I have free airfare, a week off, and $1500....where would YOU go?

[CaoilinnsMom]

I say camping or an inexpensive cruise, that is a tight budget for 4 for an entire week.

 

[Minnesota!]

Thank you, all, for your suggestions! I have written each of them down and starting to research. I can get SUPER cheap (points) flights to Philadelphia for that week...any suggestions or yay/nay on that?

 

[elaine amj]

Loving hearing the different ideas.

We are basically in the same boat...except our dates are Christmas.

I booked Tucson, AZ for a week although i considered a bunch of other places that Southwest flies to as well (DH insisted on only warm places though).

Most of the Caribbean have super high taxes and fees (about a $100 pp roundtrip) so that nixed it for me. San Juan, Puerto Rico is considered US though, so just the usual $5.60 each way. I did seriously consider it, but was a little bummed the beaches aren't nicer. And the things I want to do would be pretty spread out so a fair bit of driving around.

Denver, Colorado is on my "want to go" list because I love to hike.

If I go anywhere in Florida, I will be wayyy too tempted to hit Orlando, which will kill my budget.

We have done Washington twice now because flights to BWI are super cheap on Southwest points.

 

[hsmamato2]

my vote is For Puerto Rico! We stayed at a homeaway apt. last year, right on the beach the rates were less than 100.00 for a basic minimal apt- fully furnished! It was wonderful!!!!!!! And you could even afford an incredible snorkel trip to Culebra island.....the best thing ever! I love PR! Since your airfare is paid, go somewhere cool! Or my 2nd choice is fly to some National Parks areas-and have blast!

 

[hsmamato2]

Oh We stayed in northeast PR,with a few nights in San Juan to tour the sights there....Luqillo,PR, on Playa Azul,and that beach was LOVELY. The towers of apartments right at the beach have the views,and the ocean breezes, plus it's a short drive to the rainforest......(I obviously need to go back here lol) a rental car was quite reasonable too,as were food options....

 

[hsmamato2]

what about the keys?miami area? lots to see there too

 

[HM]

I've only been to Philadelphia to drive around one day with a friend. It is on my list of places to visit. Hopefully someone will have some great ideas of what to do there for a week.

 

[sheetz]

I would not recommend Las Vegas as a great vacation spot for kids, especially when there are so many alternatives.

It's not my first choice but I think there's enough stuff for kids to do there, lots of which are low cost or even free.
http://www.lasvegaskids.net/las_vegas_attractions/las_vegas_attractions_landing.htm

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thank you, all, for your suggestions! I have written each of them down and starting to research. I can get SUPER cheap (points) flights to Philadelphia for that week...any suggestions or yay/nay on that?

I don't like Philadelphia at all, but that's just my opinion.

You might want to check out tripadvisor.com for attractions in the different areas you're considering. The problem is your $1,500 budget; it will be hard to find a hotel for the family which won't cost at least that much.

 

[elaine amj]

The problem is your $1,500 budget; it will be hard to find a hotel for the family which won't cost at least that much.

Hotels do make the $1500 budget challenging. Try Priceline or Redweek? What about timeshare rental? AirBnB? VRBO?

Florida tends to have cheaper accommodations. The Smokies has the cheapest cabin rentals I have ever seen (granted I have only checked in a few locations). I only spent a $1000 there (NC side) for a week with my family including accommodations, food, and a huge range of activities.

My SIL says she has had the absolute best luck with timeshares in the off-season in Salt Lake City (the most luxurious for the cheapest price). I found accommodations in Phoenix, AZ to be very inexpensive in the off-season and they have very nice resorts there.

Good Luck!

 

[NJlauren]

You could do Philly and other near by areas. Like Amish country (an hour away I think).

I'm not sure Philly will have enough for a whole week but I could be wrong.

 

[sharona]

what about the keys?miami area? lots to see there too

I just spent a week in the Keys - meals will really eat into that budget unless the OP plans to rent a house/condo and cook and the cost for a family of 4 for most activities other than beach/pool will add up quickly. If you do decide to head that way, check out the Hampton Inn in Key Largo - about a 2 hour drive from Ft. Lauderdale (I don't think SW flies into Miami).

I like the cruise idea since you would have all of your meals included and you won't need to rent a car but you'd have to do without any excursions with that budget.

Portland, ME will be nice that time of year. Do you have any hotel points? There's a Hyatt Place in downtown Portland that includes breakfast - you could explore southern Maine from there but you'd need a rental car for sure and those can be expensive in New England July - October.

If it were me, I'd go for the cruise so you can enjoy your trip without worrying about any food or entertainment costs.

 

[Narnia_girl]

I'd vote for flying into Denver and then driving over to Winter Park--jaw dropping gorgeous scenery! Then spend the week at Rocky Mountain National Park. The park pass is $20 per car for the entire week. Estes Park is in high season so the housing is expensive but on the west side of the park, Winter Park is a ski resort town and it is in low season, so cheaper rates abound.

 

[robinb]

I just spent a week in the Keys - meals will really eat into that budget unless the OP plans to rent a house/condo and cook and the cost for a family of 4 for most activities other than beach/pool will add up quickly. If you do decide to head that way, check out the Hampton Inn in Key Largo - about a 2 hour drive from Ft. Lauderdale (I don't think SW flies into Miami).

I like the cruise idea since you would have all of your meals included and you won't need to rent a car but you'd have to do without any excursions with that budget.

Portland, ME will be nice that time of year. Do you have any hotel points? There's a Hyatt Place in downtown Portland that includes breakfast - you could explore southern Maine from there but you'd need a rental car for sure and those can be expensive in New England July - October.

If it were me, I'd go for the cruise so you can enjoy your trip without worrying about any food or entertainment costs.

They could just do PAYG beach excursions which are pretty cheap. Grab a place at the beach for free and pay for your drinks and lunch and a banana boat ride for the kids.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

How about flying into Manchester NH? From there it's a 1.5-2 hour drive north into the mountains, with lots of hiking, swimming, etc. There's also places like Clark's Trading Post, Santa's Village, Story Land, etc. It's also only an hour or so into Boston, with lots of things to do around there.

That week is when most of the kids here head back to school, so not as crowded as it might be earlier in the summer, or as it will be later on when the leaf peepers get here

 

[Handbag Lady]

St. Thomas, VI Wait, Southwest doesn't go there. Bahamas? Puerto Rico?

And I would totally look at airbnb or Priceline two rooms.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Palm Springs:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5762723?checkin=08/24/2015&checkout=08/31/2015&guests=4&s=uGm3

 

[Handbag Lady]

Here's a place in Philadelphia that is budget-friendly:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4052000?checkin=08/31/2015&checkout=09/06/2015&guests=4&s=whxD

 

[Handbag Lady]

OMG, look at this adorable house! Denver.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/964687?checkin=08/31/2015&checkout=09/06/2015&guests=4&s=T2XB

 

[eeyore45]

Have you thought about renting points and staying DVC in Vero Beach or Hilton Head? Lots of great trip reports