In-laws will have the kids. Looking for some ideas. Had considered NYC but our budget is about $3,000. NYC pushing closer to $3,500-$3,800.

Last year we did Big Bend. We don't like beaches or shopping (NYC for the history, 'old world' vibe).

What other ideas?

If you're looking for history/old world vibe, Charleston would be a great choice. Might be a little hot in June.

If you're in HOU, direct flights on Southwest should be pretty affordable.

We are in Houston. Thanks for the rec. Ok with the heat (hence Big Bend last July...). Direct/non-stop flights are key to maximize the time! Will take a look.

Unless you want to venture outside of the "downtown" area or go to the beach, you won't need a car, either. I Ubered to/from the airport and walked everywhere.

Lots of good walking tours, boat rides/cruises, and the food is excellent.

Excellent, that was the draw of NYC, direct flights and no car. Will investigate it more.

When budgeting for Charleston double your expected food budget

and do a historical walking tour of the historical district first thing if you can. It gets you aquainted with that area and you can see all the resturants and look over menus

Charleston was amazing, a one day rental car for exploring outside the main area is really all you need for a 3-4 day trip

Estes Park if you like hiking. Easy and can be done for cheap.

Fly down to Antigua, Guatemala and spend 5 days. Beautiful city and would easily be within your budget. Only about 3 hours from IAH.

I concur with the Charleston suggestion…. Great historical sites, very foodie, very friendly

You can also Uber easily within downtown Charleston. We used it a lot because the weather was dicey ... there are a ton of very professional drivers who stick to the historic area so when you order a car, it's there in a minute and the service is great.

Dill-Ag13 said:

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In-laws will have the kids. Looking for some ideas. Had considered NYC but our budget is about $3,000. NYC pushing closer to $3,500-$3,800.

Last year we did Big Bend. We don't like beaches or shopping (NYC for the history, 'old world' vibe).

What other ideas?

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$3k trip seems a bit extravagant for a 5-day anniversary. SW Colorado is nice that time of year and summer VRBOs are a good bit cheaper than ski season up there.

AustinCountyAg said:

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We are doing Savannah in June for our anniversary. We did Charleston a handful of years back and both loved it, so we figured we'd try the sister city now.

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I was going to suggest Savannah. Direct flight from IAH (at least when I went a couple of years ago). Stayed at the Marshall House - that was fantastic Took an Uber from the airport; did not rent a car.

Dill-Ag13 said:

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('old world' vibe).

What other ideas?

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Quebec (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Quebec) is Old World!

We flew into Montreal and made the drive. Our special dinner was at a local farm: https://outstandinginthefield.com/event-details/la-ferme-quatre-temps/

I was actually looking at a Montreal/Quebec trip in May (until I got invited to do a cruise in the BVI). The direct flight from IAH is $600-$700, so that's why I didn't recommend it. Hard to meet a $3k budget when airfare takes up half of it.

The exchange rate to Canadian $ is in our favor, though.

TXTransplant said:

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I was actually looking at a Montreal/Quebec trip in May (until I got invited to do a cruise in the BVI). The direct flight from IAH is $600-$700, so that's why I didn't recommend it. Hard to meet a $3k budget when airfare takes up half of it.

The exchange rate to Canadian $ is in our favor, though.

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Originally we were going to do Quebec for our trip (been wanting to go there for years), but the flight options were terrible and expensive.

Dill-Ag13 said:

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Found some flights for $630 round trip for two and a very nice hotel for $300/night all in so we have booked Charleston. Thanks y'all!

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Enjoy!

My advice ... if you have restaurants you really want to hit, make reservations as soon as possible. Charleston restaurants can book up fast.

I highly recommend Slightly North of Broad (SNOB). But there are great restaurants everywhere and lots of good threads on here with options.

Thanks a lot!

I did a walking food tour with Bulldog Tours and wound up loving 82 Queen. They are one of the few restaurants that has basically the same menu for lunch and dinner, but if IRC, lunch is cheaper and less crowded (ie, easier to get a table).

Just down the street from 82 Queen is a breakfast cafe called Harken Cafe that is amazing. I ate there almost every morning. It's also worth it to go to the Charleston City Market and get Callie's Hot Little Biscuits. They do not disappoint.

I also enjoyed Husk. Was not impressed with the food at Church, but the restaurant is gorgeous.

The champagne bar at Hotel Bennet is over the top, if your wife enjoys that kind of thing.