Challenge: Girls' Getaway

While having dinner last weekend with two of my friends, we decided it was time that we take a trip together.  We discussed several options for our Girls' Getaway...here are our choices:

Criteria 

Needs/Wants:  We are looking for a place with shopping, activities, and good food & drinks.   

Time Frame:  We are trying to make the trip around 3-4 days, spanning over a weekend.  (We all work and this helps maximize our vacation days.)  I have picked January 2012 for pricing estimates and will give the exact dates for each trip below. 

Budget:  The goal is to keep the trip around $500 per person.  This includes transportation, lodging, food, and activities.

Option #1: Bahama Cruise

During January it would be nice to enjoy the sunshine since Ohio is usually pretty dreary this time of year.  A cruise is a nice option because it is mostly all-inclusive (except for soda and alcohol).  Unfortunately, this is at the higher end of our price range.  And the big question - is it worth $50pp for an extra day??

Option #1a (1/26/12-1/30/12)

Cruise: Carnival - 4 Day Bahamas from Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL - Interior Cabin  $233.44pp

Airfare: Southwest Airlines - Columbus (CMH) to Orlando (MCO) Nonstop Flights  $263.40pp

Transportation to/from Port: AAA SuperRide for round trip transfers  $38.00pp+tax

Food:  Included with cruise $0pp

Activities:  Included with cruise $0pp

Trip Total:  $534.84pp  (Please note this per person total does include known taxes but not gratuity or alcoholic beverages...realistically, it would probably be closer to $600pp with those items factored in.)

Option #1b (1/20/12-1/23/12)

Cruise: Carnival - 3 Day Bahamas from Miami, FL  $228.26pp

Airfare: AirTran - Columbus (CMH) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)  $218.10pp

Transportation to/from Port: SAS Transportation $15pp each way (mixed/good YELP reviews)  $30pp
Food:  Included with cruise $0pp

Activities:  Included with cruise $0pp

Trip Total:  $476.36pp  (Please note this per person total does include known taxes but not gratuity or alcoholic beverages...realistically, it would probably be closer to $550pp with those items factored in.)

Option #2: Chicago, IL (1/12/12-1/15/12)

Chicago is a beautiful city!  There is plenty of shopping on the Magnificent Mile, several museums, good food (think Chicago deep dish pizza and Garrett's popcorn!), and several theaters.  One downside to this choice is the chilly weather that can be unpredictable during the winter.

Hotel:  Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown - 2D @ AAA-rate Breakfast Included  Plus, great reviews on TripAdvisor - always a nice thing!  $113.21pp 
(We could get a slightly cheaper rate at $106.92pp, but it would be non-refundable. Given that we are traveling in January it is worth it to have the option of canceling in case of bad weather.)

Car/Gas: 713 miles (~6hr) round trip with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $37.81pp

Parking:  North Clark Street Parking Garage - $23 for 24hr  $23pp
(Use Chicago Parking Map and Chicago Central Parking to help find a parking garage and prices.)

OR 
Transportation:  MegaBus (Estimated price since you can not book that far in advanced.) $36pp 
(Save even more by selecting the overnight bus to arrive on Friday morning - saves $37.74pp on hotel costs!)

Food: Breakfast: Included; Lunch: $15/day; Dinner: $30/day; Drinks: $20/day  ~$200pp

Activities: Willis Tower (formerly known as The Sears Tower) $17pp; Art Institute of Chicago $18pp; Millennium Park $0pp  $35pp
(Check Chicago Office of Tourism for discounts and coupons.  Hot Tix has half off on day-of tickets for plays and musicals.)

Trip Total:  $409pp (Drive & Park) OR $384.21pp (MegaBus)

Option #3: Nashville, TN (1/12/12-1/15/12)

Nashville is the heart of country music.  It is just far enough south to feel "southern" but still an easy drive from Columbus.  Plus, a large outlet mall beside the Grand Ole Opry (note that the outlet mall is still being redone after the flooding, but some stores are supposed to be open by the end of 2011.)

Hotel:  Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Downtown - 2Q @ AAA-rate Breakfast included  $174.32pp 
(Rated #6 on TripAdvisor for Nashville Hotels plus walking distance to the downtown nightlife.)

Car/Gas: 762 miles (~6hr 15min) round trip with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $40.41pp

Parking:  329 4th Avenue South Downtown Lot (right beside the Hampton Inn) with coupon $5pp

Food:  Breakfast: Included; Lunch: $15/day; Dinner: $30/day; Drinks: $20/day  ~$200pp

Activities:  Ryman Auditorium; Grand Ole Opry ~$50pp

Trip Total:  $469.75pp 

Alternative Nashville Hotel Option: Alexis Inn & Suites Nashville Airport Opryland Hotel - 2Q @ 15% off with Continental Breakfast  $93.61pp  

(This is not the best options for us because we plan to enjoy the downtown nightlife and would have to take a cab at ~$28 each way, otherwise good reviews on TripAdvisor especially for the great price!)

Please note that prices were accurate at the time of posting but can change quickly.