Our Getaways: Part 1

As we’re trying to figure out where to go for Memorial Day weekend, I was thinking of all the fun vacations we’ve had in the past few years. Here are some of the cool weekend getaways I have really enjoyed. We visited these places while we were grad students or amidst planning a wedding, so we always found a good balance between cheap accommodations, good restaurants and lots of things to see and do that were within our modest budget:

Cooperstown, NY (June 2005)

If Nelson hadn’t taken me there for our very first getaway, I would never have heard of this town famous for being the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. With charming B&Bs and great views of the Lake Otsego we had unforgettable experience.



Boston (September 2006)

We have been to Boston more than a few occasions to visit friends. But a few ago, we actually did tourist activities such as Walking to through the Boston Commons, Prudential Center, Chinatown, Harvard Square, Freedom Trail & Little Italy. It was also our first visit to Fenway park for a RedSox game.


Chicago (June 2008)


This really is "the city" to visit in the summer. We stayed downtown and did a lot of walking from the Millennium Park, through the Magnificent Mile to the Navy Pier. We really enjoyed the architecture boat tour. The Chicago Art Museum was also a good way to spend a few hours, even for people like us who are not avid art lovers. The Sears Tower or the John Hancock Towers undoubtedly offered wonderful views of the great city.


Newport, RI (Fourth of July wknd, 2008)

The Newport Mansions Expereince tour, which allows you to visit any five houses, was a facinating expereince. Newport also has a vibrant downtown and scenic beach area. We also had dinner in Providence and drove by Brown University.


Washington D.C. (Easter weekend, April 2009)

We stayed in the suburbs and took the metro into the city. Saw the noted national monuments as the Lincoln Memorial, The White House, The World War 2 Memorial, The Washington Monument & Iwo Jima Memorial. We also decided to visit the Holocaust Museum which didn’t offer much in terms of exhibits. But the Air & Space Museum and the National Zoo are definitely recommended.




Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard (Memorial Day Wknd, 2009)

We stayed in Hyannis which had an lively downtown. The next morning we took the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard for the day. On our way back, we stopped by Falmouth, another beach town with a great choice of restaurants. We spent another day in Provincetown, the colorful tip of the Cape known for being a gay village. Due to the rain we couldn't spend any time at the beach but we did drive along the National Sea Shore.



Jersey Shore (Fourth of July wknd, 2009)

We stayed in Atlantic City, which didn’t hold a candle to Vegas. But it was a fun place to be nonetheless; with outlet shopping, lots of restaurants, the boardwalk and the beach. We visited Cape May a historic beach town, walked the endless boardwalk in Wildwood and stopped by Belmar, a family beach area for lunch. By driving down the shore you can sample different types of ambience and activities at each town depending on your personal preference.