Hi we are planning a family get together in August. There will be 6 adults and 7 children between the ages of 6 and 14. Where can we all go that would be fun and easy to get to?
We have considered Seaside Florida, Nags Head and the Jersey Shore.
Thanks in advance Denise

Denise, It might help if we knew where you were travelling from and give an example of the things that you want to do.

Hi Sam,
We will be traveling from Chicago, New York and Washington.
We were considering a beach house or a resort. We are open to many different activities. A little sight seeing and a lot of relaxing on a beach sound like a start.
Thank you in advance
Denise

Jersey shore is so pricey if you want a spacious home on the water. I always have to mention this. I started going to Hawaii when I found I could get stand alone condos for 1/3 the price of Ocean City (New Jersey), ocean front homes. Never sorry I made this switch, imagine that Jersey Shore lost out to Hawaii? Who would have thought! So funny the condo we rented on Kauai last year is taken up every March/Feb with someone who has NJ Shore business.

You will find cheaper places inland if seeing the ocean is not an issue for you. The realitors I remember in O.C that worked for us are berger reality (largest) and Monyhan (sp)(best website). In my family we have gotten the best deals by being bold, asking "what is your best priced property in O.C." . Don't wait for them to run through all the properites they need to unload! You want new ? .. tell them. You don't care about quality as you are a large group?... tell them. They can surprise you some time with deals you would not expect. We like staying in the 50's on Ocean Avenue. I like being away from that boardwalk even with kids, too much city noise.

Cape May I really like a lot. Have only visited on day trips though as we had childhood trips to O.C. so we go there for our mother. Good Luck why aren't you thinking North Carolina? Floriday might be unbearably humid in August. I visited once in summer and could not leave air-conditioning unless I went directly in the water.

I will add the towns I would avoid,

Wildwood (I am guessing higher crime)
Seaside heights
Most of the Northern beaches


Long Beach Island would be an easy car rental drive from Newark airport (about an hour). It is the northern beach with the most beach town appeal as far as I can see.

Other towns along the norhern coast of New Jersey have a colder feel to them. Spring Lake is filled with wealthy residents and does not cater too much to tourist from what I could see. Sorry Spring lakers that is my take. Snobby Irish Catholics that would turn their nose up at this non-practising Working class Irish Catholic. You kind of expect this in N.E but it knocks you for a loop in little old jersey. Where ever people have britches you will find them getting too big for them.

You may want to consider Estes Park, Colorado. It's a great town at the entrance to the Rocky Mtn. National Park. You can rent houses, cabins, rooms. Plenty to do.Horse trails...all ages friendly, trips into the mountains that are age and ability friendly, campfires at night. If you are looking for relaxing,comfortable not glamour it's a great trip.

Mountain Lake Hotel in Giles county Virginia. Not to be confused with Smith Mountain. Mountain Lake Hotel was used in the filming of Dirty Dancing. It is beautiful, not hard to get to, and a great place for kids and adults.

Reply to Sarah: I wouldn't recommend Spring Lake for a family reunion, but I would recommend it as a wonderful and quiet place to relax at the shore. I have been staying at The Breakers for about 18 years now and I have never felt out of place. The owner of The Breakers isn't Irish and neither am I. You really don't see the locals as a rule unless you're shopping at the A&P Super Center.

Sarah, My family and I lived in Spring Lake for 15 years and believe me, my kids and I never felt out of place because we are not Irish Catholic. It was a great place to raise kids.
It is also interesting that you with one broad sweep dismiss the northern Jersey shore. I personally, wouldn't want to stay anywhere south of the Manasquan River since there is so many more activities for a family up here. It is great to be close to The City, Great Adventure, Monmouth Track, Point Pleasant boardwalk, etc. for day trips.
For a family reunion, I would check out Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, The Breakers in Spring Lake, Beacon House in Sea Girt.
Susie Q