Where to go in late May for 1 week.

March 26, 2008 3:48 PM

Where to go for 2 early 20's women on the cheap, that's safe, and oh yeah, 1 week during Memorial Day weekend?

My college roommate and I are attempting to plan our summer vacation from work. This will be the first time that we've really had a chance to hang out together since October.

About us: We're both in our early 20s. She's much more extroverted than I. We don't have a helluva lot of money to spend. We have one week to travel around (late Thursday through Wednesday).

Starting point: around the Washington/Baltimore area.

Things that we are looking for: warm, cheap, somewhat exotic (but not to the point where it's a really bad idea for us to be out there alone), and an assload of fun. Alcohol is always a plus, along with other things.

Things that we have: one easy on gas car, free spirits, willingness for strange situations, 2 vouchers for flights within the lower 48 for $200 a pop with Delta.

Things that we DON'T HAVE: my friend has no passport and probably can't get one, any extension on the time frame.

Any ideas, oh trusty hive mind?

I want this to be an incredibly awesome trip, since I don't really get out much.

posted by sperose to travel & transportation (13 comments total)

New Orleans
posted by andrewdunn at 3:51 PM on March 26, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Vegas? It can be done cheaply, if you're creative (and don't gamble on the strip...)
posted by cgg at 4:19 PM on March 26, 2008

Savannah, or yeah, New Orleans.
posted by Navelgazer at 4:20 PM on March 26, 2008

Ten thousand waves in New Mexico.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 4:24 PM on March 26, 2008

Puerto Rico?
posted by box at 4:28 PM on March 26, 2008

If your friend could get a passport, I'd suggest Montreal. She might even be able to go without, since I know for a while you could get across the border with just a driver's license and a birth certificate. CIC/DHS keep mutter about requiring a passport for ground travel, but it's unclear whether it's absolutely 100% required yet.

I think it's pretty warm out there come May, without being sweltering and muggy, drivable from DC/Baltimore and pretty exotic. Plus, you can go through Adirondack State Park on the way there, which is quite lovely.
posted by Nelsormensch at 4:42 PM on March 26, 2008

Is New Orleans safe for us at night (presumably highly intoxicated)? Plus, if we drive down there, is my car going to get jacked?

(It may seem silly, but I've heard horror stories...)


While a spa sounds awesome, it also sounds a bit boring. And we'd probably eat some of the travel time getting and from there.


(In my head, New Orleans sounds awesome. We originally had wanted to go there when we were in college. Right before Katrina happened. :-/ )
posted by sperose at 4:58 PM on March 26, 2008

Chapel Hill, NC is a blast if you love music and dancing, I also love Savannah, GA. New Orleans is not as safe as the other two, and if you are planning on wandering around late at night, I would probably nix that. Also, Savannah, GA is about two hours drive from Florida, so you could drive to Savannah, spend a couple of days, then drive on down to Florida for a day or so.
posted by nikksioux at 5:07 PM on March 26, 2008

Memorial Day Weekend is always the Movement: Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

Although MOBY is playing this year. Ew :(
posted by mkb at 6:11 PM on March 26, 2008

"Where to go for 2 early 20's women on the cheap, that's safe, and oh yeah, 1 week during Memorial Day weekend?"

Haha, for a second I thought you were looking for 2 early 20's women on the cheap.

Either way, n-thing New Orleans
posted by fingo at 6:12 PM on March 26, 2008

New Orleans sounds like a grand time for this but to offer something different how about Miami or Key West. Not sure about cheap accommodations but I am sure you can be creative
posted by mmascolino at 8:52 PM on March 26, 2008

After a few hours on the phone and some researching of flights: WE'RE GOING TO NEW ORLEANS.


And it will be awesome. Thanks y'all!
posted by sperose at 9:25 PM on March 26, 2008

So since you're going to New Orleans, I will recommend getting a room at St. Vincent's guest house. It's my favorite place to stay while visiting the city as an early 20s reveler. Disregard the reviews about filth and bugs; you will find them everywhere. Once I stayed in a hostel in New Orleans and could feel the cockroaches crawling inside the mattress at night.
posted by billtron at 8:06 AM on March 29, 2008