3K vacation budget....where to go?

[kathy884]

I'd fly into Denver, rent a car, book a motel or cabin in Estes Park and spend a week exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. // We live in St. Louis, not on the East Coast, but FYI my total spending for a week like this last summer for three of us (DH, me, and DS 20) for a seven night/six day trip was $3300 and that includes food, spending, and sending the dog to the Kennel.

There are wonderful family friendly hikes and ranger programs there. If you get up early, you can park at one the popular trailheads. If you get up later we park at the visitor's center and take the hiker's shuttle in. And one day do the drive stopping at all the scenic outlooks on the way to the top of trail ridge road and back. My very favorite hike is Emerald Lake. I also highly recommend the architectural tour at the Stanley Hotel -- such interesting history there.

This is my personal favorite National Park -- one place to stay the whole week, plenty to explore, and such a nice sized National Park (so many beautiful alpine lakes and such a beautiful place). What I like about this place vs. other national parks is it seem I spend more time out of my car exploring vs. driving around, making it a perfect vacation. I always even moving to different loding places feel like I'm spending too much time in my car in places like Yellowstone that are just so vast (great trip still, but I prefer RMNP). We did a Bryce / Zion national park trip a few years back -- like that too -- again you spend a little more time driving as each park is more of a three day National Park vs. a six day, so it's two hours to Zion from Los Vegas, later three hours to Bryce, and then five hours back. Again, nice to do sometime, but RMNP is my personal favorite.

One east coast option that is on my to do list that I haven't done yet is spending some time at Bar Harbor/Acadia too. I'm looking at a trip there for August of 2017. That looks like an amazing place too and would be closer for you than it is for us.

 

[loveshak22]

Come back and let us know where you decide!!

 

[momof2gr8kids]

I agree with travelling to Canada where your $$ will go much further. Both East or West coast will give you lots to do. Northwestern Ontario area has great hiking/kayaking opportunities around Lake Superior and in provincial parks if you are into that. Not sure if you are into fishing, but some of the best fishing and fishing resorts are in Northwestern Ontario - lots of American's travel there for that. Quebec City and Montreal (especially Old Montreal) are really neat places to visit as well. Niagara Falls area, Stratford if you are into theatre.

 

[Frwinkley]

OP here: Thanks for all the terrific replies!

We are leaning towards either Seattle/Vancouver or Calgary, Jasper, Banff, etc.

For those who have done either of those trips, can you give me some idea of your itinerary. We are thinking 8 days at the most and are not opposed to driving a good bit (max 8 hours) in one day.

 

[ldo]

we did Calgary/Banff this summer with moderate driving, but not all the way to Jasper. Banff is much less crowded than Lake Louise area in the summer. We based out of Banff and did day trips/hikes/rafting. Lake Minnewanka is near Banff and a good alternative to Lake Louise for scenery. We self-drove to the lake each night after dinner and did our own wildlife viewing tour. We saw big horn sheep (in the road) 2X and Elk 2X. We used Hydra for rafting. My uncle drove to the Ice fields about 1/2 way to Jasper. I would do 4 days Banff/3 days Jasper. Banff town is touristy, but fun and cute. We love the fondue place. Our entire family (14-77) loved this tripa and rated it one of the best vacations ever. We arrived in Calgary and spent the night, but it was unnecessary--it's a big flat road and it stays light until 9:30pm in summer--easy drive, even in the dark.

 

[mickeyschickie]

Check out Bar Harbor Maine, we rented a small house there for a family of 5 last year for around $1000, explored Acadia National Park all week, took groceries from home for picnics and such and had some really great meals too- all for around $2500 including gas from Maryland

 

[katyjeka]

I joined the post a little late. I wanted to add New Mexico to the mix. Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands are amazing. Should be on everyone's bucket list. We also loved Taos.