2nd Best

[ColoradoMom!!]

OK -- we are trying to plan a Non-Disney trip I know, what are we thinking? We are planning another cruise for 2008, but would like to go somewhere else this summer perhaps.

What are some of your favorite vacations you have actually taken and enjoyed that weren't Disney? Think hard You can do it!

PS Sorry this is Non-Disney, but I value all your opinions and expertise!

 

[mommasita]

Before we discovered DCL, our annual vacation was a week in Wildwood, New Jersey, by the shore.

We had the best times, cherished every moment there, and the kids still talk about it. We may go this summer, it depends on DH's new job...

There is sOOOOO much to do there for families, children, boardwalks, games, rides, etc..

 

[Vivianne]

We did a combination Vegas/Grand Canyon/Bryce Canyon/Zion/Vegas 1300 mile trip. We spent 2 days in Vegas went to as many hotels as we could (we don't gamble, then rented a car drove to Hoover Dam that night we went to Laughlin and stayed at the Golden Nugget. Next day, we went to Oatman, Az visited the town, saw the donkeys and wound up in a town called Kingman. Next day, we had to drive Route 66, we went to Oak Creek Canyon and then Sedona (wonderful views the most beautiful town I've seen) stayed overnight. We went on and saw Montezuma's castle, Lowell Observatory, Sunset Crater other parks, Cameron Trading Post (native run motel) and on to the Grand Canyon (2 nights in the park) it was wonderful we took a zillion pictures. From there drove north into Utah to Bryce Canyon (beautiful) stayed in a cabin 2 nights and on to Zion another great park (2 nights) back to Vegas (1 night) and flew back home. I won't ever forget that trip it was worth it!

 

[MarkRG]

We've done a road trip to Boulder, but.. I somehow don't think that'll help you much.

But... for a reverse road trip, there is Wisconsin Dells, lots of big waterparks, go-karting and lots of kitsch.
And if you do go there, make sure to not miss going on..
The Original Wisconsin Ducks!


I also agree with the previous poster, the Grand Canyon area is an interesting trip.

You do also have a perfectly good Disney park out your way(I know, you said Not Disney..), good for at least a few days, along with a drive down to San Diego Zoo. We've done that from way out here in the Midwest, more than once, even. SD Zoo also has a wildlife park so you could skip Disney and just go to San Diego.

 

[dpuck1998]

As the previous poster said, we also enjoyed the Dells. Lots to do and while its cheesy tourist on the main strip there is some wonderful lakes and scenery.

We also love going to Chicago since its only a couple hours away for us. Lots of stuff for kids, musuems etc.

Last, my 2nd favorite vacation with or without kids is Washington DC!! I think DC speaks for itself.

 

[Selket]

We loved Yosemite - especially in May - the falls there are at full blast and the valley is just beautiful. It is the stuff of dreams. That works well with a trip to San Francisco. There is always Disneyland!

 

[tamim]

One of our family's most enjoyable and memorable trips was to Aruba in June.
Holiday Inn All Inclusive best beach on the island! For folks from the USA it is an easy flight from southern destinations. Was a 5 hour flight for us from Ontario but was worth it!!!!! Food is great, people are REALLY friendly and although we arrived shortly after that poor girl went missing the island is quite safe!

 

[nikkistevej]

We did a combination Vegas/Grand Canyon/Bryce Canyon/Zion/Vegas 1300 mile trip. We spent 2 days in Vegas went to as many hotels as we could (we don't gamble, then rented a car drove to Hoover Dam that night we went to Laughlin and stayed at the Golden Nugget. Next day, we went to Oatman, Az visited the town, saw the donkeys and wound up in a town called Kingman. Next day, we had to drive Route 66, we went to Oak Creek Canyon and then Sedona (wonderful views the most beautiful town I've seen) stayed overnight. We went on and saw Montezuma's castle, Lowell Observatory, Sunset Crater other parks, Cameron Trading Post (native run motel) and on to the Grand Canyon (2 nights in the park) it was wonderful we took a zillion pictures. From there drove north into Utah to Bryce Canyon (beautiful) stayed in a cabin 2 nights and on to Zion another great park (2 nights) back to Vegas (1 night) and flew back home. I won't ever forget that trip it was worth it!

That sounds awesome!! I would love to do a trip like that, my DH and I want to do all 50 states, and that sounds like a good start. We have done almost all of the east coast ones. I would like to wait until my DD is about 9-10 yo to go on something like that. Did you book it through a travel agent or just do it yourself?

 

[sharonrs50]

We enjoyed Hawaii very much. We visited Maui and Oahu.

Another beautiful place is Vancouver, Canada. You can combine that with a trip to Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, Island, Canada, either by ferry or by renting a car and driving.

I also second the driving tour of the southwest. Sounds like a great itinerary.

Sharon

 

[meeskamouska]

Before we discovered DCL, our annual vacation was a week in Wildwood, New Jersey, by the shore.

We had the best times, cherished every moment there, and the kids still talk about it. We may go this summer, it depends on DH's new job...

There is sOOOOO much to do there for families, children, boardwalks, games, rides, etc..

We loved Wildwood...it was a ton of fun!!!

 

[lindalinda]

Ace Adventure Center, whitewater rafting in West Va. All levels of rafting, rock climbing and rappelling (real cliffs) mountain bike trails, horseback riding, canoing. www.aceraft.com they have cabins and chateaus on site for rental as well. We had a blast!

 

[Vivianne]

That sounds awesome!! I would love to do a trip like that, my DH and I want to do all 50 states, and that sounds like a good start. We have done almost all of the east coast ones. I would like to wait until my DD is about 9-10 yo to go on something like that. Did you book it through a travel agent or just do it yourself?

I live in Connecticut and have traveled extensively throughout the east coast too.

I did alot of research and planned it myself. I lurked alot on the Fodor's message boards and learned alot from those folks. I also had to stay in the parks. The cabin in Bryce was great. When you make your reservations in the park, you need to use this site or of course you can call.

http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/

We did the whole trip in two weeks and would stay two days in each park. I would love to see Yellowstone and other parks in Utah next.

 

[figment52]

I used to live in Denver. My favorite vacation from that era was when we drove up to thri the Tetons and Yellowstone to Glacier National Park. It was absolutley georgeous. You can really see the U shaped valleys, stunning wildflowers, walk on a glacier etc.

We actually spent about 5 days in Yellowstone anad the Tetons before heading up to Glacier. Those 3 parks are so different from each other. I'll never forget them

You really can't go wrong at any of hte National Parks out west - we did the ones already mentioned, of course Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park, all of the ones in Utah, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and last summer the Inside passage crusie to Alaska - they were all beautiful but I still like Glacier the best.

It is not WDW but it is memorable jsut the same.

 

[MomofKatie]

-Washington, DC, especially during cherry blossom season
-the Caribbean Islands, especially Aruba, Barbados, or Puerto Rico/St. Thomas
-Hilton Head, Sanibel, or Jekyll Island
-Seaside, San Destin, or Grayton Beach, FL
-California- San Fran, Monterrey, Napa, Pacific Coast Hwy
-Portland, OR and Cannon Beach, OR
-Seattle and up into Vancouver, BC

Those have been some of our favorites. We haven't been to Chicago yet, but we want to go.

 

[babytrees]

Even though we have relatives in MT I will still recommend that area!!

Yellowstone is great.....there is an awesome Hot Springs town there...kind of like Glenwood before it got full of itself. There is a ton to do in and around Yellowstone. In fact we were just talking about MT today. If you'd like more information PM me!!

Washington DC is great also.

I like Washington state and Idaho also. You could do a Four Corners tour.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

OOPS -- I got moved

Thanks for all these awesome ideas! Mark -- I went to school at CU in Boulder, met my hubby and we got married there. It is beautiful! I would LOVE to see Wisconsin -- does it get really hot and humid in the summer? We lived in the LA area for a few years and got to enjoy Disneyland -- it was great to live so close!

Vivianne -- too funny My in-laws moved to Kingman, AZ a few years ago, and we've done the unforgettable trip to Oatman.

Wildwood sounds awesome -- never been in that area at all.

We should do Yellowstone -- can't believe we haven't been there yet! How hot does MT get in August, babytrees??
Also a driving trip up through Washington is a great idea.

I love D.C., but our 8 year old boy is a bit restless which is why the cruise was SO great for him, and us as a family.

Keep the ideas coming! Thank You for all your awesome advice -- you all are the best!