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Original poster

Hit me with US holiday ideas! 7-10 days with DM (84)

17 replies

trainedopossum · 02/04/2025 20:30

My mum and I will be in the New York area with some free time at the end of April and fancy a trip somewhere. Could do a short flight, train or cruise (can drive too but not really enough time to cover long distances).
Realistically Florida would be an easy option, or maybe Texas? We both fancy California but it's such a long flight and then I return to the UK shortly after.
We're not really hot/beach holiday people and DM's mobility is okay but not what it used to be, probably fine with short level walks.

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Ponderingwindow · 02/04/2025 20:36

I’d think about Nashville.
its a reasonably short flight, has a large tourist economy, and will show you a very different part of America than NYC

anothee option, New Orleans

Original poster
trainedopossum · 02/04/2025 20:44

Uncanny that, we just talked about Nashville but DM has been before (has also been to NO) and doesn't want to go back.
She has stronger opinions about places she doesn't want to visit 😀 but I'm running out of suggestions.

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AppleDumplingWithCustard · 02/04/2025 21:31

I’d be tempted to do Boston and Cape Cod. Both beautiful and lots of history/interesting stuff in Boston.

Original poster
trainedopossum · 02/04/2025 22:53

Thanks, will run those by her 👍

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AllTheChaos · 02/04/2025 22:54

Train to Boston is in itself a lovely journey!

SabrinaThwaite · 03/04/2025 00:40

Houston has a variety of museums, some good historic sites and NASA, and is definitely flat. Could also do a trip to Galveston.

princesspadam · 03/04/2025 01:59

Not to rain on your parade but have you checked travel ins costs for an 84 year old to USA?

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 03/04/2025 03:27

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 02/04/2025 21:31

I’d be tempted to do Boston and Cape Cod. Both beautiful and lots of history/interesting stuff in Boston.

Yes, I'd love to explore that north east coast

PoopingAllTheWay · 03/04/2025 03:30

princesspadam · 03/04/2025 01:59

Not to rain on your parade but have you checked travel ins costs for an 84 year old to USA?

Sounds like she may already be in the USA

mathanxiety · 03/04/2025 04:34

I read it as being in the US at the end of April.

Travel insurance would be expensive and essential.

I second the suggestion of Boston. Washington DC would be nice too, and a train ride away from NYC. Savannah and Charleston (Georgia and South Carolina) would be lovely at the end of April too, and warmer than New England.

Original poster
trainedopossum · 03/04/2025 05:19

mathanxiety · 03/04/2025 04:34

I read it as being in the US at the end of April.

Travel insurance would be expensive and essential.

I second the suggestion of Boston. Washington DC would be nice too, and a train ride away from NYC. Savannah and Charleston (Georgia and South Carolina) would be lovely at the end of April too, and warmer than New England.

I agree about Savannah in April, DH and I had a fantastic camping holiday there years ago.

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Zoflorabore · 03/04/2025 05:23

I did camp America in NY state many years ago now and we did a road trip to Niagara Falls, it was amazing.

you can fly there straight from NY. It’s worth a visit!

Original poster
trainedopossum · 03/04/2025 06:03

To clarify, my mum lives in the US so insurance isn't an issue.

As beautiful as New England is, we've seen quite a bit of it so I think we're still leaning toward Texas or west Florida.

I thought Austin might be fun or Marfa. My mother is an artist, there should be some quirky artsy things to do. I hadn't considered Houston, will look at that.

In Florida: Weeki Watchee Spring, manatees, the old tourist towns?

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Original poster
trainedopossum · 03/04/2025 06:13

Sorry my post was probably confusing. We'll be starting in the NY area.
Usually my mother has commitments and can't travel but she has a window at the end of April so we were looking to go somewhere else.
New York is a good jumping off point for cruises, trains, flights.

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SabrinaThwaite · 03/04/2025 10:15

I was a bit disappointed with Marfa - but we swung through on a Tuesday and everything was shut. Lots of artsy things around - Chinati Foundation and the Prada Store in the desert - and Fort Davis and Balmorhea SP are worth a visit. The Hotel Paisano looked interesting, and you’re close to Big Bend Ranch SP.

Austin is walkable too - take a tour of the State Capitol if you go, it’s good to wander round and see everything going on.

Houston has huge art museums connected by underground tunnels, plus the Menil and Rothko Chapel.

Original poster
trainedopossum · 03/04/2025 16:10

SabrinaThwaite · 03/04/2025 10:15

I was a bit disappointed with Marfa - but we swung through on a Tuesday and everything was shut. Lots of artsy things around - Chinati Foundation and the Prada Store in the desert - and Fort Davis and Balmorhea SP are worth a visit. The Hotel Paisano looked interesting, and you’re close to Big Bend Ranch SP.

Austin is walkable too - take a tour of the State Capitol if you go, it’s good to wander round and see everything going on.

Houston has huge art museums connected by underground tunnels, plus the Menil and Rothko Chapel.

Thanks for that, wouldn't have occurred to me that things might be closed in the week. It's a long way to go to find out! 😀
All good info, thank you. I guess the tunnels are to keep you out of the heat?

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SabrinaThwaite · 03/04/2025 23:01

I think the tunnels that connect the three huge buildings that make up the Museum
of Fine Arts are so that you don’t need to go outside and cross busy roads as much as anything. The newer buildings are quite spectacular from an architectural viewpoint (as well as the contents). Oil money buys a lot of nice things. The Contemporary Art museum is good too, and I always meant to make it to the Funeral Museum but never did (friend recommended it).

April in Houston will be warm but the humidity shouldn’t be so bad (I can do hot but 100°F and 100% humidity is hard).

Brazos Bend SP is a good day out, nice level walks and lots of birds (and a few alligators).

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