I will be the US for all of August and September. But it is at half-pay so I will have to watch my spending a bit. Still, I want to get out of Frederick, Maryland and “Do something.”
The obvious options are New York City (in order to do what exactly?) or perhaps Orlando (again, with what goal?)
What are your thoughts?
Do you really want to consider Orlando in August? Do you think you’ll miss the heat of Qatar or something?
If you do come down to Florida at that time, maybe just find a place on the water for a month or a few weeks. At least you get a breeze there.
If you like camping and a variety of non-commercial acoustic music, try the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. Go for the full ten days starting when the campground opens for the maximum experience. Google on “Winfield” (nobody calls it by its full name) for more info. Or ask me.
Harper’s Ferry is close to Frederick. It’s a historic site but I remember it mostly for its natural beauty.
New York City is justly famous but New York State is surprisingly beautiful. (Here in Texas, everything is flat.) Boston is another fascinating city. I’ll keep checking for any specific recommendations from Yankees. August is a good time to get out of Texas.
However, August/September is a good time to check out Florida or Texas–if you’d like to experience a hurricane!
Whatever you do, just be grateful that you’re not in the GCC for the whole of Ramadan!
Go somewhere cool and green — the mountains. The Adirondacks, or perhaps North Carolina?
Yeah, I’d suggest getting more into middle America, too. In Qatar you have desert, ocean, city and heat. Come out this way where we have trees, greenery and humidity!
Well I do want to do something. Other than that i have not firmed up a plan yet.
Dopefest!
Isn’t Gettysdope in that time frame also?
I’m a big museum fan. For the cost of a commute there are one or two museums in DC that you might not have seen yet, or seen in a while. And other museums that are private - i.e. not free 
, but are worthwhile. The National Geographic building had some nice exhibits when I was last there (too many years ago). Not to mention the Zoo, historical sites, battlefields, national parks, memorials/monuments, etc.
Similar advice applies to NYC, Philly, Baltimore, and any other city within a day’s drive of Frederick. Google maps can help with this.
If gas a cheap enough there are some pretty drives in that area. I’m afraid the current trends at the pumps are not good for this.
I also like Hershey Park as an amusement park - don’t forget Chocolate World! Mmmm - Choc-lit world. 
Take in a minor league ball game - there’s a team in Hagerstown, isn’t there?
That’s all I can think of for now.
We have the minor-league Keys in Frederick. I always try to take in a game. I did Hersey Park last year, and so that is not on the list. The Gettysdope is a must-go-to event.
Maybe I ought to hit the DC sights I have missed heretofore.
Fly to the west coast. It is nothing like the east.
Orlando in mid-to-late September might not be bad, depending on Paul’s dates. We went there in October (many years ago) and it was glorious, the Disney parks weren’t crowded, the hotels were cheaper than any other time of the year…
Dunno about Gettysdope - doesn’t seem like anyone has taken any steps toward arranging such a thing this year
Come up north where it’s cooler!
You know, all in all, I suspect I will stay in Maryland. I simply cannot think of much I want to do in New York or Florida.
Some friends went to Disneyworld during hurricane season. In fact, there was a storm teasing Florida at the time. Being Gulf Coast Texans, they had checked out the weather reports & realized there was no threat.
A squall line from the distant storm struck while everybody was waiting for the train (or whatever takes people to the park); rain & wind! Most of the people waiting fled in terror, visions of Katrina dancing in their heads.
Things cleared up quickly & my friends practically had the park to themselves. Plus the Nebraska family who had believed their “It’s only a squall line!”
Iowa State Fair.
Don’t get much more American than that.
Why limit yourself to NYC or Florida? Lots of places (in fact most places) are cheaper travel destinations.
Well New York and Florida (and Quebec) have the advantage of being on the train tracks. A train trip is always fun.
A lot of places are on the train line. Colonial Williamsburg (VA). Philadelphia. The Hudson Valley of NY. Boston. Niagara Falls.
If you’re looking to get away, but yet not that far, you have beach and mountains both within a day’s drive.
I, personally, like the mountains in the summer. It’s usually cooler in the higher elevations and all of the green might be a nice change to your usual enviornment. The hills of Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky aren’t all that far.
Maybe Greenbriar for few days? I like the idea.