Here at LongWeekends, we humbly disagree.
Granted, that oft-quoted line has little to do with leisure time and a lot to do with life lessons. But when it comes to planning an escape, I'd rather save the memorable experiences for when I arrive at a vacation spot. I want to find out all those details –– the ambiance at a new luxury boutique hotel, the amenities available at a rustic wilderness retreat, or family-friendly activities at a fun seasonal event –– well in advance, and with a minimal amount of work.
That's where LongWeekends' seasoned travel writers come in.
They've scoured our coverage area for the most enjoyable getaways in nine regions. From a romantic B&B that uses chocolate as its theme (Cocoa Cottage Bed & Breakfast in Whitehall, Michigan), to a colorful facility that lets kids make like miniature Picassos (The Crayola Factory in Langhorne, Pennsylvania) –– they do the work so you don't have to.
Of course, even with all of that exploration and research, we realize (as hard as it is to admit) that there's likely some perfect haven out there that we've somehow overlooked.
So, clue us in on your favorite little corner of the world (more specifically, a destination in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania or West Virginia). Better yet, send us a photo of you or your family at your most carefree, enjoying that spot to the fullest. If we use that picture in the "Reader Snapshot" section of our Web site (see below), we'll send you a roomy "I Live For Long Weekends!" travel bag. It's a handy carryall for your next trip, and just another way we help you achieve a stress-free escape.
Save the hard lessons for life's myriad other journeys. When it comes to a long weekend, the hardest decision you should have to make is how many days to take off work.