Summer Vacation Ideas
Feb 13th, 2017, 06:45 AM
#1
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Summer Vacation Ideas
Hello.
My boyfriend, I, and his 5 year old daughter will be going on vacation for 8 nights, the first week of August.
I am looking for recommendations as to what to do, that a 5 year old will enjoy.
(We are going to Disney world/Florida in September so would prefer not to go to Florida in August, too.)
We are willing to travel almost anywhere in the United States, aside from Hawaii and Alaska as they are not easily accessible. we are open to flying somewhere for the first 4 nights and then flying somewhere else for the last 4 nights. Basically, we're open to all recommendations!
My boyfriend also flies free for the year with Southwest, so that is the airline we will be using.
Thank you in advance!!
My boyfriend, I, and his 5 year old daughter will be going on vacation for 8 nights, the first week of August.
I am looking for recommendations as to what to do, that a 5 year old will enjoy.
(We are going to Disney world/Florida in September so would prefer not to go to Florida in August, too.)
We are willing to travel almost anywhere in the United States, aside from Hawaii and Alaska as they are not easily accessible. we are open to flying somewhere for the first 4 nights and then flying somewhere else for the last 4 nights. Basically, we're open to all recommendations!
My boyfriend also flies free for the year with Southwest, so that is the airline we will be using.
Thank you in advance!!
Feb 13th, 2017, 09:23 AM
#5
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Garyt- we thought of Niagara Falls! But that would require passports and were trying not to get passport for the daughter if not necessary.
Suze - yep!! Chicago! southwest flies really all over the United States, missing a few cities here and there.
Suze - yep!! Chicago! southwest flies really all over the United States, missing a few cities here and there.
Feb 13th, 2017, 09:34 AM
#6
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You can fly Southwest to Denver.
Devil's Thumb Ranch, about an hour and 45 minutes from Denver, is an amazing place, for adults and children. They have animals, swimming, hiking, a spa, fabulous food, beautiful Western decor lodge, cabins and rooms.
http://www.devilsthumbranch.com
Grand County is gorgeous.
You could visit Grand Lake one day, or even drive to Steamboat Springs.
Devil's Thumb Ranch, about an hour and 45 minutes from Denver, is an amazing place, for adults and children. They have animals, swimming, hiking, a spa, fabulous food, beautiful Western decor lodge, cabins and rooms.
http://www.devilsthumbranch.com
Grand County is gorgeous.
You could visit Grand Lake one day, or even drive to Steamboat Springs.
Feb 13th, 2017, 01:30 PM
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How about NH and Maine. Fly into Manchester MHT. Since you are going to Disney, I think you should concentrate on native wild animals and outdoor activities. There are quite a few things to do in the White Mountains. Near Concord NH (and probably lots of other places) you can rent kayaks (a double for you and your 5 year old) and kayak to a secluded beach that has a rope swing. Take a picnic lunch. Squam Lakes Science Center in Holderness features native animals. Fun and education. They have several animal lectures each day plus all the animals are in natural habitats. Hope to take our grandchildren on the pontoon boat trip to see loons this summer. If you do both the science center and boat ride you will need a good part of two days.
Polar Caves, Lost River, The Flume, etc. Maybe a water park or find a natural swimming hole or state beach. Spend a few days over on the coast exploring tide pools and playing in the waves. There are theater and music events at Prescott Park in Portsmouth NH. They usually have a schedule for kids.
Polar Caves, Lost River, The Flume, etc. Maybe a water park or find a natural swimming hole or state beach. Spend a few days over on the coast exploring tide pools and playing in the waves. There are theater and music events at Prescott Park in Portsmouth NH. They usually have a schedule for kids.
Feb 14th, 2017, 12:31 AM
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Suze, good point. The Montshire Museum in Norwich would be great fun for the 5 yo. And if they were there on a Saturday, they could enjoy the festive Norwich farmers market. Last time we went they had a guitar player and his young daughters doing children's songs.
Feb 14th, 2017, 08:56 AM
#12
Fly to Portland and split your time between the Columbia River Gorge and the Oregon/Washington coast.
Columbia Gorge: see waterfalls, visit Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, visit the Bonneville hatchery (kids love meeting Herman the Sturgeon and feeding the baby fish - 25c for a bag of food.) Go to some U-pick farms on the Hood River Valley "fruit loop" - http://hoodriverfruitloop.com/ Play on some river beaches in the area and watch the wind surfers at Hood River. Do lots of forest walks in the Hood Forest or walk around Lost Lake with its picture-book view of Mount Hood. (You and your boyfriend can try out some of the craft breweries or wineries that clutter the landscape.)
Then move downstream to the coast; stay anywhere between Long Beach WA and Tillamook OR: Long, sandy beaches, big rocks and tide pools to explore; lighthouses and seals, ice cream at the famous Tillamook creamery, Lewis and Clark history and forest walks...
Columbia Gorge: see waterfalls, visit Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, visit the Bonneville hatchery (kids love meeting Herman the Sturgeon and feeding the baby fish - 25c for a bag of food.) Go to some U-pick farms on the Hood River Valley "fruit loop" - http://hoodriverfruitloop.com/ Play on some river beaches in the area and watch the wind surfers at Hood River. Do lots of forest walks in the Hood Forest or walk around Lost Lake with its picture-book view of Mount Hood. (You and your boyfriend can try out some of the craft breweries or wineries that clutter the landscape.)
Then move downstream to the coast; stay anywhere between Long Beach WA and Tillamook OR: Long, sandy beaches, big rocks and tide pools to explore; lighthouses and seals, ice cream at the famous Tillamook creamery, Lewis and Clark history and forest walks...
Feb 14th, 2017, 10:21 AM
#13
Love Gardyloos idea. When done in Portland, get on the Amtrak Coast Starlight overnight to Sacramento.
http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...ortQueryType=1
Rent a car in Sacramento to see some of California and then fly home from SMF.
http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...ortQueryType=1
Rent a car in Sacramento to see some of California and then fly home from SMF.
Feb 15th, 2017, 07:17 AM
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Tabernash- Denver has been on my list of places to visit. I looked up Devils thumb ranch and unfortunately the resort itself is a bit out of our price range.
Would Denver be a good destination for a 5 yo?
Garyt- that's good to know! I just assumed kids needed passports, too.
Suze - Southwest doesn't fly to Vermont, unfortunately.
Gardyloo - that sounds wonderful. I will need to research some of the places you recommended! It sounds very nice!
Tomfuller - My boyfriend is from California (San fransisco area). We went back and visited in 2016 so I think because we were there so recently we will probably visit a different state.
Would Denver be a good destination for a 5 yo?
Garyt- that's good to know! I just assumed kids needed passports, too.
Suze - Southwest doesn't fly to Vermont, unfortunately.
Gardyloo - that sounds wonderful. I will need to research some of the places you recommended! It sounds very nice!
Tomfuller - My boyfriend is from California (San fransisco area). We went back and visited in 2016 so I think because we were there so recently we will probably visit a different state.
Feb 15th, 2017, 07:18 AM
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I'm loving all these recommendations! Planning vacations with kids can be somewhat difficult because they obviously won't like a lot of the "boring" adult stuff we might prefer to do.
Feb 15th, 2017, 08:17 AM
#16
<Suze - Southwest doesn't fly to Vermont, unfortunately.>
Does it fly anywhere in New England? The Berkshires in western Mass would work too. Adirondack's in upstate New York?
Just thinking the cabin on a lake thing would work nicely for this request.
Does it fly anywhere in New England? The Berkshires in western Mass would work too. Adirondack's in upstate New York?
Just thinking the cabin on a lake thing would work nicely for this request.
Feb 15th, 2017, 08:28 AM
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lovexhappiness, Denver would be good. There's plenty to do, but August can be hot. It's best to head for the hills. So many choices close to Denver. We go to Grand County frequently, so that's the place I know.
Devil's Thumb Ranch has lodging specials that bring the price down, and their bunkhouse is very affordable.
The owners of DTR have recently opened two other, smaller hotels in Winter Park, where you get access to the Ranch facilities, too. These are very well-kept and well-managed properties, in Winter Park town:
Vasquez Creek Inn (has very nice Italian restaurant, Volario's)
http://vasquezcreekinn.com
Trail Head Inn
http://trailheadinn.com
Look at Snow Mountain Ranch, a YMCA facility, in Grand County. They offer all types of lodging, from dorm-type rooms to cabins and nice lodges.
http://snowmountainranch.org/lodging/
There's also Grand Lake Lodge, an historic log building in a gorgeous location and lots of things for kids to do.
http://grandlakelodge.com
C Lazy U ranch is located between Grand Lake and Granby.
https://www.clazyu.com/lodging/
Of course, there are tons of condos and homes for rent in Grand County.
https://www.visitgrandcounty.com/tri...-stay/lodging/
http://www.rkymtnhi.com/visitors/accommodations.html
We have had a home in Grand County since the 70s, and we never tire of it. It's wide open country, with everything you'd want (except a lot of glitz).
Devil's Thumb Ranch has lodging specials that bring the price down, and their bunkhouse is very affordable.
The owners of DTR have recently opened two other, smaller hotels in Winter Park, where you get access to the Ranch facilities, too. These are very well-kept and well-managed properties, in Winter Park town:
Vasquez Creek Inn (has very nice Italian restaurant, Volario's)
http://vasquezcreekinn.com
Trail Head Inn
http://trailheadinn.com
Look at Snow Mountain Ranch, a YMCA facility, in Grand County. They offer all types of lodging, from dorm-type rooms to cabins and nice lodges.
http://snowmountainranch.org/lodging/
There's also Grand Lake Lodge, an historic log building in a gorgeous location and lots of things for kids to do.
http://grandlakelodge.com
C Lazy U ranch is located between Grand Lake and Granby.
https://www.clazyu.com/lodging/
Of course, there are tons of condos and homes for rent in Grand County.
https://www.visitgrandcounty.com/tri...-stay/lodging/
http://www.rkymtnhi.com/visitors/accommodations.html
We have had a home in Grand County since the 70s, and we never tire of it. It's wide open country, with everything you'd want (except a lot of glitz).
Feb 16th, 2017, 11:30 AM
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Boston could be a possibility. There’s a great Science Center, Aquarium (with a whale watch if you are interested), and Children’s Museum. Lots of sites on the Freedom Trail, and kids like the Swan Boats and the Ducklings statues at the Boston Common.
Here's a website that may help for Boston and the vicinity all year round.
http://alphamom.com/family-fun/activ...-they-grow-up/
Here's a website that may help for Boston and the vicinity all year round.
http://alphamom.com/family-fun/activ...-they-grow-up/
Feb 17th, 2017, 01:11 AM
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Since Southwest flys into both Boston and Providence, RI either would work for a vacation to Cape Cod and the Islands. You could do a combination city/beach trip.
You would not need a car for the Boston part of the trip, but it would make life easier on the Cape. Or you could do a trip from Boston to Provincetown on the ferry and walk, bike, dune tour, etc. from there.
You would not need a car for the Boston part of the trip, but it would make life easier on the Cape. Or you could do a trip from Boston to Provincetown on the ferry and walk, bike, dune tour, etc. from there.
Feb 18th, 2017, 12:56 AM
#20
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Tabernash has an excellent idea of staying at a ranch and has provided many choices.
We take our family to something similar every year in the mountains. There are swimming, lake, boating, tennis, hiking, arts and crafts, kids activities - this type of vacation is so relaxing and enjoyable.
I would highly recommend considering that as an option.
We take our family to something similar every year in the mountains. There are swimming, lake, boating, tennis, hiking, arts and crafts, kids activities - this type of vacation is so relaxing and enjoyable.
I would highly recommend considering that as an option.
