Robin and I are in the middle of planning our 2008 vacation. Right now we are really leaning on Seattle, WA.
However, I wanted to ask you guys….what do you think about Seattle as a vacation destination. Is there somewhere you would recommend? (in the states only please)
I have always wanted to go to Monterey Bay, CA. But Destin, FL is about 45 mins from me and is beautiful year round, though the water is best in the summer time (kinda cold right now). Since you asked for our two cents…
for our honeymoon, we rented a cabin for a week that was really tucked away off the beaten path about half an hour outside colorado springs in a little moutain community called green mountain falls. it was beautiful and the most peaceful place we have ever been. our cabin had a roof top jacuzzi (not a tacky one) which overlooked other mountains. it was an hour away from some good white water rafting and hiking and about half an hour from red rocks and stuff. but it was sooooooooo quiet and serene. we were there in june and it would get chilly!
If you like history, nothing beats our Nation’s Capitol. If you don’t want to be in the city for the monuments and museums, there are a ton of Civil War locations that are well within a 2 to 3 hour drive of Washington D.C. (Manassas, Gettysburg, Antitam, Richmond, Appomatox, etc.)
Outer Banks North Carolina are always a good spot for the beach too. We enjoy visiting Willmington NC (Kure Beach) several times a year. Fewer people than Kitty Hawk/Corola but the beaches and water are just as good.
Email me if you want info on either.
What time of year? This makes all of the difference. If you are planning on something between November and May, forget Seattle (or Portland for that matter) unless you plan on spending all day inside, because the odds are that it will rain the entire time.
After my recent move to Los Angeles I must say…it’s got some great appeal! The beach is spectacular, and a day trip out to Catalina Island would be awesome.
Wow, great stuff! A lot of great ideas for sure.
Matt, we would be there summer time. Around June or July. How is it that time of year?
My family and I went to Seattle one year for 10 days to visit some friends. We had a great time at an art festival and got to see some really cool museums. They have a great aquarium and the saltwater/freshwater locks and fish ladder were interesting. The space needle is cool, the public market is also cool…I mean, who doesn’t like ordering fresh fish and having someone toss it over your head, catch it, and wrap it up? Of course, there’s always the prospect of visiting Seattle Grace Hospital. Good times.
Terry, the Pacific Northwest in general is a great place to be in the summer time. Be sure and check out the Oregon Coast if you get here. Oh, and don’t forget your mountain bikes.
I may be biased… However, Hawaii is a pretty nice vacation spot and not much further.
Terry,
If you and Robin have never been to Charleston…its a great city. Ocean, History, Golf, food and more food…
It’s where God lives, so it just really depends on how close you want to be to Him.
Peace
Shawn
Storch,
If you are looking for a beach retreat I would go to Fort Morgan, AL. Yes I know you don’t think of Alabama for the beach but that is what makes this quite special. The beach is absolutely beautiful and you can get a nice house on the water. It’s near Gulf Shores but really it makes you relax and I know you need that.
Matt McKee
Storch,
If you want to do a beach vacation, I must concur with Destin, Florida. The best beaches in the country! (Of course I am biased since I am a Florida native). If you like seafood, that destination cannot be beat.
-John Ventry
Terry, have lived in the Seattle are most of my life and I would say that in the summer it is one of the prettiest places to be. As some mentioned earlier, there are lots of great things to do. Taking a Ferry ride across to one of the many islands is pretty cool. I know for sure you would like the Experience Music Project. If you’re into water sports, there’s a lot of options for that too.
being from Seattle, I would have to say it’s the best place in the world. There’s tons of stuff to do and it’s beautiful.
But the best vacation that I have ever taken was flying into San Francisco and then Driving Down Highway 1 to LA. Incredible trip.
What about the Big Sur in California just South of San Francisco? Napa Valley?
Seattle in the summer is the best-kept vacation secret on the west coast! The biggest advantage it has is the awesome destinations in the city, coupled with the wild outdoors just minutes away. Spend a could days in Seattle and see the sights (the other commenters gave some great suggestions), then head east into the Cascades for a day or two on a mountain lake. I recommend Cle Elum or Kachess if you want spectacular beauty within a two-hour drive. Here is a link to some great pictures: http://www.suncadiaresort.com/mountain-resort-photos.php. The best part is that you don’t have to get an expensive resort rental to enjoy the area – Just drive into the mountains and get away from it all!
I was born and raised in Seattle… and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it between the 4th of July and Labor Day – those are typically the best 6 or 8 weeks of good weather and fun stuff to do… If you go the first week of August you can see the Hydroplane races on Lake Washington and enjoy Seattle’s “Torchlight Parade” … amazing stuff happens during Seattle’s Summers!
http://www.lakeouachita.com/
rent a house boat and enjoy all the luxuries….in wilderness!
Come on man…get outdoors!
Seattle in the summertime is great if you have never been here, that is the time of year to see it. Seafair goes on around that time (http://www.seafair.com/) and can be fun. If you do end up coming up and would be interested in a tour of Mars Hill drop me a note.
wow, amazing feedback. Robin and I are very excited about the trip and really looks like Seattle will be a wonderful place. Thanks for all the wonderful feedback and info!
Dude-
Oklahoma City/Edmond… great area to vacation. no, wait…
Seriously though, Seattle sounds great. We went to Corpus Christi last year and Galveston Island the year before. My fav place is Colorado though, I second Anne on that one.
Terry
Gina love going to Destin Florida. Great beaches very family freindly. If you go in the off season the beaches are almost exclusively families.
KM
Seattle is absolute greatness. Michelle and I went in August and had a blast. The Experience Music Project is cool and we went on a food bender that may rank as the best ever. Let me know if you decide to go and I’ll send you some links on where to stay – and eat, of course.
Terry – If you go to Seattle, make to go to the Five Spot for breakfast. My daughter goes to school up there and I have enjoyed visiting the area. Don’t miss the ferry either. We live in SF, another great vacation spot
Hi Terry!
Seattle is awesome for vacation. Hiking, biking, skiing, shopping, arts, rivers, beaches, desert all within 3-4 hour drives. Oh yeah, you could even come watch a pastor who races stock cars (mine).
If you need a tour guide in Seattle, let me know! I’ve got connections!
i have lots of mountain bike accidents so i am done biking right now”’
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