USVI-On-Line

What about Orlando? Everyone flies there and there are a lot of rental houses. I'm not saying "Go to Disney", but it's easy (and not hugely expensive) to get to and the rental market is strong.

Does anyone now how close Lake Norman is to the Charlotte Airport? CLT hubs US Air.

I think you almost have to build the plan based on airports. Then find what's near the major hubs.

pipanale wrote:What about Orlando? Everyone flies there and there are a lot of rental houses. I'm not saying "Go to Disney", but it's easy (and not hugely expensive) to get to and the rental market is strong.

Does anyone now how close Lake Norman is to the Charlotte Airport? CLT hubs US Air.

I think you almost have to build the plan based on airports. Then find what's near the major hubs.

djmom can no doubt give an exact distance...I would say CLT to Lake Norman is 20-30 minutes...I know nothing about activities or rentals there, only that in driving past, Lake Norman is a beautiful lake.

Orlando...much to do, but drive to beach...Gaylord Palms hotel is near Disney and MCO with two pools, several restaurants, etc.

What about Niagara on the Lake, ON? Fly into Buffalo NY (BNIA)... from a previous post:
"Although very touristy, Niagara Falls, Canada, is worth a visit, at least once...sounds, mist, and rainbows add to the visual of the roaring water. On a Saturday night last July the walks were packed, but on Sunday morning at seven we were almost alone. After the falls, a drive up the Niagara Parkway to Niagara-on-the-Lake brought a quick change of pace. Rural scenes and wineries abound, especially ice wine producers; green spaces and lake views, old inns and B&Bs, quaint shops and eateries on streets filled with colorful flowers, and the Shaw Festival with the choices of twelve plays in three venues, delighted us and will surely draw us back there again...a suggestion for a quiet, romantic getaway that could easily be a long weekend or longer."

Maybe Coronado Island CA???

Will this gathering take place this summer??? Or in cooler weather?

How about Atlantic City? There's a major airport, water, shows, reasonable rentals, food, gaming, etc.

Well, since others have been suggesting destinations that would not be considered “central”, plus you noted that some are actually coming from Canada, a pretty cool place are the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state - way more charming than some of the other places mentioned (no offense).
Fly into Seattle and ferry to someplace like Friday Harbor and take over an inn like this: http://www.harrisonhousesuites.com/
Rent bikes or kayaks, go on an orca tour, read a book on the porch of the inn, enjoy great Pac NW foods and wine. Combine it with a night or two while inbound or outbound in a Seattle hotel and you have a nice combo of a vibrant city and island thing.

This may be impractical because it is 90 miles from the Asheville, NC airport, but I have always heard good things about Gatlinburg, TN. I really want to go, but whenever we have time,we seem to head to St John. Lots to do with lots of lodging options.