Ideas for Vacation Spots other than WDW

[AZKathy]

We just got back from 16 wonderful days in Orlando a few days ago. We have been going every year for a while, but now DS is complaining about always going to Orlando (how dare he!!!). So, I need ideas for places to visit on our next vacation. How is Hawaii? Which island would be the best? Other ideas? Don't want to do Southern California since we do that a lot, also. We want to stay within the US or maybe a cruise(as long as DH does not have to put on a tux for dinner type cruise).

I would love to hear your ideas for another vacation. Family consists of DH and myself 40-somethings, DS will be 14 next summer, DD will be 10, and DD will be 6. Thanks in advance.

 

[DonnaS]

We love Hawaii. Which island is a matter of personal preference, but Maui and the big island of Hawaii seem to offer the best blend of beauty and activity IMO. Our favorite island is Kauai, but we like to just sit around the condo at night and relax-- you may be different.

You could also do a National Parks kind of trip if you haven't already. And we also enjoyed Oregon a great deal. What sort of activities do you all like?

 

[Planogirl]

I tend to lean towards quaint towns and mountains when I'm not in WDW. I'm also considering Washington DC and Williamsburg lately.

Have you considered the Caribbean or the Yucatan?

 

[bambii]

of South dakota, has stuff for everyone,

Mt rushmore.

Crazy Horse.

Devils Tower.

Storybook island

Dinosaur Park

The Cosmos

Caves

Flinstone Village.

Here is some more info.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/927280.asp

For reservations:

www.blackhillsres.org

For more Travel about the whole state:

www.travelsd.com

and for kids to get into attractions for free

www.recess.org.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee dad Says.................................Based on places we have been.

I think you will like Hawaii, and I feel you must start with Oahu.
See the Arizona, Missouri, must see Poly Cultural Center, and Dole PLantation. Diamond Head. Do a circle island tour to see all of Oahu, though you won't really see it all.
We love Maui, and Lahaina, but it is laid back, not much for kids.
Whatever you do, don't take a cruise around the islands.
WE are doing that in November, but we have already seen two islands, the stops are too short if you have never been.
D.C./ Virginia....You can do a week just doing Smithsonian Museums. Then Colonial Wlliamsburg needs to be seen, and if you can get down to Jamestown. If you like cival war stuff thats another week.

Come to Nor Cal. San Francisco has so much to offer, and the wine country and Monterray/Carmel are both within 90 minutes, in different directions. See Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Park, and the Zoo for the kids.

Seatlle is sweet, especially if you take a day on the Victoria Clipper, and go to Victoria and the Empress Hotel and Butchart Gardens. Seattle has the Space Needle, Pike Street Markets, great reastaurants on the water front, Northwest Trek is a couple hours away, a northwest equal to the San Diego wildlife park.

Guess I need to mention San Diego!! See Balboa Park, Old Town, and of course the Wildlife Park, and the Zoo if you have time.
All 90 miles from Disneyland in case you need a fix!

 

[AZKathy]

Thanks for the responses!!!!!
Bump to page one.

 

[jsmith]

How about your own backyard-
Colorado-Rocky Mtn National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Sand Dunes NM, Dinasaur NM, The 14ers in general and lots of old historic mining towns

Wyoming-Yellowstone and Grand Teton NP,

Montana-Glacier NP

 

[Kirby]

Colorado is a great place to visit.

I've been investigating Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and they sound like fun also.

 

[bambii]

is nice I love Dollywood, the have the theme park and the water park. the smoky mountains are also nice, and there are a lot of things to do in pigeon forge, by just walking the main strip. My family went there last summer and I love it. The park closes in Dec and opens back up in April and in April there is a big parade that starts the opening of the park. Dolly is always in the parade. In the park they have funnel cake with strawberries and or peaches and whip cream on them. there is also a great resturant that serves a buffet breakfast called Aunt Grannies.

I would have more time to tour the towns. but we just walk the strip.

 

[jel0511]

I've been to Hawaii and prefer Kauai to any of the other islands. Too much hustle and bustle for me. Oahu just seems like a VERY large city with palm trees and a beach, and the beach doesn't do too much for me either. Maui is nice, and I'd go there again, but Kauai is just so MUCH more beautiful and relaxed. I've never been to Hawaii, but our next trip out there we are definately stopping there. Personally, I'd recommend the USVI's. You're still in the good 'ol USA there, and the beaches there are unmatched and VERY beautiful. We've been to all three, and prefer St. John to them all. We usually rent a private home there, so we get TONS of space, our own pool, and the views are unbelieveable.

 

[peg2001]

I was making a list recently of places I'd like to visit over the next several years. Here's a sampling:

-Sacramento/San Francisco/Yosemite (this summer!)
-North Carolina coast
-northern Florida
-Washington D.C.
-San Diego

-South Dakota (Black Hills, Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Wind Caves, Crazy Horse, Corn Palace, with a trip into WY for Devil's Tower, and Sioux Falls-where I grew up many years ago!)

-Yellowstone
-Grand Canyon

Peggy

 

[honeywolf7]

Also, in the "your own backyard" category, Salt Lake City is a beautiful and very interesting city and there are definitely a lot of things to do close to the city (Park City, etc.)

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.......................................I really messed up, peg2001, I hope you can forgive me. The coupons will go out tommorrow.
Do the Sonoma Square, Sebastiani is only a couple blocks away, cheese factory accross the street, playground for the kids!
For Yosemite, stay where you want, but make your first trip in from the north side. There is a special view you will want to see. As you get close to Yosemite, it will be like hmmmmmm, hey pull over to the left, look at that! Get the camera! It's just a nature shot, but valley, trees, mountains on both sides that force you to look forward, into blue skys and a couple clouds.

 

[peg2001]

Disnee Dad,

No worries! I just assumed that life got busy for you and I wasn't going to add to that by pestering you!

Thank you very much for your suggestions, and for the coupons. Looking forward very much to visiting that area.

Peggy

 

[Fizban257]

Our family has a time share on the beach in North Myrtel Beach, SC. We go there to veg out and relax on the off-years that we don't go to Disney.

 

[floridaminnie]

Williamsburg is awesome. Us girls, myself DD and DM, went up there for a week and stayed at this great Bed and Breakfast a walk away from colonial Williamsburg. DD was 18 m onths at the time, so we had to take turns with the tours. She wanted to let everyone know her new word, which was cat.

We also love to go to the beach. We usually go one week a year. It's so nice and relaxing.

Parents just went on an Alaskan cruise, coming back tomorow) and they are loving it. They want to do it again with me.

Northeast is also pretty, especially during the change of color, plus there's a lot of history up there.

Grand Canyon is also great. There's a lodge that sit right on the southern rim of the Grand Canyon.

We also have done the Smokey Mountains which was a great experience. Horseback riding and white water rafting in the Mountains was a once in a lifetime experience. Plus there are a ton of tourist things to do.

 

[RUDisney]

We like the Maine coastline. The water isn't in any way warm, but the scenery is beautiful. You could fly into Portland and hit the southern beaches, the Kennebunks, Ogunquit, Kittery, etc., or you could fly into Bangor and go to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Remember, too, that LLBean's store is open 24X7 year round and is in Freeport. It's a pilgrimage worth making.

We'll be eating lobster every day and taking in the sights in just a few short weeks.

 

[gshoemate]

I would say Yellowstone National Park. I haven't been there in 5 years and I am having withdrawls. The best trip we ever took was driving from Michigan. We stopped at Mt. Rushmore, camped in Yellowstone, traveled down to the Grand Canyon and camped there, then down to New Mexico where we went white water rafting on the Rio Grande and then on the way home we stopped at Sea World in Ohio. Boy, to be young again with that much energy.