Poll: VacatVaion in July

[mila]

We're looking to go on vacation in mid-July. The 4 2 choices we're looking at:
1. Portland, Maine
2. Boston, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard
3. Charleston, SC and Hilton Head
4. New Orleans
5. Austin, TX

We're early 40s (no kids), love to eat great food, sightseeing, and beautiful scenery are our main priorities. Time for 5-8 days (depends on where we end up going)

ETA: To update cities

[rubytue]

Where are you? Would you be flying or driving? That would factor into my vote these days.

[mambo123]

We were headed to Maine in August but as of now they have a 14 day quarantine unless you have a negative Covid test within 3 days of travel. I’m in DC and can’t get a test that quick, so we pushed to October.

[mila]

Jun 17, 2020 15:36:42 GMT -5 mofongo said:

You don’t want to come to Nola mid-July.

I know, I love NOLA but the humidity then would be unbearable. Thanks for validating that!

[steamboat185]

Maine has a bunch of restrictions to visit.
“However, Maine still has some coronavirus restrictions in place for those visitors to stay in lodging establishments. They include signing a form that a guest from outside northern New England has either tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of arriving in Maine or has quarantined in the state for 14 days.”
www.necn.com/news/coronavirus/maines-hotels-will-soon-open-up-to-more-people-but-will-the-tourists-come/2286882/%3famp
Edit Massachusetts does too. You are supposed to quarantine for 14 days in the state. We actually just canceled a trip to visit family because we wouldn’t have been able to meet the quarantine rule.

www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19

“All travelers arriving to Massachusetts are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days.”

[mila]

Jun 17, 2020 15:37:09 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Where are you? Would you be flying or driving? That would factor into my vote these days.

We'd prefer driving, but likely would fly to these places (and then rent a car if needed)

[mila]

Jun 17, 2020 15:37:57 GMT -5 mambo123 said:

We were headed to Maine in August but as of now they have a 14 day quarantine unless you have a negative Covid test within 3 days of travel. I’m in DC and can’t get a test that quick, so we pushed to October.

My goodness, I had no idea there were these rules within the USA. Thank you, clearly need to read.

[simpsongal]

Jun 17, 2020 15:40:59 GMT -5 mila said:

Jun 17, 2020 15:37:09 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Where are you? Would you be flying or driving? That would factor into my vote these days.

We'd prefer driving, but likely would fly to these places (and then rent a car if needed)

would you mind ballparking where you are for other suggestions?

Generally, I would stick to blue states where they’re taking covid seriously.

[wildrice]

Honestly I don't think I'd go to a city this summer. Portland is amazing, but much of what I enjoyed was eating at restaurants and I don't think it would be the same experience if they aren't fully open (and if they are fully open, I'm not sure I'd even be comfortable eating indoors). We went there last July and it was beautiful, but we had to wait to be seated at every restaurant we went to. I think you should go next July instead. I highly recommend visiting!

I haven't been to Boston but I assume sightseeing would be pretty limited right now and I wouldn't want to miss out seeing things I want to see. Haven't been to Charleston or Hilton Head. Is Hilton Head mostly beach? If so I'd vote for that.

I think hiking/beach is about all I'd consider as main events this summer.

ETA: I also wouldn't fly for vacation. You do realize we are still in a pandemic, right? Said mostly TIC but I don't think any of this is a great idea in a month. Sorry!

[rubytue]

Jun 17, 2020 15:43:10 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Jun 17, 2020 15:40:59 GMT -5 mila said:

We'd prefer driving, but likely would fly to these places (and then rent a car if needed)

would you mind ballparking where you are for other suggestions?

Generally, I would stick to blue states where they’re taking covid seriously.

That, or where you can do everything with very limited contact with others.

Our summer vacation plans have changed, and will likely now be renting a cabin in the mountains, on a trout stream, with hiking and outdoor stuff nearby. It better not rain!!

[sapphireblue]

I heard that on the ferry to Block Island (in RI) last weekend, there were huge crowds and most people were not wearing masks or social distancing so I would not want to take a ferry to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

If I were you, I would probably try to find a place you could drive to and get an air bnb or something. Actually, I would want to camp because I would be too nervous staying in a hotel or air bnb.

[dcn]

My neighbor drove up to Hilton Head last weekend and said it was packed. No thanks.

[twilightmv]

My office in Boston isn’t even open yet, so I wouldn’t be touring there.

[litskispeciality]

If you can even get a hotel or Air B n' B etc. as some states still have restrictions, I'd be weary of staying to avoid getting the COVID. As other's have said the benefit of Portland is good food, but the lines are so long in normal times I assume it'll be twice as long because they can't seat as many people. I thought I read that these places want you to go fully prepared with all of your gas, groceries etc. and quarantine for 2 weeks when you arrive, but unless you live under 2 hours away with a good cooler I don't know how that would work. Sadly at this point we've given up hope for travel this summer, and assume fall is out too when we get the next wave...assuming wave 1 goes away.

[msmerymac]

July of this year? I don't think you're going to be able to go to many or any restaurants. This is my big fear for my trip I have booked in October - we're driving and staying in airbnbs, but I don't want to do it if I can't go to restaurants/breweries or local attractions, which is looking less and less likely.

[Gato]

I think Maine and Massachusetts have the same restrictions. The difference is that yesterday Maine had 9 reported cases of COVID in the whole state (and it is very easy to get a test). The governor has been easing restrictions this week and is under heavy pressure to ease more.

Most of the restaurants in the Old Port of Portland are setting up outdoor seating, as alleys and some streets there have been closed off. Because the restaurant business is probably 75% tourists or more in the summer, they are not crowded this summer at all. On the ferries, everyone is required to wear masks, and I didn’t see anyone breaking that rule the day I went. Maine completely canceled its cruise season, which brings 3 million people to the city.

All that is to say, I feel very safe right now living here. And this month has been so beautiful. You would find it quieter and a lot cheaper than usual. The Covid test thing still an issue, though; as of right now, you still need proof of one to register at a hotel.

[noodleoo]

Jun 17, 2020 15:52:43 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Honestly I don't think I'd go to a city this summer. Portland is amazing, but much of what I enjoyed was eating at restaurants and I don't think it would be the same experience if they aren't fully open (and if they are fully open, I'm not sure I'd even be comfortable eating indoors). We went there last July and it was beautiful, but we had to wait to be seated at every restaurant we went to. I think you should go next July instead. I highly recommend visiting!

I haven't been to Boston but I assume sightseeing would be pretty limited right now and I wouldn't want to miss out seeing things I want to see. Haven't been to Charleston or Hilton Head. Is Hilton Head mostly beach? If so I'd vote for that.

I think hiking/beach is about all I'd consider as main events this summer.

ETA: I also wouldn't fly for vacation. You do realize we are still in a pandemic, right? Said mostly TIC but I don't think any of this is a great idea in a month. Sorry!

Seriously!!! I'm shocked no one else has said this.  I live in MA and if you are flying, PLEASE DON'T COME HERE.  Our cases are going down and I'd like it to stay that way.

This is why we are definitely going to have a second wave.  FFS

[chedifuen]

None of the above because of the pandemic. I just don't think it's wise to vacation right now. If you do travel, go somewhere remote, drivable, and take your own food to limit exposing anyone.

[sofamonkey]

There is no way in hell I’d be going on vacation this year. Lol. Best of luck to you, though!

[mila]

Jun 17, 2020 15:43:10 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Jun 17, 2020 15:40:59 GMT -5 mila said:

We'd prefer driving, but likely would fly to these places (and then rent a car if needed)

would you mind ballparking where you are for other suggestions?

Generally, I would stick to blue states where they’re taking covid seriously.

Midwest. Maine and Massachusetts are now out. We are now thinking either SC or TX (Austin)

[bella427]

I'm in Austin. It will be hot AF. And, our COVID numbers are going up.

[mila]

Scratch that. My husband and I talked further, and while we had trepidation even going anywhere, we decided we would just wait. Not worth the risk.

[goldengirlz]

Jun 17, 2020 15:43:10 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Jun 17, 2020 15:40:59 GMT -5 mila said:

We'd prefer driving, but likely would fly to these places (and then rent a car if needed)

would you mind ballparking where you are for other suggestions?

Generally, I would stick to blue states where they’re taking covid seriously.

Except these are the states that are likely to have the most travel restrictions. And where most tourist attractions/restaurants/venues would be closed or restricted.

Glad you changed course, OP. It’s a tough year for travel.

[notsopicky]

We were supposed to go on an Alaska cruise starting Saturday. Obvi we are not doing that. Instead, upon an idea somebody on one of these boards had, we rented a house on the Chesapeake Bay with a pool and a private beach (the small beach is part of the property). That's about all I was comfortable with, travel-wise. It's about an hour from our place, and we don't have to go anywhere once we're there (we will be bringing all food/beverage/linens/cleaning supplies). We're going for 4 nights.

Is there something like that in your area you could do instead of traveling far away?

[TR]

lol I read this and was like, wait, did I open a thread from last year? Glad to see you've changed your mind. I wouldn't go near TX or SC this summer if you don't have to. Neither state seems to give a shit about Covid anymore.

[sapphireblue]

Jun 17, 2020 15:37:57 GMT -5 mambo123 said:

We were headed to Maine in August but as of now they have a 14 day quarantine unless you have a negative Covid test within 3 days of travel. I’m in DC and can’t get a test that quick, so we pushed to October.

We have a family cabin in Maine and we worked it out so we are putting three days in between occupants (aunts, uncles, cousins, we all share it) so the cabin can self-sanitize.

I'm going up for 3-4 nights in July and for that I can just quarantine. I can bring my food and alcohol in my car, and I won't need to go anywhere so that'll work just fine.

However, we are supposed to go as a family of four in August and I just don't know how that will work. We might have to cancel...or I was thinking we rent a van or a Uhaul pull along thingy and put all of our stuff and food and drinks in there?

[krystee]

I am also in the Midwest and we are renting a cabin in a resort on Lake Superior. We plan to eat most meals in (picking up food out but eating on the beach by the cabin), and we’ll hike to see waterfalls, and that’s about it.

[rubytue]

notsopicky, do you mind sharing where you are going (general town)? I’m looking at cabins in WV, but would be more comfortable staying in a state that takes it seriously. I don’t want to attract attention in my mask, and it’s the norm around here (at least my area of Maryland).

[mags]

None of the above

[kadams767]

It's curious to me that 7 people think it's a good choice to go to Hilton Head in a month.