OT: Northeast Vacation

[CJMZ]

Trying to decide where to plan a vacation for a family of 4 - 2 adults, 2 children 17 mo and 6yrs. I have an overall budget of 1600.00.

I would like to try Disney(would raise the budget), but think that with the baby(who is very active) it would not work. She does not like to sit still for long periods of time, so I would prefer to drive rather(And have the option odf stopping) than being on a plane, and would definately need 2 rooms as she is an early sleeper.

So now trying to decide on a location in the northeast (we live in CT). All of the all-inclusives locally are rather steep.

Since lodging for the APril 17-23 week is non-existent, would like to try for June 19th.

Any ideas or suggestions.

 

[RobinMarie]

We spent a week in the White Mountains of New Hampshire one year and had a good time. My daughter was 4 years old and loved Storyland. We drove up Mt. Washington, went to Santaville (I think that's the name) and other area attractions. Storyland has a deal where you go after 3pm one day and the next day is free.

I rented a small cabin for 400/week which I found through vbro.com. I think you could manage 1600 dollars in that area.

Good luck!

 

[newholidayx2]

DS & I are going to the White Mtns 5nights/6days over the July 4th holiday.

 

[swillis]

The White Mountains are a great idea. Growing up that was my family's vacation each summer. I took my daughter when she was about 18 months. Storyland is great for the little ones. There is a hotel located right next door to Storyland that is very budget friendly, and it's in a centrally located spot to all the other attractions in that area. I can't remember the name of the hotel, but it's the only one located in that same town as Storyland.

Other things to see/do in the area is Six Gun City, (old western town replica, cowboys, lazer tag) Santas Village, (small amusement park, petting zoo) Clark's Trading Post (Live bear shows, train rides) The Flume (river canyon) not too far away is WaterCountry, this is a fairly big water park.

New Hampshire has a great website for tourists. Just check out the white mountains area. Good Luck!

 

[disneysteve]

Niagara Falls - Plenty to do for all ages at and around the falls.

 

[pyrxtc]

I would suggest York or Saco, Maine. Small towns with lots of fun! Old Orchard beach is a lot of fun and a great beach. The sand is so soft, different from what we have in CT and MA, or even NH.

Another nice place, http://www.thebalsams.com/

or you could be up next to me, http://twinlakevillage.com/html/all_inclusive_family_resort_.html

and one more, http://www.visitingnewengland.com/northeastharbor.html

 

[pyrxtc]

oh yeah, one more place.....

http://www.lakegeorge.com/LG_Activties.cfm

haven't been there yet but hear it's awesome! there is even a great escapes amusement park 9not disney but fun) and lots of other stuff to do.

 

[mouseplanner]

Try Willow Valley Resort in PA Dutch Country (http://www.willowvalley.com). The resort is nice, kids playground, duck pond, two indoor pools, one outdoor, an indoor pool playground with sprinklers, slides, etc. There's a working farm on site that you can tour and plenty to do in the area. If your kids are into Thomas the Tank Engine, he also makes a visit to the area twice a year (thomasthetankengine.com). They have a dining plan and an awesome bakery on site. Under an hour to Hershey Park. Great for kids - we enjoyed it last June. Oh and forgot to mention that it's about 10 minutes to Dutch Wonderland amusement park which my kids - 3&5 at the time- loved! Good luck.

 

[tiff211]

Another vote for NH! We went for a weekend last summer and DD's 4 and 2 at the time LOVED it. I think even more than WDW!!
Actually DD3 says Disneyworldstoryland, so I guess to her it's all one place. I know there are a lot of things to do like Santa's Village but we didn't go anywhere but storyland.

 

[CJMZ]

Thanks... looking into alot of these suggestions.

 

[DMRick]

We're just back from the new indoor Great Escape water park in Lake George. Spent the weekend with our kids and their kids, in a suite that slept 12 (there were 10 of us). They have some definate growing/new place pains, but we certainly had a great time in spite of them.

oh yeah, one more place.....

http://www.lakegeorge.com/LG_Activties.cfm

haven't been there yet but hear it's awesome! there is even a great escapes amusement park 9not disney but fun) and lots of other stuff to do.

 

[travelin' tigger]

or you could be up next to me, http://twinlakevillage.com/html/all_inclusive_family_resort_.html

My family has been coming here for MANY years and it's a great resort. It's owned by the Kidder family who has run it for 4 generations. It's an old-fashioned family resort with a 9-hole golf course, tennis, playhouse, boating, beach all on Little Lake Sunapee. Three meals a day in the dining room - nothing "gourmet" but more like great home cooking.

Feel free to PM me for any more info!!!

 

[SalandJeff]

What is Storyland like? We are doing WDW in May, but maybe would do a long weekend in NH with our 2 yo.

 

[horsegirl]

What is Storyland like? We are doing WDW in May, but maybe would do a long weekend in NH with our 2 yo.

Storyland is an adorable little mini theme park themed in well, you guessed it, storytales. It is a pretty little park that you can do in a day and has a small coaster, flume, train, and lots of kiddie rides and shows. I havve heard some people complain how hokey it is and compare it negatively to WDW. There is no comparison-this place has been around a long time-50 or so years, and doesn't try to sell itself as a major theme park. Great clean fun and perfect for kids up to age 8-10. We go every summer with our Dks 4, 5,6. Check out Santa's Village while you are up there an hour away or so. It too is adorable and charming.

 

[java]

Growing up I spent tons of summers at The Balsams in NH(white mountain area) so beautiful and tons of fun(mountain climbing, swimming, golf ect..)

The all inclusives we have gone to:
The Tides- in VA on the bay about 1 hour from Colonial Williamsburg. Kind of boring- slow paced vacation.
Woodloch Pines in PA- really fun. They have an indoor and outdoor pool- nice lake- funny shows at night(it is funny to see them try to do "vegas style" with PA $) Miniature golf go carts..gosh so much stuff going on I can't remember it all. This place is VERY popular with the tri state area so it books up early(you can stay in the hotel or rent a home on the lake)
Mohonk Mountain house- a great place but not cheap by a long shot. Such a beautiful location set right in a little area behind a mountain on a beautiful lake. It is where I learned to swim as a child and my kids love the Mountain climbing here and the horseback riding.

Our other favorite vacation spot_if we don't go to Disney this is the next choice(sometimes it even beats out Disney in the kids book!!) is Kiawah Island.(SC) They have a beautiful new hotel- or you can rent villas- or beachfront condos. They have chair setups for you on the beach if you reserve them- so everyday can be a beach day and you don't have to lug anything with you. The best part about this little island is the Family activities. They range from all day during the summer- things like ocean paddling, sea shell collecting, fishing, crabbing, bike tours, tie dye, painting, swimming ect ect... that run on the hour throughout the day out of the nature center. They also have an all day or half day kid camp- do great things. and you are 30 minutes from Charleston- great aquarium, dinners and shopping.

Hmm I live about an hour from Lancaster County and that is also a fun area- but no beach or water to talk about besides pools. Dutch Wonderland is cute and funny in a tacky 50's way but we do go there every year. Hershey Park is really fun. There is the Sturz's pretzel tour and tons of other Amish tours you can go on. That Thomas railroad thing is only 3 weeks a year but normally they still run the train- just without Thomas pulling the engine. Cute.

Oh and we love the Cape. We have stayed at the Chatham Bars Inn(great area and great kids program) I think that was also all inclussive now that I think about it. And we were within an hour of Boston so when it rained we just headed into Boston to hit the Aquarium and have some city fun
Boy I guess we do travel more than I thought we did!