Summer 2013 family trip - need suggestions please
 

Hi all,
We are a family of 4 (kids are 8 & 6). I am planning our summer vacation for next year (we use miles and hotel points whenever possible, so we book 330 days in advance). I thought that I was all set with our plans, but I have changed my mind based on our current vacation. Was planning Alaska cruise & then road trip to San Francisco through Pacific NW. DH & I have done this 10 years ago & loved it.

Now I have realized that it would not be a good trip with my kids. They don't enjoy sightseeing or seeing animals for more than a minute. We are currently in Hawaii (which we all LOVE) but their favorite things are swimming in pools, beaches, playing with other kids. They have "put up" with us driving around looking at scenery:)

We have taken 2 long summer trips (well, currently in the middle of the 2nd) that have been great. Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauai + 8 nights in so. Cal). Last summer we drove from PA to Fort Lauderdale to go on the Oasis of the Seas (stopping in Williamsburg - they loved Busch Gardens & put up with Historic Williamsburg), Savannah, Hilton Head, Disney.

We've been to Disney World 5 times, they love NYC (but it gets expensive after a few days!), theme parks (Hershey), Lancaster for farm stays, DE & NJ beaches, Washington DC.....

Looking for a long (3+ week) trip where we can combine swimming, resort pool, sightseeing (for the parents...lol), and family fun. Thinking about Caribbean, but I couldn't stay at one resort (or location in general) for more than a week - we prefer to move around.

One idea is a week+ in San Juan and e cruise.

Thought of going North (Niagara Falls, Montreal, etc), but DH and I did that one July & we are wearing jeans and sweatshirts in our photos ( looking for warmer so kids can swim).

I am open to any ideas, so I will look into anything that you all throw out there.

Leaving from Philadelphia, budget is about 10k for 3 weeks (and we have lots of ff miles, so hoping to use those too).

Thanks!

How about Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and points north? Gorgeous scenery, lots for the kids to do (especially in Albuquerque), Native American pueblos, the train in Chama, and much more. Then you could go to some of the national parks in CO, or the Grand Canyon.

Lee Ann

What about New England? There are a lot of nooks and crannies that you can explore up here. Distances are not so great that the kids will go nuts in the car.

Fun places for adults and kids would include Boston, Portsmouth, NH, Maine beaches, White Mountains in NH (more than just mountains), Ben and Jerry's in Vermont. I'm just touching on a few spots, obviously there's more but just want to toss out the idea in case you haven't been here with the kids.

Have u thought of renting an RV?

I have an employee that goes to the Upper Penninsula of Mich every year and lives it.

Thanks so much! These are both great suggestions.

Forgot to mention that we will probably be getting an rv in a couple of years, so we are "saving" areas closer to home (ie new England) for that time.

Also have family near Boston & went there and Sturbridge a few times.

I am pondering southwest.....maybe a ranch? The one I've looked up so far was astronomically expensive though!

Any other thoughts?

Also throwing the idea of 2 shorter trips into the mix.

Maybe Niagara Falls? And??? Ireland? I know it's not a USA topic:O)

Thanks!

If your kids don't like sightseeing I would think you might want to eliminate Niagara Falls and Ireland.

These ideas might not work for 3 weeks but...

It sounds like you enjoy resorts--would you want to try another Hawaiian Island or the Turks and Caicos or Anguilla?
I would check out all the resorts where you could use points.

Using points(not sure what loyalty program you belong to) you could stay at the Westin St. John. Can you use points at Caneel Bay? I love St. John. Three weeks there would be paradise for me.

And then there is always the Atlantis on Paradise Island--a lot of families enjoy it there.

For a change, you might want to go to the mountains--Whistler? Canadian Rockies? You could easily spend a couple weeks doing the Tetons and Yellowstone--especially if you included a resort or ranch stay.

The Fairmont Franz Klammer in Telluride looks lovely--I have not stayed there. Your children---and you--- would love taking the free gondola down to town. There's a pool, jeep rides for sightseeing would be enjoyed by everyone, fabulous scenery, cute town, festivals every weekend. In fact with 3 weeks you could do several mountain towns in Colorado.

Thank you Linda - we are planning to return to HI in 2014:)We are in love:)

I have been thinking about CO, just not sure where to go. DH and I did a one day Durango-Silverton train ride, but that is the extent of our CO experience. Would definitely be willing to look into that option.

The kids are fine with some sightseeing, but it seems to work best with some beach/pool time built in as well. Yesterday we drove 15 hours road to Hana/all around Haleakala & they were awesome!

Thanks so much! Any suggestions are welcome:)

How does St. John compare to HI, if anyone knows?

Hi all,
It's me again:) We decided on our Spring and Summer trips, but now need to get into the nitty gritty of the actual planning!

Spring - 4 nights in San Juan + 7 night Southern Carib cruise

Summer -

Fly PHL- DEN (4 nights)
Take Amtrak California Zephyr from DEN-San Francisco
Make our way from SF to Phoenix (2 weeks)
Fly PHX-PHL

The total trip is exactly 3 weeks (July/Aug). Hoping to spend a few days in San Fran before heading toward Phoenix. We are considering renting an RV for the trip to PHX & will need to plan the road trip along the way (either in RV campgrounds or by car/hotels).

I am now researching what to do/where to stay for 4 nights in/around Denver.

Thanks!!!!

That's a HUGE trip for only three weeks... there's so much to do in each of your stops that it seems like you may be spread too thin...

You have two threads going. It will be a whole lot better to consolidate it to one.

Why Phoenix in July and August? It will be miserably hot. What are you planning to do there?

Lee Ann