Need vacation planning advice / help!

[ski_mom]

We are going on a trip this year with my inlaws. We go every third year with them and this is our year.

As the kids are getting older, I'm having a harder time trying to figure out a place that everyone will like (or at least tolerate).

My inlaws like seeing the sights - we've done driving vacations with them to Colorada, Yellowstone, and Mount Rushmore. Last time we went we went to Williamsberg and Virginia Beach.

The problem is that they don't like beaches or theme parks and the kids don't like driving everyday to see mountains, etc.

Anyway, I've come up with a few places that we haven't been, so I wanted to get opinions if they are family friendly and might have things for everyone involved.

I've considered:

Myrtle beach - thinking the kids would love the beach and it seems like there are shows and other things there that my inlaws might like (not sure how many though).

Charleston / Savannah / Hilton Head - or maybe just one of the cities along with Hilton Head. I think my inlaws would like the city and the kids would love the beach.

New Orleans - none of us have ever been there. I'm not sure if there are many things there for families or if I'm way off base even suggesting this.

I'm also open to any other ideas as well. I'm getting desparate because for some reason everyone wants me to just pick some place and then guess who gets blamed when everyone doesn't like it??

We did Disney last year knowing that this year was with them and it would not go over at all. My MIL is wantning to go back to Mount Rushmore and the kids are begging not to. They think once in a chlidhood is enough.

Anyway - any help or advice would be great!!

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

How about the Grand Canyon/Arizona? That was one of my favorite childhood vacations. Tons of things to see and do there. If you'd like some links/ideas concerning the area, let me know and I'll pm you.

ETA: Vegas is also a day-trip away, if you think that's something your in-laws might enjoy as well.

 

[amyren]

Charleston / Savannah / Hilton Head - or maybe just one of the cities along with Hilton Head. I think my inlaws would like the city and the kids would love the beach!

I've heard that Charleston is great! I've never been there but lots of my friends have and they say that the city is charming and the beaches are nice.
I've been to Savannah several times and while I love the city I hate the beaches. Last time I went to Tybee it felt kinda old & dirty. If you choose Charleston you could easily drive to Savannah for the day.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg might interest your family. You can split time among several things. Very family friendly with family shows, mini golf, dollywood plus the national parks there are beautiful.

What about touring California? You can do a few things in the major cities. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top or vice versa.

Your kids are at an age to enjoy Washington DC and lots there for all ages.

I don't know how active your family is physically but what about a white water rafting trip or a dude ranch vacation?

If nothing else, get your family in one room and have the youngest or oldest throw a dart at the several major cities/vacations listed and wherever it lands you all go. Eveyone in the family has to pick one activity to do in that specific area.

 

[Janepod]

How about Toronto and Niagara Falls, with a stop at Great Wolf Lodge for the kids? If you're driving, Cooperstown is only a few hours away. Same with the Finger Lakes.

 

[ski_mom]

Thanks for all the ideas - keep them coming!

How about the Grand Canyon/Arizona? That was one of my favorite childhood vacations. Tons of things to see and do there. If you'd like some links/ideas concerning the area, let me know and I'll pm you.

ETA: Vegas is also a day-trip away, if you think that's something your in-laws might enjoy as well.

I've actually looked into this a bit too, but my inlaws are pretty set against flying. We are in the mid-west (near St. Louis) and just don't have time to get that far this year. I've been looking at flights into Vegas and Phoenix hoping to find a great deal that they just can't say no to. If I end up finding a deal on flights, I'll definately pm you to pick your brain!

I've heard that Charleston is great! I've never been there but lots of my friends have and they say that the city is charming and the beaches are nice.
I've been to Savannah several times and while I love the city I hate the beaches. Last time I went to Tybee it felt kinda old & dirty. If you choose Charleston you could easily drive to Savannah for the day.

Thanks for the feedback!

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg might interest your family. You can split time among several things. Very family friendly with family shows, mini golf, dollywood plus the national parks there are beautiful.

What about touring California? You can do a few things in the major cities. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top or vice versa.

Your kids are at an age to enjoy Washington DC and lots there for all ages.

I don't know how active your family is physically but what about a white water rafting trip or a dude ranch vacation?

If nothing else, get your family in one room and have the youngest or oldest throw a dart at the several major cities/vacations listed and wherever it lands you all go. Eveyone in the family has to pick one activity to do in that specific area.

We've been to Pigeon Forge with them too (forgot about that one). I agree that it's a really fun place.

And again, unless we find a flight, California is unfortunately out for us.

I've also thought of DC, and want to go there someday, but my inlaws have been a few times with their other kids, so that one is unfortunately out too.

We may end up doing the throw the dart idea and just go with the flow!

How about Toronto and Niagara Falls, with a stop at Great Wolf Lodge for the kids? If you're driving, Cooperstown is only a few hours away. Same with the Finger Lakes.

That's a great idea too. I'll have to do a little research on it. Do you know if you need a passport to drive there? I'm thinking you do and I doubt we have time to get them for my inlaws. I've been putting this off and now I might be paying for it by limiting some of our options.


Thanks again for all the great ideas - please keep them coming and I'll have lots of ideas to share with everyone!

 

[scrapquitler]

We are going on a trip this year with my inlaws. We go every third year with them and this is our year.

As the kids are getting older, I'm having a harder time trying to figure out a place that everyone will like (or at least tolerate).

My inlaws like seeing the sights - we've done driving vacations with them to Colorada, Yellowstone, and Mount Rushmore. Last time we went we went to Williamsberg and Virginia Beach.

The problem is that they don't like beaches or theme parks and the kids don't like driving everyday to see mountains, etc.

Anyway, I've come up with a few places that we haven't been, so I wanted to get opinions if they are family friendly and might have things for everyone involved.

I've considered:

Myrtle beach - thinking the kids would love the beach and it seems like there are shows and other things there that my inlaws might like (not sure how many though).

Charleston / Savannah / Hilton Head - or maybe just one of the cities along with Hilton Head. I think my inlaws would like the city and the kids would love the beach.

New Orleans - none of us have ever been there. I'm not sure if there are many things there for families or if I'm way off base even suggesting this.

I'm also open to any other ideas as well. I'm getting desparate because for some reason everyone wants me to just pick some place and then guess who gets blamed when everyone doesn't like it??

We did Disney last year knowing that this year was with them and it would not go over at all. My MIL is wantning to go back to Mount Rushmore and the kids are begging not to. They think once in a chlidhood is enough.

Anyway - any help or advice would be great!!

How about a cruise?? It lends itself well to doing things together AND having some time away from each other. There seems to be something for everyone to love. The kids will like all the activities, the in-laws can see the sights when you go ashore, there is plenty of booze if everyone starts to bicker Once you get on the ship, you have options of how much $$ to spend or not so if everyone budget differs, it's manageable without people getting mad about how much dinner will cost tonight, etc.

 

[pigletgirl]

You've said you've done Colorado, but there is so much there! Have you done Rocky Mountain National Park?

I guess you could always drive north and do the great lakes region.

 

[Wishing on a star]

My son loved our trip to Sedona-Grand Canyon.
We found kid friendly things to do!
Seems like you have been to similar places, though.

I think that the problem is if you spend the WHOLE time together on the road.

If your inlaws expect you to spend every minute of the time with them, doing only what they want to do driving/looking...

It is not where you go, it is how it is handled.

 

[eduk8r26]

Utah--there are lots of national parks that are beautiful. One week we did Bryce Canyon and Zion and the next year we did Arches and Canyonlands. That one was really nice because depending on when you go you can do river tours, backcountry tours, hiking, biking. You make your base in Moab and everything else is close by.

 

[TinkTock]

What about Chicago? There are loads of things to do there for every age group.

 

[mjkacmom]

How about a cruise?? It lends itself well to doing things together AND having some time away from each other. There seems to be something for everyone to love. The kids will like all the activities, the in-laws can see the sights when you go ashore, there is plenty of booze if everyone starts to bicker Once you get on the ship, you have options of how much $$ to spend or not so if everyone budget differs, it's manageable without people getting mad about how much dinner will cost tonight, etc.

A cruise is a perfect option - something for everyone! Find one with a lot of great ports. We've cruised twice with my parents, and it's been a win-win vacation.

 

[BeenHereB4]

Sights: New Mexico (my fav place in the world), Grand Canyon, Outer Banks, travel up or down the California coast

Action: NYC, Chicago (went alone with my kids in November and had a blast), New Orleans, California coast would fit here too

I love Tripadvisor.com for planning so maybe narrow down to a few choices and then head over there to check out the photos, travel ideas and forums.

 

[kellyg403]

I was going to suggest NYC as well. There is so much to do there! Especially since DC is out for now.

How many days are you having to fill with such a diversified crowd?

Kelly

 

[HM]

The Homestead resort in Virginia. Lots of activities, a new themed pool area going in this spring, golf, hikes, horseback, history tours, spring fed spas, great food and a historical hotel.

Asheville and Biltmore House area of NC.

 

[stsomewhere]

I agree with a cruise. It is a great way to travel with family.As much together time or separate time as needed.

 

[SC Minnie]

Your Hilton Head suggestion is good. We go down there 2-3 times a year. It's not flashy and trashy like Myrtle Beach. Some people love MB but its not for me anymore. Anyway, several years ago my mom and her husband came down with us. They aren't beach people either. They did some day trips into Beaufort, Savannah, and Charleston while the kids played on the beach.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

You've said you've done Colorado, but there is so much there! Have you done Rocky Mountain National Park?

I guess you could always drive north and do the great lakes region.

I too was going to suggest a repeat to CO. OP, don't know what part of CO you went to last time, but I'm in the early stages of planning our first family trip to CO (I've been many times w/o the kids) from just West of STL.
The plan is to head SW on I44, stop at the zoo in Springfield, continue on 44 to OKC, then 40 West. Palo Duro Canyon South of Amarillo, on to Albuquerque, then up into Durango. From there we'll ride the steam train from Durango to Silverton (or vice versa), head up towards Montrose to check out Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and eventually make our way to CO Springs (Pike's Peak, Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods). Then, we turn towards home on US 50, spend a day in Dodge City, zip up to I70, stop at Schlitterbahn in KC, and head for home.

Now, having said all that, there's obviously a lot of driving around & sight seeing in that plan, which is what you've said you don't want. But, in researching this trip, I've found a TON of things to do in the immediate Silverton/Durango area that do not require a lot of car time. Perhaps the In-laws could take the car & go see some of the things I mentioned while the rest of the family takes a raft trip, horseback ride, or goes zip-lining? Maybe you just rent a cabin on a lake & let the kids horse around in the playground (not sure how old your kids are).

A little easier drive might be the Smokey Mountains. Tons of fun/touristy stuff for the kids to do there as well as scenery for the in-laws. edit: looks like you've BTDT.

We liked Wisconsin Dells when we went last Summer as well. It's kind of like Branson of the North although 15 degrees cooler Unfortunately, like Branson not a ton of really spectacular natural scenery, but still plenty of sight-seeing activities (House On The Rock was interesting, as was the visit to the cheese making plant).

 

[clh2]

How about the Grand Canyon/Arizona? That was one of my favorite childhood vacations. Tons of things to see and do there. If you'd like some links/ideas concerning the area, let me know and I'll pm you.

ETA: Vegas is also a day-trip away, if you think that's something your in-laws might enjoy as well.

I was going to suggest the Grand Canyon as well. Hoover Dam is nearby and is a very interesting tour. Not to mention Vegas as well.

Now here's a thought - you said your in-laws don't want to fly. Are they retired? Maybe they could drive...and your family could fly and meet them there?

And - I also agree that Chicago is a fun place with much, much to do. Maybe that is an option as well? Shopping, museums, theater not to mention just plain old-fashioned people watching.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Let me toss out one other idea - what about a stay-cation? Elephant Rocks & Johnson Shut-ins, a float trip on the Current River, and a couple days at Bull Shoals with a rented boat? I know these are all things that by themselves could easily be done in a weekend, but you could easily combine them all into a week-long vacation and I know plenty of people from this area who've done things like that. No, it doesn't sound as "exotic" as travel to other parts of the country since we live right here, but no reason it couldn't be fun