So, apparently my wife went to lunch with a friend Friday and the friend mentioned that they are going to rent a house in St. John over spring break (Thanks a lot, D.!!!). So I get this conversation at lunch today asking why we don't go anywhere like that. We usually spend a week or two in Union Pier and a week in Hilton Head...two beach destinations that the kids enjoy. I always thought we were having fun, but apparently not as much fun as I thought.

Anyway, where do have you guys gone on vacation recently? I'm trying to steal some ideas. Let's assume that the kids will be 7-8 and 11-12. If anyone mentions Disney...or even the state of Florida for that matter, we may no longer be friends in the future. Disney was the worst vacation experience of my life...but, on the flipside, it was great for my self-esteem as I was in the top ten percentile on the fitness scale. In GE I am in the middle of the pack.

What is it your looking to do on vacation? Are you traveling by car or plane? Do you like crowded places or do you want to get away from it all? What month are you going?

Being a DINK who had worked for a major international airline for 15 years, I can offer up a lot, but I need to know where your "sweet spot" is for a family vacation. Most recently I've been to Beijing, Costa Rica and this Friday we leave for Australia. However, there are many cities in the U.S. such as Boise or San Diego that I've had great vacations

Yoss mentioned San Diego and I have to second that. Stay to the Hotel Del...beach access, great weather and a lot to do.

I hear Fairbanks, Alaska is nice this time of year.


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quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
Yoss mentioned San Diego and I have to second that. Stay to the Hotel Del...beach access, great weather and a lot to do.

I agree, you can't go wrong with SD. Just seeing a Nimitz class aircraft carrier from across the bay is pretty impressive. I had always heard how great the SD Zoo was, but I have to admit I was underwhelmed when I saw it. SD does have a wilderness park which I hear is great. If I could afford it, I'd retire in SD. But since I can't, the wife and I are focusing on Costa Rica.

I would also agree with San Diego. I lived there for three months while I was waiting for the green light to join my husband at his next USN duty station.
One place not to miss is Balboa Park with the large trees towering over and overlaping the entry way to the park.
You can also rent bikes and ride along the beach and eat at some really good Mexican restaurants. Also don't forget about the tourist trap Sea Park Village or something like that. Awesome views of SD from Coronado. Maybe you'll get to see a sub. on it's way out to sea.

Clam
I have some suggestions regarding family vacations that I learned during my 25 or so years as a fifth grade teacher. Kids shared their vacations with me often.

The favorite seemed to be traveling in the southwest. I can’t tell you how many photos I have seen of seen of smiling kids standing on the 4 Corners. All in all deserts and mountains really appeal to kids the age of yours. Romance of the west is very big with boys.

Another biggie is visiting the New England states and traveling along the Freedom Fighter route, as well as the visiting the scene of the witch trials in Salem. (The more dramatic the kid, the better they liked it.)

Skiing the Rockies is very big.

Touring the castles in England was also a favorite.

Going to their Grandparents summer homes ranked very high.

As far San Diego, I have never heard a kid say one word about it.

We took our kids to London a couple of years ago (they were only slightly younger than the age span you mention) and it was FANTASTIC! So much to see and do and if you are careful, it won't break the bank.

Must sees:
London Tower (gotta sign up now for the late night tour/changing of the guard and then go again during the day),
London Eye,
Westminster Abbey and Cathedral,
Houses of Parliament,
The Prime Meridian in Greenwich,
Museums (all were pretty good),
Kensington Gardens and the Duchess of York playground (which would never be allowed in this country - it's mutlitple accidents waiting to happen but still very cool).

Between the "tube" and walking (which is good for all of us), we didn't need a car at all while we were sighseeing in London.

We also rented a car for a few days and went to Oxford, Bath, and saw Leeds Castle - which is not in Leeds but on the way toward the white cliffs of Dover.

Even though Phlebus is a wet rag, London is a great place to visit!

Clam: a driving vacation idea: Mammoth Caves, KY. Your boys would probably love it. The caves are really amazing. There is a natl park hotel right there; then you could go to Louisville and see the Slugger Factory, Ken. horse farms, etc.(louisville for a nicer hotel with pool, etc. ) Beautiful country. Most important...neither are Disney.

Ah, howdy...keep those ideas coming. I love to drive.

Anywhere else w/in, say 12 or so hours?

You could go West . . .

Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills, Crazy Horse.

Don't forget Wall Drug & the Corn Palace.

Hit the Dells on your way there or back.

I love the cheezy westward voyage.

Memphis:

Take them out on Beale Street....get shit faced.....listen to the Blues....go to strip clubs....they'll love it. And it's only 8 hours away.

How about Niagra Falls...go on the maid of the mist a boat ride under the falls, the wax museum - swing up to Toronto and there is a nice museum or two...
We drive through western New York every summer, trainerguys parents live in Horseheads....the finger lakes are nice, mountains are too...be warned though if you decide to take this drive ask me where to stop for clean restrooms. That part of the state is pretty remote....you can see the Corning glass museum and Elmira is the soaring capital of the world...go on a glider ride....
My girls want to go to Mall of America to go shopping - go figure....

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
Memphis:

Take them out on Beale Street....get shit faced.....listen to the Blues....go to strip clubs....they'll love it. And it's only 8 hours away.

ZOINKS!!!!!!

My inlaws are taking the eldest on a UK tour this year. The rest of the us schlubs in the family will probably go do some cherry picking in Door County. Middle child is very low key and he loves it there. Actually hubby and I are going for a romantic weekend soon too. Middle child is very into history and spies and I have been trying to price out the DC experience for the family.

Does it make me a bad parent if I admit that I DID take eldest daughter and her friend to dinner on Beale St. last year. We also toured the police museum there. We didn't have time for Graceland.

Spring break might be colder than you'd like for some of these destinations...I'd completely recommend Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons (do y'all know what that means?). We took a trip west on Amtrak and rented a car from Salt Lake City. Drove to Yellowstone and spent a week in cabins at various locations in the park. We also spent a night in the Grand Tetons and took some great hikes.

I don't know what the weather will be like out on Cape Hatteras at Spring Break time but that's a beautiful place too. Lighthouses, the Wright Brothers Kitty Hawk, etc. Good stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
Memphis:

Take them out on Beale Street....get shit faced.....listen to the Blues....go to strip clubs....they'll love it. And it's only 8 hours away.

I was going to say Memphis too, but then GE Fan pulled this one out...

I LOVE Yellowstone . . . just be careful. This time of year (even during spring break) some of the passages can be snowed over and completely closed.

Did anyone see the discovery channel (or was it natl. geographic?) about the 'big one' that's brewing under yellowstone? yikes.

Growing up, we went on a lot of cheezy driving trips. My dad was Clark Griswald (hence, the awful - yet memorable - visit to the corn palace). At least he didn't strap our dog to the bumper. I really loved those trips, lame as they were. Although, as long as summer included a trip to the Dells, complete with robot world & a waterpark, that was all we needed.

I'll torture my own kids with that one soon enough.

My favorite family vacations were with the kids when we went to Vail. They were wonderful family vacations and wholesome to boot. Since the kids are no longer at home, there have been many other vacations taken without any guilt because we always had a good time while the kids were still in residence. (Don't especially mind the empty nest as there is ANOTHER LIFE out there folks!)

my vacations were filled with horrid tents and canoeing in such scenic areas as brokedown lakes and dusty mountains...the 2 favorite's though were
1. SanFrancisco....alcatraz....trolleys....the warf....museums...chinatown...the exploratorium
2. a crazy dude ranch for a week.....exploring by horse...hikes along and through a creek/river....cookouts....did i say horses? I think it was a lot of fun for us kids...but more relaxing for the parents.

I can't use San Diego for a vacation spot, because we lived close enough to drive there for a day....the San Diego wild animal park is the place to be...my parents were members until they moved here...they went down once a month..I bought them tickets for Christmas a couple years ago to spend a night its called roar and snore....and a small group spends the night and you can hear the animals and go on a night hike etc..they have other "special" things you can sign up for too..Sea World...boy I love that place...Old Town .....the beach.....can't go wrong down there.