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I live in NY and it is FREEZING during the winter. I really enjoy going to warmer places in general. My mother and I are planning a Christmas week vacation to somewhere warmer, somewhere with t-shirt-like weather. Initially, the thought of going to the Bahamas on a cruise came up but our family members didn't jump on board since we own our building and they want to be here to take care of things. She believes it's going to be absolutely boring on the ship if it's just the 2 of us.
She planned on getting a friend to go to Las Vegas, but I'm not 21 yet and there is almost NOTHING I can do there but sit around. Also thought of going to San Francisco but we'd want to visit Yosemite Park, which isn't the ideal time to be there by December. We like fun but she's not willing to go to Hawaii or anywhere farther than California, since she's using up the last of her vacation days since they won't merge with next year's vacation days. We've been to Orlando before but Miami is out of the way for sure since she's not exactly party-type material. I'd really love to make the best of these few years of vacations with my mother as much as I can since I'll be moving out after college.
Is there a nice, warm-weathered city we can visit in December? We don't drive so we can't rent a car to go anywhere. TIA!
I live in NY and it is FREEZING during the winter. I really enjoy going to warmer places in general. My mother and I are planning a Christmas week vacation to somewhere warmer, somewhere with t-shirt-like weather. Initially, the thought of going to the Bahamas on a cruise came up but our family members didn't jump on board since we own our building and they want to be here to take care of things. She believes it's going to be absolutely boring on the ship if it's just the 2 of us.
She planned on getting a friend to go to Las Vegas, but I'm not 21 yet and there is almost NOTHING I can do there but sit around. Also thought of going to San Francisco but we'd want to visit Yosemite Park, which isn't the ideal time to be there by December. We like fun but she's not willing to go to Hawaii or anywhere farther than California, since she's using up the last of her vacation days since they won't merge with next year's vacation days. We've been to Orlando before but Miami is out of the way for sure since she's not exactly party-type material. I'd really love to make the best of these few years of vacations with my mother as much as I can since I'll be moving out after college.
Is there a nice, warm-weathered city we can visit in December? We don't drive so we can't rent a car to go anywhere. TIA!
With all the limitations you have listed, I am hard pressed to recommend ANY place.
I could recommend San Diego, BUT the public transportation is NOT all that great and it can be hard to get around. Ditto for LA and Orange Co.
San Francisco won't be warm and it might be gloomy that time of year. Ditto for Seattle.
Miami Beach would work or the Florida Keys.
Many of the cities of the Deep South are warm BUT ... a lot closes around the holidays AND again if you can't drive.
Personally, I don't like to fly over Christmas as the fares are terrible, the crowds are bad, and a lot of the attractions are closed. But sometimes, it is the only time available.
How about New Orleans? I think the weather should be warm then. We went several years back in May. It has great transportation. The trolleys go just about everywhere. Great restaurants. I loved the Art Museum and it also has a zoo. Entertainment and music on every block. One thing I missed was the wonderful shopping on Magazine Street. We stayed right in the French Quarter at "Place de Arms" and I would recommend it.
Last edited by Newdaawn; 10-06-2012 at 06:15 AM..
Reason: Addition
With all the limitations you have listed, I am hard pressed to recommend ANY place.
I could recommend San Diego, BUT the public transportation is NOT all that great and it can be hard to get around. Ditto for LA and Orange Co.
Actually I would like to suggest Los Angeles. If you plan your trip correctly, it is possible to manage to visit L.A. without renting a car and solely relying on public transportation. For example you could stay near Santa Monica or Venice beach if you are interested in the beach. Alternately you could stay in the Miracle Mile area (which has several museums) and there you would have access to public transportation that goes to Santa Monica and the 3rd Promenade area.
I would suggest WDWm there is so much to do but it's also very expensive at xmas time. As far as the weather it can be iffy from cool to nice a warm. Key West might interest you.
Key West is definitely doable without driving, but airfare there is steep--and at this point it's probably nearing sold out for Christmas week.
Have you considered an all inclusive in the Caribbean? You'd need to get passports unless you are going to Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, but you still have time for that as long as you apply NOW.
I disagree that LA is doable without driving. Yes, technically it is, but you won't be able to see some of the best things without a car.
San Diego might be a better option, and it's nicer anyhow.
You've been to Orlando, but have you really seen the area? Forget the tourist spots. We have museums, galleries, great performing arts, and plenty of restaurants that tourists never find out about. Consider staying at the Grand Bohemian in Downtown Orlando and see what the City Beautiful actually offers outside the theme parks.
I would suggest an all-inclusive in the Caribbean or the Keys.
CA will not be warm in December, at least the "warm" you describe; even San Diego is a low of 48 and a high of 65 in December - that is not t-shirt weather. Still a great place to visit during that timeframe though.
I'd also say an all-inclusive in the Caribbean. Anything north of about Ft. Lauderdale in Florida isn't necessarily going to be beach weather from December through early February.
I'm not a huge fan of Puerto Rico, but staying in Old Town San Juan might be a good choice given your limitations. It's easily walkable with a lot of beautiful historical architecture, forts, and beautiful ocean views. Beaches are easily accessible by cab and you can arrange tours from Old Town to El Yunque or other outlying areas that might interest you.
You might want to look into San Antonio, TX~it's usually warm, and it is a very walkable city, if you stay near or along the Riverwalk area. There is also a trolley that runs around town so you can see the sights and get on/off where you at places that you are interested in exploring. Most of the hotels have shuttle service to/from the airport.
You might actually enjoy Las Vegas, the pools at the hotels are great, there are some great shows and shopping, and you can walk the entire strip and just people watch and explore the architecture and the boutique type stores. We don't gamble and thoroughly enjoyed Las Vegas, the trolley there runs up and down the strip, and some of the side tours (Hoover Dam) are fun.
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