Help me choose a destination (NWR)

Marina007

So, FI and I are going to a wedding in Minneapolis in July and are going to plan our summer vacation in the US (we live in Europe).  

What's the best place to go? We've been to NYC before (and getting married there in May), and I've been to Santa Barbara and LA back when I was a teenager. If you could go anywhere in the US, where would you choose?

annakb8

I might just go to the beach somewhere since going to the beach here is so much different than over there. If you want to do the anti-Europe go to Orlando. You can go to Disney and shop at outlets and do nothing that could ever be considered cultural (I say this as an Orlando native).

annakb8

Actually, Chrissy reminded me so I'll say it for her. I think it would be cool to go to the Pacific NW. Do a roadtrip from Seattle to San Francisco or something.

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_choose-destination-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:40116667-0de6-4fd2-90e2-c40d2a91855aPost:fcaa2d11-c9d2-4cd4-bc07-77db69cbcb95">Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR)</a>:
[QUOTE]Actually, Chrissy reminded me so I'll say it for her. I think it would be cool to go to the Pacific NW. Do a roadtrip from Seattle to San Francisco or something.
Posted by annakb8[/QUOTE]

This is the best idea ever.

I know because we did it.  And I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

aragx6

I'd suggest going to Chicago too -- Rachers is right, it is gorgeous in the summer, there's tons of festivals and cool neighborhoods and great shopping.

annakb8

J, I was thinking of you when I posted that

Did y'all rent a car? Did it cost a million dollars for a one way rental?

Avion22

I was going to recommend the Pacific NW  as well, or possibly Colorado or Utah.  ESPECIALLY if you are into outdoor stuff (even just day-hikes), there is tons to do, and LOTS AND LOTS of pretty drives.   I'm not much of a city person, so I prefer to take trips to the country.  Yellowstone would be awesome, as would Yosimite if you do CA.    So many good options!!!!!

annakb8

Man, now I really want to go to the NW. H and I were even talking recently about how we should spend sometime travelling domestically instead of internationally. I don't know if he'd go for this though, he isn't really into the outdoors. Or hippies.

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_choose-destination-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:40116667-0de6-4fd2-90e2-c40d2a91855aPost:72c59294-8852-4bb3-b75f-5c2ba6395e2f">Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR)</a>:
[QUOTE]J, I was thinking of you when I posted that :) Did y'all rent a car? Did it cost a million dollars for a one way rental?
Posted by annakb8[/QUOTE]

We did rent a car.  It was about $150 more for a one way rental.  The car rental was actually the single most expensive expense (wow, that's awkwardly worded) because we had it for 10 days and dropped it off in a different state than we picked it up.  We also rented a big SUV so we could have saved quite a bit with a smaller vehicle, but we wanted the extra room.

Chicago is so gross in July.  Seriously.  So humid and gross. 

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_choose-destination-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:40116667-0de6-4fd2-90e2-c40d2a91855aPost:1c9b0fc0-ad2f-423a-a247-07b5c1c3ec5f">Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR)</a>:
[QUOTE]Man, now I really want to go to the NW. H and I were even talking recently about how we should spend sometime travelling domestically instead of internationally. I don't know if he'd go for this though, he isn't really into the outdoors. <strong>Or hippies.</strong>
Posted by annakb8[/QUOTE]

Stay out of Eugene then.  Ha!  (Just kidding, sort of...it was super progressive and crunchy there for us sheltered red neck midwesterners.)

tidetravel

It really depends on what you would like to do.  DC is a great option.  Aside from everything to do within DC (monuments, Smithsonian, etc.), there's tons to do within a few hours' drive.  Drive a couple hours out west and there's the Shenandoah mountains - Luray caverns and Skyline Drive; a couple hours to the north is Gettysburg, PA.  A few hours to the east is Ocean City and Assateague/Chincoteage Islands, and a few hours south is Williamsburg, VA (Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg.)

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_choose-destination-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:40116667-0de6-4fd2-90e2-c40d2a91855aPost:cffddfe5-fb8d-4af2-86d8-4a89bab3455a">Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR) : It's pretty crunchy.
Posted by crfb87[/QUOTE]

We didn't know if we'd be able to find somewhere to get pizza after the first place we checked out had no meat, and toppings like squash, sweet potatoes, figs, and other scary things that don't belong on pizza.

But we found an awesome place, and I'd go back just for that damn pizza again. And the cafe we had breakfast at.

ricksang

I would suggest New Orleans  or Panama City Beach, Fl. if you can deal with the heat.

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_choose-destination-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:40116667-0de6-4fd2-90e2-c40d2a91855aPost:f98758d1-21b4-430e-bd12-3f4f0e6ac6c9">Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR) : When my mom and I make pizza at home it is sauce, zucchini, broccoli, onion, mushroom, no cheese.     
Posted by crfb87[/QUOTE]

Note to self: never eat pizza with Chrissy.

We're big on protein on our pizza.  So it didn't work for us.  But it sounds like you'd love the first place we found!

thevegetariana

If you are going to do a Pacific NW road trip, definitely go down the Pacific Coast Highway. It is beautiful! (See siggy pic)

If you are into hiking, I second the Utah suggestion as well.

J&K10910

Nice!  Do you live in Eugene?  Wait, you don't have to answer that, unless it's already internet public knowledge.

J&K10910

The roads in Eugene are confusing.  But the food is delicious.  And the people are super friendly.  I made friends (unwillingly) with a crazy older lady and some dude's daughter at the laundromat. 

StephBeanWed61502

We got engaged in Sedona over the summer, and the southwest is stunningly gorgeous.  I'd vote for a Sedona/Grand Canyon/Las Vegas adventure.

ETA:  And we were in Sedona in mid-August.  Yes, it was hot, but no hotter than anywhere else I've ever been in August.  We even spent half a day hiking, and we were fine (with lots of water and appropriately light clothes, of course).

sparent2010

Hey everyone can come over to Seattle... I wouldn't mind :P 

I do love my state. I ignore the hippies. There is a lot to do here. 

But I would also visit Vegas. 

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_choose-destination-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:40116667-0de6-4fd2-90e2-c40d2a91855aPost:c6ddbdbb-ffcb-4e86-a54e-5eee03e51ee3">Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR)</a>:
[QUOTE]Oooh, if anyone does the CA, OR, WA roadtrip, you'd have to see Crater Lake.  I love that place.  Beautiful in winter, beautiful in summer.
Posted by crfb87[/QUOTE]

I'm STILL PISSED all the roads were closed and we could only look when we were there.  I will ALWAYS be pissed.  ALWAYS.  At least until we make it back out there.

LP11509

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_choose-destination-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:40116667-0de6-4fd2-90e2-c40d2a91855aPost:a4d6ba1c-be8b-4a5a-a6cf-9b7b348267c3">Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Help me choose a destination (NWR) : Stay out of Eugene then.  Ha!  (Just kidding, sort of...it was super progressive and crunchy there for us sheltered red neck midwesterners.)
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

<div>Have you (or anyone else, really) seen the TV show Portlandia? My brother lives in Portland and was just here visiting.  He showed it to us on Netflix and OMG.  So funny.  And he said that some of it is actually pretty representative of some of Portland.</div><div>
</div><div>On topic...I ditto the recommendations for Chicago and DC.  I may be biased since I've lived in both cities before, but they are awesome.  I like Chicago a little better in the summer, though.  It's just amazing with all of the festivals, etc.  I especially love it on the 4th of July for the fireworks, but it's CROWDED of course. </div><div>
</div><div>Edit: I realize that Eugene is not Portland, but Portland has a pretty crunchy reputation too. </div>

jsleik

I love the Carolinas!! if you have a lot of time, the Outer Banks are awesome and CHarleston is sooo great!  But I love the suggestions for DC, Boston and SF/Wine Country!