Need saggestions for short trip in August

[FiguringItOut]

My two teens will be flying from NYC to Fort Lauderdale/Miami for two last week of August.  They will be visiting their grandparents (my parents).  Right now approximate trip dates are August 16th through 30th, but we are flexible between Aug 15th and Sept 2nd.

They are going to be 12 and 14 years old when they travel and they will have to fly as unaccompanied minors.  For the last two years they flew on Spirit airline and this was an $800 trip for both of them ($100 tickets per kid each way plus $100 minor fee per kid each way).  This was the cheapest option to get them from NY to FL.

I cannot go with them for two weeks, nor do I want to go.  This trip is not only for my kids to visit their grandparent, but also for me to get a break and have some time to myself. 
However, I can take few days off from work and have a little mini vacation of my own, combine it with their flight in or out and airfare will not impact our total cost as my tickets will cost the same as their minor fee.
So, if I have 5 days, where would you suggest/recommend I go to get some vacation break?  I thought of after dropping kids in Florida maybe fly to Mexico or Central America or Caribbean Islands somewhere.  Or rent a car and do something in Florida.  I will be a woman traveling by myself, I’ve never been in Central America, have only been to Caribbean via cruise ships, and the last time I was in Mexico was 11 years ago.

Staying in Florida will save me on second airfare but will cost in car rental (plus insurance as I don’t have a car and thus don’t have my own insurance coverage).  I’m looking for something relaxing with opportunity to meet people but not looking for loud night life, also safe and budget friendly. 

I can fly with my kids to FL mid-August, have my little vacation and fly back to NY by myself; my kids will come to NY by themselves end of August.  Or fly to FL by myself, have my mini vacation, pick up my kids and fly back to NY with them. May be stay one day with my parents on either end of the trip, but this is not a required constraint to my plans. 

Another option is for my kids to go to FL by themselves both ways, I rent a car in NY and travel somewhere around here.  Renting a car in NY will be a lot more expensive then renting a car in FL though, there will be no savings on airfare, and I still don’t know where to go for 4-5 days. 

I’m not a camper/hiker, I like national parks, I can do couple easy trails, but that’s the extent of my hiking desires.  I don’t need luxurious accommodations, but I need a real bed and a decent shower.  I like beaches. 

If I stay in NY and rent a car I can drive north (CT, RI, MA, NH) or south (DE, VA).  May be going North is better with hopefully better weather and less humidity?

[Kaspian]

With 5 days?   I would visit the Florida Keys/Key West.  There are so many funky/cool places to visit down there, an easy mini-vacation, for sure.  I've never been but it's near the top of my list of places I hope to visit some day.

Personally, I love the little town of St. Augustine near Jacksonville.  Went as a kid and loved it.  Went with some friends as an adult and loved it even more.  It's so pretty (especially at night), there's lots to see/do, some great beaches, slow pace, and amazing seafood restaurants.  It's one of the few places I could live for a few years. 

[gt7152b]

+1 for the Keys. Perfect place to visit after dropping the kids off in Miami. You just need to rent a car.

[CapLimited]

You might consider going north by train -- perhaps take the Amtrak Adirondack from New York up to Montreal for a few days.  A round-trip in coach will only set you back around $150, and even though it's a pretty long ride, train time goes fast.  There's lots of pretty scenery to watch as you go up the Hudson and through upstate New York.  Amtrak coach seats are big and comfortable, and you can walk around as much as you want on the train, or go to the cafe car for beverages and snacks.  Lots to do in Montreal, it's probably quite a bit less hot than South Florida in August, and there looks to be many options for hostels and inexpensive hotels there.

[Dee18]

I'd stay up north.  The keys in August are crazy hot and buggy.  I'd go to Vermont....actually, i do go there for the month of July.  Beautiful, well-marked hikes from easy to challenging.  Lots of fairs and farmers markets.  Cute towns.  Online you can find group hikes if you would like that. Shop around for car rental prices.  They vary like crazy.  i just rented a car in Vt for the month of July for $775.  Try autoslash.com as well as kayak.com  Also look for coupons.

[Cougar]

i would not go to Florida summertime, even the keys; north is the place to be in summer.

search for the 1000 islands, finger lakes, airondack mountains, lake wikapasakee, mount washington, etc, etc.

there's hundreds of great places in the northeast for summer, Florida just gets all the press. spend some time on the state vistor's sites and i bet you'll find all sorts of places that you'd like.

[FiguringItOut]

Thank you all.

One of the many reasons I love this forum is because you guys not only help weigh out the alternatives, but also come up with suggestions that I haven't even thought of.

I think staying in North East makes sense the most.  And going North instead of along the coast also makes sense. 

I'll have to give this some thought, but there are definitely places I'd love to visit.  Quebec/Montreal have been on my to do list for couple years now.  I've been to White Mountains, NH a long long time ago, so it's due for another visit.

I took my kids to finger lakes this past Augusts so won't be going there again but I've never heard of 1000 Islands and it sounds amazing. 

I am now leaning towards doing a road trip, just need to figure out all of the logistics.  The good thing that since I won't be flying, I can just book my kids' tickets to FL and then plan my trip as times gets closer and I know my other plans and work schedule.

[going2ER]

If you decide to take the train to Montreal you can just use public transit instead of renting a car. They have a really good system and it is a beautiful city. We stayed in Old Montreal, but China Town and downtown are both within in very close walking distance, anything further and we took the subway and bus. We ate alot of meals in China town as they were very tasty and affordable.

[FiguringItOut]

If you decide to take the train to Montreal you can just use public transit instead of renting a car. They have a really good system and it is a beautiful city. We stayed in Old Montreal, but China Town and downtown are both within in very close walking distance, anything further and we took the subway and bus. We ate alot of meals in China town as they were very tasty and affordable.

Thank you for letting me know about china town. 
I will be booking my kids trip this week and that will set my own availability to travel.  If I will only have 4 days I will look into train. 

However, if I will be able to get a whole week, 8-9 days including weekends on both ends, I think I'll do a longer road trip and visit NH and/or VT and Canada (Quebec, Montreal, may be 1000 islands someone suggested, maybe something else). 

I've never done road trip by myself, so this is both exciting and a bit scary.  Mostly concerned about being alone and getting bored.

[FrugalFan]

With the current exchange rate, going to Canada makes a lot of sense financially too (1.38). Plus, you might feel a bit safer travelling alone. If you are worried about being lonely, try finding a BnB to stay in, or an Airbnb. The former especially usually has chatty hosts who like meeting new people, and the people staying there also tend to stay in BnB's for the same reason.

[Dee18]

You could also check out the Appalachian Mountain Club online.  They sponsor group hikes (day and overnight) and also have some lodges.  I have found group hikes a fun way to meet people when traveling.