Budget Road Trip VRBO AFVC ????

[eeyorethegreat]

I know questions have been asked similar but...This is our off WDW year so no Disney can't be it. We are thinking of taking a 1 week trip this summer within 1000-1500 from home let's call it Augusta, Maine for this purpose (not my town but easy to locate on the map). There are 6 of us ME DH and 4 kids ages 14 to 9. We looked into the Smokey Mts but all the cabins I am finding are running over $1000 for the week and I would really like to keep lodging under $1000. I really want to make this trip budget but fun. Also have thought about the Great Lakes Area (which I know it is a large area and we would have to pick one lake) but I am not sure what else is there. I want a nature trip you know outside (no camping DH talked about getting a used pop up camper but I am not sure I want to invest in that still thinking on it...but hiking ok) but DH is looking for more entertainment than nature-he is military (reservist who does way more than 1 weekend per month plus 2 weeks a year, actually he is gone rather often on missions seems they like him) so he is into history and battle fields not sure that is what I want to do with the kids though. I "could" do a theme or amusement park keeping in mind that we are split 50 50 as far as thrills are concerned. We have been to Hershey but not the park.

Anyway since I am truly a country bumpkin- homebody except for my trips to WDW I have no idea what is out there and I just need someone to get me thinking about options . Thanks for input and ideas!

 

[bwatlas]

Thought about PA, then? You'd have Hershey Park, in Allentown there is also Dorney Park, which is two parks in one - amusement and water. You have Gettysburg battle fields for the history, and also in Lancaster, there are outlet shopping malls, and it is Amish country. So you could/would have a little something for all.

 

[santa's surpriz]

What about the beach? Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach? Or if like the the mountain idea, you can try Lake Lure, Asheville, Blowing Rock, or even check out Tennessee-Gatlinburg has tons of stuff in and near the area.

 

[mlynn]

http://www.cherrystoneva.com/


We go here. It is about 1/2 hour from VA beach and about any hour from Williamsburg VA. It is right on the Cheaspeke. WE love it.

 

[adkkev]

Why not try the Adirondacks in NY? You could stay here for a pretty reasonable price, great location, awesome views. The pictures on the website don't do the place justice. Prepare your meals there, or eat out in Lake Placid, Keene, or Keene Valley nearby.
History? Fort Ticonderoga isn't far, nor is Crown Point (state park containing the ruins of the largest fort ever built in North America).
You could ride the bobsled at the Olympic bobsled/luge area near Lake Placid. Ride the gondola up Whiteface, or you could even drive to the top of Whiteface for awesome views. There's also life served mountain biking at Whiteface. More info can be found here.
There's always something going on at the Olympic training center in Lake Placid, you could possibly catch some acrobatic skiers practicing their moves into the pools there ... or even ride the elevator to the top of one of the ski jump towers there.
Hiking opportunities are everywhere and for all levels of ability. Climb a mountain? Plenty of them around the area! Waterfalls? Those too. Canoeing/Kayaking as well.
Amusement park? Six Flags/Great Escape is in Lake George, and not all that far away.

 

[HeatherC]

Williamsburg and Jamestown are great. There are a ton of historical places along with Busch Gardens and lots of fun shopping.

There are tons of timeshare resorts in the area that are very nice. You can rent them on www.skyauction. Check out their vacation rentals area and plug in Williamsburg.

DC and the Chesapeake Bay are are beautiful and there is so much to do there.

If you are closer to New England, I'd suggest Vermont or Boston and Cape Cod.

Have fun planning!

 

[bunny]

If you are still interested in Pigeon Forge, try this looking at the Resort at Governor's Crossing. http://www.governorscrossing.net/index.html My mom and I stayed there a few years ago with my kids and we really liked it. I think you may be able to get it for under $1,000 especially if you go at the beginning of June. It was very clean and had a great location. They also sell 2 days for the price of 1 Dollywood tickets. There is so much to do in that area. I have been thinking of taking our camper there next fall. If you are there for 7 days, you could go to Dollywood 2 days, her waterpark 1 day, the Comedy Baron (hilarious), the Dixie Stampede, Wonderworks, the aquarium in Gatlinburg, Ober Gatlinburg, and, of course, the Smoky Mountains. It is really a great area and tons of stuff for kids to do. We go to WDW every year and aren't really beachy type people, but we really enjoyed Pigeon Forge.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Thanks for the ideas! I seriously never travelled until after I got married and then it has been mostly day trips or WDW so it is great to get some ideas that I never would have thought of!

 

[pooh98378]

I loved going to Niagara Falls. We stayed on the Canada side and really enjoyed it!

 

[swilshire]

I also think you could find a reasonable price in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. It sounds like a good place for you with Dollywood and all the other fun stuff. There are several timeshares where you might be able to rent condos. Tourism was down about 10% last year because of the economy and it will likely be worse next year unless things turn around.

Chattanooga TN might also appeal since there are lots of historical (battlefield) type things around I think. There are also fun things for the kids.

It would be going over your mileage suggestion, but North Georgia might also be interesting. Lots of great hiking. We go down every year the first weekend in June for a hot air balloon race.

We did one fun vacation a few years ago, with a week on Nantucket, a week in Harbor Ridge ME, and a week in Boston. Boston is certainly a fun city to visit.

I want my next big trip to to Eastern Canada.

Sheila

 

[ldrprn]

We are not military, but I know several who are. They can rent pop-ups fron the military, and they seem to be a great deal. This may be an option, and you don't have the hassle of owning one.
Skyline Drive in VA is beautiful. Lots of places to hike and beautiful views. Also some history nearby.

 

[endy]

What about the Maritimes? Halifax & Louisburg are great historic sites, Citadel Hill & Fortress. PEI for the beaches and laid back holiday. New Brunswick I'm not sure (haven't spent any time there) but there's the tides @ Bay of Fundy,Magentic Hill.

 

[stahshee]

Why not try the Adirondacks in NY? You could stay here for a pretty reasonable price, great location, awesome views. The pictures on the website don't do the place justice. Prepare your meals there, or eat out in Lake Placid, Keene, or Keene Valley nearby.
History? Fort Ticonderoga isn't far, nor is Crown Point (state park containing the ruins of the largest fort ever built in North America).
You could ride the bobsled at the Olympic bobsled/luge area near Lake Placid. Ride the gondola up Whiteface, or you could even drive to the top of Whiteface for awesome views. There's also life served mountain biking at Whiteface. More info can be found here.
There's always something going on at the Olympic training center in Lake Placid, you could possibly catch some acrobatic skiers practicing their moves into the pools there ... or even ride the elevator to the top of one of the ski jump towers there.
Hiking opportunities are everywhere and for all levels of ability. Climb a mountain? Plenty of them around the area! Waterfalls? Those too. Canoeing/Kayaking as well.
Amusement park? Six Flags/Great Escape is in Lake George, and not all that far away.

the Adirondacks in NY can be cold during the summer... It is a fun place ..

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Thanks again for all the great ideas. We are tossing them all around. Just have to come to a majority decision here LOL. Just another question does anyone have expreinece with http://www.vrbo.com/. It looks like I can get some good deals here at many of these destinations, I am just not familiar with VRBO. I tried the AFVC (for military sort of the same but everything for next summer is comin up unavailable. Anyone have experience with this does AFVC not post available units until like 6 months or less out? Thanks for input!!

 

[cndij]

I love VRBO, and have used them across the country, from Hawaii, to Orlando, to Ft Lauderdale. Ask for references, if you are unsure. I am sure there are some duds, but we have always gotten something better than our expectations.

Another suggestion I have is West Virginia, they have some great State Parks with cabins (Pipestem is one we have stayed at) or lodges. The state website gives you details. Lots to do from rafting, hiking, climbing etc.

Someone mentioned Myrtle Beach, and unless you are thinking about going off-season, I would warn you that it is a zoo in the summer time, could take you an hour to go 10 miles at dinnertime in the gridlocked traffic. It is the closest beach to us, and I haven't been in 5 years, because of the traffic.
In the fall or winter, it is a lot better and rooms/condos are maybe 1/4 of prime season.

 

[madge]

plug in your dates and look at what's available through

www.afvclub.com or www.govarm.com

that's how we come up with budget places to travel

 

[Kycha]

Once you narrow down the area you are interested in, consider a bed & breakfast for your accomodations. We have never been disappointed in any of the B&B's we've stayed in. They are always much nicer than a hotel. And usually half the price, plus you get a great breakfast. You don't get the same type of amenities(pool, laundry, restaurant) as a hotel, but we never used those anyway.

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/

 

[MichelleinMaine]

my initial thought from ME was Hershey or Williamsburg. Rereading that you guys are military- there is an AFRC place in VA Beach. We've not been there (though we've been to all the others but Korea ), but are going in April. I'll be happy to report back then, though likely too late for reservations then though...

Podunk, Maine, huh? I've got relatives in Benton, Thorndike and Unity. Worse than that?

 

[MichelleinMaine]

What about the Maritimes? Halifax & Louisburg are great historic sites, Citadel Hill & Fortress. PEI for the beaches and laid back holiday. New Brunswick I'm not sure (haven't spent any time there) but there's the tides @ Bay of Fundy,Magentic Hill.

Nova Scotia is beautiful. We used to go up every year. Unfortunately, the flip on the exchange rate makes it not somuch "bargain" any more. We also lost the more-reasonable ferry here in favor of a high speed one... no so much for good package deals from them either.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

My oldest son was talking about wanting to go to Canada and I have always wanted to go to Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. I can't remember when it becomes required to have a passport to cross the border, so I think if we head that way I'll have to apply for passports. DH is the only one who has one presently. I agree the exchange rate is shot.