We have vacation coming up Oct. 4-10 and we have an 8 month old. We've traveled many times to see family in car and on plane -- but I'm STUMPED about what to do for our vacation and am looking for ideas. We live in New Orleans, and were originally thinking Colorado, but we've been a half-dozen times. We aren't beach people, and our vacations previously revolved around nightlife. I am trying to figure out where would be nice and relaxing, with minimal driving, yet interesting enough to keep us busy for a week. Any ideas??

I am kind of thinking: new england fall trip, Chicago and environs, or maybe even California or Washington State.

I keep thinking about a park, like Yosemite, but then realize what would we do with our child??

HELP!!!!!!

CA: Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs
WA: San Juan Islands

Don't rule out Yosemite. We have a nearly 6 month old child, and I'm ready to take him out on day hikes anywhere I can in a child backpack carrier.

It's a shame your not the beach type...I personally think islands with resorts (e.g. Hawaii, Caribbean) to be the most simple, accomodating yet desirable vacation choice when traveling with an infant. Yeah it's no Europe but our child keeps us busy enough.

Well, I've spent about half my life in Florida, so I've had my fill

We're thinking about DC and environs -- anyone have any suggestions for itinerary?

DC would be good, esp since if you have a good stroller for walking an 8m old is fairly portable. also a day trip or even overnight to Annapolis MD to see the town and Naval Academy would be nice, or even a drive to baltimore.

The "nice and relaxing" part I consider almost impossible with kids - your days of seeing sights at your own speed, relaxing and then checking out the nightlife in a particular area are going to be replaced by showing your kid(s) the world - not better or worse, just different.

When you get better suggestions than I can offer here about specific places, I also think you want: 1) non-stop 4 hours max flying time; 2) if it is a city, newer is more stroller-seeable than older (cobblestones in Boston, for example, are annoying with a stroller); 3) place where lodging will include at least a refrig. and m/w - eating out 3 meals/day with kid that age gets old really fast; 4) depending on size of your kid and your back-tolerance, baby-backpack may or may not allow you to do some less accessible walking/hiking.

At that age, one of my kids was extremely portable and would happily sit in a stroller forever - it did not matter if we were at the local mall or at a museum or at Disney. The other craved freedom as soon as she could crawl/walk so our options were more limited.

Boston or NY are possibilities (Boston will be tough to find lodging since it is Parents' Weekend at a number of local colleges); San Diego would also have enough to keep you all busy.

Have a good trip - enjoy the nex adventures in traveling.

Depends on your budget, but how about taking along a baby-sitter? It lets you and hubby enjoy nightlife while still enjoying family activities during the day. Since you're going during school, how about an out-of-work or retired friend/family member? Southwest.com has a good deal going on right now for tickets -- if the price is right, it could be affordable.

Good luck!