Where to take my husband for a weekend getaway?

In My Humble Opinion
1

So I need some advice in this department. (I just realized it’s Valentine’s day that I’m posting it on, but it’s not about that–this is something that has been bubbling in the back of my head for a month or so.)

My husband has had a lot of stress at work lately, and I want to give him a long weekend away somewhere relaxing. I was thinking something like leaving on a Wednesday and getting back on a Sunday. We live in Rochester, NY, and I’d like to do this kind of on the cheap, say somewhere we could drive or take Amtrak. No more than a day’s driving. It will have to wait until April or May, but I can plan it now and give him something to look forward to.

This is not a surprise–I basically told him “You’re working too hard and you’re taking a break, goddamn it!” and he said “Yay!”

He likes quiet touristy things like museums, botanical gardens, or landmarks. He’s laid back, but he prefers to be in a place where there’s the potential for activity. We’re in our mid-20s, but not really into bars or night clubs–comedy clubs and theater and nice restaurants might be nice. I asked him where he’d like to go, and he said: Niagara, New York, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, or D.C. I thought maybe Maine or Vermont might be nice in the spring.

(After further discussion, we decided: We’ve been to Niagara twice, and would like to try Toronto, but I think we’d need our passports now to cross the border now, right? We’ve been to DC, and loved it, and would like to go back, but we both want to try somewhere new. He’s been to NYC, but only for a few days, and he didn’t much enjoy himself. A NYC trip would be more a present for me than for him, so I put it aside for now. We’re also going down to the Corning, NY art festival and then to Elmira to visit Mark Twain’s grave later this summer, too, so we’ll get our small town fix there.)

Not sure of a budget, mostly because we don’t have a place or a date yet, but I’d like to stay under $500 or at the most $700, including travel costs. I’m leaning toward Boston or Toronto by train. Where should we go?

2

You may to look at Litchfield, CT. Not much to do, but beautiful scenery and very relaxing. Antiquing is good in the area. If you want a lot of activities it won’t fit the bill, but if you want to relax it’s quite nice.

3

I like Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It’s a nice little coastal town, pretty, with a good brewery and some shopping and some historic buildings. It might be a bit less urban than what you’re looking for, though.

http://www.portsmouthnh.com/downtown/index.cfm

4

If you can put up with a quiet rural scene and can stand to wait until April (when it opens) consider the Glen Iris Inn in Letchworth Park (about an hour south of Rochester).

The park is a gem - the Genesee River has carved a deep gorge, offering stunning overlooks, 3 waterfalls, and good walking/hiking options. Last time I was there (about 4 years ago) the inn was very pleasant and its restaurant was commendable.

5

The nicest vacation we’ve ever had, was a three-day-weekend on our first anniversary. We rented a tiny little beach house in Yachats, Oregon. There are plenty of naturey things to do, and some museums and tiny-tourist-town boardwalk shopping, but we had the greatest time of our lives just hanging out, enjoying each other’s company eating good food, and listening to the ocean for three days. It was wonderful.

6

How about Montreal? I’ve enjoyed it the couple of times I’ve been.

If it were summer I’d recommend Wellesley Island in the Thousand Islands - but this isn’t the time to visit up there.

7

Oooh! Thanks guys. All of these are good ideas. I’ll have to show him this thread and see what he thinks.

I think maybe a smaller town might work better. A busier city might make us feel as though we had to try and see lots of stuff, while a place where we can just sit and do nothing for a while would appeal to him, I think. Keep suggestions coming! I’m definitely going to check out Letchworth. I’ve heard it mentioned before. Montreal, I don’t know much about. It’s a bit of a drive from here. I’ll look for some guides though. Even further north than that would definitely have to wait until May. The object is to escape the winter! :slight_smile:

We’re looking at mid-April at the earliest, up until late May. He really wants somewhere warm, or at least, somewhere different. I think that might be a bit too much.

8

Well, you said you’ve done Washington but I’d put a plug in for it anyway. What I like about it is that most of the museums are free. When I pay a hefty admissions fee I sometimes feel obligated to really see as much as I can, no matter what my mood is. There’s an inflexibility to that because damnit I am going to get my money’s worth no matter what. But in Washington, I’m fine with looking at the one gallery or exhibit that sounds good and then turning around and heading on to something else.

However, it sounds like you’re looking for something with less bustle.

9

Actually, I second the wait until the season starts and do Letchworth … I grew up in the area and have spent many weekends hanging out in the park, and have eaten at the Glen Iris innumerable times. Although many parks offer cabins in season, so you might check into other parks as well.

10

As I mentioned in another thread I recommend Charleston, S.C. Quite warm by April, lots of history and culture, great restaurants, and miles of beaches and nature. And not too pricey.