(Blogger's Note---This is a post I run each year. It merits another go-round because the places I list here are good places to go.)
Where should you and your family take a summer vacation this year? Where should you go by yourself or with that someone special for an excellent summer trip?
The answer is clear enough.
Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Galveston, Texas are the places to go.
I have visited all these cities in the summer and I can say they are good places to visit and see.
These cities have long-established museums and interesting neighborhoods to explore. They have good restaurants. They have grand old buildings. Each of these cities has a river, a lake, or an ocean to enjoy.
The wife and I---though she was not the wife yet at the time---spent a summer week in Buffalo and Niagara Falls in 1998. It was fun.
(Below--Buffalo)
Here is information about visiting Buffalo and the Niagara region.
I took a family vacation to Cleveland in the early 1980's. Nothing is nicer than the Great Lakes in the summer.
(Below---Cleveland)
Here is information about visiting Cleveland.
I lived in Cincinnati for 18 years. It is a pretty city in the Summer. There is more than enough for you and your family---unless maybe you would like to enjoy some time by yourself--- to do for a few days.
(Below--Cincinnati)
Here is information about visiting Cincinnati.
The (future) wife and I once spent a weekend in Pittsburgh. The weekend was not enough to see and do all that Pittsburgh offers.
(Below--Pittsburgh.)
Here is information about visiting Pittsburgh.
There is plenty to do in Detroit. There is an excellent ake, a Greek quarter, the Tigers baseball team and many museums. It has been many years since I have been in Detroit, but I was there for a couple of weekends in the summer and there was more than enough to do.
(Below--Detroit.)
Here is information about visiting Detroit.
Galveston, Texas is my home away from home. I've lived in Houston for 12 years and I go to Galveston every six weeks or so to take a walk on the sunny shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Galveston is on the rebound from Hurricane Ike and is open and ready for visitors. There is no oil on the beaches from the oil spill. (You should call any Gulf Coast destination you plan to visit before canceling a trip because of the fear there may be oil on the beaches. As I write this post on June 1, 2010, I'm not aware of any resort area in the Gulf that has a problem with oil. People's jobs in these areas depend on tourism. Please don't make a decision without all the facts.)
(Below--Galveston)
Here is information about visiting Galveston.
Maybe you live near one of these cities. Maybe you'd like go somewhere where there is some history and some character.
Give one of these cities a try. Disney does not need your money. Visit places where you're visit will be appreciated.
You'll be glad you did!
The season just ended at my fav place - St. John VI. The people who live there have politics similar to mine (and living here in Texas it is WEIRD to be surrounded by like minded people!). I keep hoping that I can spend Dec-Jan in St. John one year. Carguy will have to let me know if there is a better way than my lottery winnings plan to get there.
As for the states, I have never been to the Great Lakes, but I have a daughter living in MI and it sounds wonderful to be able to walk and do things in less than 100 degree weather.
I've never been to San Francisco and I would love to go there and San Diego too while I'm at it. Well, I guess I just drive all the way up to Washington state and have a look see, if I did those two.
Although, I'm 5th generation Texan, it sounds like I'm looking for something a little cooler doesn't it? Escaping Texas' summers is pretty much a universal dream: In 1866 U.S. General Philip Henry Sheridan said, “If I owned hell and Texas, I’d rent out Texas and live in hell.” (after having marched his men across Texas during the Mexican war)
You'll find me in the pool.
If I win the lottery, you just might have to make good on that offer!
I'll never forget the ten days I spent in San Francisco. Beautiful city but Haight-Asbury was sad. Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap but still lots of fun and the food in SF is hard to beat.
On a closer note, we make the trek (4 hrs) to Salado every year and spend a couple of restful days at the Stagecoach Inn. There's a little dance hall there and several restaurants that have excellent cuisine. During the day we swim in the pool and get in the spa and at night go looking for deer. It's a cheap restful way to unwind.
now that you mention it, I have a stepbrother living in that part of the world...
Peninsula!
Lord - can't spell.
I was fortunate enough to live in Penisula, Ohio for 2 years. Smack dab in the middle of the Cuyahoga National Forest - between Cleveland and Akron.
That was a simply amazing time and place in my life!
Headed to Laughlin Nevada...and the Grand Canyon.
Dude, you dissed Minneapolis/St.Paul. (where I live) Our cities are among the cleanest big cities in the Nation, with swimmable lakes within view of downtown Mpls. We have an amazing park system, and are quite strong on the arts. And if you're a baseball fan we have a brand new stadium, that ranks #1 in the Country on a recent poll of sports stadiums. Lake Superior is beautiful and holds more water than all the other Great Lakes combined. It is short 2 and 1/2 hr. drive from the Twin Cities. And....if you all are nice to me, I'll even play travel guide to any Daily Hurricaine regulars that want to come up here.
Silly me, I didn't read the disclaimer.
Neil, haven't you run this article several summers previously? That's OK. I'll run my same reply :-).
I was a travel agent for 28 years. Beena lot of places. Met a lot of people. IMO, one can combine Cleveland and Niagara Falls into one trip. The "Falls" are just a four hour drive fromCleveland, home of the Rock N Roll HOF. A MUST for us "baby boomers". And Niagara Falls...I don;t care how big you THINK it is, that is one GINORMOUS water leak. Airoline tickets to Cleveland are usually cheap. And the weather in the summer is generally really nice.
Oone of hte best trips I ever took included San Francisco and the Carmel/Monterey Prninsula with a day trip along the coast highway to Big Sur. You'll sse just what a great idea it was to steal California fromm the Mexicans. Albeit, they seem to be taking it back inch by inch.
Lastly, in the summer, Albuquereque/Santa Fe/Taos is a great chjouce to get out of the heat along with a summer time trip to the Colorado ski resorts of Breckenride, Vail and Aspen.
There, you go, free advice from a real,"Certified Travel Counselor"(CTC) with 28 years of experience and more flight bags from defunct airlnes than I can count.