Looking for a good vacation idea for March/April

I also agree that going to the west coast on a short vacation isn't a good idea, you'll lose half the time traveling.

 

Based on the weather today here in Chicago, I do not think winter is going to leave anytime soon.

 

Yes, spoken like a man that is still married. There is an old saying: Happy wife, happy life.

 

I agree on San Diego, but as others have pointed out, you'll need more than one day. However, I think you'll need at least a day round trip for any of the locations suggested.

And, from what I've seen of the weather you've had this winter, I would think you & the wife would prefer a few days of glorious weather, especially since she isn't going for the beer.

 

SF is great, weather wise. So budget is not an issue, and the wife does not drink, and she has no plans? well then pick you favorite beer and simply go there. or beer you want really bad.

me I would go to Belgium, but hey that's me. but not a trip for just 1 weekend, but then again I seen many do it. The jet lag would kill me, I need min 2 weeks.......

 

http://kbsweek.com/

Road trip thru the northern Ohio breweries and attend the epic Friday night KBS bottle share.

 

Tampa...Cigar City. Clearwater & St Petes Beaches are right there. Get out of the cold and bring your wife some where warm...she can sit on the beach and read, you can drink great beer and the seafood is always a plus! If you are so inclined Bush Gardens is there also...but I'd hang close to the sand!

 

As an alternative to a single city, you might consider something like a few days exploring the resources, etc. of PA.

For example:

http://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvania-Breweries-4th-Edition-Series/dp/0811736415

This book is written as a tour book with both information about breweries and local attractions so there's something for both. (But look for the most recent edition you can find....)

 

For a long weekend I will put in a plug for my state. Slower lower Delaware is now a great beer destination. The weather can be a mixed bag but the beer is great. DFH, Misspillion, Burley oak (md), 16 mile, 3rd wave, dominion, and a few more around Ocean city.

 

Minimum of 2weeks for Belgium? Have done a six day trip and it was well worth it...just got back from 10 days and it felt like a pretty long trip. Top beer destination in the world for sure, already planning next trip.

 

Really? well take us old folks about two days to feel normal after the flight over. (COACH now days is terrible) plus I feel like I waste my money of less than 3 to 4 weeks. So the time factor is just for us. Others like you are done in 10 days? me and the wife can spend a week in 1 cafe area....or more. we go to travel. Not visit.

as always YMMV.

 

My wife and I went to Portland and then drove up 101 to Seattle for our honeymoon last spring. Obviously tons of great beer in Portland and tons of other stuff to do, then you could hit up De Garde in Tillamook off 101 on the way to Seattle. Gorgeous drive, and tons of other things to do besides beer so you can have a great time without making it a beer-centric getaway!

 

No, not done in ten days, have plenty left to see for next trip...with free flights it's worth it. I'd love to spend 3 to 4 weeks, but spouse can't take off that much time at once. I guess I should be grateful I adjust easily to the time change, even if I'm not that young...

 

RR is in Santa Rosa, not SF. FYI

 

Florida is the best in March. Spring training games, beaches, beer, great seafood, what more do you want?

 

That was going to be my suggestion. I was there last April and the weather was great, but that's certainly no guarantee. Logistically I think it's a better choice than the west coast. If you're talking about a long weekend you should be focusing on ROI for your travel time. Chicago is a short flight and has more great beer spots than you could possibly see in a weekend. And one of those must be Haymarket.

 

I don't see how driving to VT from Philly/NJ is any better (in terms of travel time) than flying west.

I've been to SF, Portland and VT (from the beer destination-type places listed in this thread), and my overall vote (given time of year and length of your trip) would be Portland. Going to SD myself in late April - can't wait.

Also what is your wife into? And what are you into other than beer?

 

yeah i would fly to florida for a weekend trip. or i'd be really happy with flying to the Caribbean and drinking rum and foreign export stouts on the beach. Had some Strong Back on a trip to the Bahamas - preferred it to the Guiness FES version.

 

Fying/no price limit - SD, SF or Portland are all winners I would guess but maybe SD would be best to get away from the killer cold and snow we've been dealing with.

Easiest/cheapest weekend getaway might be to just drive 1.5 hrs. down and stay in Baltimore in March, and keep checking to see when Max's in Fell's Point is having their "rare and obscure" beerfest. Belgian/Sourfest was this past weekend.

 

If its only 1 weekend I would stay away from San Diego. Things are too spread out - you would be frustrated because you would want more time. I think SF is good for one weekend - but RR is going to be a an hour drive away. I would do something on the east coast or south that has an easily accessible downtown -- preferably a small to midsize city.

I would do Asheville or Austin.