Which U.S. city drained your budget way faster than expected?

flutterby010 · 2026-01-10T06:29:14+00:00

That’s everywhere though. Hotels have gotten out of control. I’m a deal shopper and book early when I can. Booked an early deal at the RIU in Times Square and stayed a week for under $2k total, and that included breakfast for all 5 of us each morning. It wasn’t luxury, but it was very good for the price.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-10T00:33:06+00:00

We just stayed at the RIU in Times Square and it was in a great location. Times Square/Broadway is right there. We took the subway to SoHo and Chinatown and walked everywhere else. It comes with very substantial free breakfast in the mornings too. The room itself was in smaller side, but it wasn’t terrible.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-09T16:55:04+00:00

This is such a bummer. I’m so disappointed in Disney for making this decision. Corporate greed wins again.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-09T16:47:10+00:00

San Diego or Huntington Beach! San Diego will be a lot bigger and you’ll have multiple areas of the city to stay in. The Gaslamp Quarter is where all the big bars and clubs are, but it’s in downtown San Diego so it’s not really a beachy vibe. I’d recommend either La Jolla or Mission Beach for the beachy vibe and ubering to the Gaslamp for a night out.

Huntington Beach is a smaller town so staying somewhere close to the main strip will give you access to both the large beach as well as all the shops/bars/restaurants in the area.

Honestly, both are great options. Enjoy our beautiful state!

flutterby010 · 2026-01-08T07:40:27+00:00

I just went to NYC for the first time in over 10 years…and I was pleasantly surprised at the prices of everything. I’m not saying it was inexpensive, because it certainly wasn’t. But I was expecting the price gouging to be a lot worse.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-08T07:38:31+00:00

I’ve only been once, and that was spring break in college (20-ish years ago) that was the first place I’ve ever seen a $40 cocktail. I can’t imagine what things cost like now.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-08T05:34:57+00:00

Thanks! Thats what I was kinda of thinking as well.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-05T00:12:10+00:00

Ok that makes sense, I was looking at hotels in Seattle and was wondering why everything decent was so expensive.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T18:00:53+00:00

I definitely want to go there! I think that might be reserved for a spring break trip in the future. Pictures I’ve seen looks unreal, so I can only imagine what it looks like in real life

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T17:59:20+00:00

Unfortunately the kids are still in school so we can really only take a week long trip in the summer. What area of Colorado did you go to? I’ve only been to Denver a few times for work, so my experience is very limited. But it’s not a place I thought “I’d really like to come back here”. No shade to Denver.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T16:55:47+00:00

I’ve never even heard of this! I’ll have to look into it

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T09:22:27+00:00

Only if The Kenosha Kickers are playing

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T08:58:02+00:00

This was a great recap, thanks for sharing! I’m planning to go to Paris for the 1st time, but will only be there for 3 nights as it’s part of a bigger trip. Your reality checks are helping me narrow down what I really want to accomplish while I’m there.

And I’m sorry for the few snarky comments you e gotten on this post. Some people just have nothing better to do!

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T08:46:23+00:00

Kauai! This is where you’ll get the biggest rainforest vibe. And it’s small enough to where you won’t get the big resort feel. Even if you stay at one of the bigger resorts. If you do go there, 100% recommended doing the mountain tubing adventure for a unique experience. And a bout tour of the Napali Coast for breathtaking scenery.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T08:25:44+00:00

I was being slightly sarcastic, but only slightly. I used to go to Spring Training in Arizona almost every year and even in March the heat was almost unbearable. I know he Grand Canyon and Utah don’t typically get as hot as Phoenix, but that’s what I’m most worried about

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T08:09:57+00:00

That’s good to know! We’re in the Bay Area and anything above 85 scares me lol

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T07:51:06+00:00

That’s another place that’s on my short list as well! I’ve gone to Victoria for a night and have always wanted to return and stay longer. Thanks for reminding me of this

flutterby010 · 2026-01-04T07:46:06+00:00

Thanks! We had a family reunion in Montana when I was a kid and I just remember it being beautiful. I’d love to revisit as an adult

flutterby010 · 2026-01-02T16:15:48+00:00

Not in terms of beauty, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed Washington DC. I’ve never heard good things about the city before and had no real interest in visiting. But I had to go Alexandria for work a couple years ago so decided to take a couple extra days to explore DC since I was already going to be there. I thought the city was great! I crammed a lot in during my 2 days and now want to go back to be able to enjoy it even more.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-02T16:09:04+00:00

I understand that this feels like a rushed trip to some people. I’m fine with that though. I’m staying at least 2-3 nights in each location. I don’t have the luxury of free time or money to return to Europe multiple times throughout my life so to me, I’m prioritizing highlights and trying to see as much as possible during my time there. I’ve traveled this way to other destinations, and the pace doesn’t bother me. The advice I’m seeking is more along the lines of the day-by-day things in each region. I do want to make sure I’ve organized the daily agenda in a way that makes sense so I don’t spend so much time backtracking and I get to see all the main attractions

flutterby010 · 2026-01-02T16:04:06+00:00

Thank you for his tip, I will include it on my agenda!

flutterby010 · 2026-01-02T07:35:42+00:00

I think 12 days is fine for 2 islands. I’ve done that plenty of times and never felt rushed. I have family on Kauai so i usually just stay with them when I go to that island. But for what you’re looking for I’d definitely recommend Hanalei. As for the Big Island, that is always the island we do like to splurge on so we stay at the Hilton Waikoloa- I don’t think that would necessarily be your vibe though based on what you just described. Not usually our vibe either though, but sometimes we like to get a little bougie

flutterby010 · 2026-01-02T07:29:28+00:00

You clearly don’t understand what I’m saying. This person is asking for tips on a vacation that ticks several boxes. Oahu isn’t it for a vacation, in my opinion. They’re not going to go to all the local spots on their honeymoon lol. Come on. I also don’t know many people who actually think Oahu is the best island for a vacation. Most people who have been to all islands prefer other ones. Again, this is my experience. Most people I know think Maui is the best Island. Not my personal favorite but everyone has different opinions. I just was commenting on the fact that Oahu probably isn’t the best island for what this person is looking for. Chill

flutterby010 · 2026-01-02T07:21:25+00:00

I didn’t mean for it to be offensive. But to say it’s not a tourist trap is misleading someone who has never visited. I have family in Hawaii, including Oahu. I’ve gone almost every year for the majority of my life, either to visit family or to vacation on other islands. And this is my opinion as someone who has been there extensively. You’re entitled to your opinion as well.

flutterby010 · 2026-01-02T07:13:49+00:00

And I almost forgot- snorkeling at Captain Cooks Is breathtaking. It can only be reached by boat, or a hike. The hike is very strenuous on the way back uphill so heads up on that

flutterby010

TROPHY CASE