Looking for warm weather vacation destinations...

[Camno's Mama]

So, of course my first choice would be Disney, but the budget is not looking good unless we stay in a hole in the wall. And, to be honest, driving to FL to stay somwhere like that is sounding less and less like a vacation.

Any suggestions for somewhere warm (we are going in April) that is within 15-18 hours drive from Chicago???

I have looked at Texas, and there seems to be a lot there. But I'm not sure where to start and I need places to compare in price to Disney to see if we can find something more manageable! So, where have you all gone that isn't Disney???

Thanks!

 

[LadyShea]

What kinds of things (other than Disney) does your family enjoy? Do they like nature/outdoors, history, lounging on the beach?

I can usually find something we'll like most anywhere, but not everyone has the same interests we do. For example we are driving to NC in October for vacation, stopping in Chattanooga for the night (DS can go 7 hours in the car, that's it!) which has an underground waterfall, some awesome hiking, and an incline railway. We are looking forward to the stopover, it's not even our destination!

My parents recently vacationed in Georgia's Golden Isles and had a really great time. I would love to got to DC sometime, and Spring would be nice I would think.

 

[holden]

What about a cruise? I think Royal Caribbean has some that leave from Texas. Once you factor in the food, room and entertainment, cruises can be cheap!

 

[Camno's Mama]

We like to be busy on vacation. We're not really "lay on the beach" kind of people. Beyond the fact that we like to do something every day, we are extremely light skinned and burn easily.

So, we like outdoor stuff like hiking and biking and such. We like theme parks, but not so much the Six Flags variety since the kids are pretty little. More along the zoo, botanical garden, aquarium line. (Maybe those don't really count as theme parks!)

We would enjoy something with access to lakes or the beach since it would be fun to spend some time there...I just don't want that to be the only thing there is to do. We like to eat out, but don't have to spend a lot of money on it. Chains are fine as is McDonald's. I just don't want to cook!

It sounds like Dallas/Ft. Worth is about fifteen hours from here, and it looks like there is a lot to do between them. But I'm not sure it's worth the drive! Who knows...maybe we should just make the drive the vacation!

Having so much trouble giving up the dreams of Disney since this is the last spring we can go...ds starts school next year and I don't want to take him out of school for vacations! Everything seems so much more expensive this year, though!

I'm rambling...

 

[LadyShea]

I have found a lot of my "spots" just going to Google maps, choosing a city at random, and seeing what's on the way. That's how we found the Golden Isles.

I found this to browse for ideas http://americandrivingvacations.com/

 

[DVC Sadie]

What about a cruise? I think Royal Caribbean has some that leave from Texas. Once you factor in the food, room and entertainment, cruises can be cheap!

I have to agree! Cruises can be the least expensive vacation to be found, especially if you want to go to a warm weather destination during the fall or winter.

If you leave from Bayonne, NJ you can go to the Caribbean where the water is beautiful, warm and find tons of fun activities for everyone.

 

[dbarker]

I recommend San Antonio, TX. That is where we go on our "off" years for vacation.

SA has Sea World, Fiesta Texas (a 6 Flags park), the River Walk, and don't forget the Alamo. (I just had to throw that one in). BTW, the Alamo and the other missions on the Mission Trail are FREE.

Google "My San Antonio" and there is lots of info on stuff to do w/ links.

 

[HeatherC]

If you really want Disney, you could try a rental through SkyAuction (under $300 a week) or rent at Windsor Hills. For under $100 a night, you'd save a lot of money...have a kitchen to make some quick snacks or meals and room to spread out.

Would probably be cheaper than staying in hotels for a week in Texas.

Just an idea. Can you drive to Disney from Chicago?

 

[doodlesmommy]

Callaway Gardens in Georgia is absolutely beautiful in the Spring, and sounds like something that your family would enjoy. They have a butterfly house that my kids enjoy.

 

[Camno's Mama]

If you really want Disney, you could try a rental through SkyAuction (under $300 a week) or rent at Windsor Hills. For under $100 a night, you'd save a lot of money...have a kitchen to make some quick snacks or meals and room to spread out.

Would probably be cheaper than staying in hotels for a week in Texas.

Just an idea. Can you drive to Disney from Chicago?

We could...we will be driving anywhere we go this year. We usually stay offsite in a condo, but even that seems to be going up in price! I'll have to check out skyauction. We even considered camping, but I'm not sure how I feel about doing a first time, long distance road trip and tent camping for an extended period for the first time all in one trip! I'm thinking we may want a soft place to land when we get there!

I don't mind eating some meals in on vacation, but it loses some of the magic for me when we don't eat out! That's one of the best parts of vacation!

I thought we might break even staying in a hotel that has a shuttle and a kitchenette and free breakfast so that we can keep simple things on hand. And that way we aren't paying for parking which adds up. I'm still doing lots of research.

I'll have to look into Georgia some more, too, since there have been a couple of recommendations for that.

Thank you everyone...I've been looking into all of your suggestions!

 

[LadyShea]

I thought we might break even staying in a hotel that has a shuttle and a kitchenette and free breakfast so that we can keep simple things on hand. And that way we aren't paying for parking which adds up. I'm still doing lots of research.

We stay at the Quality Inn Royal Parc Suites. Free shuttle, free breakfast, kitchenettes.