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OT: Best Exotic like location in the USA- Mainland

zerostepdrama's picture

Submitted by zerostepdrama on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 8:44am

What's an exotic location in the USA to vacation at? So if I'm thinking Caribbean, Aruba, Bahamas, etc. but want someplace in the USA that is similar where would that be?

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zerostepdrama's picture

Submitted by zerostepdrama on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 8:54am

Yes...

DaizyDuke's picture

Submitted by DaizyDuke on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 8:59am

oh yea... your title does say mainland lol

Key West, FL
Big Sur, CA

Those are the only places that seem remotely "exotic" to me.

ksmom14's picture

Submitted by ksmom14 on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:02am

My MIL just recently went to the Sarasota FL and Siesta Key FL area. She said it was gorgeous, clear beautiful water like you'd find in the Caribbean.

SacrificialLamb's picture

Submitted by SacrificialLamb on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 12:18pm

Yep, I live close by. Also, Sanibel is great, most places have bikes you can use and ride all over the island.

NoWireCoatHangarsEVER's picture

Submitted by NoWireCoatHanga... on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 5:11pm

I second Siesta. It just
Got
Named one of th best beaches in the US. I went there For my 40th birthday

NoWireCoatHangarsEVER's picture

Submitted by NoWireCoatHanga... on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 5:12pm

I second Siesta. It just
Got
Named one of the best beaches in the US. I went there For my 40th birthday

Livingoutloud's picture

Submitted by Livingoutloud on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:15am

By exotic do you mean it has to be hot like tropics? South Carolina has some places like Hilton head or something like that. My brother and his family vacation there often

zerostepdrama's picture

Submitted by zerostepdrama on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:17am

Yes I guess... LOL... Not sure what there is that I don't know about besides the normal- FL, FL Keys.

Livingoutloud's picture

Submitted by Livingoutloud on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:19am

My brother and his family love Hilton Head. Check it out.

I also heard about galvastone, Texas

AshMar654's picture

Submitted by AshMar654 on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:16am

Been to the FL keys twice. It is really fun and the water is beautiful. I have only stayed in the key west region plenty of shops but it has a very late night crown lots of restaurants and bars can be very touristy. If you are looking for resort try some of the other island.

Key Largo
Little Palm

But I would take a drive to Key West it is fun to walk around for the day so many shops.

zerostepdrama's picture

Submitted by zerostepdrama on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:17am

I've been debating on Key West! I heard the beaches aren't that good in the actual Keys and that if you are wanting to spend time on the beach to do that in Miami. :?

ESMOD's picture

Submitted by ESMOD on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:23am

There are a lot of nice beaches in the clearwater area of Florida.

I guess to pick the right place, it will depend on several factors.

1. Where are you located? Will you want to drive or fly to get there?

2. What is your budget? there are lots of nice beaches and islands around the country.

3. What kind of beach/water do you want? Pacific is different from Atlantic and Gulf.
Is it surf? slack water? water sports?

4. How close do you want to be to entertainment? remote with no cell phone or on a strip with putt putt down the street?

AshMar654's picture

Submitted by AshMar654 on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:49am

If you go to actual Key West I would say they are not that great. When I was there the water was so clear and I went snorkeling out in the ocean and saw some really neat things in the water. It was totally clear.

I have not heard too much on the other keys but I just know this one is very touristy. I have looked a few up online and they see pretty nice.

DaizyDuke's picture

Submitted by DaizyDuke on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 11:43am

I went to Islamorada (in the Keys) and it was beautiful! We were visiting friends in Miami (Coconut Grove) and only spent the day in Islamorada, but I liked it way better than South Beach.

SacrificialLamb's picture

Submitted by SacrificialLamb on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 12:20pm

Islamorada is definitely nice. The water is very clear. We like boating out to the Alligator Reef lighthouse.

I also want to mention the FLorida panhandle. We also really like Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Watersound. It's very family oriented and don't know if that is what you are looking for.

zerostepdrama's picture

Submitted by zerostepdrama on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:20am

Planning a trip with DH for 5 year wedding anniversary. Not until October 2018 but I'm just thinking ahead of places.

I want what I see in ads for the Caribbean, etc. HA HA. He said to keep it in the USA. He doesn't like to fly. He will fly if we have to, but if he can drive that would be best.

Not exotic but I looked at Henderson Inn in Destin, FL. Looks amazing! Adults only bed and breakfast like resort.

I would love to go snorkeling...

ESMOD's picture

Submitted by ESMOD on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:32am

I went to a conference in Destin that time of year and it was pretty nice. I would check out the weather then because it is a bit further north and I'm thinking your normal temps may not reach 80 during the day. That is a bit cool for swimming. Since it will be kind of an off season, it will be cheaper but some things may not be open.

If you really want bang for buck, you can't beat the all-inclusive Dominican Republic.

It is a flight, but the beaches are amazing and the resort we went to was nice. Grand Bahia Principe.

SacrificialLamb's picture

Submitted by SacrificialLamb on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 12:23pm

I used to go to this area in October (back when I used to go on family vacation with OSD.....but I found out I wasn't family, just the photographer). The weather was fantastic. It wasn't as hot as normal, but was still hot enough to swim in the ocean. Keep in mind that October is still hurricane season for Florida.

Livingoutloud's picture

Submitted by Livingoutloud on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 10:11am

Great idea! We are going to our first wedding anniversary trip tomorrow. Not exotic. We both prefer less heat. But your ideas and suggestions are all great! Btw my DH dislikes flying as well. Especially long flights.

DaizyDuke's picture

Submitted by DaizyDuke on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 11:44am

I have friends who have a beach house in Destin, their pics always look beautiful!

DaizyDuke's picture

Submitted by DaizyDuke on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 11:49am

You can do Bermuda without flying. You can catch a ship out of NYC so it wouldn't even be a huge drive for you

Tuff Noogies's picture

Submitted by Tuff Noogies on Fri, 07/14/2017 - 10:36am

go for destin! the whole emerald coast is beautiful, especially if you avoid the spring and summer break crowds. we stay in places that are beachfront and have chair service, so the only things you have to carry are your beach bag and cooler. one year dh and i drug the mattress into the living room and slept all night with the balcony door open. heaven!

an adults-only place sounds perfect, i checked out some pictures online - LOVE IT!

ESMOD's picture

Submitted by ESMOD on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:38am

There are a lot of beach/parks in FL and all you do usually is pay a pittance for parking. (not talking clearwater.. but the other less touristy spots.

But, being near clearwater means you can go there for maybe a day to see the sights.

We own a home just a bit north of Tampa in Hudson (for now.. under contract to sell we hope).

We liked driving up to Homosassa to see the nature park there (like a zoo) Or driving to one of the many beaches to the south. It is definitely more laid back and affordable than the east coast of FL.

ESMOD's picture

Submitted by ESMOD on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:55am

That's one of the things we love about the Homosassa park. You can take a pontoon boat ride on your way to the park. It's not expensive at all to enter the park either! Plus there are cool restaurants in the area. "The Freezer" is an old ice plant building and they have great deals on food. There is also the riverside campground with a view of monkey island.

We never got to Weeki Wachi, but it does look nice too. But that's the good part about that area. We could get anywhere from tarpon to tampa/clearwater or a bit south or north to Homosassa within an hour drive. Add a little longer drive and we could be to Disney in under 2 hours.

Ninji's picture

Submitted by Ninji on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:32am

Several people have mentioned the Keys, but I have always wanted to visit Amelia Island. It's just of the coast of FL and is considered part of FL. It looks awesome.

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Submitted by Aniki-Moderator on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 9:55am

I went to Sarasota last Fall and stayed on the Lido Key by the water. St Armand's Circle has wonderful restaurants and shopping - some shops have great bargains and some are quite hoity toity. Mote Aquarium is on Long Boat Key. My brother stays on the Siesta Key every year (he has a motor home).

Being a foodie, I highly recommend Dry Dock Waterfront Grill (Long Boat Key), Crab & Fin (St Armand's Circle), and Le Marcaron French Pastries in S.A.C. (my breakfast pastry every morning!).

SacrificialLamb's picture

Submitted by SacrificialLamb on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 12:27pm

Haha, some of my friends from school got together at Dry Dock and got THROWN OUT. We had too much to drink, were reminiscing too much, and they had every right to throw us out. The food was great, the service also and nice view.

Luckyone's picture

Submitted by Luckyone on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 10:29am

I am sitting on the balcony of a hotel in Hawaii watching the sun rise as we speak. I have been to the keys, all along the beaches on both coasts, it just doesn't compare. If you can possibly manage the plane ride for here, do it. It's worth it.

Thumper's picture

Submitted by Thumper on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 12:14pm

LUCKYONE

Totally totally Jealous

I love love love Hawaii....as soon as you step off the plane a HUGE exhale happens.

Tuff Noogies's picture

Submitted by Tuff Noogies on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 10:52am

st simon's or tybee are great spots from what i hear.

hilton head is lovely. i've heard edisto, kiawah and daufuskie are also nice.

we like the FL panhandle. beautiful water.

if you don't want the heat, you could check out the mohonk mountain house - GOR-GE-OUSSSS. Wink

notsobad's picture

Submitted by notsobad on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 11:42am

If you really want the Carribbean then check out the US Virgin Islands. Yes, you'd have to fly but it's not a long flight and it is in the heart of the Carribbean.

It is expensive but very worth it. The beaches are some of the best in the world, as are the diving and snorkelling. You can take ferries between the islands and if you bring your passport you can take a quick jaunt over to the British Virgin Islands.

Check out AirBnB and VRBO for places to stay.

Charlotte Amalie can be very touristy on cruise ship days but the shopping is phenomenal.

Thumper's picture

Submitted by Thumper on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 12:11pm

TOP TOP TOP favorite is Maui

Virgin Gordia

St John British Virgin Islands

We love Mexico too...
Cayman Islands...mehh,, same goes for Jamaica

WEST coast of FLA---Clearwater is nice so is Naples---Sanibel Island is another favorite to many.

Destin Fl another beautiful location

If you go to FL and stay on the Gulf Coast near Tampa...you could zoom over in a car to Disney for a few nights. FUN to do that.

YOU mentioned going in October??? You may want to re think that time frame especially June 1 thru Nov 1 is ALWAYS Hurricane season. Last year the East Coast was hit really hard by Matthew...

Have fun picking your destination and let us know what you decide.

Smile

Livingoutloud's picture

Submitted by Livingoutloud on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 12:52pm

If it's just adult vacation, I love Napa Valley. Gorgeous. And I don't even drink. Smile

I also like Las Vegas for adult vacation. I dont even gamble

Gee I dint drink and dont gamble. Lol but like those places lol what's wrong with me

zerostepdrama's picture

Submitted by zerostepdrama on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 12:56pm

Thank you everyone!

We had "settled" on Destin, FL but I am thinking there are sooooooo many places and its so hard to choose.

RosieRose's picture

Submitted by RosieRose on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 4:15pm

Have you looked into South Padre Island, Texas? Was there recently and enjoyed myself...the beach was nice and the water warm. Just make sure you avoid hurricane season.

SMto2's picture

Submitted by SMto2 on Fri, 07/14/2017 - 9:44pm

Another beautiful place on the mainland U.S. Is St. Pete Beach, Florida. My hubby & I went there for our anniversary last year and stayed at a beautiful grand upscale resort called the Loew's Don Cesar, aka "The Pink Palace." We usually go to the Caribbean and decided to stay in the U.S. last year and loved it. We also have been to Clearwater, Miami and the Florida Keys. The Keys do have beautiful clear blue water, but it's extremely marshy.