Where to visit in the USA in December

[Andrew Leigh]

Hi,<br /><br />Herself and I will be in the U.K. for our annual company dinner on the 2nd December. I always like to make use of the opportunity to take a week to ten days vacation with my wife. Unfortunately for us the northern hemisphere is in winter and my wife battles with the colder climates. Cold at night she can cope with as long as it is temperate during the day.<br /><br />I have never visited the US, this has been a lifelong dream. Could only think Florida from a climate point of view then I saw another thread where LF and JB recommended Belize or the Vigin Isles. I have also considered Barbados or the likes.<br /><br />Any suggestions.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Andrew

 

[neumanns]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Minnesota is not real temperate in december unless -20f is your idea of temperate.

 

[ErikDC]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Anywhere in the Caribbean is generally pretty nice at any time of year! If you're looking for a place to visit in the mainland, try the South West. Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Colorado are very beautiful in their own unique way, southern California is also very nice.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Originally posted by ErikDC:<br /> If you're looking for a place to visit in the mainland, try the South West. Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Colorado are very beautiful in their own unique way, southern California is also very nice.

Ditto to all that Andrew. For Southern California I can show you a Christmas day video of my daughter (3 yrs old) running around the swimming pool in her undies as I pan the camera up to the thermometer. It was 80 degs F.

 

[QC]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Andrew,<br /><br />I would second the comments about the Southwest AND the Caribbean type ideas. As Boomer and Erik noted, December can be awesome in L.A. If not raining (we often have no rain in December, but last year we were hammered) our best months can be Nov thru Feb. Crystal clear skies with snow on the mountains that border the city on the North along with some 80 degree F days. We can literally water ski and snow ski the same day . . .<br /><br />I travel extensively for biz and all of the European vacationers I speak to rave about the Grand Canyon and San Francisco in the West. San Francisco will be windy and a lot cooler though. The Grand Canyon could get snow even, but could also be 80 F on the rim. You also have to consider Vegas . . . If elaborate Shows and the most amazing city lights and bizarre scenes of partiers and of course gambling are your gig, you MUST do at least one night there. More is not necessary. You can use it as a jumping off spot to the Grand Canyon, LA or San Francisco very easily. If budget is of no concern, I highly recommend a Helicopter tour from Vegas to the Grand Canyon. No question the best way to see it other than from a boat <br /><br />IMHO, ultimately the answer to your question depends on budget and whether or not you want to see a lot of different areas/sites or want to kickback in a tropical type climate (more FL and Caribbean). Have a great time whatever you do!!

 

[ErikDC]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Not trying to hijack the thread, just a quick comment. Christmas Day we had a huge ice storm that left all roads impassable and power out to about 300,000 here. Go jump in a lake, Boom.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Come to Kentucky. We have a good winter here with little snow, well sometimes anyway, and temps that average in the 30's.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Hawaii

 

[aspeck]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

I would say you are more than welcome to come visit us, but I don't think you would like the near freezing days and colder nights! I should be in the US over December, so if you want to come visit, just give a yell - even if it is only for a day or 2.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

New York at Christmas time is a site to behold...

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

South Florida ain't bad... The Keys could be nice...<br /><br />Arizona maybe... The Grand Canyon..

 

[jtexas]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Happy to find something I can agree with Ralph about...NYC is a wondrous place at Christmastime...it doesn't meet your requirement to get out of the cold, though.<br /><br />If you're into white sandy beaches, Florida's panhandle, Bahamas, Virgin Isles. <br /><br />San Francisco is about the most photogenic town I can think of, moderate temps year-round. Southern California (think San Diego). You might like LA or Las Vegas. Hawaii.

 

[treedancer]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

I think jb had it right Belize is nice at that time and two plus’s reasonable prices and English is spoken .At least I think they are still reasonable.<br />Don

 

[Bassy]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

We went through Arizona and spent some time in New Mexico this summer. Utah is also like that. There's alot of history and lots of beauty there if you like to hike and are a camera buff. I bet December would be a nice time due to no high temperatures.<br /> Bassy

 

[bomar76]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

I would rule out New Orleans as a vacation destination

 

[DJ]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Arizona is beautiful in December. It CAN be warm-80-F, but dips into the 50's.<br /><br />Come see us here. It's a big state, but there are wonders to see:<br /><br />Grand Canyon.<br /><br />Hoover Dam.<br /><br />Desert, in bloom.<br /><br />Air travel is easy to here; Las Vegas, or Phoenix.<br /><br />Look me up, I'll get you on track for a wonderful vacation.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Hi Guys,<br /><br />thanks for all the input. After much thought I must confess that the States has always been the one place I have always wanted to visit yet end up everywhere else. Would need slightly warmer as her it will be summer at 65 to 95deg F. <br /><br />DJ i'm taking you up on your offer, thank you kindly.<br /><br />Some proposed details of the trip.<br /><br />I am hoping to fly into Phoenix (by far the cheapest option with my airliner) with my wife on the 4th December hoping to leave on the 14th. Will be looking to pick up a hire car in order to be fully independent.<br /><br />I don't mind driving and will drive hundreds of miles without a problem. We are lovers of the countryside and natural things etc. Cities leave us pretty much cold. Just driving through new country side is a blessing, stopping at small hotels and motels, craft shops, diners etc.<br /><br />To see a country I think one must be with the people. Expensive hotels are fine but we prefer B&B type accomodation, self catering so that we are free to do our own thing. I am independent and don't like the "tour" type stuff, unless of course it is a short guided tour of a site of interest.<br /><br />Well thats the background.<br /><br />Would love to see all you have mentioned. Flagstaff sounds intersting? I have not yet got right into it but could one string a round trip to see most these sites but include Yosemite?<br /><br />Look forward to your suggestions<br /><br />Cheers<br />Andrew

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Yosemite is a great place as well as the grand canyon.<br /><br />If you like major cities try San Francisco.<br /><br />Ken

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Hi all,<br /><br />It's official, the provisional tickets are booked . I would really appreciate some more specific advice now. Advice like most scenic routes to get where I want to. If I am planning on staying to long at a place etc. Places that should not be missed. Things not to do etc. Reasonably price motel chains, eateries etc.<br /><br />This is what I plan;<br /><br />1.) Fly into Los Angeles the 3rd December. Perhaps spend that evening and half the next day there.<br />2.) Pick up a hire car on the 4th in LA and head north to San Fransico. Perhaps overnight at a suitable desitination en route. Arrive in SF on the 5th and spend the night there.<br />OR<br />Drive directly to Yosemite.<br /><br />3.) Midday on the 6th travel east to Yosemite and spend the next two nights there.<br />4.) Leave Yosemite on the 9th for Las Vegas. Overnight in Vegas.<br />5.) Leave for the Grand Canyon on the 10th. Spend the night there as well as the following night.<br />6.)On the 12th depart for LA stopping enroute for one night.<br /><br />I have left myself one day in this program in case one needs to stay longer somewhere. As stated I am used to long drives so the distance does not bug me. Have I bitten off too much? If so what do I leave out. The above is not fixed, but I would definitely like to see the following;<br /><br />Yosemite<br />Grand Canyon<br /><br />Thanks for the help<br />Andrew

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

your going to need more than 1 night in Vegas. I'd swap the whole LA thing for more of the desert scenery