How is this going to be decided?
@sevmom Good question! Two of us are uber flexible about where we go, the other two not as much. At this point, we are kind of leaving it up the picky two but I want to have as much information to present as possible! You’ve all been very helpful!
If they won’t pick, I’ll suggest we each rate the 5 locations we currently have on a scale of 1 - 5, assign points, and then whichever location has the most points is where we go.
OK, I know Nashville is off the table, but as so many people are on here I wanted to give the Jack Daniels distillery a shout-out for excellent customer service. I had wanted to book a tour for four for ds1’s gf’s birthday but they were full for the time/date I wanted. I booked a later tour and called to leave a msg to ask whether the group could go on a waitlist as they have a really liberal cancellation policy and thought the kids might get lucky. They called back and said they made room for the party and changed our reservation! That was so unexpected. Yea!
It is interesting to me how the picky folks end up with the power to veto and derail things for others—this fun time and other things in life.
Your idea of voting with points sounds good as long as everyone agrees beforehand to abide by the results with no grumbling.
My strategy when planning these things is to reach out to the person I am most sympatico with and make the plan with just that person. And then we announce to the larger group that Jane Doe and I are going to Specific Town if the’d like to join us. Most people just say yes once all the work is done for them. Good luck with getting everyone on board, you are a good friend to coordinate!
Yes, I think finding a good deal (flights, hotel, fun stuff to do) and presenting it as a package works well. “Hey, we can go here, stay here, do this and that” works better than just starting from a map of the US. If they’ve vetoed a city, move on but don’t give them many more options to veto.
Cycling back to let everyone know that we finally settled on St. Augustine. We are going in the Fall. I think everyone is excited at this point 
Have fun. I loved it there! Take the Flagler College tour (not the one for students…the one for tourists). They have the largest private collection of Tiffany windows anywhere. Interesting to hear the history of the school.
The hop on hop off bus is worth doing…great info on the history of the town. It’s a fascinating place!
There is a bar…Dos Gatos. I’m not a drinker at all…but the bartender made me a fresh limeade that was fabulous. My husband had a gin and tonic that had fruit in it and he said it was fabulous. But really, it was fun watching this fabulous bartender make these drinks.
Are you flying into Jacksonville? If so, I have a great restaurant suggestion there.
I’m late to this thread, so sorry for going backwards, and OP I’m glad you settled on a destination! My comment is that I went to Austin about 3 weeks ago and was very surprised and distressed at how many homeless are all over the entertainment district. For me, I couldn’t stop thinking about the human tragedy and questioning what’s happening with our country. You would not have wanted to be on that vacation with me. 
This is the restaurant in Jacksonville.
Thank you @thumper1!!!
If you are looking at places to stay near Jacksonville, I suggest the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. We stayed there for a wedding 5-6 years ago and it was great—elegant resort on the beach with lots of amenities.
We are planning on staying in historic St Augustine but thank you for the suggestion! Thankfully finding the hotel isn’t my responsibility ; ).
From my friend who loved there:
In st aug, the Columbia is good. If they have a car, Capp’s on the Water (off of A1A) is a favorite. It’s on the inter coastal, about 10-15 minute drive from down town st aug. I only drank at Prohibition Kitchen in the center of St Aug, but everyone raves about it. The pizza place across from there too is great. It was voted 2nd best in the US. Over the bridge of Lions is a great Shrimp place — O’Steens. Always a line. Cash only
On anastasia island or vilano beach. If they like a drink in warm surroundings, the conch house is popular — out on the pier. Food is just so so if I recall. The alligator farm is really kind of cool if you’ve never done it. It’s on the island. Sounds like they’ll have a car so I’d really recommend Capp’s. Gets crowded.
There’s the winery. The wine’s sweet, but they have a free tour and a rooftop lounge with live music normally
@momofsenior1 - your request for ti to be no more than 3/4 hr from NE and DC. You mean 3 to 4 hours (not .75 hr) yes?
Ah, I just saw you picked St. Augustine. If you sweettalk the guard at Flagler college, he’ll take you in to see the beautiful dining hall and library, back from the days of when it was a hotel.
Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown.
LOVE Charleston, SC!! Be sure to dine at the Penninsula Grill - 12” high coconut layer cake. Really nice for late autumn visits, too. We also like Jekyll Island - fly into Jacksonville, then it’s about an hour drive to Jekyll Island. Great bike paths and long beaches.
The OP has already said they have decided on St. Augustine. Have fun, @momofsenior1 !
There is a restaurant in the Lightener museum that is in the old swimming pool. Yes, IN the pool (no water). It’s fun and make sure you use the bathroom because there are cool things there too.
There is the winery and a whiskey tour. The School for the Blind is just up the street from the Fountain of Youth. It is pretty cool to look at. Stevie Wonder was a student there.
I’m partial to St. Augustine Beach. There are a lot of Beach Bars and restaurants with rooftop decks.