Just trying to think of a 4-5 day excursion out of hot, sweaty NYC during hte 2nd week of July.


We were tossing Montreal around but hte flights are insane.

We're up for anything. Got any ideas? We love to walk and sightsee.

cheers,
Phoenix

What about the finger-lake district? You could drive and rent a cottage for a week for as little as $500.

http://www.fingerlakes.org/index.htm

http://www.backachers.net/rates.html

USAir (LGA) and JetBlue (JFK) have cheap fares (~$120) to Buffalo and Burlington, VT.

From BUF, a rental car will take you to Niagara Falls, Toronto, lake beaches, and the Anchor Bar for wings.

From BTV, a rental car will take you to Montr�al and upper VT and NH.

My favorite place in the state is the Thousand Islands, Alexandria Bay area. The temps are wonderful, scenery gorgeous and it's a wonderful place to kick back and watch the ships go by.

Thousand Islands is a great bet. My wife's family has a place in Alexandria Bay, and that is always a very relaxing place to visit. If you decide on that though, book early, July is high-season.

Ottawa is only about 1 1/2 hours from there, and that's actually a great city to visit, lots to do!

It may be a little late to get accommodations, but check Eagles Mere, PA. I think it was about 3 hours away when we lived in Bergen County, NJ. No night life, no wild partying- just hiking and hanging out, and a beautiful, clear lake for swimming and canoeing. We discovered the Eagles Mere Inn when I took a wild gamble and selected the destination sight-unseen for one of my husband's "landmark" birthdays. We loved it so much we went back several times before we moved to KS.

From NYC why would you consider flying to Montreal? Amtrak is $62 each way. Takes about 10 hours, but you could consider it part of the adventure.

... is a summer cow?

I endorse the prior suggestions of both the Finger Lakes and the Thousand Islands. Unless you want to drive the whole way, fly into SYR and rent a car from there to get to the Thousand Islands. SYR, ROC, or ITH are all good for the Finger Lakes, although flights to ITH tend to be pricey because only US Air Express flies there from NYC. (Weekly houseboat rentals are also offered by a couple of companies in the Syracuse/Rochester area for about $2500/week. You can cruise the Erie Canal system, and transit the locks to cruise into Cayuga and Seneca Lakes.)

If you like music, theater, opera, etc., consider a visit to Chautauqua. It's about a 90-minute drive from BUF. (Jamestown, NY airport is much closer, but again, fares are likely to be much higher.) Click on www.ciweb.org for more information.

Thousand Islands - book early! Or stay in Watertown, Alex Bay is only about 25 minutes from there.

Other ideas, if they have their act together by then (anyone know?) ROC operates a Fast Ferry across Lake Ontario to Toronto.

ROC and BUF also have great minor league stadiums if you are into baseball (Rochester Red Wings and Buffalo Bisons)

Chautauqua Institution is another great suggestion. There's always something going on there, check out the schedule on their site.

Finger Lakes also great for wineries!

Try St. Johns Newfoundland and rent a car, go fishing, have some whiskey.

You guys are great with the suggestions. I just wanted to thank you all again.

We might take a quickie flight somewhere to the places you suggested.

We love you guys.

S+M

I understand wanting to get away from the heat and humidity of New York!

Go to Mt Desert Island in Maine. Fly to PWM or BGR. Besides Bar Harbor, you've got Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor and of course Acadia National Park. Lobster, pine balsam sea breezes, lobster....you can't beat it.

Napa

I love wine country that time of the year.

Probably less expensive then some in state trips too.

Second choice would be Maine