help me pick a place, ill go (and trip report it)

[NNNNOOOOONAN]

where's the tr?

[pete fabrizio]

Easter Island and it's not close.

[raymond715]

IRAQ, It's just gorgeous this time of year.

[The Bus Driver]

Hit up the Boundary Waters.

[MSUcougar]

Yellowstone National Park.

Fly into Bozeman, Montana.

That place is unlike anything you've ever seen, I guarantee it.

[StevieG]

[ QUOTE ]
Hit up the Boundary Waters.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll second this. Perfect time to go, too. Cold enough at night to eliminate mosquitoes, not so cold as to eliminate you.

Zion National park another good choice (only seen pictures from friends and family, but every time they amaze).

[yad]

Krantz,
Not sure why you don't want to leave the US. If you want someplace absolutely awesome yet relatively close, try Ilulissat, Greenland. Given that you have a lot of money (you'll need it) there is really no more amazing place you can go within a reasonable radius of nyc.

Newfoundland is also fantastic imo.

Trapp family lodge is a solid choice closer. I've been there (mostly in winter though) and it is great.

The southwest canyon country (bryce canyon, etc) is great.

Alaska is fantastic, but you really need more than a week and it's quite far.

[Chaostracize]

My first instinct was Maine as well...although I'm surprised by how many others echo my opinion. Bar Harbor would be a great place to just relax, drive around, check out the foliage, eat some great shore food, and be around great people. Maine gets my vote and then some (and if you're courageous at all, just about every small town on the shore has a million things to do).

[jackflashdrive]

Go to Lopez Island, which is part of the San Juans (on the west coast of WA state).

Things to do: Hike, bike ride (Lopez is the flattest of the San Juans), Sea Kayak, camp, wine-tasting (Lopez has a few vineyards), llama petting. You could rent a cabin there and relax. The locals are very nice and intelligent (Lopez has a lot of Seattlers who left the city for a more laid-back rural lifestyle). Also, there is an amazing restaurant on the island "The Bay Cafe." It got a good write-up in Gourmet magazine. Bay Cafe (like many businesses on the island) is simply a labor of love for the owner. Ergo, the prices are low to get the locals business, and the dress and atmosphere is casual despite the first-class food.

I've been to Lopez three times and each time was great.

Edit PS: "After the pleasant 40-minute passage by car ferry ... from Anacortes, Wash., to quiet Lopez Island, take a quick drive to Lopez Village for dinner. The view is fantastic from a window seat at the Bay Café (9 Old Post Road, 360-468-3700), and so is the food. As you gaze out on the bay and the islands beyond, dig into the tender Alaskan halibut ($26), which has a light cheese and tomato sauce, or the melt-in-your-mouth-good beef tenderloin ($29). Both are served with asparagus and Yukon gold potato pancakes, a tossed salad with goat cheese and soup. Make a reservation; residents of other islands make the trip to Lopez just to dine. "
- The New York Times, Friday June 24, 2005

[AMT]

alaska, next to a bear cave. sounds like just the spot for you. that or a southeastern beach town.