Hi, all,
I'm planning a week-long family vacation for myself, my husband, and our 2-year-old daughter. We live in the Washington DC area and are looking to travel in August. We are thinking somewhere beachy (Zika free) or near a lake and within 3 hours (by plane). And, we want to avoid a really long drive. Got any awesome suggestions?

We aren't into Disne, and recently went to Charleston and the Outer Banks. We were contemplating Savannah, Miami, Florida Keys, Sanibal Island, or somewhere in Maine. Are any of these good choices? Where else should we consider?

We love being outside, and our daughter loves typical toddler stuff like pools, parks, farms, zoos etc. It also will be my anniversary, so hoping to go somewhere I could find a babysitter for a date night with my husband.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations,

Lindsay

I'd recommend San Diego, not sure how long the flight would be for you. It's gorgeous, and they have one of the world's best zoos there, beautiful beaches, Coronado, Sea World, Lego Land, you can go to La Jolla Cove and the Children's Pool to see seals and sea lions. The whole area is so pretty and always seems to have good weather. Check out George's at the Cove for your anniversary.

No place is going to be Zica free but there is a much smaller chance of that in California than Florida. August is definitely mosquito season in Florida. The San Diego suggestion is a great one.

Consider a cruise. Most lines have babysitting services, it's relatively inexpensive (all things considered) and you unpack once. There are some interesting New England/Canada cruises in August.

Are you looking for a condo or a resort/hotel?

Nothing will be zika free.

Bermuda.
Beautiful island, beachy. The Fairmont Southhampton is a large scale resort with lots of amenities which is great with a baby. There are smaller hotels if you prefer. We like the Reefs Club.

Cape Cod is nice and there are some very nice resorts there as well.

Hilton Head Island has many oceanfront/beachfront condos with pools which is easy with a baby.

If you want to stay close to home, Sandbridge down in Virginia beach has condos and homes for rent. It is residential but a short drive to the strip and other beach town activities.

We just spent a weekend in Kennebunk ME at Shorelands Guest Resort and Cottages. Nothing fancy but very clean. Long walk to beach but also quite near Rachel Carson preserve an short drive to town. I liked the owners and since it's a small place, they might have a reputable baby sitter available. They have a small children's play area and grassy lawn. The two bedroom cottage was in back and has full kitchen.

The Dunes in Ogunquit has some cottage units but you would have to ask about babysitters. Very nice and large grassy area. You can sit outside on patio chairs and feel some privacy. On Rt 1 but way back from the road.

With a baby, I think it's easier to have a cottage set up rather than a hotel room. There's plenty of take-out places if dining out doesn't work. Our child tended to fade and get cranky by 5pm so we went to restaurants at lunch time.

The Hotel Del is a fun place to stay for a night if you go to San Diego. It's a beautiful historic hotel on a pretty beach.

Wow, what great suggestions!

We actually are going to San Francisco to visit family in July. So, it's going to be hard for us to justify another California trip a month later.

girlonthego: THANK YOU! I hadn't thought about Hilton Head. We definitely are open to doing a VRBO. Any particular areas you think are nicer to stay?

dfrostnh: I really like the idea of going to Ogunquit. Thanks for the awesome recommendations.

I would second the Maine suggestion. We took our kids there one summer when our youngest was three and had the best time. We went to Bar Harbor.

We went canoeing, walked in the woods/seaside area and saw a beaver, a deer, ate blueberries from the bushes, stayed at a family owned Bed & Breakfast which was so Maine. The owner rose early to pick blueberries and made home made b/b muffins for us.

We climbed the mountain to see the sun rise at Acadia National Park. We we on a hay ride. Its very safe, not too crowded. We loved it.