with my son when he was about 4 yrs old (almost 20 years ago), from Orange County to San Diego. But with a youngster it was more about getting there fast than enjoying the ride. I love researching and planning trips, so I've already looked into places to stay. We are delaying the trip a couple of weeks after our wedding because our beloved Detroit Tigers are playing the Oakland A's the weekend of Sept 17-18 and we want to include plans to see them on the road, something we've never done.

thealphabride

Sue!!!

I am going to do that CA trip, it has been a dream of mine to drive down the CA coast most of my adult life. I have been to San Francisco, (about 4 times)  Santa Barbara, and LA. but never to San Diego. I think it will take a few years of planning and SAVING. I suppose if I plan well, it could be affordable. The flights from the midwest to San Francisco are costly and we hate to fly. I would love to take my husband to NAPA, it is so gorgeous. San Francisco is one of my all time favorite cities and we considered going just there for the HM, but the beach won out!!! I'm so glad we did the beach vacation we just loved Hilton Head Island.... and we drove there, which we loved too.

I can't wait to hear the details of your trip, and your wedding of course!!! 

southofnormal

Northern Michigan! It's beautiful up there!