My husband and I used to go on a few vacations a year, although after the birth of our baby we said that we were not going to travel until she was at least 2 or 3. Well at 3 months of age, we are getting the itch to go someplace. We are thinking of taking a trip in August/September and that would put her around 7 months. Thought it might be easier to drive, so we could pack all of the baby essentials in our car and go. We live in Ohio and would at least like to get of the state, does anyone have recommendations of places/trips that would be good for an infant?

No such thing as a trip that's good for an infant that young. The question is what can you handle while attending to her needs? At 7 months, she's basically a potted plant that just needs you to attend to her. This is not a bad thing - when she's tired, she'll sleep, and you can drag her around fairly easily (more so than when she'll be an infant and able to take off waddling down the street without you).

There are a lot blogs that discuss this issue endlessly. You should google those. People do it all the time. My parents' rule was that they wouldn't fly more than 2 hours or drive more than 4, and I tend to stick to that but it's mostly for my own sanity.

Maybe ask yourself what you haven't seen in Ohio and do that as a "virgin" trip? There has got to be something...

I would consider going to Chicago; lots to see and do in a pretty concentrated area. In September, it shouldn't be too hot - in fact it would be pretty nice.

I've traveled with my own children starting when they were infants through their teen years and now we travel with them and our grandkids.

Believe me infants are by far the easiest age to travel with.

They are easy to hold as they don't weigh much.

They can't run away or insist they want to "do it all by myself" and walk up a 90 degree hill which takes twice as long.

They don't eat much.

Don'the care which restaurant you choose.

Don't scream and kiddos know when you drive by dinosaur world and they want to stop and check it out.

The list is endless....

Don't scream and cry when you drive by..

>>although after the birth of our baby we said that we were not going to travel until she was at least 2 or 3.

As soon as you hit 11 or 12 months and your cild starts to be mobile everything will start be more difficult - even at 8/9 months when crawling you will have to be very careful to chid proof any room you're in.

When you want to go is likely the easiest time - esp by road (flying can be tricky due to ear pain).

Going in your car will probably be the easiest in terms of all the stuff you have to bring along.

Get her into a front carrier while she is still little so you can walk hands free and switch to a back pack type when she is a little bigger.

Decide what you want to do and head out. Perhaps a short trip to try things out. My son slept well in the car, so planning the longer drives during nap time worked well.

You can travel ANYtime with a child. You just have to plan very carefully to have all you need with you. When this tiny, maybe it is the diaper bag and mom, if you are nursing. A stroller?
It's no different from your travel--just one more to PLAN for. He/she will nap in the car seat at this age and children may do that every time they hit the car up to teenage (my grands do).
How do you manage around your town--do you go out to dinner, shop, visit friends (that's like going to a museum?)etc. That is a form of "travel".
Go where you want--it won't matter to the baby.

Since you like to travel, while you are contemplating the where part, get baby a passport. Yes, infants need passports.

Does anyone have a good beach in mind? We enjoy Hilton Head, but feel it is too far of a drive for our LO. Something quiet, not crazy like Myrtle

What about a cottage on some lake. You still get water and sun. We found that when our kids were that age, eating out in a restaurant 3 times/day got old really fast. And being in hotel room with (I am sure adorable) baby got old a little after that ("turn the TV down; the baby is sleeping). I am geographically impaired as to what is around your part of the country, but is there a lake that is near something interesting?

Just looked at a map. Go to Toronto. You could stop at Niagara Falls if you have never been. Stay at Niagara on the Lake. Find someplace near Great Lakes. Or a smaller lake. You should have perfect weather at end of summer.

Drive to Litchfield--quiet with good food nearby. Beach is uncrowded. Yes, Hilton Head IS far. Litchfield would be closer. Your little one won't mind the trip.

It may be easier to travel with a 7-month old before s/he starts walking than with a 2-year old who is loud about his/her needs

I would pick something relaxing, forest or water, close to shopping and, God forbid, to doctors.