Ask MetaFilter

Heading to Puerto Rico in a week and looking for adventures with the kids (8 and 10), especially horseback riding and zip lines. We’re hitting a roadblock with 250 lb. weight limits that exclude my wife. We’ve ridden horses elsewhere, and surely there’s something in PR for Clydesdales like her, no? We’ll be west of Luquillo on the north shore, but will gladly drive elsewhere.
posted by ahthefrench around Puerto Rico at 3:30 PM - 6 answers

Looking for recommendations for brief stops not far off the highway that are interesting, unexpected, or just authentically showcase the local vibe for non-Instagrammers. [more inside]
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only around Willits, CA at 1:23 PM - 8 answers

In the coming weeks/months, I'll be spending time in that area... [more inside]
posted by vrakatar around Uxbridge, MA at 4:38 PM - 4 answers

Planning a babymoon girls trip in early January for my pregnant 30 y.o. daughter, myself, and my 81 y.o. mom. We're all in good health, but I like to be mentally prepared in case of an emergency. If any of us needs to go to a hospital, which one should we go to / ask to be taken to? [more inside]
posted by Sweetie Darling around New York, NY at 7:29 AM - 4 answers

Please help me find a fantasy holiday-ish getaway that would be fun for a kid and his grown-ups. I'd like to take my 8 YO and my husband to Vermont for a 3-4 nights between Christmas and New Year's. Hoping to find a magical lodging place with at least some of the following qualities: charming; woodsy; grounds where my kid can play in the snow; on-site or nearby snowshoeing and/or sledding; some on-site dining options and/or cabins/cottages with a kitchen. [more inside]
posted by CiaoMela around Vermont at 7:20 AM - 9 answers

I'm catching an international flight out of Newark on Thanksgiving Day, departing in the early evening. What's the best way to get to the airport from Manhattan that day (I was going to take the train from Penn Station)? How much extra time should I give myself? Any advice for surviving the experience?
posted by Gerald Bostock around New York, NY at 11:47 AM - 8 answers

How do the express lanes work on the 5 through Seattle? I can't find a concise explanation anywhere of where you can get in and where you can exit, and what are the rules (do you need a certain amount of people in the car? A transponder? Is there a toll?). [more inside]
posted by potrzebie around Seattle, WA at 7:20 PM - 7 answers

My family is visiting Chicago for the day tomorrow and we just realized a lot of what we want to do won't be open before 10 or 11. I'm sure we could easily find some ways to kill time, but it would be better if we could find something nicer than walking around Target :) [more inside]
posted by Eyelash around Chicago, IL at 4:05 PM - 6 answers

We're a little late, but we're trying to plan a trip to south Florida next spring for a family of 4. We want to 1) stay directly on a beach and spend most days there 2) take a day trip to the Everglades one day 3) take a day trip (boat tour?) to Biscayne one day 4) minimize driving (with the understanding there may be a lot of driving for those day trips). What areas should we be looking into? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund around San Rafael, CA at 4:01 AM - 5 answers

My elderly mother (turning 85 in January) is planning to visit my brother in the US next April, for approximately one month. However, a travel insurance estimate from her country of residence, New Zealand, is approximately NZD$2500. I am in Canada and can find a Canadian based insurance options for her for around CAD$800, although this is only for travel to Alberta. Are there any good options for travel to the US that are less than $1000, perhaps from US or international based companies?
posted by piyushnz around United States at 8:24 PM - 8 answers

After posting this question about how to celebrate milestone birthdays, we've locked down just a few events and are looking for further ideas about where to go and what to do on this Midwest US roadtrip we'll be taking. No idea too wacky! Weird art museum? Okay. World's Largest Ball of Twine? Sure. Anything goes. We want the trip to be memorable and include things we wouldn't otherwise think to do. Details within. [more inside]
posted by DrGail around Midwest, WY at 12:38 PM - 15 answers

My dad (84) and my son (20) and I (54) are returning from NZ in a few days. Just realized we have an 11 hr layover in San Francisco. Can we pay for a few hours in an airline lounge that has beds, showers, etc? Is this still a thing?
posted by chr1sb0y around San Francisco, CA at 2:22 PM - 9 answers

I just quit my job. I need a break before I start looking. I want to travel somewhere in the continental US. I'd be leaving middle of next week. Planning on going about 5-7 days. [more inside]
posted by kathrynm around United States at 9:23 PM - 11 answers

So because of the construction at JFK, the advice these days is to take the AirTrain. Have you done this? How long did the AirTrain portion take? Which station did you take the AirTrain from? Any general tips? Thanks!
posted by DavidNYC around New York, NY at 12:07 PM - 8 answers

Planning on meeting folks (10-20 folks, half with little kids under 5) in a trip back to the city in Central Park on a summer Saturday. Pre kids we would just go to Sheep’s Meadow, but don’t remember any playgrounds/kids stuff nearby plus even pre covid it was super packed. Where would you go in CP? Any other non Central Park picnic/play spots in Manhattan you’d recommend? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv around New York, NY at 12:31 PM - 5 answers

I'll have a few hours in Chicago between planned events to wander around. Staying in the Loop, but have seen most of what's near there, and I'm not interested in the Magnificent Mile. I'm happy taking transport to areas that are walkable, interesting and safe. I'm looking for neighborhoods, rather than specific stores/restaurants/bars/museums. From very casual reading, I've seen: Andersonville, Logan Square, Chinatown, Humboldt Park, Lincoln Square and Fulton Market. I'll probably only have time for one or two. Any recommendations or other suggestions?
posted by still_wears_a_hat around Chicago, IL at 11:30 AM - 11 answers

In a few days I’m leaving for a 7-day Amtrak Vacations trip around the US from Washington DC to Chicago, LA, New Orleans, and back to Washington DC. I'd love any advice, recommendations, and suggestions on how to ensure I get the most out of my dream vacation. [more inside]
posted by kinsey around United States at 8:27 AM - 38 answers

Looking for an app to help me keep track of and find new swim spots in my area and when I am further from home [more inside]
posted by Summers around United States at 5:04 AM - 2 answers

I asked this question about where to take my five year old daughter on a trip last month and the ultimate decision was Mystic, CT. We're going this weekend. Help us plan our itinerary! [more inside]
posted by millipede around Stonington, CT at 12:34 PM - 10 answers

I need to park at or around JFK for about 2 and a half weeks this summer. Previously we've parked at the JFK long term lot, but this year they're quoting me over $600, yikes. But many of the offsite long term parking lots look kinda sketchy. Is there an offsite lot that you can recommend, which is minimally sketchy, has a convenient shuttle, and won't be too exhausting to get to with 2 kids and luggage? The last time this was asked was in 2010, and the top answer doesn't seem to exist anymore.
posted by Liesl around New York, NY at 8:03 AM - 9 answers