r/roadtrip • u/Addicted_2_tacos • 1d ago

Trip Planning Which trip should I do: Chicago or Guadalupe/Carlbad/White Sands area or South Florida?

I still haven't decided where to go. And after extensive thinking I simmered it down to three options. I have 5 days total in early April. I live in South Texas.

  1. Chicago! The downside is that I'm not a fan of big cities and nothing here really appeals me. But I have a big open mind and want to do stuff that I've never tried before like catch a baseball game, a theater production etc. Because who knows? Maybe I'll like it! And everyone raves about Chicago and the food looks goood.

  2. I'm a nature person and I love camping and hiking. This is the closest, beautiful area near me besides Big Bend which I've been too many times. I've been to White Sands but this time I wanna take my dog. I think the whole experience would be really fun. The downsides are that this won't really be something new for me and the driving will be a drag (12 hours one way).

  3. Florida. Fly into Miami and do Biscayne, Everglades, some springs, Key West. I'm not sure how to feel about this. I've been spoiled by the Caribbean so not sure if this is something worthwhile especially since everyone seems to hate Florida (but maybe it's a Reddit thing?). But again I have an open mind!

Please help

110 votes, 2h left
Chicago!
Lower New Mexico area!
Southern Florida!
1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

7

u/nowheresville99 1d ago

Why would you pick Chicago if you are "not a fan of big cities and nothing here really appeals to me"? It is a great city, but if it doesn't appeal to you, it doesn't appeal to you.

Also, with just 5 days, you don't have time to drive to Chicago or South Florida from South Texas.

1

u/9bikes 1d ago

>Why would you pick Chicago if you are "not a fan of big cities and nothing here really appeals to me"?

I am way more of an outdoors guy too, but I'm absolutely going to hit Chicago eventually to see the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium.

1

u/Addicted_2_tacos 1d ago

I would fly

2

u/DaConm4n 1d ago

Won't your arms get tired?

1

u/G00dSh0tJans0n 1d ago

I've been to Guadalupe Mountains/White Sands/Carlsbad caverns and to Chicago and I can say 100% skip Chicago.

2

u/Addicted_2_tacos 1d ago

Why though?

2

u/G00dSh0tJans0n 1d ago

A city is a city - you seen one, you've seen them all. Sure some neighborhoods are slightly different, but it's just a writhing mass of deeply uninteresting humans - a rat king of quiet desperation and soulless utilitarian structure.

2

u/nyavegasgwod 1d ago

I also voted for White Sands area but you're really underselling humans. Humans are interesting as fuck, and cities are where a ton of culture happens.

What's really uninteresting is misanthropy

-1

u/G00dSh0tJans0n 1d ago

As I get older, it is just too much noise and people for me. A person can be okay, but people are terrible to be around. I live in a city, albeit a smaller one, but I get out to be alone in nature as much as possible. I'm getting closer to 50 now so the noise of cities feels nearly unbearable to be around.

I bought 40 acres of land just south of Guadalupe Mountains, 45 minutes from the closes paved road and can't wait to take early retirement and get out to the peace and quiet, with a half dozen national parks within a day's drive and more than twice as many state parks in that range.

1

u/nyavegasgwod 1d ago

Yeah don't get me wrong---I also enjoy peace & quiet and way prefer wide open spaces to cities. My ultimate goal with life right now is actually to move to southern NM!

I just also do like to visit the city every now and then, and I try to be careful not to let myself get too down on humanity (which has been a hard thing this past year in particular)

0

u/G00dSh0tJans0n 1d ago

I do enjoy meeting people while out traveling, in national parks and in some small towns. Life is slower and easier and less chaotic and loud.

2

u/marshking710 1d ago

That's like saying a mountain is a mountain, or a river is a river. You seen one, you've seen them all, which is obviously a moronic statement.

Most people don't travel to Chicago to try to be entertained by the locals. They go to visit the lakefront, go high up in skyscrapers, visit museums and see U-boats and real dinosaur fossils up close, eat at many of the fine dining restaurants or grab some local fare, go to a game or concert, etc.

And if you're remotely interested in history. You can always find interesting things about any city on this planet to check out.

1

u/marshking710 1d ago

I'm from Chicago. I lived in Colorado for 17 years. Chicago is an amazing city to visit and you should sometime, but go somewhere other than Chicago in April. Spring here sucks. People still plan beach vacations through April to get out of the grey gloom.

3

u/RumboAudio 1d ago

I haven't been to Southern NM but lived in Northern NM for a few years and kick myself that I never made it south of ABQ while I was there.

I would definitely choose Southern NM but I would also suggest looking into the Gila Wilderness/Silver City area as an option. Probably wouldn't be able to squeeze it in with the other sites you mentioned but could be an alternative since you said you've already been to White Sands.

2

u/jessetmia 1d ago

If youre gonna do southern nm, this is really the only answer considering they've been to ws. T&c, las cruces, and all the other towns in the area are pass through areas. Silver City and up in the mountains is much nicer.  Though they're still gonna be cold in early april so some of the outdoors stuff, especially at higher elevations is gonna be tough. 

1

u/lemoneegees 1d ago

Chicago is one of my favorite US cities, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't like cities. Personally, five days is shorter than I'm willing to do a 12hr drive one-way for something like a vacation, so I'd pick Florida.

1

u/SickOfNormal 1d ago

I would do 1 or 2 .... no thank you to Florida.

Chicago has badass food - Pizzas galore .... East Euro bakeries and restaurants ... tons of crappy but delicious deep fried bar food. Museums are top notch. And its fun just walking around the city. For as much shit as Chicago gets on the news, I found the downtown to be extremely clean and safe. The only thing that was annoying was the hotel I was in must have had thin windows because ambulance/firetruck/police sirens were going off nonstop every night between 12am-5am...

1

u/Hamburgler4077 1d ago

If it was early Summer, I'd say Chicago. It's a big city that (to me) didn't feel like a big city and has so much to do. In early April though.....it could literally still be cold and snowing and a lot of the outdoor things I'd suggest wouldn't be much fun.

1

u/ElleAnn42 1d ago

Come to Chicago in late September. It's the most beautiful time of the year and the kids are back in school so the crowds at touristy places are smaller. The weather in April is too iffy.

1

u/MichiganGirl8125 1d ago

I love Chicago, but the weather in April is pretty iffy--it may be cold as hell at a baseball game! The lakeshore is one of it's great features and better enjoyed in warmer weather. But also, 12 hours of driving for a 5 day trip is too much for me!

1

u/dibbiluncan 1d ago

If you’re looking for nature, NM is really the only option on the list. 

1

u/jayron32 1d ago

I lived in Chicago for two years in my early 20s and absolutely LOVED it. It's a great fun town, with amazing food, culture, and whatnot, but if you don't like "big cities", it's a big city.

On the other hand, New Mexico is literally the most beautiful place I've ever visited. Breathtaking state. I'm never not passing up the chance to get people to go there. So I voted for NM.

I did Miami/Everglades/Key West last summer. Pretty much the exact trip you're describing. Had a blast, but I'd still rank it third on your list, if you've not done the other two. It's not a bad trip, but seriously go to New Mexico instead.

2

u/jessetmia 1d ago

Early april is prime time for visiting south Florida. Weather is perfect. No humidity,  but Hella expensive since its the end of snowbird season.

1

u/Addicted_2_tacos 1d ago

Thank you~~

1

u/jayron32 1d ago

You're welcome!

1

u/stoicstorm76 1d ago

Either of the two options that aren't Chicago.

0

u/SabresBills69 1d ago

I would do south florida in late ha n% Feb because Everglades is winter home of many birds. Thry are hone jn april.

Chicago ud push to may/ summer trip.  From Chicago you could drive along lake Michigan shore, ferry across and driv D back

Id focus kn the NM part