Recommendations for an October vacation

[left210]

Anyone have any recommendations for a vacation in October? We have considered Disney but there are no discounts right now. The one week in October with no free dining is the only week we can go. We are open for just about anything. We have two boys ages 4 and 11. Anyone have any place they absolutely love that would be great to visit in October. We live in the Southern Indiana and can drive or fly. Would probably prefer to drive because of cost but flying is not out of the question either.

 

[HayGan]

It all depends on what you really want to spend. October is actually a great time to head to Florida/Orlando. You can find lots of great places to stay off-site that would be far cheaper than Disney. It is usually still nice enough for us Northerners to go to the Florida beaches as well. The Northeast is great for the changing leaves and there are lots of different places you can visit. We love to go to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH in the fall. Sandusky is also home to Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge - 2 great indoor waterpark resorts. The mountains of Tennessee would also be a great place to visit in October. The Great Smokey Mountains are gorgeous in the fall and there are lots of things to do around there.

My suggestion would be is come up with a budget and a good idea of what you want o do with your vacation time (amusement parks, relaxing, hiking, etc.) and then begin to narrow down your choices form there.

 

[left210]

We love going to Gatlinburg but really consider that more like a long weekend type vacation vs. a whole week. So we are looking at something a little longer. Our budget would probably be around $3K. Thinking of a combo type vacation like beach, kid stuff, amusement park, etc. Does not have to be all of those but ideally a combination of relaxing beach but that has things to do for the kids too.

 

[C_leen]

Hi,

Last Oct took DS and my parents to Panama City Beach, FL. We stayed at Reflections, a condo complex next to Wyndham Bay Point (used to be a Marriott) which I selected from the offerings on VRBO. We had a lovely time. The condo complex is very nice with a zero entry pool, exercise room, and spa. You have access to the golf course too and the hotel has a lovely boardwalk with a fun bar at the end. We loaded up the kitchen at the grocery store right by the property. There was a great breakfast joint called Andy's Flour Power, and an awesome NY style homey pizza/pasta spot called Joeys right there too.

I like this location as it is a break from the touristy main drag, but easily accessible still for kids.

DH and I have also done trips in Oct to Upper *****ula of MI for color tour. Might be a poor year for color tours. I am not sure how much drought was in that area.

Hope you have a wonderful time! Planning and anticipation is half the fun!

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

We are in Central Indiana and looking for something to do over Fall Break. Basically, we get a long weekend (Thu-Sun). We aren't doing Disney this year since 1-we went in 2010 & 2011, 2-there aren't any discounts, 3-airfare is ridiculous, and 4-DD (HS sophomore) has some tough classes 1st trimester this year so we didn't want to take her out for extra days (which we do for Disney). We are thinking of doing a long weekend in Chicago.

Have fun planning your October trip....wherever you end up going!

 

[Disflyer]

If flying is an option my vote would be for San Fran. The fall in northern Cali is lovely. Weather is fantastic and crowds are very low. The city is very family friendly.

 

[Sweettears]

Hilton Head Island is nice that time of year.

 

[left210]

For the recommendations of Panana City, San Fran or Hilton Head, is the water warm enough to swim in at that time? Are outdoor pools still open?

 

[Disflyer]

For the recommendations of Panana City, San Fran or Hilton Head, is the water warm enough to swim in at that time? Are outdoor pools still open?

I have never been to Panama City but I have been to many places along the gulf in FL at all times of the year, the only time I wouldn't swim would be in Jan - Feb.

Regarding San Fran, it isn't really a city I would every consider swimming. Most days the temp is in the 70's year round with the winter being rainy and cooler. In Oct I don't think I would consider swimming but there are a lot of beaches you can walk around on. The water in the ocean is very cold year round so it keeps the city nice an cool. Now if you head a bit east to Nappa or the Valley the temps in Oct can still be in the upper 80's.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I like Williamsburg in the fall. Go to Busch Gardens while you're there too. If you haven't been there before, it would be a great time to go. We went last year even though our kids are little and had a great time.
I liked the recommendation for the Smokey Mountains too. Gatlinburg is a fun trip and Dollywood is a nice park to visit too.

 

[rdevine10]

I am going to suggest a cruise. You can get some good deals in the fall, as its more off season. You do run the risk of a hurricane, but you are close to the end of the season. Enjoy!

 

[McKelly]

I second Colonial Williamsburg. It's a beautiful area and there is plenty to do. Check out Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center for hands on things for your two kids. There is a Great Wolf Lodge there if your kids like to swim, and it also has Magiquest.

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

I second Colonial Williamsburg. It's a beautiful area and there is plenty to do. Check out Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center for hands on things for your two kids. There is a Great Wolf Lodge there if your kids like to swim, and it also has Magiquest.

I third Williamsburg! Our best friends live there and we go down to visit a few times a year. There is so much to do for all ages. We had planned another trip down this fall but that changes after we booked our Disney trip.

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

Also forgot to say that in Oct Busch Gardens has a Halloween theme going on. We have never been but have heard it is a lot of fun. Google the Virginia Beach area.

 

[stsomewhere]

I am going to suggest a cruise. You can get some good deals in the fall, as its more off season. You do run the risk of a hurricane, but you are close to the end of the season. Enjoy!

I was going to suggest this, too.

The captain will sail around the hurricane. No need to worry.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I never suggest Panama City Beach, FL to families, it is a more college crowd, even in the fall. I hate that area actually and we stay far away. We prefer Destin, even in Oct. I don't know if the weather is warm enough to swim, as I haven't tried, but we did walk on the beach and there were people swimming.

Savannah and Hilton Head would be a beautiful area in the fall. We were there in January and the day we were there, I walked in the ocean and it was chilly for swimming, but it was warm enough to sit in a beach chair and read a book, but we had an unseasonably warm winter (if you could call it that). BTW, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort is really nice and not expensive in the off season.

 

[okeydokey]

October is amazing in Destin, FL. The water is still warm and the condos are on sale. There are still people around but it is not crazy crowded. FL Panhandle beaches in the Fall are a great destination.

 

[Lucille1963]

There are some amazing deals on Disney Cruises in October. It almost made me wish we didn't already have a trip booked in January!

 

[mrudman]

Anyone have any recommendations for a vacation in October? We have considered Disney but there are no discounts right now. The one week in October with no free dining is the only week we can go. We are open for just about anything. We have two boys ages 4 and 11. Anyone have any place they absolutely love that would be great to visit in October. We live in the Southern Indiana and can drive or fly. Would probably prefer to drive because of cost but flying is not out of the question either.

I'm going to suggest something I've always wanted to do, but can't since DH is a teacher.

My suggestion is a New England cruise out of New York City... perfect time to see the beautiful fall colors. It would take you about 12 hours to drive in, or could fly.

I just did some browsing and quickly priced a trip... for a 7-day Carnival cruise for 4 people, inside stateroom, from October 6-13th, it would cost $2125.64 which includes all taxes and fees. That's would leave you plenty of wiggle room to add on the shore excursions and still stay under your $3k budget.

Ports include Boston, Portland, St. John, NB, and Halifax, NS, all food would be included of course, and your kids could each participate in their own age-group kid's programs.

 

[Kristi1357]

Another vote for a cruise!