Okay, we are a family of 8: mom, dad, married daughter, her husband, grandson will be almost 2 next summer, granddaughter will be 10 months, and two daughters, 18 and 13. I need a vacation destination that will provide close by entertainment for teenagers, golf for guys, comfortable, spacious accomodations for the days married daughter and mom don't want to get out, close by shopping and dining. We usually do beach vacations, Disney World or someplace like Boston/Cape Cod but don't think that would be practical with babies. Need your help to think outside the box. I am really floundering - would appreciate your help. Budget not huge concern but would like someplace a non-stop away from DFW. Have never done All-inclusive but am not against it. Thank you.

Consider staying at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg Va. Loads of golf - I think there are 3 regulation courses and 1 par 3. Busch Gardens and Water Country for the teenagers - the hotel is owned by Anheiser Busch so there are early entry arrangements as well as very convenient shuttles. The resort also has tennis, a lovely spa, indoor/outdoor pool, racquet ball and basketball indoors plus a large exercise facility. Accommodations range from hotel style rooms to 2 bedroom condo style places.

Williamsburg has history, shopping and plenty of restaurants.

We have stayed twice and have really enjoyed it.

Southern California. Golf, shopping, dining, activities for teens, everything you require. Nonstops from DFW to all major southern CA airports.

A girl that I went to college with recently had a baby. For their first family vacation they rented a house on the beach near Charleston in the Isle of Palms area. They seemed to have a good time based on the pictures. Search the forum for Gotravel's Charleston trip report for details about all the city has to offer (much shopping and dining). It's a walking city so there would be many different things for the different groups to do. If you look on vrbo.com (vacation rentals by owner) you'll see the wide array of houses and condos for rental. I believe that you could rent through resortquest.com too.

The place that immediately came to mind when I read your post was Vail, Colorado. When I was younger my family visited there in the summer and it was one of the best vacations. You'll get good off season rates, and there are so many activities to do. There is a village in Vail with restaurants and shops. There is golf. There are spas. There is whitewater rafting in driving distance.

Myrtle Beach, SC.

Tons of shopping, dining, golfing, great beaches, fun for everyone from toddlers to retirees.

bennnie: The 13 year old and my husband went to Williamsburg on a class trip last year and loved it. Thank you for the suggestion.

rjb: My husband used to have Southern California as his sales territory and isn't ready to vacation there yet; although the rest of us would love it.

mah1980: I have been looking at South Carolina, but am so unfamiliar with it that I don't know what area to check out. Thank you for the Isle of Palm recommendation; would anyplace on the island be a good, convenient location? And Vail - how interesting. Never thought of a ski place for a summer trip.

GoTravel: What part of Myrtle Beach? Can you recommend some rental houses or a resort?

Thank you all - I'm going to keep checking back with you.

As for Isle of Palms, you should ask Gotravel b/c she lives I believe a little bit away from Charleston so she would know better.

Places like Vail, Telluride, and Breckenride are really fun in the summer. There are so many things to do in that region, and the temperature isn't too hot for the babies. I think the teenagers would love whitewater rafting and horseback riding. Plus, the shopping and dining in Vail is excellent.

And I didn't realize you could fly into Vail from DFW! (We're not skiers, obviously - sponsored a church ski trip to Winter Park last year but rode a bus. Loved Winter Park; hated the bus!!) Someone donated a Telluride condo to our school auction last year. I would do that if it weren't so hard to get to. It looked incredible.

yep, AA flies nonstop to Vail from Dallas. I have friends that live in Dallas. The flight is pretty affordable too.

Do you know any condos or houses or whatever close to the village that I should look at? I found a great website with all of these houses on it, but the addresses mean nothing to me!!

Try the Brunswick Islands in NC. In close proximity to golf, between Wilmington & MB for shopping & entertainment & cheaper places to stay than many others. There is more detail on here, just look under my name or Brunswick Islands.

I would suggest renting a house in Garden City Beach which is about 25 minutes south of Myrtle Beach.

While I love Wild Dunes, it would be my second choice because there isn't quite as much for kids to do as Myrtle Beach has. Wild Dunes is Isle of Palms.

Wild Dunes would offer the grownups more to do because Charleston is only a twenty minute or so ride away.

At either Garden City or Wild Dunes you can rent houses plenty large for your family.

Another thought would be either Pawleys Island or Litchfield Beach.

Wherever you end up, renting a house would be so much easier for your family than hotel rooms.

Agreed! Besides the fact that there will be several hours a day when my oldest daughter and I will be stuck at the house while the kids sleep. I'd like to have plenty of room and a nice view. Thank you for the recommendations. I will check them out. Let me know if you think of anything else.

I don't have firsthand knowledge of any rental homes in Vail because I stayed in a resort.

However, the area for you to be in (based on your specifications) would be Vail Village. I went on vrbo.com and didn't see that many places for rent for the size you need in that area. I just googled it and pulled up vail-reservations.com. Here are some properties in Vail Village that look great:

1) http://www.vail-reservations.com/ren...unit=38#detail

2) http://www.vail-reservations.com/ren...&unit=7#detail

How about a nice golf resort in Tucson or Phoenix? Lots of great courses, good shopping in Scottsdale, nice restaurants...would need to go early in the summer before it gets too hot... The kids might like a few days at a dude ranch

if this is a summer vacation ( july /august) I, too would suggest a mountain ski resort area.

like mentioned, there are so many activities.. and generally good weather.. not too hot, and lovely restaurants to try.

you certainly will have plenty of housing to choose from.

nice scenery, usually great shopping at nearby outlets, and sports galore.

Now if you really want a treat.. fly to vancouver, and go up to whistler.

check out websites about that area. gorgeous fjord on way up to resort. plenty to do culturally, and they have all types of kids programs ( all ages) at resort.

this is my favorite vacation area..

golf, kayaking, fishing, rafting, glacier skiing, gondola ride, horseback riding..
most winter resorts will have similar activities but i guaranteee you the scenery from vancouver up there will remain etched in your memories forever.

there is a FABULOUS amazing golf course half way up to whistler called "furry Creek".
well worth the stop. we usually overnight on way up to stop there.

you can also take a great ferry ride or visit bowen island. there is so much to do in that area, i doubt anyone would be bored.

My husband and I went to Victoria a year ago October and absolutely loved it. I'm afraid the flight time and logistics from DFW would be too big a challenge for the babies. Thank you for the recommendation, though - I will add it to the file for later!

Check out the Cloister on Sea Island in Georgia.

Breckenridge and Vail are easy drives from Denver International Airport and you're likely to have lots of airline options from DFW making prices fairly inexpensive. Great fun in the summer!

BTW, plenty of condos and houses available in Summit County, Colorado on www.vrbo.com. Plenty of places available to accomadate your entire crew.