For the first time in our married life my wife and I don’t know where we want to go on vacation this summer. It’s frustrating.

Since we have been married and when we had children living at home we planned our summer vacations early. Early on we just knew where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do. Not this year. We have been talking about this since Christmas. It’s not that we have been everywhere and done everything, we haven’t. I enjoy vacations and we like to explore places and talk to people. We have gone on some great family vacations.

Some fun vacations come to mind right away. I think one of my favorites were camping in Montana and Yellowstone when our kids were young. We tented at many different campgrounds in the mountains. We actually did a lot of tent camping with the kids. Another vacation was the Wisconsin Dells, but we didn’t stay in a motel or resort, we tented in a campground. Our children loved to set up the tents. Campfires at night were memorable. Looking back on the camping experiences, that was a lot of work! I wouldn’t think of tent camping now.

So, what should we do this year? My desire was to drive to Canada and visit Banff and the Rocky Mountains. That would require passports I think, which we don’t have. All the motels are already booked in the area and the motel prices are crazy high. So we eliminated that trip. I suggested spending a few days in downtown Chicago or New York City. Roxie has never been to NYC or Chicago and I think it’s good to visit them at least one time. She has no desire to do that. We thought about going to the Grand Canyon, but you don’t want to do that in August because of the heat. We talked about Dolly World, Branson, Northern Michigan and explore the Mississippi River. Nothing seems to excite us.

We talked about staying close to home and visit some of the cities that we really like. Sioux Falls, Duluth and Rapid City in the Black Hills. We like Sioux Falls because of the walking and bike paths, plus Falls Park is one of our favorite places. We have been to Duluth and the North Shore many times and love the scenery and eating places they offer. A recent vacation was spent in the Black Hills again. My daughter Brianna planned the whole trip and most of our family stayed in one big house and we had a blast hanging out with our kids and grandchildren. So maybe a close to home vacation is in the works.

So I asked ChatGPT what she thought we should do and this is the response I received

It sounds like you and Roxie have had some fantastic vacations in the past, filled with adventure and memorable experiences. It’s understandable that you’re feeling a bit stuck this year with so many options on the table but nothing jumping out at you.

Since you’ve already explored many wonderful places, how about trying something a bit different this time? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Explore National Parks: While Banff might be off the table for this year, there are plenty of other breathtaking national parks in the U.S. Consider visiting Glacier National Park in Montana, Acadia National Park in Maine, or even Zion National Park in Utah. Each offers unique landscapes and outdoor activities that you and Roxie might enjoy.
2. Coastal Retreat: If you enjoy the water, consider a coastal retreat. Whether it’s the rugged beauty of the Oregon Coast, the charming towns of Cape Cod, or the pristine beaches of the Outer Banks, a coastal vacation can offer relaxation and exploration opportunities.
3. Historic Road Trip: Plan a road trip through historical sites and small towns. You could explore the Civil War history in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, visit colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, or tour the charming towns along Route 66.
4. Culinary Tour: If you both enjoy trying new foods, plan a vacation focused on culinary experiences. You could visit cities known for their food scenes, such as New Orleans for Cajun cuisine, San Francisco for fresh seafood, or Charleston for Southern comfort food.
5. Wellness Retreat: Consider a wellness retreat to recharge and relax. Whether it’s a yoga retreat in Sedona, Arizona, a spa getaway in Napa Valley, or a wellness resort in the mountains, focusing on self-care can be rejuvenating.
6. Cultural Exploration: Choose a destination known for its rich culture and history. Whether it’s exploring the vibrant streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras, immersing yourselves in the art and music scene of Nashville, or experiencing the diverse neighborhoods of San Francisco, a cultural vacation can be both enriching and entertaining.
7. Volunteer Vacation: If you’re looking for a meaningful experience, consider a volunteer vacation. You could volunteer on an organic farm, participate in a habitat restoration project, or contribute to community development efforts in a different part of the country.

These are just a few ideas to spark your imagination. Ultimately, the best vacation destination is one that resonates with both you and Roxie, allowing you to create new memories and enjoy each other’s company.

Wow! Artificial Intelligence did a really good job suggesting things to do. I would like to hear from you. What is some of your favorite vacation spots?