Though I can’t offer any specific recommendations, my friend who is a resident of the area constantly plugs the mountain resorts 45 minutes north of Salt Lake; great powder and breathtaking scenery.
Forget about driving - Based on current airline rates you can get a round trip ticket to anywhere in the US for around $200 - 300 + taxes and fees (approx another 60). Use Priceline and you can get a double occ room in a 3-4 star hotel room in many major cities for around $50-$100 a night. You don’t really have enough cash @ $1500 to take 2 weeks unless someone will put you up. You might want to think about taking 7 days and just hanging out at home for the rest of the time. If you can get a buddy to split the cost of the hotel room you can possibly extend your stay.
Somewhere warm. Not sure exactly where you live, but if it’s somewhere with a real winter (which it sounds like), nothing is more awesome than escaping cold winter weather for tropical climates. If you can afford a cruise in the Caribbean or similar, go for it. (Don’t forget your food is included but drinks even soda are not!). I went on a cruise in the winter one year and it was so nice to drag the bathing suit and shorts back out and be in nice warm weather. Or even if a cruise is too expensive hit up somewhere pretty in Mexico or similar and get in some beach time. Makes the winter not seem so horrible if you are not a cold weather fan. Southern California or Florida is also a good idea. Still warm but in the continental US.
Yet another vote for Washington, D.C., if you like history and politics, with which its cup runneth over. But it can be cold that time of year.
I still have fond memories of a winter trip to the Bahamas many years ago. Sandy beaches, brilliant blue waters, bright sun, cool nights, etc.
Okay, a plan is forming in my brain. Washington seems the most efficient choice for a guy who has suddenly found himself with a lot of time off. The last time I was there was twenty years ago and I wasn’t really able to appreciate it so it seems like a good place to start. Still keep any suggestions coming, they’re all appreciated.
Washington is a good choice, because of the large amount of free stuff to do. A conference I go to used to be there, and I always delayed returning for one day to run through a bunch of museums. The Bureau of Engraving is pretty cool also. My daughter goes to U. Maryland, and one time when I had work there I went with her to the zoo - but in the winter, most of the animals were gone and the panda house was closed, so check on the hours. I’ve seen them before, and it is pretty nice (and free) but nothing like San Diego or even San Francisco.
Yosemite is stunning in the winter.
Another vote for DC. I was there for a month when I was a kid, and I think my mom took my brothers and I to a different museum or monument every day. There are all the popular ones you hear about, but then there are also some other not-so-ordinary ones like the marble museum and the postal service museum that are fun too.
How do you feel about activities? I have heard from my BIL that around Hot Springs, Arkansas there is a lot of diamond and gemstone mining. If you did some sort of road trip this could easily burn a day or two.
I’ve been there and it is something cool to do. I may add that to my list of “local” things to do on the remaining days.
A co-worker found an over one carat diamond there six months ago with terrific color and just a touch of cloudiness so I know for a fact that people do find things there occasionally.
I went to Colombia for a week in February of this year. Everything, including airfare, couldn’t have cost more than $750. It was warm (HOT on the Caribbean coast), not a lot of annoying tourists, beautiful, and very interesting. My friends and I had a lot of fun. I highly recommend it.