New Orleans will be beastly hot in July...not to mention it is hurricane season...

What about Boston? Lots of museums, historical stuff...

Maybe you'll be around for one of the feasts?
http://www.northendboston.com/visit-2/summer-feasts/

My vote is for canada too! Not Montreal or Quebec though. My suggestion is to go to Vancouver, BC. My mom took me when I was 14 and I still remember our trip til this day... walking through the flower gardens, taking the public trransport system. For our accomodations we actually stayed in a lovely room at a local university for a very low price. I would hands down say Vancouver is the place to go.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/travel/36-hours-in-quebec-city.html

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/10/13/travel/100000001109713/36-seconds-in-quebec-city.html

NP here. Haven't been to Quebec City, but think it would be exactly what you are looking for, or some kind of Montreal/Quebec City combo. In terms of things to do, Montreal has a wonderful food scene, and in both places there is lots of history to explore - I believe Quebec City still has much of the original old city. And the French aspect makes it feel a little bit more exotic / different (versus some other parts of Canada which, while amazing, can often feel pretty familiar.) Just dig around on line a little bit and I'm sure you can find lots of great suggestions to find the right 'fit' for your family.

Anonymous wrote:I was also going to say Quebec City. My mom and I did a girls trip there a few years back and had, surprisingly, one of the best vacations ever.

OP here. I just checked airfare for Quebec City. Price seems to be in the $600 area. Can you tell me some of the things to do there? I honestly don't know too much about Canada.

Thanks for the great ideas, everyone.

I think I'm going to go with New Orleans...it seems to catch the vibe I'm looking for. Canada sounds great, but flights are on par with London. New Orleans looks very doable and will have that mix of adventure and luxury that I'm looking for. The challenge will be trying to make a trip work in June or July, since the weather will be miserable.

I was also going to say Quebec City. My mom and I did a girls trip there a few years back and had, surprisingly, one of the best vacations ever.

Anonymous wrote:New York city...go to some museums, see some shows, etc.

You can take a train instead of a plane and it will be much less expensive.

When do you want to go?

Would like to go in July. I thought about NYC, but we've been there so I fear it's not different and/or exciting enough.

New York city...go to some museums, see some shows, etc.

You can take a train instead of a plane and it will be much less expensive.

When do you want to go?

New Orleans in the Fall or Spring. Stay in the Garden District or Uptown and just do the French Quarter during the day...amazing food, interesting history, friendly locals, beautiful old homes, museums, fun shopping, nice park/zoo, etc.

San Francisco,
Charleston,
Vancouver/ Victoria (British Columbia)

Great idea! Have fun!

Peurto Rico?

Quebec City

I guess I should add that while I want something adventurous, we're not into natural parks camping, hiking, etc. Thinking more along the lines of walking around and seeing historical, exotic sites.

My oldest daughter is going off to college next year. I would really love to plan a trip with her and my middle daughter (who will be 13.5). Would like to keep trip cost to $3k or so. Want something adventurous rather than laying out on a beach. London would be a dream, but I think the airfare will rule this out. Would like a 4-5 day trip.

TIA for any suggestions!!