Eastern/Midwest U.S. Destination

January 26, 2005 6:31 PM

My boyfriend and I are looking to take a trip somewhere in the eastern/midwest US for President's Day weekend. We're looking for either a city that is not a super popular tourist destination, or a small-ish ski resort. [+]

We can go anywhere north of S. Carolina, and west to Missouri. We're considering St. Louis, or Charleston so far, but I would love to hear some of your suggestions. In terms of price, anything that is mid-range is fine. Proximity to airport is important, as we're flying in from opposite directions and don't want to spend too much time traveliing.

posted by orangskye to travel & transportation (12 comments total)

I recommend Fort Nashborough.
posted by orange clock at 6:51 PM on January 26, 2005

Wait...you are possibly looking for a small-ish ski resort or no?

As for non-ski, what about Chicago? There are tons of off-the-beaten-path quirky things to do there.
posted by achmorrison at 7:58 PM on January 26, 2005

Charleston is a lovely place for a weekend trip, but a word of caution - it can be expensive, if you want to stay close to historic downtown area. That said, if you stay downtown, you're in walking distance of plenty to keep you occupied for more than a weekend (in case you don't want to rent a car).

If you go, definitely take one of the carriage tours, they all start outside the market and they'll give you a great overview of some of the interesting historical places. Also, one of the great things about Charleston is it supports a huge amount of great restaurants for a relatively small city.

Specific rec's -
Hotel - Best Western King Charles - nice, not spectacular, but its in a good location and a relatively good value.
Restaurants -
82 Queen - great for a casual lunch, if its nice out, eat in the courtyard. You MUST try the she-crab soup.
Cypress - wonderful for a upscale dinner experience. If you're a wine person, you'll dig the 3-story glass-walled wine "cellar".
posted by dicaxpuella at 8:06 PM on January 26, 2005

Madison is kinda nice lots of time a year. The twin cities are awesome if you can visit in any of the 5 months a year they are above freezing. Indianapolis is getting better StL has some pretting interesting neighborhoods.
posted by jmgorman at 8:07 PM on January 26, 2005

Hey now, the Twin Cities are awesome every day of the year.
posted by baphomet at 8:26 PM on January 26, 2005

I liked Detriot and Ann Arbor quite a bit. Hitsville U.S.A., the home of Motown, is one of the best small museums I've been to. Ann Arbor has awesome beer. Chicago was fun too.
posted by dame at 8:55 PM on January 26, 2005

Charleston is very nice, and well worth a visit. It is a popular tourist destination, but I don't know what the crowds will be like in January.

I'm going to suggest Charlottesville, VA. Fly into Richmond, rent a car, and an hour later you're there. You can wander the grounds at Virginia and associated shopping/restaurants. There's tons of stuff nearby -- Monticello is right there, Shenandoah National Park with Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway headed south from there are both within half an hour, though either might be closed for a snowstorm. Wineries within 20 minutes. There's skiing a little ways away at a couple of ski places whose names escape me. Good restaurants include the Boar's Head, College Inn (if you want regular-student fare, but good), and the Bavarian Chef if you don't mind a ~30 minute drive north.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:03 PM on January 26, 2005

As a Windy City Mefite, I do think that Chicago is a fine, fine place to visit for a weekend... and it's definitely the off-seson for tourists here, so that won't be a problem. That said, I was also going to suggest Ann Arbor for an "off the beaten track" destination. Or maybe you could stay there for a night on your way to Chicago...

If you do decide to spend any time in Ann Arbor, you must go to Zingerman's. :::drools:::
posted by Johnny Assay at 11:20 PM on January 26, 2005

Another vote for Chicago. Explore the neighborhoods for cool music spots and cheap, good and authentic ethnic eats.
posted by sic at 1:50 AM on January 27, 2005

Skiing near Charlottesville: Wintergreen and Massanutten are probably what you were thinking of. And I heartily endorse anything that involves the Blue Ridge Parkway, at any time of year.
posted by trox at 6:37 AM on January 27, 2005

How about Memphis? I haven't gotten there myself, but I certainly would like to. . .

Annapolis is a really nice town, with easy access to DC and Baltimore.
posted by katie at 6:44 AM on January 27, 2005

As a Rhode Islander, I highly recommend several New England ski resorts. Stowe, VT is excellent, and a short (20-30 minute) drive from the Ben & Jerry Ice Cream Factory Tour.

Also, for a city that is not a super-popular tourist location, Newport, RI in the winter time is great. Still all of the same fun little shops and bars, but none of the ever-present summer tourists. And it's only a 2-hour drive to ski at Wachussett Mountain just outside of Worcester, MA.
posted by LouMac at 6:55 AM on January 27, 2005