Good Vacation Spot- Not Disney AHH!!

[SDSorority]

Hi all! I'm looking for a good vacation spot East of the Mississippi River that is not in Florida, that is not a crazy $$$$ resort. We're from Columbus Ohio and are looking to travel for a 4-5 day vacation in May that won't break the bank. We're not going back to Disney for a while, and we're not tied to driving or flying. I'm taking any and all ideas!!!!

 

[mrsklamc]

Can you narrow it down any? Off the top of my head-

Niagara Falls

Smoky mts- biltmore, pigeon forge, gatlinburg

Indianapolis- Indy 500 is in May

Mackinaw Island

Mammoth Cave

Hershey

Savannah

Charleston SC

Various beaches on the NC/SC coast.

 

[herdtoDisney]

The Outer Banks of NC is pretty cool, and if you're going in May, you might get a house rental pretty reasonably. I'm not sure of the water temp at that time-you'd need to check. But there is lots to do.

 

[SDSorority]

These are great ideas so far! Lots I haven't thought of!!!

 

[wendylovesdisney]

Right otside of Cleveland here, and I would love to know about some of these ideas too!

 

[Sagginit]

washington D.C.- our nations capital! a number of museums on the mall are free which is great, things will also be in full bloom and it won't be too hot.

if you go to the shore area i say carolina area, im from the jersey shore and may can be chilly up here in may depending on the day.

also second hershey/lancaster area. very family friendly and affordable.

 

[DawnM]

Great ideas! Although if you are heading to Savanna, you may as well go to Orlando!

BTW: What is there to do in Savanna? We haven't ever been there other than to drive through.

Dawn

Can you narrow it down any? Off the top of my head-

Niagara Falls

Smoky mts- biltmore, pigeon forge, gatlinburg

Indianapolis- Indy 500 is in May

Mackinaw Island

Mammoth Cave

Hershey

Savannah

Charleston SC

Various beaches on the NC/SC coast.

 

[SDSorority]

DH wants me to ask about Hudson Valley, NY. Anyone know about this area?? I've never heard of it but the pictures look BEAUTIFUL!

 

[Deffenm]

We are from Columbus as well and my kids have enjoyed the Smokey Mtns for a mini vacation and Charleston SC. We didn't do too many touristy things in the Smokey Mtns except a helicopter ride and that was a lot of fun. My kids loved Charleston SC. We visited Ft. Sumtner, Patriots point (aircraft carrier/submarine), went shore fishing, visited downtown (they loved playing in the water fountains on the waterfront) and then took a cruise from there. My kids are also happy just driving up to Lake Erie and camping at East Harbor State Park. We are planning on doing Mammoth Cave for spring break. We also have gone to the Newport Aquarium in Ky and spent the night at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason Ohio. The Children's museum in Indianapolis is really good and I believe there is now a waterpark hotel in Indianpolis. You could also easily drive to Chicago and spend a few days there. My boys really want to go because there is a lego expierence (museum) now in a suburb of Chicago. Now the hard part making a decision.

 

[iluvdiscruises]

DH wants me to ask about Hudson Valley, NY. Anyone know about this area?? I've never heard of it but the pictures look BEAUTIFUL!

I live in the Hudson Valley...I don't know that I would necessarily pick May as a time to visit...more likely the fall when the leaves are changing. But, depends what you wanted to do...

Do you have kids?

Do you like doing outside stuff? Bear Mountain is beautiful that time of year, you can hike at Mohonk Mountain House, lots of gorgeous outside things...you can easily get to the Bronx Zoo as an easy drive or NYC via Metro North (a commuter rail line).

Do you like antiquing? Cold Spring is beautiful for that...

I can definitely make some suggestions once I know more about whdeat you like to do on vacation! For example, it's way too cold that time of year to get to any beach destination near the Hudson Valley...the water would be freezing even if it's warm outside.

 

[bits-n-pieces]

Also from the columbus area and here's some of what we do on our "non disney" trips..

Myrtle beach
Smokey mountains (fave by far) short 6 hour dirve lots to do for everyone
Hershey Pa
Dutch wonderland (lancaster pa) great if you have little ones
Indy- short drive and great for families
St. louis is only 6 hours from Columbus and makes a great 3-4 day trip

 

[Dizfan4life]

You could drive 6 -7 hours west and spend a good 4 to 5 days at the WI Dells. I have looked at the resorts there and I am thinking of going there next summer. The resorts waterparks look AWESOME!!!!

 

[crl]

Washington D.C. is great in the spring! We went this past May and the weather was great. It was warm enough to enjoy all the walking yet cool enough to be able to enjoy the outdoors.

Pittsburgh, PA has some fun attractions. The Carnegie Museums are there as well as the incline (which is best after dark!) and various shows or sporting events. It doesn't look as though you have kids, but the zoo is great with a small aquarium.

Philadelphia, PA has some fabulous historical areas and is normally wonderful that time of year.

If it's just you and DH, my hubby and I love the Ceasers Pocono Resorts. The price is all inclusive and they have so many activities. Plus you can hop around to all three of their resorts. They sometimes get some great big name shows in that are included in the price.

Lancaster, PA is a family favorite if you enjoy the Amish and shopping. The American Music Theater is a nice place to see some shows. Our family also enjoys Sight and Sound. My Dad's favorite thing to do there is ride the Strasbourg railroad.

Atlantic City, NJ is a lot of fun for adults. My hubby and I enjoy wandering around the boardwalk to see the different themes of casinos. And there are a ton of shows to see most any time of the year. The ocean will still be too cool to enjoy, but the beach will still be nice.

 

[sbpebbles]

You could drive 6 -7 hours west and spend a good 4 to 5 days at the WI Dells. I have looked at the resorts there and I am thinking of going there next summer. The resorts waterparks look AWESOME!!!!

the resorts and waterparks here IN WIsconsin Dells are amazing..you can usually find good deals if you choose to come in May..a lot of ppl think Wisconsin Dells is a park so when i hear AT the WI Dells I feel the need to correct, we'd get ppl who would call and actually ask when the Wisconsin Dells closed when I worked for a very popular resort there lol...

 

[ccgirl]

I was going to say Smoky Mountains too. We went for the first time last year and can't wait to go back this summer. We were pleasantly surprised and absolutely fell in L-O-V-E with it!!!

We also really like Ocean City, NJ.

 

[kymmyk13]

We really enjoy going to Chattanooga, TN. We always go when it is cold but would be great in MAy also. They have a wonderful aquarium and of course Rock City and numerous other things to do.

 

[David 1980]

Come to Indiana and help me with my plumbing project? LOL
Indy 500 is a great idea all weekend something is going on.
KY and TN are also great spots with plenty to do. WE love Dollywood IN TN and Six Flags in KY. But again I could use the help and am very close to Chicago.l.

 

[laurafergie]

Colonial Williamsburg along with Jamestown, Yorktown and Busch Gardens in Virginia!

 

[mrsklamc]

Lots of history in Savannah plus typical beach town stuff.

 

[FireDancer]

What kind of trip are you looking for?

If you want something outdoors and active there are the Blue Ridge or Smokey Mountains. There is a lot of biking, hiking, and that sort of adventure stuff.

If you are looking more for an educational kind of trip you can't beat DC. There are the monuments and museums and also some civil war battle fields near by.

If you are looking for a big city trip NYC and Chicago are easy trips.

If you are looking to just relax at a bed and breakfast type setting northern Vermont or New Hampshire are great.

For a combination or relaxation and history Savannah is great but make sure to stay in the historic district if you can.

I'm just outside Cleveland and take a lot of short road trips every year and those are some of the most fun.