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I'm going to Grand Junction in late August. Years ago we almost moved there. It is a pretty nice outdoorsy place. Wineries nearby. Fishing on the mesa.
I went to Flagstaff in December and was lucky with the weather...only a couple inches of snow that week. Bar-hopped, went to the Lowell Observatory and spent a couple days at Grand Canyon (a little snow and almost no tourists...great photography). It was cold.
Santa Fe is nice year round and there is always something going on. I always thought Taos was more commercialized but it's worth a visit unless it is overwhelmed with tourists (I was just there in June and it was hectic). For both places it is best to stay where you can walk to whatever you want to see or do. Albuquerque is bigger but has a lot to see...Balloon Fiesta is in October. All three have very interesting and scenic places within an hour's drive. A (cheap) commuter train connects Santa Fe with Albuquerque. There are ski slopes nearby. Weather is almost perfect. There is a lot of history and culture.
How we are defining a mid size city here? Many of these suggestions seem like small cities.
And others - Boston, Washington - don't seem "mid-sized" imho.
Gotta recommend my own, though: Lexington, Ky, Heart of the Bluegrass. 45 minutes to the mountains, surrounded by thoroughbred horse farms on rolling green pastures, history in abundance, part of the Golden Triangle completed by Louisville and Cincinnati. A friend and I were commenting just last evening about how blessed we are to live in a place with so much natural beauty.
I'm planning to do more travel within the United States and I'm looking for ideas. I'd like to check out some medium sized cities. I like less overwhelming places where its easy to meet people and relax! I like art, history, music, festivals, parks, and great food! Any ideas?!
Portland, Oregon
Bend, Oregon
Taos, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Ashville, North Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Savannah, Georgia
Nashville, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Boulder, Colorado
Santa Barbara, California
Missoula, Montana
Tuscon, Arizona
Salt Lake City, Utah
Tampa, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida
New Orleans, Lousiana
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Portland, Maine
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewlyNatural
Thanks! Definitely want to go to Portland! The other two sounds good!
Lots of great medium cities / towns near Portland (Enough to last our 6 weeks of summer) Do come for Rose season as the international Gardens are fabulous + free concerts EVERY night in the parks July and Aug. Fresh Salmon and berries in August!
Eugene, Corvallis, Hood River, Ashland, Bend, K Falls, are all nice Oregon Cities. (and there are many more) 20 + colleges in Portland alone for plenty of activities between spending your day finding food trucks.
Neighboring WA has some very nice cities too. (Might as well see Victoria, BC (And Vancouver) while you are in the neighborhood. )
Walla Walla and Spokane have nice things to see and do, Coeur d'Alene, ID is <30 min from Spokane. What a gorgeous setting for a day out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RosieSD
Portland, Oregon
Bend, Oregon
Taos, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Ashville, North Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Savannah, Georgia
Nashville, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Boulder, Colorado
Santa Barbara, California
Missoula, Montana
Tuscon, Arizona
Salt Lake City, Utah
Tampa, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida
New Orleans, Lousiana
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Portland, Maine
Very nice selection ^^^ Add Knoxville and Chattanooga, and might as well see San Antonio while in Austin (I prefer San Antonio for culture, history, (mission trail)) Scenery and small town culture in Hill Country nearby is very excellent for TX!!! (Texas recreation sites) Worth a month or so. Thanksgiving to Christmas is an excellent time for visiting this region (Hill Country Lighting Trail) / festivals / lighted parades / concerts ....
While in Colorado, spend a day in Colorado Springs, don't miss Garden of the Gods (sunrise or sunset is great) and nearby AF Academy. (Many other nice places to visit as well, and very pretty setting against mtns)
Last edited by StealthRabbit; 07-13-2017 at 04:27 AM..
Lots of great medium cities / towns near Portland (Enough to last our 6 weeks of summer) Do come for Rose season as the international Gardens are fabulous + free concerts EVERY night in the parks July and Aug. Fresh Salmon and berries in August!
Eugene, Corvallis, Hood River, Ashland, Bend, K Falls, are all nice Oregon Cities. (and there are many more) 20 + colleges in Portland alone for plenty of activities between spending your day finding food trucks.
Neighboring WA has some very nice cities too. (Might as well see Victoria, BC (And Vancouver) while you are in the neighborhood. )
Walla Walla and Spokane have nice things to see and do, Coeur d'Alene, ID is <30 min from Spokane. What a gorgeous setting for a day out.
Very nice selection ^^^ Add Knoxville and Chattanooga, and might as well see San Antonio while in Austin (I prefer San Antonio for culture, history, (mission trail)) Scenery and small town culture in Hill Country nearby is very excellent for TX!!! (Texas recreation sites) Worth a month or so. Thanksgiving to Christmas is an excellent time for visiting this region (Hill Country Lighting Trail) / festivals / lighted parades / concerts ....
While in Colorado, spend a day in Colorado Springs, don't miss Garden of the Gods (sunrise or sunset is great) and nearby AF Academy. (Many other nice places to visit as well, and very pretty setting against mtns)
Thanks for recommendations, I actually use to live in San Antonio but never been to Austin!
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Add Knoxville and Chattanooga, and might as well see San Antonio while in Austin (I prefer San Antonio for culture, history, (mission trail)) Scenery and small town culture in Hill Country nearby is very excellent for TX!!! (Texas recreation sites) Worth a month or so. Thanksgiving to Christmas is an excellent time for visiting this region (Hill Country Lighting Trail) / festivals / lighted parades / concerts ....
