# What Ought I to do in August/September? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 26, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093 "2009-06-26T18:08:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/1 "2009-06-26T18:08:09Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/2 "2009-06-26T18:28:53Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/3 "2009-06-26T18:38:28Z")
If you like camping and a variety of non-commercial acoustic music, try the [Walnut Valley Festival](http://www.wvfest.com/) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/4 "2009-06-26T19:19:04Z")
[Harper’s Ferry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harper%27s_Ferry,_West_Virginia) 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! ---
**Author:** ![Dottygumdrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Dottygumdrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dottygumdrop)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/5 "2009-06-26T19:30:04Z")
Whatever you do, just be grateful that you’re not in the GCC for the whole of Ramadan! ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/6 "2009-06-26T19:48:02Z")
Go somewhere cool and green — the mountains. The Adirondacks, or perhaps North Carolina? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/7 "2009-06-26T20:07:17Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/8 "2009-06-27T03:59:25Z")
Well I do want to do something. Other than that i have not firmed up a plan yet. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/9 "2009-06-27T17:58:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/10 "2009-06-28T03:34:28Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/11 "2009-06-28T03:44:23Z")
Fly to the west coast. It is nothing like the east. ---
**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:** [July 2, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/12 "2009-07-02T17:02:07Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Do you really want to consider Orlando in August? Do you think you’ll miss the heat of Qatar or something? > … 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 ☹ ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/13 "2009-07-02T21:22:15Z")
Come up north where it’s cooler! ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/14 "2009-07-04T16:44:14Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/15 "2009-07-04T16:58:09Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > 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 ☹ 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!” ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/16 "2009-07-04T17:21:38Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/17 "2009-07-05T16:21:26Z")
Well New York and Florida (and Quebec) have the advantage of being on the train tracks. A train trip is always fun. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/18 "2009-07-05T18:17:34Z")
A lot of places are on the train line. Colonial Williamsburg (VA). Philadelphia. The Hudson Valley of NY. Boston. Niagara Falls. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/19 "2009-07-05T18:50:27Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ought-i-to-do-in-august-september/501093/20 "2009-07-06T05:23:15Z")
Maybe Greenbriar for few days? I like the idea.