3-5 day trip, December, USA city...go!

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

Live in LA, family flying out for Christmas, my brother is flying out a week before and we're taking a sibtrip for 3-5days before everyone else arrives. Happy to fly across the country....give me your best ideas!

We want a city break, in a walkable city, somewhere with good coffee, nice bars, good mooching, a bit of culture, he's into his street art.

Definate no is NYC (he hates it, I used to live there). Prefer to go somewhere neither of us have been (so not SF, Chicago, Vegas, San Diego)

Currently thinking Portland or Boston? I appreciate both will be cold and I'm used to California temperatures! He's currently serving in Afghanistan and I have two small DC so it will be a well needed break for us both, but neither of us are interested in just sitting around in a spa hotel or whatever

I would avoid that whole northeast corridor in December. Portland and Boston could be extremely cold on top of which you may have weather related problems with regards to delayed and or cancelled flights getting into or out of each city.

Why not go further south instead (weather will be warmer too); why not look at cities like Charleston, Atlanta, Macon, Fort Lauderdale or Miami?.

Arizona - not a city break as such but pick up a car in pheonix - drive to Sedona. Go hiking in the hills - cacti are amazing. Great time of year to visit. I too would avoid Boston.

I've done Sedona and Grand Canyon

Boo, had a feeling I'd be warned off Boston. And I so badly want to go

OK - I have no idea about the cities mentioned Attila (apart from Miami which doesn't really appeal but I can be convinced), any specific recommendations? Or was thinking of New Orleans, Austin maybe? Somewhere in New Mexico (I'd love to do Mexico itself but we can't)

Any curveballs?

Late spring/early summer is the best time to visit Boston.

Re your comment:-
"We want a city break, in a walkable city, somewhere with good coffee, nice bars, good mooching, a bit of culture, he's into his street art".

That's why I mentioned Miami because it has all that but Fort Lauderdale is more walkable and Las Olas Blvd (one of its main streets) is very nice.

Austin seems to have a lot going for it generally speaking (BA recently started to do direct flights there from the UK). Tripadvisor may be your friend here as well.

I lived in Boston for a few years & would always recommend it! It will be cold in December, however dress appropriately & you'll be fine. It's an amazing city!

If you don't want the cold, how about Miami? Very fun city!

Would definitely agree re Fort Lauderdale - lots of fun, beautiful & walkable

I've done New Orleans in December, and I loved it! I did Boston on February once, and though it was comically cold, it was still a terrific trip. Austin, alas, is one of those cities that's great to live in, but rather dull to visit, unless you're there for SXSW or something like that.

Charleston is gorgeous, but can't speak for the weather in December. In May it was fabulous.

Charleston is fab! Lots of lovely restaurants and bars, and the downtown area is beautiful. The weather in December is usually comfortable - in the 60s. (Full disclosure: I live in CHS)

I'm assuming you've travelled up the California coast? Tons of great places with coffee shops and book stores. San Fran is nice as well.

Yup done CA coast and SF although not north of there

Will take a gander at Charleston and New Orleans

I don't think that there is really enough to do in Boston to keep you amused for 5 days and as everybody has said, it will be very cold.

Now, the weather will still be bad ie snow but I would recommend Washington DC.

You don't say how old your children are but there is loads to do and see. Plus most of it is free. As they're free you don't feel obliged to spend hours and hours in them - you can dip in and out as and when you feel like it. The things I would recommend which are are free and good fun are:

• Smithsonian National Zoo (yes free and pandas!)
• Tour of The Capitol (book online)
• Arlington Cemetery and Changing of the Guard/Tomb of the Unknown soldier
• Tour of National Archives (declaration of independence etc - book online)
• Museum of Natural History
• Museum of American History
• National Air and Space Museums
• National Children's museum
• Washington monument
• Other memorials
• Georgetown

As well as the usual sights. Washington is just a great city to walk around at a leisurely pace as it never seems really busy. The subway system is pretty good too and there are loads of places to eat reasonably. You could even try and get an American Football game in if they're at home.

I love Washington DC.

I agree with what you've said about DC but totally disagree about Boston . It's a brill place to spend 5 days with plenty to see & do - Freedom Trail, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Science Museum, Harvard / Cambridge, shopping on Newbury St, loads & loads of superb bars & restaurants etc etc.

Anyway Op, wherever you decide to go, Enjoy!!

Washington DC (will be bloody cold though), New Orleans or Charleston are my top tips

Boston is lovely too but brutally cold (and snows a lot) in December -or at least did the couple of times I was there

I was going to suggest Chicago, but since you have already done so many cities in the states, why not cross the border and go to Canada? We went to Montréal last year in winter, and it was amazing. Tons to do there too - we did skiing, shopping, museums, art gallery, amazing restaurant.

I'd head south at that time of year.

Miami? Perhaps not 'culture vulture' enough? But fantastic for eating out, coffee on South Beach, weather and people watching.

onedev I'm not saying I dislike Boston but I prefer DC. I also think Boston is much nicer in the summer rather than the winter as you can do other outdoorsy stuff like whale watching, sitting outside drinking and people watching.

I agree there is stuff to do in Boston (apart from what you've said - bunker hill, Charleston Navy Dock Yard and USS Constitution, tea party) etc but I think it can all be done in a few days because Boston is so compact or maybe I don't linger enough over the sights .

Maybe I am immune to the charms of Boston as I've been there about 5/6 times now and I'm done.

I'm also biased in favour of Boston as I lived there for 3 years, so I love it!!

All the places mentioned on this thread are ace!

I'm in Houston, which doesn't tick your mooching boxes (although it is pretty fab) but you might want to look at Austin or New Orleans - apparently both are great with kids.

So much choice and you've given me alternatives to think on, as well as thinking Boston could still be good.

Just FYI the DC are not invited! Me and DBro only, we'll prob save Washington for a family trip sometime