where to honeymoon in late summer from NJ area

March 12, 2009 1:20 PM

late august/early september honeymoon, where should we go?

so we are getting married on 8/28 in Philadelphia and can't figure out good places to go for the weeklong honeymoon. my lady is very fair skinned so does not want to go anywhere too hot, so most caribbean and central american stuff seems out.
we love to hike and enjoy nature and all but would also like to just relax some too. a place that has a balance of both would be great.

budget is probably around $5000, less would be better of course.
and not too long of a plane ride, maybe under 4 hours, which rules out Europe it seems.

any ideas would be great.

posted by annoyance to travel & transportation around New Jersey (15 answers total)

Out west is fantastic. Colorado, for example, has easy access to both spa-type places and hiking and nature. I recently spent some time at Estes Park, which was very relaxing, although we split our time there and in Boulder/Denver for the full week.

If you want to do more naturey and camp at least some of the time, I cannot recommend the parks in Southern Utah (Arches especially) enough.
posted by cobaltnine at 1:25 PM on March 12, 2009

I'll cast my vote for Montana. My fiance and I went there in late August of last year without much of a plan other than to get in a car and drive. Once we arrived in Helena, we made ample use of our Road Trip USA book and the state traveler guides. Really though, even driving around in that state is a pleasure. Such beautiful scenery, no traffic, etc...

You can also visit the Virginia City ghost town, cruise through Boseman and Missoula (both college towns - we found Missoula a bit more fun), go to both Glacier National Park and Yellowstone (where hiking trails abound - even for beginners. The scenery at Glacier is among the best I've ever seen, visit the Custer battlefield and Sitting Bull memorial, etc.

I know... you might think "Montana? Really?" But honestly, I could not have been more pleasantly surprised. It was the most enjoyable vacation I've had in quite some time - plus I got engaged there, so that was a nice bonus.
posted by Rewind at 1:39 PM on March 12, 2009 [1 favorite]

My sister and her husband went to Banff, in Canada, and absolutely loved it. I believe they stayed at the Post Hotel. Banff is beautiful in the summer, and not very hot.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:40 PM on March 12, 2009

Acadia National Park. Lots of hiking and beautiful scenery. We drove a couple summers ago from northern NJ; it's long, but doable in a day.
posted by schustafa at 1:41 PM on March 12, 2009

I meant to point out that the Post Hotel (and others near Banff) have spas and things, so that you can do the relaxing part. Also, I think rates for hotels in that area are much cheaper at that time of year.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:44 PM on March 12, 2009

Here's a trip I've been loosely planning and might be good for you if you like trains (kinda romantic): Stay at the Monte Vista in Flagstaff because it's supposed to be a neat place. Then drive to Warren and take the Grand Canyon Railway to see the canyon.

Durango CO also has a great old train that goes to Silverton. Really cool part of that state.

I also really like this thread about unique hotels - might have some good options for you. I found out about the Monte Vista in there. Where ever you go - you're going to want a good hotel room.

Austin is a wonderful city. Great hiking around there. The San Jose is a beautiful hotel. Their parent company opened up a new hotel called Saint Cecilla there as well. Could be too hot though - for me late August early Sept is not hot in Austin - but I'm further South in the humidity so my judgement there is probably off.

Congrats!
posted by dog food sugar at 2:12 PM on March 12, 2009

I went on a cruise of Alaska on my honeymoon. It has just the right amount of nature and relaxation as you want to make of it. The variety of options is pretty great (hiking, kayaking, nature walks, fishing, etc.) and the time on the ship is great too. If you leave from Vancouver, your flight wont be that long, and your budget seems perfect. The only thing I don't know is the date at which the cruises stop for the season. Can't recommend it enough.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 3:24 PM on March 12, 2009

Seconding (maybe thirding) the Pacific Northwest. Late August/early September is so incredibly lovely out here. Warm but not too hot, no humidity to speak of, just terrific. And the kind of northern latitudes that will be kind to your pale beloved.

If you're into nature, we've got the Olympic Rain Forest, two respectable mountain ranges (the Cascades and the Olympics), beautiful islands and water, both salt and fresh. Without much looking around you can find very fancy lodges out near the natural beauty too, like Semiahmoo or Snoqualmie Falls lodge.

And if you want some city time too, there's Seattle and Vancouver BC. Take in a show, stay a night or two in a posh hotel. Victoria is cityish too, though more self-consciously touristy, but a couple of nights at the Emperor would be a great part of a honeymoon plan.

The island chain right off the coast here is called the San Juan Islands on the US side and the Canadian Gulf Islands across the border. My honeymoon was in late late August island-hopping in the Gulf Islands and it was great. Ferries, birds, sightseeing on the water, Victoria, Salt Spring Island....

Congrats on your upcoming nups, and enjoy your honeymoon!
posted by Sublimity at 5:19 PM on March 12, 2009 [1 favorite]

We went last year at the same time on our honeymoon, wanting similar things, and decided on Monterey, California. We stayed at the Sanctuary Beach Resort in Marina. It was the most romantic thing ever.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 5:42 PM on March 12, 2009

(Probably more than 4 hour plan ride for you, though. I think it would be worth it.)
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 5:42 PM on March 12, 2009

Jasper, Alberta, Canada. We stayed at the Alpine Village for a week on our honeymoon (spent 1st week in Vancouver and took the train to Jasper). Hiking and horseback riding is abundant along with other outdoor pursuits. It's close to Banff, without the crowds. The weather is lovely that time of year (we went in early September).
posted by mdiskin at 8:19 PM on March 12, 2009

wow, all great suggestions! some definite possibilities. thanks so much. i would somewhat like to go to another country or island or something more exotic but that seems not so do-able with the constraints we have.
well, we shall see.
i will run these by the lovely lady!
posted by annoyance at 6:01 AM on March 13, 2009

Um, Canada is another country.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:04 AM on March 13, 2009

Iceland. It is a 5-6 hour flight from Boston, so maybe 6-7 from Philly. If you are willing to spend just a bit more time in the air, Europe opens up lots of possibilities.
posted by soelo at 11:26 AM on March 13, 2009

Montreal is lovely and romantic. Nova Scotia could be really neat too.
posted by dog food sugar at 6:20 PM on March 13, 2009