OT - Vacation ideas for "doers"

[klfrech]

We are stuck as to where to vacation this year. It is myself, hubby and daughter 16. Although we enjoy sightseeing, we like to be "doing" things. Sitting on a beach doesn't cut it for us. We also must vacation in the summer because of school. We are not at all opposed to driving from spot to spot. Anybody have any ideas?

Disney/Universal spoils you because there is so much to do!

 

[Doesney]

We are headed to Belize for the first time in April. Seems like a real "doers" vacation. We are hiking, zip lining, cave tubing, snorkeling and relaxing some too.

 

[Crystal824]

How about a city like New York or L.A.?

 

[esulerzy]

Has lots of "free" museums; the National Zoo, etc.

 

[Shmily1]

We like Myrtle Beach for "doing" when we aren't "doing" Disney. Lots of shopping, putt putt, go carts, water parks, shows, etc to do there!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

We are headed to Belize for the first time in April. Seems like a real "doers" vacation. We are hiking, zip lining, cave tubing, snorkeling and relaxing some too.

Oh, this sounds like it will be an amazing trip! Where are you staying while there? I never thought to go there until I saw that airfare deal on SD. I sure hope you come back and tell us how it goes!

I'm looking for a family honeymoon desitation in May and this sounds like soooo much fun!

 

[Mkaz]

We are headed west next summer. We are planning on taking an RV. We still haven't decided on specific locations, but we have a few in mind. When my husband first mentioned this trip and an RV, all I could think of was the movie with Robin Williams.

 

[CoP Luv]

We visited my dad's client in the mountains of California. Did horseback riding and hiking there. We then drove to Yosemite and hiked around there for awhile. Really beautiful. Then we drove on to San Francisco for a few days - I really loved that city and would love to go back. It then turned into a few college visits for me and we went to Stanford and Santa Clara.

I had never been to that area before and loved it. I went when I was 18, and my sisters were 14 & 20.

 

[missj1975]

Drive to Yellowstone national park and stop by whatever other national parks on are on the way (like mount rushmore, etc.) Yellowstone is a wonderful park and has lots of stuff to do like hiking, explorering, fishing, swiming, etc.

 

[Uuaww]

What is the point of a vacation where you can't just sit on a beach and sleep the entire time.

 

[Talking Hands]

We go to the North Carolina mountains for a week in the summer. Do a combo of going to the Blue Ridge, shopping in Greensboro and Winston, driving up to Virginia, seeing historical sites, etc and just relaxing on the back porch of the cabin and watching the critters like deer and such.

 

[rt2dz]

I can think of nothing worse than sitting around on a beach. About 3 hours is all I can take of that.

Some vacations we have enjoyed, besides Disney, is Mackinaw Island, Hawaii (Volcano tours, hiking, horseback riding, etc), Europe, Washington DC, Colorado (more than skiing, which is just the winter), Chicago, and national parks in northwest. I’m also dying for my youngest (now that he just turned 3) to be fully, 100% reliably potty-trained so we can take a cruise.

 

[hinodis]

Our favorite place is Mackinac Island, MI. You take a ferry over to the island. There are no cars on the island so your only transportation is on foot a bike or a horse and carriage. While it is a very laid back place it offers alot of activities. We spend hours on our bikes, hiking and exploring the island. There is nothing commcercial like waterparks. put put, go carts. It is alot of nature and history. I have 3 kids, 11, 17 and 20 and we have been going for a week or two every summer for the last 11 years. Never has a child said I'm bored or I want to go home. DD11 cries every year when we leave. My kids do things like ride a bike, play frisbee, fly a kite, hike up to arch rock, explore a cave, kyacking, play catch with a football, meet new friends, horseback riding on trails, swim in the lake, .... The stuff kids did before electronic toys! there is a "road" that is 8.3 miles long that goes around the edge of the island. It is great to ack a picnic and take our time stopping along the way. The scenery is absolutley beautifull and there is no place else like it.

Here are a couple of pictures:

 

[dolphindan1]

Drive to Yellowstone national park and stop by whatever other national parks on are on the way (like mount rushmore, etc.) Yellowstone is a wonderful park and has lots of stuff to do like hiking, explorering, fishing, swiming, etc.

This is what I want to do...Or go to Vegas and Grand Canyon....

Miami, the Everglades and key West was a great trip for us a few years ago....We stayed a few days in Miami and then a few days in the Keys...Had a great time

 

[dolphindan1]

We also go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge every year....its a bit like Myrtle Beach in the moutains, lots of shows, shopping, attractions, Dollywood Theme Park, Great food, Plus Smokey Moutain National Park which is free by the way.....its a great time

 

[OceanAnnie]

Our favorite place is Mackinac Island, MI. You take a ferry over to the island. There are no cars on the island so your only transportation is on foot a bike or a horse and carriage. While it is a very laid back place it offers alot of activities. We spend hours on our bikes, hiking and exploring the island. There is nothing commcercial like waterparks. put put, go carts. It is alot of nature and history. I have 3 kids, 11, 17 and 20 and we have been going for a week or two every summer for the last 11 years. Never has a child said I'm bored or I want to go home. DD11 cries every year when we leave. My kids do things like ride a bike, play frisbee, fly a kite, hike up to arch rock, explore a cave, kyacking, play catch with a football, meet new friends, horseback riding on trails, swim in the lake, .... The stuff kids did before electronic toys! there is a "road" that is 8.3 miles long that goes around the edge of the island. It is great to ack a picnic and take our time stopping along the way. The scenery is absolutley beautifull and there is no place else like it.

That looks like a great place to visit! I also like Myrtle Beach as Shmily1 mentioned.

 

[leahjade]

I'm with you - I love to see and do on vacation! I can sit and relax at home for free. We did Sedona and the Grand Canyon last year - lots to see and do for teens. I'm looking for somewhere else at west this year - anyone have any ideas? I don't like to drive all week so anything that is centrally located with lots to do!

 

[worm761]

I guess it would depend on what "things" your family likes to do. My son is very into rocks. He picks them up all the time. We have rocks from Disney, the first day of school rocks. Because of that we have plans to do Cave City, Kentucky, Gem Mountain in North Carolina with a side trip to the zoo there. We are also planning to go to the Diamond Mines in Arkansas. Personally, I am dying to go to Hawaii but I will wait until DS is older.