Friday, June 26, 2009

Travel Dilemma

Josh and I are thinking about taking a vacation this summer. We'd like to do something fairly grand that we've never done before. With money from the house, plus my bonus money this year, plus some other income coming in, we could afford to spend about $2500 on a nice trip. So right now I have two ideas in mind.

1. Go to Orlando and do a theme park trip visiting Busch Gardens, Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, Sea World, and maybe Disney. Josh is finally where he does like coasters and I certainly would have a blast. Concerns: Expense of parking at each park, getting a decent hotel, and potential weather disruption (during hurricane season).

2. Go to New York City. This would be a typical NYC trip with all the touristy things. See a Broadway show, visit Times Square, Empire State Building, the Met etc. Concerns: Cost of a decent hotel and navigating subway system. Also concerned about relative safety of visiting.

3. Might consider some place else based on my reader recommendations.

We originally were going to consider going on a cruise with my dad and brother and their respective wives/girlfriends. When I looked into it, however, the travel down there on their selected date would be tight because of Josh's last band camp concert and the cost to get a passport would increase the overall cost quite a bit especially to have it expedited in a month. Also not sure how much Josh would really enjoy the trip.

So my 4 or 5 readers - what would you suggest or recommend? Do you have any advice for visiting either place? Do you have other suggestions for a teenage boy and a 39 year old woman. Keep in mind we are not the outdoorsy, camping type. We like to see artsy stuff, historical things, or fun things like theme parks.
I've already been to Magic Mountain and Cedar Point among a few other parks so I'd rather go someplace I've never been.

5 comments:

Rebecca said...

I went to NYC for the first time back in October...and had a blast.
It was so much fun, and seriously, I never felt unsafe at all. We even managed to figure out how to maneuver the subway, and noone ever bothered us even there. Even late.
The shows, museums, restaurants, shopping...there is just so much to do and see. The view from the top of the Empire state building after dark (not so crowded then either) was so spectacular, I will never forget it.
Also? Florida is just so dang hot in the summer. Just my 2 cents.

Summer said...

Hmmmm...I like all of your thoughts here. I'm a beach person so I wouldn't be the one to ask. But...haha....if I were you, I would be tempted to go to Disney World for a short visit and then up to Savannah and/or Charleston for a little sight seeing and beach time.Because I'm all about the fun on vacation.

But...ha...I know you and Josh would love NY or even DC because those places would be great learning experiences for you.

Decisions, decisions...

Leann said...

I have to vote for NY. Abba and Pioneer Woman just went there with their children and had a grand time. I agree with Rebecca in that I've heard NY is a really safe town to visit despite what we hear/see on tv and the media.

I think, given you and Josh's music interests that NY would be a prime place to go.

Just my 2cents worth :-)

Billy said...

Leann is right! NYC!!! I was fortunate to go twice in a 2 month span. Once for vacation and the other time for work. If you decide to go, let me know. I can answer some questions you may have. They have great tours around the city and the subways are totally safe. We even took the subway to a Yankees game. We saw Mamma Mia and Lion King on Broadway, plus visited all of the "must see" attractions. The only place I really did not get to see was the Statue of Liberty. The City is beautiful and you won't be able to see it all in week. Hope you go there. You won't be disappointed.

Anonymous said...

I vote for NY, even in the summer it is great! There is so much to do, plays to see, places to eat, great pizza, and the people are very helpful and friendly. The subway system is not hard to navigate at all!
Check out the New Yorker Hotel. It is very convenient to subway system and in mid-town Manhattan.
Sorry I don't comment more, but I check by your site every day to keep up with you! You need a vacation, you work too darn hard!! Betzy