It’s already hovering around 100 in DFW and it’s not going to be any nicer over the July 4th weekend. I want to get out of town, but I’ve only got the four days to work with. Driving is out, I think, since there’s not enough time to get to anywhere appreciably cooler.
New Mexico is too hot, the PNW is too far. Colorado maybe? It’s a short (presumably cheap) flight and has altitude to keep the heat manageable.
Where’s a good (not hot) place to goof off in the mountains for a few days? We like to wander around outside, but there’s a one-year old to consider, so no camping or all day death marches.
Anywhere besides Colorado? Did I mention we want mild temperatures? Thanks all.
My aunt and uncle used to live in Show Low, AZ, and although I never got around to visiting them, they said it was beautiful up there. The problem with all the southwest mountains is that they tend to be as hot or hotter in the summer than the flats. Maybe not 100, but easily 85 - 90. Julian is the nearest “mountain town” to me, and it’s stifling in the summer. So is Idyllwild.
This is classic SDMB vacation advice. It happens every time.
OP: “We want to go to the mountains. Any advice?”
Response #1: “How about going to the beach?”
A couple of things for the OP. First, travelling over July 4th isn’t going to be cheap no matter where you go. Second, the common destinations (Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Jackson Hole) are packed during that time. Not really relaxing, although cool.
You might want to consider a place like Durango, CO. You can connect through Denver or Phoenix. It will be much less crowded and there is plenty to do. You can go rafting or hiking or just hang around town. Mesa Verde is less than an hour away, and there is a steam train from Durango to Silverton at 9,000 ft, although that is a full day round trip, maybe too much for a one year old.
It’s all good. Outside the box thinking is one of the most endearing things about SDMB. If we were closer, the Atlantic or Pacific coasts would be no-brainers, but the only beaches within a reasonable drive or flight are on the Gulf, and while Galveston is cooler than Houston, that’s not saying much.
Durango was nice the 18 hours I spent there a couple years ago, it’s probably worth looking into. I hadn’t considered the holiday crowding around RMNP, et al, what about all those enticingly-named ski towns, are they also swamped this time of year?
Ski resorts have a lot of hotel rooms they’d like to fill in the summer so they do offer some nice deals. The problem is that other than shopping there isn’t a whole lot to do as a family there. There’s golf, and you could rent bikes, although coming from sea level to 9,000’ and getting on a bike can be a bit taxing.
The average high-low temps in Durango for July 4-5-6 are 86 and 49, so that isn’t too bad - cooler than Houston, I’m sure.
It can get hot (record highs for all 3 days are just over 100), so you never know, but at least if it does, it’s a dry heat. If you go there, obviously pack a sweater or light jacket for evenings and early mornings.
Glenwood Springs has the springs, a pretty neat cave tour, a nice downtown restaurant area, and (generally) good summer weather. It’s also close to Aspen (if you’d like to wander over and view where the rich and famous hang out), and Hanging Lake just east, which is a steep but short trail that should be a doable hike with a one-year-old on your back. Oh, and Doc Holliday’s grave.
It’s 150 miles west of Denver, and you could take the train if you like. Renting a car would let you day trip in the mountains, though. When I was in Denver, it was one of my favorite weekend places.
If you go there, obviously pack a sweater or light jacket for evenings and early mornings.