Where to go

[Irish Pennant]

I live in vacation land. A place of natural beauty with many different aspects of that beauty. My wife and I have reached that point in life where the kids are mature adults that don't need our help, empty nesters. We are not city folks, the bright lights and fast pace is for others. For our 25th anniversary we flew to Maine and pigged out on lobsters. Our 40th is a year away, where do we go to besides Maine? What does the midwest offer in early October? how about the South? We love good people, scenery, sea food (fish and natural harvest) and history.

[noledog]

If you like killer fresh seafood, southern hospitality, and good music, come hit the First Coast of Florida: Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, St. Augustine ...I perform at venues up and down this coast and there are some great seafood venues, chillax atmosphere; it's the Salt Life!

[TBman]

I've never been to Myrtle Beach, but many of my friends have (on our bucket list). You just have to watch when you go (avoid hurricane season)

https://www.myrtlebeach.com/

[buddyhu]

Go to Italy! Cinque terre. Or the Almalfi Coast. Or the Lake District (Como, Bellagio, Maggiore). Beautiful settings. Great food! A different culture that is rich in history. Could be very special!!

Or, if you want to stay in the US, try other parts of New England besides Maine. Great time to see Fall colors in Vermont, New Hampshire, or Western Massachusetts. Great food. All very pretty. Swing by Cape Cod for different beaches and a different ocean.
Much of the early history of our country can be found in Massachusetts.

The Rocky Mountains are gorgeous in the Fall. Indian ruins in Utah to touch upon history.


Baja Mexico, or towns on the West Coast of Mexico: very different from Oregon, some towns have great food, beautiful desert landscapes, lots of birds on the coasts. Much History can be found there, some of it predates the US.

Ever been to Hawaii? Pretty nice, and while not known for great food, it is certainly good enough, with the occasional delightful culinary surprise. Some historical elements pertaining to early Hawaiian culture.

So many great options!! Without going to big cities and without seeking new opportunities to discover or pursue ”culture”

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by Irish Pennant

What does the midwest offer in early October?

Good food, harvest stuff, good beer, nice temperatures. Look for fall color maps. Lake Superior is neat. Duluth MN and Marquette MI are great places. Crossing Lake Michigan on one of the ferries can be nice. In Michigan Henry Ford Museum complex and cross the river to Canada is fun.

The two Lake Michigan ferries are very different. One is a steamship and the other a modern high speed ferry.

Maybe you'll rethink city visits? Chicago is really great if you like arts and music. Stay on the river. The secret to city visits is being right in the heart.

You mentioned south. If colors are past in Upper Midwest, just head south. The Ozarks and parts of KY are nice. Interested in history? You could follow the Mississippi south.

Have fun.

[catdaddy]

St John, U.S. Virgin Islands.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Irish Pennant

how about the South? We love good people, scenery, sea food (fish and natural harvest) and history.

That's not South .... Australia is South!
Come on down.
We've got all those.
Speak the same language ... well sorta.
Our dollar only costs you a little over 70 cents.
Cold beer.
I'm pretty sure any Australian history is going to be new to you.

[Tahitijack]

Kind of late for an October vacation plan, but if you got the cash...Tahiti and specifically Moorea. Nice month to be there.

If you want to stay closer to home, Maui or Kauai. We just returned from a couple of weeks on Maui. Would not suggest the Big Island right now. BTW there is good to great food in Hawaii, you just need to know where to look. An added plus is live music everywhere and often free in the parks. English spoken, money is USD and Aloha spirit. Did I mention the best coffee?

[M19]

Hike the Superior Hiking Trail during the fall colors (late Sep/early Oct).

https://superiorhiking.org/#

Stay in Grand Marais or Tofte. Lots of fresh fish from THE lake.

[rokdog49]

The Great Smoky Mountains near Pidgeon Forge /Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Go in mid to late October. I would fly into Nashville, spend a couple of days there first. Do the music scene. Then, rent a car and make the scenic drive east to the Smokies. Takes about three hours or so.
You will need to make your reservations at least six months in advance. Beautiful Cabins are available with spectacular views.
Stay away from the hotels and motels. They are nice but the cabins are the way to go.
There is beauty, history and a lot of Southern Hospitality. Pidgeon Forge is mostly for families and kids but there are good restaurants there and some great shows.
The locals are typical Tennesseeans...very friendly y'all.
Probably be one of the best vacations you'll ever have.

[Borderdon]

B.C’s Haida Gwaii, aka Queen Charlotte Islands.
Not a world away in terms of distance, but a different planet in terms of natural beauty & unique cultural experience.
Life at the remote edge of the Pacific, wild and splendid. (Oh, and the exchange rate is very favourable for Uncle Sam’s $$’s !)
Lots of great suggestions, happy holidays !
Don

[Dru Edwards]

Lots of great places to visit. Just go a little further than Maine to Nova Scotia. Great scenery, hospitality, and all the lobster you can eat.

[Teleplucker]

If you are coming to the USA. There is a lot to see. The southern states, the SW and NW are some of my favorites. Just land somewhere and rent a car and go.
There are direct flights from Dublin to Charlotte NC, stop by and say hi. My wife and I have been to Ireland and we had a great time.

[HHP]

I might suggest the Upper Peninsula of Michigan ( Da UP). Lots of small towns, woods, wildlife, scenery, and the lake can be spectacular that time of year. Seeing huge whitecaps on a freshwater lake is pretty unforgettable. One town I visited was half US and half Canada. Everything from fishing camps to luxury resorts but no real tourist traps.

[MrDB]

Louisiana/NOLA is a fabulous food/seafood area. Lots of scenery and history, totally different from Oregon. October a great time to go since it wouldn't be so dang hot then.