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About a month ago, while looking for a hotel in Chicago for October 6-8, all the hotel rates I saw were about twice as high as normal (~$400/night instead of the usual ~$200/night). What's going on in Chicago next weekend to make the rates so high?
posted by ShooBoo around Chicago, IL at 11:23 AM - 5 answers

We are going to Portland, Maine for a weekend in October. We plan to go for a drive to see foliage (and we are willing to do a long drive for that), but what else should we do, see and eat? Snowflake details inside! [more inside]
posted by rednikki around Portland, ME at 7:50 AM - 20 answers

My parents and I are going to San Diego for a week in mid-November. What should we definitely not miss while we're there? [more inside]
posted by darchildre around San Diego, CA at 5:44 PM - 11 answers

I'm going to Hawaii (the island) for a week. What's not to miss? I'm staying around Kailua-Kona. I will have a car. [more inside]
posted by so fucking future around Hawaii at 7:24 PM - 26 answers

I am looking for 2 hotels - both for one night mid week stays, quite soon. The first one is all about cheap; the second one could be a bit more expensive if it's kid friendly. [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry around Portland, OR at 4:48 PM - 11 answers

My husband and I are set to go to Seattle in early November. We plan to meet up with some of his friends, but I was hoping to see some of the coastline as well. [more inside]
posted by PussKillian around Seattle, WA at 6:37 PM - 18 answers

This is pretty straightforward: can you help me brainstorm experiences to surprise and delight my 43yo spouse on a visit to Oahu? She likes the outdoors, she likes culture, she doesn't care for shopping. Current plans: we're going to try to get into Hanauma Bay. Past plans that she loved but we don't want to repeat: Shangri La, Iolani Palace. A little more below.... [more inside]
posted by moonmoth around Honolulu, HI at 10:11 PM - 12 answers

Thanksgiving week, flying into PHX with seven days to hike and play. Someone suggested five days in Sedona and two days in Jerome. What would you do? [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife around Arizona at 10:07 PM - 11 answers

So, I'm off on a weird trip early next month, into SEA early on a Sunday morning, attending a concert in the evening, and then flying back out of SEA the first flight the next morning. I'll be taking the light rail up to Seattle and am wondering, are there any stops along the way I should explore? I have a full day to kill before the show, and will get a day pass for the train so I can get off and on as much as I want. This would be only for the daytime on a Sunday. I could kill an hour or two or more at a few stops heading north, so recommendations for anything are welcome.
posted by hippybear around Seattle, WA at 3:29 PM - 14 answers

I have a conference and my husband has at least some work while we are in DC in November with our 1-year-old. Where should we stay? [more inside]
posted by *s around Washington, DC at 11:29 AM - 6 answers

Hey all! The question title about sums it up. I'd like to take a working vacation for a week to get the city's general vibe, at some point between October and February (excluding the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year peak travel times) What should I do while I'm in town? Also includes St. Paul. [more inside]
posted by daikaisho around Minneapolis, MN at 1:50 PM - 10 answers

My extended family ( wife, 2 teens, teens uncle, and grandparents ) would like to spend some time in the Asheville area over Thanksgiving. Would love a good mix of food, hiking, and local things to do. What area should we stay in? If you suggest spending some time in Asheville proper and then moving to a place in mountains, not averse to that. We will have about 5 days.
posted by jasondigitized around Asheville, NC at 1:02 PM - 6 answers

I am heading to SF very soon, oops! What to do and where to stay please? I got great answers in my recent Vegas thread, so fingers crossed! [more inside]
posted by Iteki around San Francisco, CA at 11:30 AM - 29 answers

In mid-October, we're flying into Portland, then driving out to Hood River for a wedding. We'll have a few free days. Friends and past MeFi posts have given us a few ideas but we have a couple of specific questions. [more inside]
posted by martin q blank around Hood River County, OR at 7:50 AM - 14 answers

I'm looking into travel insurance options for a teenager with a pre-existing condition that makes it well within the realm of possibility that they'll need to visit an emergency room while on vacation in the US from Canada. [more inside]
posted by Ceridwen around United States at 7:27 AM - 5 answers

I'm from out of town and I'm trying to find the best way to transport myself, a bike and 2 large suitcases in San Francisco. I can't ride the bike because of the bags and don't want to chance ordering an uber or lyft that won't take the bike because I'm being dropped off at a bus and don't want to be late. The drive is only 7-10 minutes away. Any suggestions on the best way to do this? Thanks!
posted by eaq around San Francisco, CA at 9:38 AM - 8 answers

I know this must be so dumb, but I never fly anywhere. I will be taking a flight out of my small town (and thus no-line) airport and arriving at SEA. This flight was not booked together with my international flight later the same day. Will I have to stand in any long-ass lines in Seattle? Or can I just go to the gate for my next flight? (I will have only a carryon bag if it matters.) My partner has TSA precheck and I don't want to be stuck in a 2-hour line without him so I want to know whether I should get it too.
posted by HotToddy around Seattle, WA at 4:03 PM - 11 answers

Looking for recommendations of good restaurants - preferably that do take-out and/or have outdoor seating - within easy walking distance of the north end of the University of Washington campus. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown around Seattle, WA at 9:13 PM - 11 answers

Looking for an app that shows places of touristic interest on a map for New York City. Mostly interested in historic buildings and museums; cheap/unique dining suggestions would be a plus. Willing to pay but would prefer an up-front cost rather than a death by a thousand cuts "pay $3.99 to unlock the Central Park walking tour route" approach.
posted by nanny's striped stocking around New York, NY at 8:45 AM - 3 answers

Going to downeast Maine (Acadia to Lubec). Looking for interesting, not run of the mill activities and scenic attractions for two non-hiker or kayaker, bookish folks. Good food and good brewery recs a plus, as well as diversions during the drive from Portsmouth NH area.
posted by aught around Machias, ME at 5:56 PM - 8 answers