Top spots to take family vacations for the next 8-10 years before kids leave the nest
Jul 3rd, 2007, 05:41 AM
#61
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I recommend Fort Desoto Park (near Tampa, FL) if you are camping people. Some of the best trips of my youth were there. It's not too expensive, and you can get camper or tent camping spots ON THE WATER. Clean, great bathrooms, close to shopping, great for fishing, boating or kayaking. An all around great time. You can book online about 7 months in advance--- PLAN AHEAD. The best spots book out EARLY. Their website: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm
Jul 3rd, 2007, 06:22 AM
#62
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Thanks, traveler2005, I will absolutely look up the YMCA of the Rockies.
LoveItaly and others, your road trip discriptions brought back lots of memories as well. We didn't do anything other than drive vacations and only a couple in my youth- but one was to NYC and in my twenties we drove to FL en masse a couple of times.
How many of you remember Stuckies signs and "See Rock City" for over 1000 miles? I never see a pecan without remembering those yes also, non-a.c. trips. Talk about no seat belts- I can remember laying down on the back window ledge to sleep.
All the road trip vacations through the states of less density will give your kids an awareness of USA logistics and identity, far more than any book or cultural enlightenment- especially if it lasts 4 or 5 hours between bathroom stops.
My oldest son who does immense drive vacations with 3 kids, wife- often and usually starting with rented car after a flight- started the pattern with a 15 day old baby driving to see Mt. Rushmore from Chicago. It was 101 degrees when they got there. The pictures shows his wife Tricia and this infant looking out at a rock through the air cond. car window. I really laughed at that one. But do you know, they bought remember it as pivotal and tell Jessica about it as family lore. LOL!
This gives his kids such a sense of who THEY are, not just who or what another culture is.
Sorry, laguna92688, as I do not agree with you at all. You need to see and know quite a bit of your own, and where your feet stand first, before you can enlighten or relate context of difference to another realistically.
I absolutely love European, Asian etc. travel but when the kids are open and so full of energy there are 3000 plus miles of complex differences to see here first.
LoveItaly and others, your road trip discriptions brought back lots of memories as well. We didn't do anything other than drive vacations and only a couple in my youth- but one was to NYC and in my twenties we drove to FL en masse a couple of times.
How many of you remember Stuckies signs and "See Rock City" for over 1000 miles? I never see a pecan without remembering those yes also, non-a.c. trips. Talk about no seat belts- I can remember laying down on the back window ledge to sleep.
All the road trip vacations through the states of less density will give your kids an awareness of USA logistics and identity, far more than any book or cultural enlightenment- especially if it lasts 4 or 5 hours between bathroom stops.
My oldest son who does immense drive vacations with 3 kids, wife- often and usually starting with rented car after a flight- started the pattern with a 15 day old baby driving to see Mt. Rushmore from Chicago. It was 101 degrees when they got there. The pictures shows his wife Tricia and this infant looking out at a rock through the air cond. car window. I really laughed at that one. But do you know, they bought remember it as pivotal and tell Jessica about it as family lore. LOL!
This gives his kids such a sense of who THEY are, not just who or what another culture is.
Sorry, laguna92688, as I do not agree with you at all. You need to see and know quite a bit of your own, and where your feet stand first, before you can enlighten or relate context of difference to another realistically.
I absolutely love European, Asian etc. travel but when the kids are open and so full of energy there are 3000 plus miles of complex differences to see here first.
Jul 3rd, 2007, 06:32 AM
#63
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Growing up as a Navy Brat, we always traveled to Wisconsin every summer to visit family -- no matter where we lived. Even California. 3 kids and a dog in the back seat, and no air conditioning. We loved it. Road Trips still get me excited. I love to fly, but you see SO MUCH of the U.S. by car.
Since my daughter was born I have been taking her somewhere on vacation every single year. She needs to see the U.S. (And Europe when we can afford it). When I got remarried my then 10-yr old stepdaughter had never been out of Wisconsin. She and my new husband were brought along in my "Travel Every Year" plan, and she now has the travel bug in her blood!
Every year the 4 of us take turns choosing the summer vacation. They are now 10 and 16. This is where we have gone:
Orlando, FL
Pensacola Beach, FL
San Antonio and Corpus Christi, TX
New Orleans
1 Caribbean cruise
Minneapolis (Spring Break)
Upper Michigan (fishing trip)
Gatlinburg, TN
We have no idea where we are going next summer. Husband's turn, and he's keeping it a surprise!
Since my daughter was born I have been taking her somewhere on vacation every single year. She needs to see the U.S. (And Europe when we can afford it). When I got remarried my then 10-yr old stepdaughter had never been out of Wisconsin. She and my new husband were brought along in my "Travel Every Year" plan, and she now has the travel bug in her blood!
Every year the 4 of us take turns choosing the summer vacation. They are now 10 and 16. This is where we have gone:
Orlando, FL
Pensacola Beach, FL
San Antonio and Corpus Christi, TX
New Orleans
1 Caribbean cruise
Minneapolis (Spring Break)
Upper Michigan (fishing trip)
Gatlinburg, TN
We have no idea where we are going next summer. Husband's turn, and he's keeping it a surprise!
Jul 3rd, 2007, 07:00 AM
#64
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My son is 4 and so far we've been to
Disney (twice)
San Diego - loved Legoland and Coronado
Washington DC
We're going to NYC this summer and the following places are what I'd like to do before he turns 18.
Seattle/Vancouver
Cape Cod + Martha's Vineyard
Oahu + Hawaii
Italy
Yellowstone + Grand Tetons
New Mexico
Bar Harbor Maine
Outerbanks NC
Niagara Falls
Disney (twice)
San Diego - loved Legoland and Coronado
Washington DC
We're going to NYC this summer and the following places are what I'd like to do before he turns 18.
Seattle/Vancouver
Cape Cod + Martha's Vineyard
Oahu + Hawaii
Italy
Yellowstone + Grand Tetons
New Mexico
Bar Harbor Maine
Outerbanks NC
Niagara Falls
Jul 7th, 2007, 06:27 AM
#65
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Definately the South west. We have done an RV trip Bryce, Zion, and GC. My kids then 8 loved it! We are and active outdoor family. Also PEI and Cape Breton Island have been huge. Don't miss out on the pure luxury of a Carribean vacation (they can be less than travelling in the US. Also I am a New Englander at heart, so the White Mountians of NH are spectacular
Jul 27th, 2007, 06:21 PM
#67
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-Vail; in the summer- perfect weather, cheap rates, horse back riding, bike riding, hiking, rafting.
-San Diego; zoo, Legoland, -short drive to L.A. and Disney-good beaches along the way.
-Niagara Falls; Maid of the Mist,Cave of the Winds, also see Fort Niagara and Toronto.
-D.C.; with day trip to Monticello.
-Lake Tahoe; in winter,with day trips
around area.
-San Antonio (Alamo)& Houston (NASA);- same trip with short drive between.
-San Diego; zoo, Legoland, -short drive to L.A. and Disney-good beaches along the way.
-Niagara Falls; Maid of the Mist,Cave of the Winds, also see Fort Niagara and Toronto.
-D.C.; with day trip to Monticello.
-Lake Tahoe; in winter,with day trips
around area.
-San Antonio (Alamo)& Houston (NASA);- same trip with short drive between.
Jul 28th, 2007, 03:36 AM
#68
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Although I have no children, I do know my hometown .... Baltimore (also known as Bawlmer). Bawlmer offers a lot for kids of all ages. There is the Port Discovery Kids Museum, the National Aquarium, the Baltimore Zoo, the Maryland Science Center (with IMAX theatre), the Inner Harbor with paddle boats, Fort McHenry, the Flag House, the Oriole's in the summer, the Ravens in the fall/winter, the Hippodrome Theatre for Broadway shows, ghost tours in Fells Point, boat rides on the Inner Harbor, the Baltimore Ducks ride (which is an amphibius land/water machine), and downright nice people. If you have never had steamed crabs, that is a whole experience in itself ... try Obrycki's. Come and visit us, or as our stupid slogan says, "Get in on it!!" Washington, D.C. is only about 35 miles from Bawlmer, so that opens up lots of new possibilities previously stated by other Fodor's members.
Jul 28th, 2007, 08:39 AM
#71
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I'm hoping my kids still want to travel with us when they are older - my oldest is 14 and shows no signs of not wanting to continue - in fact he keeps recommending new places!
Here's our list of some of our more memorable vacations:
London and England
Cape Cod (every other year - favorite)
Colorado - (3 loop trips of state)
San Francisco
San Diego
NYC - lots of day trips
St. John
Zion/Bryce/Sedona
Washington DC
North Captiva Island
They did not love Disney (liked Universal a lot better) or Yellowstone (perhaps we took them a bit too young), but we had a good time - just not as great as the above.
Here's on our list:
South Dakota
Germany/Switzerland
Costa Rica
Alaska (this is a bit further down the list; the above 3 are greater priorities).
Here's our list of some of our more memorable vacations:
London and England
Cape Cod (every other year - favorite)
Colorado - (3 loop trips of state)
San Francisco
San Diego
NYC - lots of day trips
St. John
Zion/Bryce/Sedona
Washington DC
North Captiva Island
They did not love Disney (liked Universal a lot better) or Yellowstone (perhaps we took them a bit too young), but we had a good time - just not as great as the above.
Here's on our list:
South Dakota
Germany/Switzerland
Costa Rica
Alaska (this is a bit further down the list; the above 3 are greater priorities).
Mar 17th, 2008, 10:51 PM
#72
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You have the same goal as I do!
First famiy trip now yearly is Wisconsin Dells good for all ages and only a 3hr trip from home.
Second and most loved Disney World.I'd say 7 and older is optimum age.My are teens and still love it.Didnt care for Universal or Sea World but a must.
Third San Antonio Texas lots of history(Alamo) beauty and fun.Mexico is just a few hours drive.
State capitals.We live in Illinois and they loved all the Abe Lincoln history and pioneer villages.
Washington Dc,Gettysburg,Williams burg,Niagra falls.
It doest matter where you go just drive there and stop along the way and take pics in every state.We have hit 27 states by driving in 5yrs,I set aside 2weeks per year and drive.One day we droove to Michigan for lunch,hit the beach and drove home.
First famiy trip now yearly is Wisconsin Dells good for all ages and only a 3hr trip from home.
Second and most loved Disney World.I'd say 7 and older is optimum age.My are teens and still love it.Didnt care for Universal or Sea World but a must.
Third San Antonio Texas lots of history(Alamo) beauty and fun.Mexico is just a few hours drive.
State capitals.We live in Illinois and they loved all the Abe Lincoln history and pioneer villages.
Washington Dc,Gettysburg,Williams burg,Niagra falls.
It doest matter where you go just drive there and stop along the way and take pics in every state.We have hit 27 states by driving in 5yrs,I set aside 2weeks per year and drive.One day we droove to Michigan for lunch,hit the beach and drove home.
Mar 18th, 2008, 04:25 AM
#73
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drivergirl, I am so glad you brought this one up to the top. I loved reading this! Our children are 8 and 12 1/2 and have been to:
*Disney World (more times than I can count)
*Disney Cruise
*Outer Banks (3 times)
*NYC daytrips (live close for a while)
*Turks & Caicos
*Baltimore
*VA Beach
This summer we are headed to Hawaii (Oahu, Kauai, Maui). We also plan to take each of the children separately to experience different cities - DH and DS are headed to NYC (haven't been in ages), while DD and I are headed to Chicago.
While driving back from our holiday visits to family this year, the four of us made a list of places to put on our short list - but it ended up pretty long! The kids came up with some great ideas: Alaska, California, Grand Canyon, white water rafting in WV, anywhere in the Caribbean, Italy, Germany, Ireland, China, ...
It really doesn't matter where we go, but it is great to be able to share learning about a new place together. It is almost overwhelming trying to decide where to go, as there are just so many wonderful places in the world, many of them right here in the U.S. And planning together is part of the fun
*Disney World (more times than I can count)
*Disney Cruise
*Outer Banks (3 times)
*NYC daytrips (live close for a while)
*Turks & Caicos
*Baltimore
*VA Beach
This summer we are headed to Hawaii (Oahu, Kauai, Maui). We also plan to take each of the children separately to experience different cities - DH and DS are headed to NYC (haven't been in ages), while DD and I are headed to Chicago.
While driving back from our holiday visits to family this year, the four of us made a list of places to put on our short list - but it ended up pretty long! The kids came up with some great ideas: Alaska, California, Grand Canyon, white water rafting in WV, anywhere in the Caribbean, Italy, Germany, Ireland, China, ...
It really doesn't matter where we go, but it is great to be able to share learning about a new place together. It is almost overwhelming trying to decide where to go, as there are just so many wonderful places in the world, many of them right here in the U.S. And planning together is part of the fun
Mar 18th, 2008, 06:02 PM
#75
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My family didn't do very many vacations. Most were in the midwest, to amusement parks mostly. We went to Cedar Point (so want to go back!), Kings Island and the now closed Sea World Ohio. Once we went to the zoo in Cincinnati, and also an uh.. whatever you call a huge greenhouse, arbortuem? whatever it was, it was cool. I remember getting a chunk of rose quartz from there.
The farthest we went was to San Diego, right before 3rd grade. Only time I've been in a jet!
Other than that, been to Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, Minneapolis and St. Louis on school/ band trips.
I think Washington DC would be a great trip! I'm planning a vacation there right now, acutally, and there's lots of kid-friendly things to do there. That and national parks would be great to visit, too.
The farthest we went was to San Diego, right before 3rd grade. Only time I've been in a jet!
Other than that, been to Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, Minneapolis and St. Louis on school/ band trips.
I think Washington DC would be a great trip! I'm planning a vacation there right now, acutally, and there's lots of kid-friendly things to do there. That and national parks would be great to visit, too.
