Where should I go on vacation with my Mom?

January 3, 2016 5:03 PM

My Mom (a lady in her 50s) and I (a lady in her 30s) have a week to travel together in April. It needs to be warm, relaxing, and accessible from the U.S. east coast (MA for her, NC for me). In the past we've done Big Deal trips (India, France) but we don't have enough time for that kind of thing. We mostly want to relax, walk around and eat good food, but both like outdoorsey stuff and cultural stuff. We don't like big crowds or resorts. Where should we go?!

So far we're thinking Tuscon or DC, but neither of those are making us very enthusiastic. I was thinking the Dominican Republic but I don't really know where to go there. Please help!

posted by genmonster to Travel & Transportation (21 answers total)

It might not be warm enough for you but Martha's Vineyard is lovely in the spring.
posted by vrakatar at 5:10 PM on January 3, 2016

Savannah, GA?
posted by geegollygosh at 5:12 PM on January 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

How about Costa Rica, Belize, or Cuba?
posted by three_red_balloons at 5:17 PM on January 3, 2016 [3 favorites]

Costa Rica popped into my head as a suggestion too, and the only reason I didn't post it first is because I was checking flight prices compared to the Dominican Republic. (It looks similar.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 5:19 PM on January 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

New Orleans
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:20 PM on January 3, 2016 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: So for those saying Costa Rica, where specifically?
posted by genmonster at 5:22 PM on January 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

Oh go to Tucson! Have you been before? You won't be sorry. So much good food and so much to do! Endless spectacular hiking trails, cultural places like San Xavier Del Bac, Tumacacori, Tombstone, Karcher Caverns, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Ironwood National Monument, quaint little towns close by like Patagonia, Tubac and Bisbee. I could go on and on. Message me if you would like more ideas.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 5:27 PM on January 3, 2016

Bermuda!!
posted by jbenben at 5:28 PM on January 3, 2016

2nd @WalkerWestridge -- Tucson is wonderful, and April is a great time of the year to visit. You won't regret it.

I'd also suggest Charleston SC or Savannah GA if you've not been to those cities before.
posted by OrangeDisk at 5:29 PM on January 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

I went to St. Petersburg, FL in April of 2015 and was really impressed. There's a few great museums. I loved the Dali Museum and the MFA was also nice. There are a few other museums in town (the Holocaust museum, a Chihuly collection) to round out the culture part of the trip. Fort de Soto State Park is nearby and beautiful. That site also lists a bunch of other outdoor/nature activities. I was traveling with young children, so fancy restaurants weren't on our to do list, but there were TONS of places in town that I passed rather wistfully. I went on this trip mostly because it was affordable and convenient at the time, but I would go back in a heartbeat.
posted by katie at 5:29 PM on January 3, 2016 [4 favorites]

Entre Dos Aguas, Samara, Costa Rica! I spent 10 days there couple years ago and it was wonderful.
posted by irisclara at 5:42 PM on January 3, 2016

I love Tucson and agree that it meets all your criteria. It has great places to stay - check out the Westin LaPalmona.

I also thought of the Florida Keys, and Key West, in particular, although I'm not sure what the crowd levels are like in April. We were there over Memorial Day weekend for a wedding a few years ago and it was great. We stayed in the Truman Annex area, and pretty much stayed off the main drag. Lots of stuff to do.
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:16 PM on January 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

New Mexico
posted by brujita at 6:45 PM on January 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

If you're thinking of Costa Rica, I'd think about Barcelona! It sounds absolutely perfect for you two.
And this is coming from someone who love Cost Rica. Gorgeous, but can be boring if you;re not a beach bum or surfer.
posted by TenaciousB at 7:06 PM on January 3, 2016

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Lots of nice, quiet walking around. Lots of art and handmade stuff workshops to look and shop in. Tons of restaurants big and small full of good food. Some day trips to other towns. Beautiful weather in April.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 8:26 PM on January 3, 2016 [2 favorites]

Santa Barbara, CA.
posted by jeffamaphone at 8:38 PM on January 3, 2016

April won't be scorching hot (you'll need a sweater at night), but San Diego-LA-Santa Barbara would be pretty exquisite about that time. April may be a smidge late for the whales and Catalina Island, though with El Nino this year I don't know if that changes.

April is the end of tolerable season for me (I wither over about 80 degrees) in Cancun/Playa Del Carmen/Isla Mujeres/Tulum Mexico. I prefer January but it's hardly scorching yet by April, just 80s and muggy in the daytime.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:35 PM on January 3, 2016

Puerto Rico. Easily accessible from either location, warm, tropical and full of history. You can do outdoorsy stuff, check out rain forests, walk in old town.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:16 AM on January 4, 2016 [2 favorites]

Puerto Rico!!!! It's soooo easy to get to from the East coast of the US. It's awesome. So much to see and do for a week. Get a gorgeous airbnb or hotel on the beach. Spend the extra to get an ocean-view or oceanfront location. Or stay in the old town area, which has easy walking to restaurants and bars. JetBlue flies direct. I wouldn't second-guess that option at all!

Alternately - San Miguel de Allende is awesome but it's a bit more of a trek to get there. Mexico City itself is AMAZING but not really "relaxing" or outdoorsy.
posted by barnone at 7:50 AM on January 4, 2016 [1 favorite]

Another point in favor of Puerto Rico, it's a US protectorate so no customs.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:05 PM on January 4, 2016

If you need some motivation, I just got back from Puerto Rico. Blog posts about the trip.
posted by COD at 6:40 PM on January 4, 2016