help me plan an inexpensive weekend or 4 day getaway

[Natrat80]

DH and I really want to go on a trip before we have another baby (TTC now). We haven't been anywhere since our honeymoon to Mexico 5 years ago. We started planning a trip back to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and while it's cheap, I'm not sure that it's what I want to do. Because of the price hike during winter, we wouldn't go until May, which could be a problem if I get pg soon! So I'm looking for alternatives for a short trip (under a week) that wouldn't be too pricey!

a little about us: DH and I both like beaches, I LOVE the mountains. We've never skiied together but we'd like to at some point. DH is super athletic and although I'm not I'll wing it to make DH happy if it is something really cool! We haven't travelled very much besides to see family and our honeymoon. I've thought of Vegas, but we're not really gamblers -would we enjoy it??

We'd really like to go on our trip somewhere in Dec, Jan, or Feb. Oh, and we live in the Dallas area so we'd fly out of DFW.

Thanks!!

Natalie :)

[njdiva]

Have you thought about Miami? (south beach):confused:

[Natrat80]

I hadn't thought of that! Any suggestions?

[mgmhmj]

Vegas is a blast whether you gamble or not - I've only been once, and I'm dying to go back. And the only gambling I did was nickel and quarter slots, and not even much of that!!

[Sha259]

I also agree that Vegas could be good. DH and I are planning a trip there and we don't plan on doing any gambling at all. Also, Vegas seems to be having some good deals for the winter months (not counting Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years). I am sure that you could find good hotels for pretty cheap.

[boilermaker]

What is your definition of inexpensive?

I personally am not a fan of Vegas. I can handle it and have a good time for a weekend, but after 2 days I am quite sick of it. And while you can do Vegas pretty inexpensively, I have found most of the good stuff costs plenty!

Some other trips I would consider:
Skiing - Utah, Wyoming and Colorado tend to be more expensive, esp on the weekend. You can usually find pretty good deals if you look at New Mexico or even Idaho. You can also head way north and hit Banff or another Canadian location.

Wine Country - I've done several trips to wine country while on a budget and thoroughly enjoyed myself. There is also a lot to do in San Francisco that is very reasonably priced (there is a lot to there that is $$$$ too!). The first week of March is the Russian River Valley barrel tasting event that is great!

Hill Country - if you don't want to spend the money on plane tickets, have you considered one of the hill country resorts. You could prob afford a splurge on a suite or extra spa treatments instead of the plane tickets.

[Dizzy]

My husband and I took a ski trip to Taos Ski Valley last winter and it was relatively inexpensive. Like a PP said, New Mexico skiing is generally cheaper, but just as great. Taos was beautiful and A LOT of fun over New Year's because the fireworks are spectacular!

Flying to Orlando/Disney World is actually very reasonable out of DFW, and February is a great month to go.

Have fun, wherever you decide to go!!

[vee05]

VEGAS Baby!!!

DH spent 10 days in that area last X-mas-New years for our Honeymoon and i have visited once before ard the same time about 4 yrs ago and we are going back in December for 3 nights and 4 days! We so love it there :) Inexpensive and awesome!

[am_81]

Another vote for New Mexico. I actually went to Red River/Taos a couuple summers ago (July, IIRC) and while it was relatively inexpensive, we had a lot of fun. I rented a cabin with my family and did all sorts of outdoorsy activities (jeeeping, ATVing, river rafting, etc). We came out of DFW as well, but drove rather than flew, so I'm not sure how much flights cost.

Utah might also be an option. I road-tripped through Zion National Park with my family while I was younger and remember how absolutely breathtaking it was.

[Natrat80]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm leaning towards skiing if I can find a good deal! Our best friends want to come with us so we could split the cost of a cabin and that would make things cheaper. FYI cheap to me is under $2K!

[wendalah]

You could do a 4-day combo--fly to Vegas and then rent a car to drive four hours to Sedona, AZ--2 days of each. That would be fun, a good combo of city and nature/hiking, etc.

I think a 3-day weekend in Vegas would be a great choice, though. Vegas can keep you pretty busy if you've never been there before, and you can get a great experience for a reasonable price.

[KrissyCat7]

I vote for Lake Tahoe or Key West!

[Asha]

You could do a 4-day combo--fly to Vegas and then rent a car to drive four hours to Sedona, AZ--2 days of each. That would be fun, a good combo of city and nature/hiking, etc.

i agree with this but instead of sedona, i vote the grand canyon. when dh and i were dating, we took a 4 day weekend to las vegas and the grand canyon. we did the mule ride into the canyon. it was a bit pricey (around $200 for a day trip and something like $400 for overnight), but one of the best experiences of my life.

[ivansbabe]

How about Whistler BC? It's lovely there and there is a ton of things to do.

[Ericka_Jarett]

i agree with this but instead of sedona, i vote the grand canyon. when dh and i were dating, we took a 4 day weekend to las vegas and the grand canyon. we did the mule ride into the canyon. it was a bit pricey (around $200 for a day trip and something like $400 for overnight), but one of the best experiences of my life.

We are taking this same trip in December, just not doing the mule ride. We found a hotel for $25 a night at Vegas and staying for 2 nights at Bright Angel in a rim cabin

[Chimichanga]

I took DH to Vancouver BC for Christmas (we went in March) and it was under $2k for the whole trip. We flew into Seattle and drove up to Vancouver (beautiful drive!) We did a lot of sight seeing - most all of it free. We didn't do any day trips to Victoria and we also didn't do a lot of fine dining. But, it was beautiful and relaxing.

DH took me to Phoenix for 4 days last year in May and it was great! It was still iffy weather in Wisconsin but it was beautiful in Phoenix. We splurged on a great spa and resort. We didn't do much except lie by the pool. We did take a day trip up to the Grand Canyon. Also, less than $2K.