Vacation is OFF this year

[A.Nonymous]

Just got off the phone with the parental units. Since the entire family is boycotting my cousin's wedding, my tentative vacation plans for this year are now off.

So I now have the option of either going on vacation to the destination of my choice (which I have never done in my entire adult life and I'm 30) or not going on vacation at all (which I have done many, many times in my adult life). I'm not really sure I have the energy to go on vacation though or whether I really want to spend the money. Usually I only go someplace as part of a family reunion or some family event. I went to Chicago one year because a cousin got married and went to San Francisco and saw the Googleplex last year when another cousin got married. I've been to Vegas a couple of times as my grandparents were on vacation there and wanted the whole family to come. Stuff like that.

Should I go on vacation at all this year or just save my money? (Where it'll likely be spent on another freaking tablet that I don't need.) If so, where should I go? I'm a museums/aquariums/zoos type of guy. I need to actually be doing something. I'm not the type that can kick back on a beach. Also, I'm located in the middle of KS and have a hate/hate relationship with the TSA so I'm reluctant to fly anywhere.

 

[330D]

Wasn't it you who I was talking about Cooperstown with?

 

[A.Nonymous]

Yes, that's me. But tickets are still in the $500 range no matter which of the airports you suggested I fly into. Some are a little less than that, but they're all in that ballpark. (No pun intended.) I'm reluctant to spend that much on just airfare.

 

[330D]

You ever driven that far? I have a couple times crossed the country by car, and while it can be very tiring, it is a really cool way to vacation. I really think everybody should do it at some point.... And Ks isn't toooooooo far

Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. I like beaches, and active stuff, I'm not super into the museum vacation. If you have never been to the New England coast, it can be pretty amazing there. Lots of history, and lots of beaches too if you get the itch...

 

[lunatic59]

If you are museums guy, you need to hit the Smithsonian at least once in your life. Plus they have a great Zoo in D.C. and Baltimore (45 minutes away ... 3 hours at 5:00 p.m. ) has an excellent aquarium and some decent restaurants around the inner harbor.

Of course there's all that pesky government hanging around, but they are just as scared of you as you are of them.

 

[AntimonyER]

One day when my kids are old enough to appreciate it, and ride in the car in relative peace, and I can afford it, I plan on doing a roadtrip of the big national parks for the summer. Throwing in any aircraft oriented museums when I can

 

[A.Nonymous]

You ever driven that far? I have a couple times crossed the country by car, and while it can be very tiring, it is a really cool way to vacation. I really think everybody should do it at some point.... And Ks isn't toooooooo far

Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. I like beaches, and active stuff, I'm not super into the museum vacation. If you have never been to the New England coast, it can be pretty amazing there. Lots of history, and lots of beaches too if you get the itch...

I'm a horrible road tripper. They tell you to take your time and enjoy the trip, but I don't. I load up on Red Bull and Jolt and whatever else I can find and drive 27 hours straight or however long it takes. Then I'm exhausted when I get there. I bought my car in Las Vegas and drove like 17 hours straight to get it back home. I got up at 6 AM on a Friday, flew 1700 miles or so, picked up the car and did all the paperwork associated with that, grabbed an In-and-Out burger and I was back home by like 11 AM the next day. Then I went and got the oil changed on the car and ran my typical Saturday errands. It was good times. No one ever wants to road trip with me for some reasons.

If you are museums guy, you need to hit the Smithsonian at least once in your life. Plus they have a great Zoo in D.C. and Baltimore (45 minutes away ... 3 hours at 5:00 p.m. ) has an excellent aquarium and some decent restaurants around the inner harbor.

Of course there's all that pesky government hanging around, but they are just as scared of you as you are of them.

I've been to DC many, many, many times. My grandparents lived there until I was 10 and the cousin who's getting married this year is there as well. I haven't seen the National Zoo since I was a kid and I don't think I've ever seen the Baltimore aquarium. I've been to the Smithsonians many, many time times. They are indeed awesome.

 

[lunatic59]

I've been to DC many, many, many times. My grandparents lived there until I was 10 and the cousin who's getting married this year is there as well. I haven't seen the National Zoo since I was a kid and I don't think I've ever seen the Baltimore aquarium. I've been to the Smithsonians many, many time times. They are indeed awesome.

Have you been to the new Udvar-Hazy Center? Among other things there is the Space Shuttle (Enterprise), an SR-71 Blackbird and the Enola Gay.

 

[Unforgiven]

Have you considered traveling by rail. I remember many years ago going from Atlanta, GA to Worcester, MA by train and it was very relaxing. It also shouldn't break the bank. Probably get you close enough to Cooperstown overnight.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Have you been to the new Udvar-Hazy Center? Among other things there is the Space Shuttle (Enterprise), an SR-71 Blackbird and the Enola Gay.

I've never been there as I've never actually had a car while in DC. I usually hitch a ride with a relative who lives a mile or so from a subway station. Take the subway downtown and hoof it everywhere. If it's there in DC I've probably seen it. I've not been to that hangar though as I don't think you can get there by subway. I think it's something you have to actually drive to. It is on my list of things to see for sure.

My cousin's wedding is apparently being boycotted by the ENTIRE family. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, no one is coming. His mom and dad and some of his brother's aren't even going. He has royally pissed some people off. Family drama is fun. Especially if it's half a continent away.

 

[lunatic59]

I've never been there as I've never actually had a car while in DC. I usually hitch a ride with a relative who lives a mile or so from a subway station. Take the subway downtown and hoof it everywhere. If it's there in DC I've probably seen it. I've not been to that hangar though as I don't think you can get there by subway. I think it's something you have to actually drive to. It is on my list of things to see for sure.

My cousin's wedding is apparently being boycotted by the ENTIRE family. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, no one is coming. His mom and dad and some of his brother's aren't even going. He has royally pissed some people off.

For the whole family to boycott he really had to do something dastardly. Is he marrying outside of his species?

The Air and Space Museum on the mall does offer a shuttle, but you have to follow their schedule and as i recall it doesn't give you a heck of a lot of time inside.

 

[lunatic59]

Have you considered traveling by rail. I remember many years ago going from Atlanta, GA to Worcester, MA by train and it was very relaxing. It also shouldn't break the bank. Probably get you close enough to Cooperstown overnight.

U.S. Passenger rail service (Amtrak) is terrible and can be more expensive than flying. Was in Europe in '10 and took the train from London to Paris and then to Amsterdam. If rail travel in the U.S. was like that, we wouldn't have half the mass transit issues we have now.

 

[Unforgiven]

U.S. Passenger rail service (Amtrak) is terrible and can be more expensive than flying. Was in Europe in '10 and took the train from London to Paris and then to Amsterdam. If rail travel in the U.S. was like that, we wouldn't have half the mass transit issues we have now.

Yeah, like I said, it was like 20 years ago that I took Amtrak and it was right up the eastern corridor so it is one of their "profitable" routes.

 

[A.Nonymous]

U.S. Passenger rail service (Amtrak) is terrible and can be more expensive than flying. Was in Europe in '10 and took the train from London to Paris and then to Amsterdam. If rail travel in the U.S. was like that, we wouldn't have half the mass transit issues we have now.

I looked at rail pricing once upon a time when I was needing to go to California and wanted to avoid the TSA. It cost 2-3 times as much as flying and took 2-3 days to get there. I've also had the experience of traveling by rail in Europe. I wish we had a system like that here.

For the whole family to boycott he really had to do something dastardly. Is he marrying outside of his species?

The Air and Space Museum on the mall does offer a shuttle, but you have to follow their schedule and as i recall it doesn't give you a heck of a lot of time inside.

He is 28 and is marrying a woman who is somewhere in the ballpark of 45ish. She's got a kid who is a junior or senior in high school. His family does not approve of her at all largely because of the age difference. I've not met the woman. I'm sure she's a perfectly fine cougar who enjoys the company of men not much older than her children for perfectly legitimate reasons.

In any case, I won't be going to DC or the DC area this year.

 

[cammykool]

One day when my kids are old enough to appreciate it, and ride in the car in relative peace, and I can afford it, I plan on doing a roadtrip of the big national parks for the summer. Throwing in any aircraft oriented museums when I can

they the air sand space museam in seattle awesome place

 

[angldvl81]

If you are museums guy, you need to hit the Smithsonian at least once in your life. Plus they have a great Zoo in D.C. and Baltimore (45 minutes away ... 3 hours at 5:00 p.m. ) has an excellent aquarium and some decent restaurants around the inner harbor.

Of course there's all that pesky government hanging around, but they are just as scared of you as you are of them.

the zoo and aquarium are awesome! i've been to both (though its been several years) and i want to go back next time i'm at my parents (grew up an hour from DC) so i can take my daughter. i took her to the San Diego zoo this past summer and she loved it (as did i)

 

[A.Nonymous]

the zoo and aquarium are awesome! i've been to both (though its been several years) and i want to go back next time i'm at my parents (grew up an hour from DC) so i can take my daughter. i took her to the San Diego zoo this past summer and she loved it (as did i)

The San Diego zoo is awesome. Can't say enough good things about it. San Diego is absolutely gorgeous to begin with.

 

[angldvl81]

The San Diego zoo is awesome. Can't say enough good things about it. San Diego is absolutely gorgeous to begin with.

i sure is! i went in aug and the weather was beautiful! got a little warm walking around for a few hours but definately better than the aug temps where i am (avg is 110 )

 

[A.Nonymous]

i sure is! i went in aug and the weather was beautiful! got a little warm walking around for a few hours but definately better than the aug temps where i am (avg is 110 )

I went in like August I think. Here it is hot and muggy. It'd be bad enough if it was just hot, but it was muggy as well. You feel like you're gonna die.

I went to San Diego on the only time in my adult life that I've taken an entire week off work. Actually took a week and a half I think. Flew to San Francisco. Drove my grandparents to Las Vegas. Spent half a day in Vegas. Got up the next morning and drove to San Diego. Went to a couple of the museums at Balboa Park. Saw the zoo. Did some shopping. Drove back to Vegas. Spent like two days on the Strip, then drove my grandparents back to SF and did some touristy stuff there for a day or so before coming home. I really had a great time TBH, but I don't think I could get away for a week now. The workaholic in me would scream.

 

[angldvl81]

i would love to go to San Fran. been to Vegas twice, but now that i have a toddler, its hard to go do something like that.

 

[Mada]

If you're in Kansas, how about taking a drive to St. Louis Missouri? I've been there many times.

I've done half of the stuff on this list: Explore St. Louis | 25 Things to Do in St. Louis

 

[IOWA]

Just got off the phone with the parental units. Since the entire family is boycotting my cousin's wedding, my tentative vacation plans for this year are now off.

So I now have the option of either going on vacation to the destination of my choice (which I have never done in my entire adult life and I'm 30) or not going on vacation at all (which I have done many, many times in my adult life). I'm not really sure I have the energy to go on vacation though or whether I really want to spend the money. Usually I only go someplace as part of a family reunion or some family event. I went to Chicago one year because a cousin got married and went to San Francisco and saw the Googleplex last year when another cousin got married. I've been to Vegas a couple of times as my grandparents were on vacation there and wanted the whole family to come. Stuff like that.

Should I go on vacation at all this year or just save my money? (Where it'll likely be spent on another freaking tablet that I don't need.) If so, where should I go? I'm a museums/aquariums/zoos type of guy. I need to actually be doing something. I'm not the type that can kick back on a beach. Also, I'm located in the middle of KS and have a hate/hate relationship with the TSA so I'm reluctant to fly anywhere.

You ever been to NYC? I went there for thanksgiving twice and loved the Macy's parade both times. Stayed at the Westin in Times Square... rooms were a bit small for the price but it was still a blast.

 

[NYCHitman1]

You ever been to NYC? I went there for thanksgiving twice and loved the Macy's parade both times. Stayed at the Westin in Times Square... rooms were a bit small for the price but it was still a blast.

NYCCCCCCC! Not for nothing though, Anon just seems a bit too frugal for NYC. I don't think there's anywhere these days that you can go without spending a good amount of money.

 

[A.Nonymous]

If you're in Kansas, how about taking a drive to St. Louis Missouri? I've been there many times.

I've done half of the stuff on this list: Explore St. Louis | 25 Things to Do in St. Louis

That's not a bad idea. It's about a 6 hour drive from here. Haven't been there in a few years. I'll have to look into that as a possibility.

You ever been to NYC? I went there for thanksgiving twice and loved the Macy's parade both times. Stayed at the Westin in Times Square... rooms were a bit small for the price but it was still a blast.

I haven't been to NYC since I was a child. I've heard it's very, very pricey though.

 

[IOWA]

That's not a bad idea. It's about a 6 hour drive from here. Haven't been there in a few years. I'll have to look into that as a possibility.



I haven't been to NYC since I was a child. I've heard it's very, very pricey though.

Eh, wasn't too bad when I went. No more than Vegas or Orlando.