I have a group of online friends that want to try and meet each other in person. We are from all over the US and there are 2 from Canada. What is a cheap US vacation destination with fun family oriented attractions? It also needs to be easy to fly into and preferable served by a cheap airline like Southwest.

Thanks for your help!!!

Have you already considered and rejected Orlando?

Are there any things you specifically do or do not want - like beaches, hiking/nature, museums, shopping?

kansas city

Well, we all have toddlers...they will be about 2.5 when we take the trip. Beaches are good, easy hikes, toddler geared museums/zoos/parks. Not interested in the whole Disney thing as it can get pretty pricey....plus, people would prefer to do that on their own as a family.

We don't have a definite date yet so weather is not a concern. We'll pick the time of year we meet based on the location.

Memphis, TN (history, museums, Elvis)
St. Augustine, FL (history, beaches) fly into Jacksonville
Holland, MI (parks, lake front beaches, windmills & tulips) fly into Chicago
Durango, CO (Mesa Verde Nat. Park, Silverton Railroad, mountain scenery)
Flagstaff, AZ (Native American history, museums, Grand Canyon)

Myrtle Beach is a popular family vacation spot with every price range available.

How about Albuquerque? We don't have beaches, but we do have sand, plus the other things you've mentioned. Lodging the first week in October is more expensive due to the balloon fiesta, but that is great fun for the whole family.

Lee Ann

Niagara Falls can be fun... served by Southwest, JetBlue and all other carriers through Buffalo...

I think San Antonio is a reasonable place for people with toddlers. Take them to Sea World, which kids love. Prices are always reasonable.

Great ideas...keep them coming!!!

I live in the northeast but I've never been to Niagara Falls so I'd love to do that. I'd also love to visit Albuquerque. A few of the girls seem interested in Omaha too since it's centrally located.

Agree that Albuquerque and San Antonio are very good choices.

I was just in Tulsa on business and enjoyed my visit there. I imagine you could find a lot to occupy everyone if you went to Dallas/Fort Worth, too.

I agree with LeeAnn that ABQ would be really fun and at reasonable prices. I would come in Sept, when it is less crowded. While Oct here is wonderful and the balloon fiesta is amazing, I wouldn't do it with a group of 2 1/2 yr olds. I am assuming that you are all just coming as moms with toddlers. That would be hard since you have to get up in the wee hours of the morning and it is really cold and dark.

We have great musuems, zoo and other fun things to see and do.
www.cabq.gov

As much as I love Durango, it is 3+ hour drive from ABQ [which is the closest major airport]. You can fly into Durango [DRO] but it is very expensive.

In general, it seems like "minor majors" might really be the way to go - "big" cities, but not the real biggies like NY, LA, SF, DC, Boston, Chicago.

In addition to the ones that have been suggested so far in the thread, other possibilities that spring to mind include Nashville, Denver, Indianapolis, maybe even Atlanta.

Gosh with all those toddlers why would you want to go to a city? A beach is where you should be, with a city nearby for distractions for the adults. Forget about museums for 2 1/2 year olds, they won't have a clue. I like the St. Augustine Florida idea. Nice beach and interesting, historic town for the adults.

Thanks again guys!

KathyK...for museums I mean more of the children's/discovery museums. My 19 month old loves them!

Surprisingly, Washington DC can be economical since all museums, etc are free. Southwest flies into BWI - and with 3 airports there is often a deal on some airline into one of them. And one can fly non-stop into Washington area from almost anywhere - important with little kids. You could spend a few days in Washington - which has cheap lodging in the summer if you can stand the heat, good public transit so car rental is not necessary. Then head to a beach in VA, MD or Delaware.

I would not emphasize children's type museums as part of your search criteria - evan a large city is only going to have one and then what do you do for the rest of the time. A playground with a herd of kids will be just as much fun for the little kids.

Santa Fe-Bar Harbor-Jackson NH-Newport Rh.I.-Santa Barbara Cal.-W.Yellowstone-Mariposa Cal-..........

I was going to suggest an area where you can rent a large house instead of hotels. When we travel with friends and kids that's what we've usually done. With children that young they should be easily entertained with each other. I think most musuems, etc. are wasted on children this young. Most beach areas like the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the Florida Beaches have homes for rent. Colorado Rocky Mountains in the summer is my absolute favorite. However, if these are people you've never met, maybe you don't want to commit to "living" with them and would prefer each family have their own hotel room. I've just always preferred a house or condo to be able to relax and spread out.