Travel

[house_cat]

I'm 66 and my best friend is 80. She lives in Colorado and I live in North Carolina.  We're looking to meet for a few days in October, somewhere in the U.S.

I'd love suggestions on a resort or town where we can relax, eat, shop and do some light sightseeing.

Our main goal is to spend girlfriend time together, away from both of our families.

Thank you.

[hkrgrl]

What Fun!!! 

Coastal Town:  Newport Rhode Island is a great town.  walkable.  the mansions are just fantastic. great food, great atmosphere, beautiful scenery!!!

Bar Harbor, Maine.  another great coastal town.  lots to see and again great food!  lobster rolls are a must!

weather in these two towns are perfect for the Fall if u are looking for some cooler temps

Fells Point, MD .  walkable and good food, lots of shops.

Anapolis, MD. same as above ^^

boston, great city

martha's vineyard

cape cod

Sedona, AZ.  would be warmer and a great town with lots of shops and good food!  beautiful scenery!!!!!

what is your comfort level of travel?  any states that you both want to see and explore??  

coastal?

inland? 

Bring nature home, plant native species to your area

[house_cat]

@hkrgrl 

Thanks for the suggestions. We've been to several of those places, but I'm looking forward to investigating the rest.

We've each traveled quite a bit over the years. The purpose of this getaway is precisely that, to get away from our daily lives and relax. Normally she visits me once a year and I visit her once a year.  Due to some drama in our respective families, kids, grandkids, etc., this time we'd like to visit in a neutral setting.

I don't want to explore a big city. I'd love a resort or small town where we can walk to restaurants and shops and do a little light sightseeing. I'm somewhat concerned that October is the off-season for many resort towns. Maybe it's a spa resort that I'm looking for? I don't know. This sort of "vacation" is new to me.

[amyb]

@house_cat Sounds fun. Had a girlfriend I used to do this with, but we just haven't done it now in like 8 yrs...darn it...too much happening in both our lives and Covid years got us off track. We keep saying we are going to do it again, and need to.

Anyway...when you mentioned natural setting, spa, I thought about Mohonk Mountain House in upstate New York. I haven't been in a while, but in the past stayed there a few times, have hiked up there too...it's really lovely, and since I've been they really "grew" the spa aspect. Beautiful, mountain, upstate NY setting, many activities, great food and service. Really different type place.

I can think of all the usual ones others have mentioned too...and they're all nice. I'm in CT, so I know that RI, Cape Cod etc, all favs in these parts...but sounded like you want something new and different. Plus you worried some of those other resort towns might be seasonal...Mohonk is beautiful every season, and has different seasonal activities for all 4 seasons. I've been in fall and winter too...Oct might have beautiful foliage depending when in October you go.

Mayflower Inn and Spa in CT I hear is quite special, but not sure there's as much to do or see around Washington Depot...though it's quaint and certainly that area of CT, Kent, etc, is popular for day trips, hiking, Inns.

[ThinkingOutLoud]

Haven't read the replies (that pink is not doable) but my first thought was somewhere to enjoy the Fall foilage. Maybe a short Fall foilage cruise around Halifax? My other thought was Branson MO for all the shows (and it's middle ground between your locations). Wherever you decide, I hope you have a great time!

fall foilage map:

[RespectLife]

@house_cat 

October is 'Leaf Peeping' season (as my friends in New England all call it)

It is Prime time in NE....books up early and can get very pricey.

Not off season at all.....it IS the season.  The 'Flatlanders' from NYC and Mass come in droves.

I have spent a lot of time in NH, VT, CT and Maine, the Fall is just stunning there.  There are lovely towns filled w/ boutiques, Antique shops, restaurants etc.

I'm not one for crowds, so I'd avoid New England myself in October since I have been there so often.

[DrakesMomma]

German Village in Columbus Ohio.  It is really right outside of Columbus.  It is really nice.  No high pressure things to do.  You can walk about the village.  There are small mom and pop restaurants and shopping.  I don't think there are hotels within the village.  We stay in Columbus but just outside the village.  If you go visit Valters at the Maennerchor and have a pretzel.  It really is the best fresh pretzel I've had.     

[Pamita]

Big fan of Cape May, NJ.

It's a walkable town and the beaches are clean and beautiful.

Whale watching tours and places of historical interest abound.

The fall weather is generally superb.

have fun!

[AZfem]

Dont know if you've been to any of these cities but they are my favs:

Aspen, CO

Carmel, CA

Lake Tahoe, NV/CA

Santa Fe, NM

San Antonio, TX

Jackson Hole, WY

[RetRN]

Door County in Wisconsin is fabulous. Gorgeous scenery and slow pace.