My in-laws have developed a scheme for all us to meet up in Jackson, Mississippi for the holidays this year. We've got a family in Atlanta, Ft. Worth, and Panama City Florida, and Jackson is about 6 hours from each, so no one has to drive too far.

The problem is, I'm having trouble finding accommodations for us! There will be 4 kids ranging from 7 years to 8 months, their parents and the grandparents. I was thinking of cabins or a retreat center, but haven't found anything promising. We can do a hotel of course, but I'm imagining us all hanging out in the lobby with our wild boys, and that doesn't sound very fun

I've looked on airbnb and vrbo and not much has popped up. Any ideas? Help!

Many thanks in advance!!

Some state parks in Mississippi have cabins. Check them out at

http://mississippistateparks.reserveamerica.com/

Check out Vicksburg as well. Only half an hour from Jackson.

Maybe you can find a B&B that you could rent all of.

Get a hotel and rent an extra room for gathering. Lots of wedding folks do that.
You don't say your total numbers (sort of--didn't do the real math). A house for all would be nice, but maybe unusual in a place like that.

If you get the extra room it can be "stocked" with drinks and pick up food--and maybe all can meet there for breakfast, etc.

Gretchen - that is not a bad idea at all! I hadn't thought of that. There will be 10 of us total. 4 are little children. I'll have to run this idea by the fam today - thanks! Will also look into Vicksburg.

This would be great but not available for Thanksgiving -
http://www.vrbo.com/3673210ha
You might email the owner in case there's a cancellation.

There are several options if you want to go to the beach -
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...ate=2014-11-29

I would really opt for the beach!! Lots to do--pretty surroundings. Can't be that much further for someone.

I will make that suggestion! I would definitely prefer it

A house would be nice for the whole family.

But the water will be too cold to go in, and it's possible (not that likely, but possible) that it might be too cold outside to even enjoy the beach.

I mentioned the beach because that's what's available on VRBO during Thanksgiving week in Mississippi

See link above

When I lived in Jackson, Thanksgiving would have been perfect football weather but not sitting around a picnic table or going in the water weather.

We have been to our SC beach at T'giving and the beach is the beach!! Of course no one would go in the water!! It is very unlikely it would be too cold to be outside and be comfortable--have been to Pensacola in NOvember. The beach in the southeast is WONDERFUL in fall. Try it--you'll like it.
I have been to the beach when it is FREEZING--it's still fun to look at!!

I grew up on the (upper) Gulf Coast.

Some Christmases we were outside in short sleeves. Other years we stayed inside by the fire with cups of cocoa (yes, we had a fireplace in the coastal South!).

Most years it's somewhere in between. But I went to the beach a few years ago on a visit home, and after not too long we were ready to get back in the car.