eracet

Its been around 20 years since my we have had a large family vacation. This was back when I had one child (She is 27 now) and there was no other kids. It was to Florida , Disney, Universal etc. Had a few issues but nothing we cant handle.

Currently my father is 74 and has kidney cancer. Treatment is going good and looking promising. But made me think of how long is my parents going to be around. Mom is doing good.

So with my fathers knee surgery his mobility is good but long distances he gets tired . I know wheel chair is always an option for that.

My Brother mentioned places like Myrtle beach or South Carolina . Or possibly western coast of Florida.

Looks like Covid vaccine is good with my parents, (getting there second doses soon) and rest of the family should be in April.



Need some suggestions because this is new to me with parents at this age. Or not so much the age but my fathers condition. I know he is a tough man, but his body is run down because of knees , treatment etc.

oldemalloy

What kinds of things do your folks enjoy doing? Fishing, museums, beaches, mountain scenery, casinos, etc. Might they enjoy just spending time with you in a beautiful setting? If so look for a house/ hotel/ camp, in a place that has activities, museums, entertainment, etc., that is large enough for the gang, arrange for food to be prepared and delivered and hire someone to do the clean up.

They will probably not need or want to do everything with everyone, but will want to be included often.

Enjoy the planning and the trip.

starrs

I would fly into Savannah or Jacksonville, FL and spend some time on Jekyll Island, GA. There are some nice newer hotels and renovated ones. Jekyll is the low key "natural" island on the GA coast.

If you want a rental unit, check here -
https://www.parker-kaufman.com/vacat...ntals/results/

eracet

Thanks for the rental link.
I think that a theme park is probably out of the question. Hobbies are nothing specific, maybe golf for dad. Other then that I dont think they would care.
A little worried about dad's mobility but most things would be a short walk.
I think all the kids want a beach.
After talking with brother the largest obstical is getting the schedules to line up.
What is around the Carolinas? Been to South carolina 20 years ago , but thinking maybe historical things and beach is the way to go.

dfrostnh

My husband and I are hovering in your parents' age group. He would still like to visit classic car museums and hates art museums. I'm the opposite. We both still like parades. 4th of July is obvious but we have also attended some smaller town type parades. You get there early, stake out a spot for your lawn chairs, have a few snacks and enjoy people watching. My husband likes cruise nights where you can wander around looking at classic cars. If your dad isn't quire ready for a wheel chair, hiking poles might be good to use. They help me with balance issues and I used on a trip to Italy. We've rented a vacation home on Emerald Isle in NC which was about 2 blocks to the beach. We enjoyed driving around a visiting other towns. It was Thanksgiving week so that time it was a holiday boat parade at night. We also still enjoy short boat trips, usually narrated. In Maine there are trips to look at light houses. If you choose something near Charleston, the carriage tours around the city are nice. My fall getaway weekend with friends now typically involves a food tour. Walking is involved so for me hiking poles are a big help. Our current schedule seems to involve afternoon naps so talk with your parents about their typical daily schedule. If they like afternoon naps that would be a great time for the rest of the family to disappear to do a more active activity. It would be very nice if there were free afternoon or early evening concerts in a park. Look for summer theater?

Gretchen

First, if they are flying to this destination make sure they have the right identification for getting on a plane.
NOT Myrtle Beach!!
There are beaches that have houses right on the beach--Ocean Isle, Sunset, Holden in NC for example. Some have elevators but stairs usually so if that is a problem for dad, check that out.
Maybe the Jekyl Island idea will work. Isle of Palms just outside Charleston might be a great idea--have the beach AND Charleston to do as you want to. I think that would be my choice. Get a place oceanfront where there is a great view for morning coffee and evening wine!!
Having had knee surgery also, for long distances a cane or light walker is a possibility also.

cdnyul

Hilton Head. It is a short drive to more interesting places like Savannah or Beaufort.
The Marriott properties have nice grounds, walking paths etc.

willowjane

I would NOT do Myrtle Beach. We love Litchfield by the Sea, which is near Georgetown, SC. Hilton Head in SC would give you great options but much more touristy and I can't remember if there is a big golf tourney there in April?? Jekyll and St. Simons are good options on the coast of Georgia. If you think the family would like to go into Charleston, where there would be lots of walking, you could stay on the Isle of Palms.
All of these are good choices and I have taken my 80 year old sweet mother to them all. I do have a very lightweight wheelchair that folds and up and we use it when we need to. Hilton Head was the hardest because unless you stay in a beachfront property, like the Marriott, you might have a long walk to the beach. Good luck!

jamie99

Can your dad get by with a rollator (walker with 4 wheels and a seat) or does he need a wheelchair? I have a rollator I use due to balance issues and arthritis.
I've been to Hilton Head twice and stayed at Marriott properties both times, one good thing is a lot of the restaurants used to have Early Bird dinners which can save a lot of money and so many people were enjoying the bike paths all over the island. A friend lives nearby Ocean Isle Beach and the pictures he posted online look great, nice and wide.
Gretchen really knows the area though.

eracet

Sounds like Myrtle Beach is not suggested.
What is wrong with Myrtle Beach? checking on Hilton Head.
See the Marriot suggestions. Is there a different options for something besides Airbnb?
Looks like probably 12 people for a week in august
We are starting to figure out days, and looks like the 5 or 6th of August for a week.

Gretchen

Myrthle beach is a 4 lane traffic jam of beach shops and hotels. Hilton head is equally unappealing in a different way. They are just hard to get around--always in a car. ENDLESS tourists If that floats your boat have at it. There are too many beautiful beach towns to put up with that IMO.
How many units are there in your group.. Garden City just south of MB might have something that would fit all. PLaces on Ocean Isle and Sunset would have houses for that size qroup.
More to do in Charleston staying at one of their beaches that are also much nicer "communities" than Hilton Head.development type.

eracet

Thank you.
It looks like its probably 4 groups. Mom and Dad. Brothers family , My family , Oldest daughter and her boyfriend..
So looking at either 10 or 12 people depending on my oldest daughter.

Is there any thoughts on not getting oceanside and taking a golf cart rental or similar to get to beach?
Do not know how picky South Carolina this kind of thing.
Or anyone know about transportation options to get to beach? Uber or Lyft maybe?

Gretchen

I would suggest you choose a couple of areas and actually search out properties. I am posting a link to one in Ocean Isle. You haven't said when you are doing this. Also you haven't mentioned a budget. And I have chosen a link to oceanfront properties. At Ocean Isle there are public access places and I imagine you could park a golf cart.
You could also rent an "oceanview" property which would be on the other side of the street from the ocean front property and perhaps that would only be a short walk to a beach access--you can't walk through someone's yark to get to the beach.
This is only one idea. Choose a beach and look at the rentals. These houses have 6 and 7 bedrooms
https://www.williamsonrealty.com/vac...Locations_id=3

Here is a house in Sunset Beach on VRBO--Sunset is just south of Ocean Isle. I don't know your dates--that is what you need to search on rental sites for but this is an example of something you might be able to get. YOu also don't say how many days--some places will only rent for a week. ETC.
https://www.vrbo.com/862888?arrival=...unitId=1410827

willowjane

I agree that Garden City might be a good choice. We have stayed over there but it was years ago. I am attaching a link to the place we use for Litchfield. They have properties all near that area and i know they have large homes in Litchfield by the Sea. Good luck to making great memories! We rent golf carts all the time and even take it to the grocery store and local restaurants that are nearby.
https://greatbeachvacations.com/?utm...campaign=local

starrs

Tangent time - willowjane, take a look at rncheryl's post about western NC. Thanks!

eracet

Looks like we finally have some dates figured out.
First week of August.
We are having 10 people total, with an optional +2 people at some time (They are still undecided).
6 adults and 4 children, with optional 2 more adults.

Going to do most things around Charleston and a few days at Myrtle Beach area. So looking at a place between the 2, or possibly Charleston area and drive to Myrtle beach for a few days.
Would prefer ocean side, but if we find a place that is easily accessible to beach.

Thank you to everyone who provided links and suggestions to help out.
Always open for suggestions on what to do while in the area or sights to see.

Gretchen

The Lithfield area is 30 minutes south of MB and 1.5 hours north of Charleston. First week of August is prime season and you may need to rent for a full week unless it is a hotel.

There is more than enough to do around Litchfield. MB is near--there are two outlet malls nearby. There is Brookgreen Plantation--an art exhibit area. There is Georgetown, a Revolutionary War era town that also has a sailing ship that offers pirate themed tours of the bay that is very cute for younger children. There is The state park for nature tours, (a good shelling beach where most nearby beaches are not good shelling), /There are endless putt putt places, water slide up toward Surfiside Beach.
You can go to Charleston. You can go up to Wilmington and tour the battleship North Carolina--for the kids
I think you'll have to do some searching for yourself for rentals. Oceanside in August will be at a premium at any beach and many will have already been rented.
I am curious where you are coming from.
I will again point out that if any are flying you oneed a REAL ID to board a plane now.

willowjane

Starrs, I don't understand your post to me. I was referring to Garden City, SC - south of Myrtle beach. Sorry if I am being dumb, but I don't get the "western" reference?

eracet

I am in South Dakota, My Parents are in Iowa, and my Brother is in Minnesota

eracet

Ok Thank you everyone for all your help!
Talked to Brother tonight and figured out alot of things.
We are doing a zoom meeting tommorow with everyone to figure out any details.
Hope it goes well,
Support from everyone has been great.!