# Help me plan a 3 day getaway with the wife! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471 "2006-11-07T21:05:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/1 "2006-11-07T21:05:18Z")
Between my wife’s full-time job, full-time school, and full-time job with the children, and my 80 hour a week job and full-time job being useless in everything else, we need a quick vacation. In our four years together, we have hit the whole Carribean and some of South America, along with Chicago, Disney, and Mexico, so they are all out. I am open to ideas of all sorts. Money is not the BIGGEST concern, but we are not rich (despite a previous threads definition of rich), so I want to keep the total budget under 5k. It can be romantic, semi-adventurous (no three days of white water rafting or mountain climbing), exciting, fun, or a combination of everything. We would have three days, perhaps leaving on Thursday and returning on Sunday or Monday. To help in basic planning, we live near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Oh, and it would have to be between January 2nd and January 8th. Help me! ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/2 "2006-11-07T21:24:51Z")
I’ll suggest a couple nights at La Fonda on the plaza in Santa Fe. Lots of great dining within stumbling distance and room service breakfast that’s second to none. Good museums, skiing, Taos is up the road, the high desert & mountains are all around, it’s just a nice change of scenery. Beginning of January, though - it’ll be cold so maybe not if you’re allergic to winter. ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/3 "2006-11-07T21:28:07Z")
[QUOTE=mack] I’ll suggest a couple nights at La Fonda on the plaza in Santa Fe. Lots of great dining within stumbling distance and room service breakfast that’s second to none. Good museums, skiing, Taos is up the road, the high desert & mountains are all around, it’s just a nice change of scenery. Beginning of January, though - it’ll be cold so maybe not if you’re allergic to winter. [/QUOTE] I am looking at it now. Corrected link though: [La Fonda Sante Fe](http://www.lafondasantafe.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Penchan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Penchan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penchan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/4 "2006-11-07T21:28:26Z")
How do you both feel about flying? If you don’t mind flying, then a trip to San Francisco might be pretty nice. There are lots of things to see such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf (with the BEST clam chowder), Ghirardelli square, Chinatown, etc. If you prefer a more active trip, there are also nice dance and music clubs around the area. There’s also some pretty good shopping around there if you’re into that. It all really depends on what type of vacation you and your wife would enjoy, so good luck with the planning! ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/5 "2006-11-07T21:32:01Z")
[QUOTE=Penchan] How do you both feel about flying? If you don’t mind flying, then a trip to San Francisco might be pretty nice. There are lots of things to see such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf (with the BEST clam chowder), Ghirardelli square, Chinatown, etc. If you prefer a more active trip, there are also nice dance and music clubs around the area. There’s also some pretty good shopping around there if you’re into that. It all really depends on what type of vacation you and your wife would enjoy, so good luck with the planning! [/QUOTE] Don’t mind flying at all. It actually might add some excitement to the trip. San Francisco would be nice, and there is a lot to do there. Another good idea. Side note to everyone assisting me. This will be a total surprise for the wife. I will be cancelling her work for a few days, pack the luggage, have someone take care of the kids, everything. I will just throw her in the car and go. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/6 "2006-11-07T21:37:20Z")
[QUOTE=FormerMarineGuy] I am looking at it now. Corrected link though: [La Fonda Sante Fe](http://www.lafondasantafe.com/) [/QUOTE] Yes, thank you. There’s Las Vegas, but I haven’t been there since they spruced it up so I wouldn’t know where to go. ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/7 "2006-11-07T21:41:09Z")
[QUOTE=mack] There’s Las Vegas, but I haven’t been there since they spruced it up so I wouldn’t know where to go. [/QUOTE] Way too dangerous for me, my big head, and blackjack. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/8 "2006-11-07T21:45:57Z")
Palm Springs! I went last year and had a blast, even in the 125 degree off season. I can even recommend an excellent Italian restaurant there (Al Dente, family owned and operated, pasta made on site, simple but absolutely delicious). You can go hiking or take the [tram](http://www.pstramway.com/) up Mt. Jacinto, or do like I did and sit by the pool for three days with a cigar and a bottle of scotch. ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/9 "2006-11-07T21:49:59Z")
[QUOTE=The Sausage Creature] Palm Springs! I went last year and had a blast, even in the 125 degree off season. I can even recommend an excellent Italian restaurant there (Al Dente, family owned and operated, pasta made on site, simple but absolutely delicious). You can go hiking or take the [tram](http://www.pstramway.com/) up Mt. Jacinto, or do like I did and sit by the pool for three days with a cigar and a bottle of scotch. [/QUOTE] Very nice place, very beautiful, and I appreciate the suggestion. BUT I was stationed in 29 Palms before. Too close for comfort. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/10 "2006-11-07T21:56:18Z")
[QUOTE=FormerMarineGuy] Way too dangerous for me, my big head, and blackjack. [/QUOTE] So that probably rules out Lake Tahoe as well, huh? Great skiing, snowy peaks, and beautiful scenery, but there’s no shortage of blackjack tables on the Nevada side of the lake. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/11 "2006-11-09T16:54:09Z")
New York? Lots of things to do there on a 3 day weekend - shows, restaurants, shopping. 5K should be more than enough for a splurge-y weekend in Manhattan even with Manhattan hotel rates. Plus, there should be a fair number of flights into the NYC-area airports, so you should be able to get decent airfares. ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/12 "2006-11-09T16:55:58Z")
[QUOTE=Mama Zappa] New York? Lots of things to do there on a 3 day weekend - shows, restaurants, shopping. 5K should be more than enough for a splurge-y weekend in Manhattan even with Manhattan hotel rates. Plus, there should be a fair number of flights into the NYC-area airports, so you should be able to get decent airfares. [/QUOTE] A great idea that I have been wanting to do for sometime. The weather would be great (cold winter over the muggy summer) and there is a lot to do! But still open to other ideas… ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/13 "2006-11-09T17:17:45Z")
Since this seems like a surprise gift to her, go whole hog and “theme” your vacation to something your wife is interested in. For example, one vacation my wife and I went on a driving tour of Revolutionary War battlefields. On another, we went on a tour of Ivy League schools, on a third, the agenda of the trip was to meet people we met over the Internet. (That one took us from Knoxville, to Nashville, up to Clarksville and Louisville, over to Cincy, and back down to K’ville). If y’all like to dine, perhaps an eating tour of NYC… you have time to plan out your meals, obviously, and, of course, there’s plenty to do in NYC other than eat. ---
**Author:** ![Canadiangirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Canadiangirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadiangirl)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/14 "2006-11-09T18:07:49Z")
Come to Canada, lots to see including snow…Toronto has lots to do for three days…try the Royal York downtown…beautiful, old hotel, right in the middle of everything! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/15 "2006-11-09T18:22:38Z")
What about Bermuda? I’ve never been there but, obviously, it is quite popular and it’s not all that far. (Yes, I saw Carribean but am assuming it doesn’t qualify). Another Sante Fe rec would be [Hotel Sante Fe](http://www.hotelsantafe.com/). Ain’t nuthin’ better than a weekend on the hillside in supurb galleries and restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/16 "2006-11-09T20:33:38Z")
I drove through [Estes Park](http://www.estesparkcvb.com/?gclid=CJykgq_kuogCFUosOAod1HW61w) when visiting the parents in Colorado and thought that would be nice for a long weekend. You could fly to Denver and drive up. [winter](http://www.estes-park.com/go/winter.html) There is a touristy town with lodges and plenty of restaurants and shops. And you are close to the Rocky Mountains. You can download a visitor’s guide [here](http://estesparkcvb.com/request_information.cfm). ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/17 "2006-11-09T21:08:22Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] I drove through [Estes Park](http://www.estesparkcvb.com/?gclid=CJykgq_kuogCFUosOAod1HW61w) when visiting the parents in Colorado and thought that would be nice for a long weekend. You could fly to Denver and drive up. [winter](http://www.estes-park.com/go/winter.html) [/QUOTE] Absolutely beautiful. I just submitted my information to be contacted by them. ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/18 "2006-11-09T21:09:44Z")
[QUOTE=FormerMarineGuy] Absolutely beautiful. I just submitted my information to be contacted by them. [/QUOTE] Never mind, the information came back. Said unknown address. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/19 "2006-11-09T21:21:51Z")
[QUOTE=FormerMarineGuy] Never mind, the information came back. Said unknown address. [/QUOTE] Hmm. I just submitted my info at [here](http://estesparkcvb.com/request_information.cfm) and it said thanks, it was received. The PDF visitor’s guide is there too. [Here’s](http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k140/gigisdmb/?action=view¤t=of50590442.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1) a picture I took from the car on the way through in October. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471/20 "2006-11-09T21:30:36Z")
[QUOTE=FormerMarineGuy] Absolutely beautiful. I just submitted my information to be contacted by them. [/QUOTE] And when you drive up through Boulder you can take me to dinner. I’ll regale you and your wife with stories of biochemistry and being responsible for freshmen. On the way back you can beat up on some hippies. The Front Range has something for everyone! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-3-day-getaway-with-the-wife/379471.md?page=2)