OT: Where to travel with young kids?

[TikiGoddess2006]

I would really like to take a trip with my DH and kids... besides WDW. I have two free tickets on Delta to fly anywhere in the 48 states, and I was thinking tonight: where to go?

We need a place that will keep a 4 yr old, a 2 yr old, and two adults happy. We like to do just about everything. We don't ski (or golf). Trip could be taken either in Feb (President's day week), April (3rd week), or summertime.

Any suggestions?
TikiG

 

[minniebeth]

DISNEY CRUISE!!!!!!! The best part of it is that the kids, even that young, have a blast and you get to have adult time too.
We also love Hilton Head, SC for that time of year for the weather, beach and pools (more April).

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I see you're in Connecticut, so I'm going to suggest that you take advantage of the free tickets and go as far as you can get!

The Rocky Mountains are beautiful in the summer. Colorado, Wyoming, Montana -- any of those would be a great family vacation with young children. We went to the Winter Park area this summer and had so much fun -- hiking, picnicking, river "float" trip (they have ones that are calm enough for toddlers) horseback riding, etc . . . It was a great trip. This morning my 7 year old told me had a great dream -- They moved WDW and the Swan (his favorite hotel) to Colorado so he could ride Rock n Roller Coaster in the morning and go horseback riding before dinner.

 

[wrldpossibility]

Since you're in CT, I'd go to the West (just for something different). We're from the West, and I recommend a ski resort in the summer. Many great resorts here have tons to do in the summer (since you don't ski). Fly to Reno, NV, and spend a week at a Tahoe ski resort. They all have horseback riding, bike riding, hiking, swimming, fishing, etc. You can ride the lifts to the top of the peaks. Squaw Valley and North Star are two wonderful resorts. Squaw even has an ice skating rink and swimming pool at the top of the resort.

I was going to suggest renting a rustic cabin somewhere, or a lake resort, but maybe one of these ski resorts will suit your kids' ages better. They are usually all condo or suite accommodations, and very luxurious.

If you don't want to fly that far, Park City UT has the same set up. Fly into Salt Lake and enjoy the summer activities in Park City.

Or we have wonderful lodges out west...think Wilderness Lodge.

Have fun planning!!

 

[Harvest02]

If you like the beach, I can tell you of a FABULOUS place to go!!! If Delta flies to Pensacola, FL, rent a car and drive to Gulf Shores Alabama. The beach there is PURE WHITE, and it beautiful(although we have not been there since all the hurricanes came through, but heard it is close to what it was). There is a boat ride that goes to look for dolphins, lots of great seafood, and all kinds of sightseeing things to do. We went there 2 years ago, and my kids loved it(they were 7 and 4 at the time).

 

[mamacatnv]

San Francisco!

Wonderful museums including the Exploratorium, the Childrens Museum in San Jose (1 hr south) the California Academy of Sciences, Aquarium by the Bay (Pier 39) Monterey Bay Aquarium (2.5 hrs South) Santa Cruz and all the beaches between SFO and Monterey. Bay cruises, the redwoods, Alcatraz.....That would be my choice!

 

[emma'smom]

We took dd3 and dd1 here last January. It was great! We did the Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo, and Legoland. You can also do whale watching, go to the beach, and eat Mexican food to you heart's content. We live in Ohio now and we are originally NY'ers- so San Diego was a nice trip "somewhere out there" and the kids handled the flights just fine.

 

[llp479]

LA

You could go to Disneyland, Knot's Berry Farm, the beach, take a day trip down to San Diego for the zoo. We did this last fall and had a blast.

 

[rt2dz]

Frommers has a book called 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up. You might want to peruse that to get some great ideas to fit all your needs, likes & dislikes. It's $13.59 new/ $9.99 used on Amazon