susan1

Hello,

Last year we went to Myrtle Beach then drove home stopping in the Smokey Mountains & Gatlinburg before returning home to Michigan. It was a lovely vacation!

1) We are looking for another vacation (probably with some beach time). We have never been to the New England states, but I am feeling very overwhelmed by all the options out there. Not sure where to stay, what to do, etc.

2) Another option would be to fly back to Myrtle Beach and maybe visit Charleston too? But new experiences are always so much fun.

3) Would Islamorada be too stiffling hot in July?

We always do a trip to Traverse City in Michigan, so we are definitely looking fwd to getting out of the state. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Susan

rizzo0904

Outer banks, NC

For new England, I'd go to Maine. How old is your child?

Bowsprit

For New England waters where you can actually swim and not freeze try Cape Cod or Rhode Island. You can fly into Logan in Boston or TFGreen in R.I. and head to the Cape beaches or the R.I. shore.

Boston is a great place to explore before heading off to Cape Cod.

rizzo0904

My concern with the cape, is being able to get lodging with only a few weeks notice....

Bowsprit

You will be ok. Try www.weneedavacation.com to start and see what you come up with.

susan1

Our daughter is 8 years old. I didn't think about the cold water temperatures. Maybe we should be heading further south and keep the wonderful New England for a later time when she is older.

Outerbanks look cool. Any other suggestions?

Thanks everyone. Is the water warm enough to swim in Cape Cod in July or August?

Bowsprit

Nantucket Sound waters are lovely and the warmest on the Cape. Look at towns like Harwich, Harwich Port, Dennis, and Chatham for towns on the Sound. Chatham is particularly lovely.

The Cape Cod Bay has a very dramatic low tide that provides no place to swim when the tide goes out! Families with small children like the puddles and little 'pools' that are left behind when the water leaves for Maine for a few hours.

The Cape ocean beaches that face the Atlantic are rough and can be very cold. You'll see people in wetsuits there. The beaches of the National Seashore are stunning though; you should make the time to visit them if you're on Cape.

Hilton Head has gorgeous beaches. Very similar to what you've already experienced, however.

R.I. beaches are lovely. Waters can be rough with lots of wave action.

suewoo

I've been to Key West in July and , while it was hot (triple digits), the trade winds kept it from being stifling.

I LOVE the OB. WHile researching NC beaches look at the southern ones as well: Topsail, Sunset, Ocean Isle, Wrightsville. All will have warm water and lovely beaches.

I have to also recommend Charleston. The beaches are great and you have the advantage of the beautiful city close by.

rizzo0904

My 2 and 3 year olds love swimming in the NH ocean. It's not that bad. And really, I think the younger they are, the more they are willing to swim in colder waters.

You could also look at Lake George in NY (I've never been).

longhorn55

How about Williamsburg and Virginia Beach?

If your child has read the American Girls "Felicity" series of books and/or seen (the historically inaccurate) Disney's "Pocahantas", then she's already familiar with the history of Jamestown and Williamsburg and could appreciate a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne.

In addition, you can add some time to visit Busch Gardens, one of the loveliest amusement parks around, and Water Country U.S.A. And Virginia Beach is just a short drive away for the beach portion of your vacation.