I'd go to Manhattan. See plays, eat fancy meals, and sleep. I'd go to a few museums and maybe do shopping during the day.

Portland, Maine -- stay downtown and don't rent a car. Fabulous restaurants, art museum is nice, rent a bike and go for a ride along the Promenade or take the ferry out to one of the Casco Bay islands -- you can bring a picnic lunch and a book and just chill for the afternoon.

Or, if you can deal with renting a car -- the Berkshires -- hiking, Tanglewood, the Williams College art museum, bookstores in the Pioneer Valley . . . .

If it were me, I'd either:

1) pick a city where I have lots of friends and family to visit, and where there's also a lot for me to do and see by myself -- for me, this would be San Francisco;

or

2) go to Topspin tennis camp.

New York, or Boston.

Thanks, everyone. I was hoping to stay on the east coast so as not to spend so much time in the air.

OP, are you seeking a city escape? nature/countryside retreat? or luxury spa/resort trip?

I'd love to escape to the Golden Door Spa in CA:
http://www.goldendoor.com/golden-door-journey/default-en.html

London.

If I had four days to travel by myself and no budget restrictions....I'd go to Paris! find a direct flight and just spend your time eating, sleeping, and wandering. You will come back a different person. London could be fun, too.

The OP said she was wanting to escape DC heat....I think SF would be a perfect solution! incredible food, great museums, interesting history, shopping.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely SF.

But it'll probably be cold!!!

Definitely SF.

If I were you, I would head to one of the following places:

Portland, Oregon
Vancouver, British Columbia
San Francisco
Montreal

You wouldn't need to rent a car in any of these destinations and there would be plenty to keep you occupied and happy for four days. Have fun planning....I'd love to be in your shoes! Tell us where you end up going.

You definitely need a car in Maine. What about Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard? My dad and I did a bike vacation on Nantucket when I was younger and it was great.

I will have 4 days to myself at the end of July w/out my kids. Would like to not have to rent a car. Open to ideas. Would love to go to Maine, but it seems most of the nicer hotels are isolated and not near towns without a car. Or somewhere to beat the DC heat. No budget restrictions as this is a rare opportunity for me.

Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you.