Somewhere different to go for April vacation?

[katie111]

Looking for suggestions (non-Disney, we just got back) of places to go for April vacation. Flying from the Boston/Providence area. Have 3 kids ages 7, 11, and 12. Would love something adventurous. Have done many all-inclusives and a couple cruises. Thinking maybe somewhere in the southwest part of the country but no idea where to go. Would like somewhere warm but it doesn't have to beach weather. Everyone has a passport and we would like to spend around $6,000. Any ideas?

 

[hsmamato2]

Phoenix Az area? lots of cool stuff to see out there

 

[ProudMommyof2]

We live in RI. Last April vacation we did a road trip to Cooperstown NY for the Baseball Hall of Fame, then to Niagara Falls, then Toronto. Washington DC is awesome. I think it would be a great time to go to the Grand Canyon. If you want to fly somewhere, you may want to consider driving to JFK or another NYC airport for much reduced prices.

 

[LynnTH]

What about a cruise? Your kids are great ages for that. We have been going cruises with my kids since my kids were 6 and 8. They are 13 and 15 now. This is their preferred vacation. They absolutely love cruising.

 

[dpswift]

There is a lot to do in San Diego. There are many things to do there and it is beautiful

 

[SSRFred]

We love visiting the San Francisco area. Hiking in Muir Woods, Alcatraz tour, sightseeing, museums, etc. Several years ago, when we were looking for airfare to go to WDW, it was so expensive we started looking for other options. Flying to San Francisco from the East Coast was cheaper than flying to WDW since it was school holiday time in the NE. It was such a great trip we went back the next year. There are so many options of great things to do there, including adventurous things.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

San Antonio?

 

[smadath]

My 2 cents: Sedona, AZ! I haven't been, but friends have, and they really enjoyed it! Lots of outdoorsy type of stuff: hiking, biking, jeep excursions, swimming, etc.

 

[MommyMK]

Sedona!!

 

[HM]

If you do Sedona, you can easily do day trips to the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Jerome, Waputi national monument, Meteor Crater, several places with indian cliff dwellings, etc.

 

[kathy884]

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico -- so many great activities, real Mexican charm, an incredible historic city, beautiful right on Banderas Bay. What I really enjoy about this place is that lots of Mexicans travel here too, so it has a real international flavor, yet enough Mexican and American tourists to feel very comfortable. The food is incredible with so many great choices. This is a place we therefore never go all inclusive. We're going in March over our son's spring break, and this will be our third trip here. This is on the ocean with beach, great town for just walking around -- and lots of cool tours that you wouldn't have to do, but that could be cool add ons if they fit in the budget: food tours, zip line, dolphin swim, Offroad Adventure into the mountains with nature walk, seeing a remote Mexican Village -- how people really live on about $3 per day per capita - eye opening, and time at a secluded beach, International friendship club home tour, and the list goes on and on.

I also like the Sedona, AZ idea if you like doing some hiking -- It's a beautiful place (real red rock country) -- opportunities for some interesting day trips too -- Indian ruins, Grand Canyon day trip can be done, horseback riding. If it fits in your budget -- the Pink Jeep tour would be fun for some in your party. April is usually a great time of year weather wise for pleasant hiking weather. I'm not really into art galleries or shopping, but my Aunt who doesn't do a lot of hiking just loved these activities and would do this when others went hiking.

In both destinations a condo would be a great option. In our upcoming trip to Puerto Vallarta we're staying at the Raintree Club (two bedroom - three bath condo) that share facilities with the Westin Regina in the Marina area that sleeps six, but that's with a pull out bed. When we go to Sedona we always stay at the Arroyo Roble condos -- a quiet Oasis on the river, walking distance to uptown shops and restaurants.

Our budget on vacations is usually pretty similar to yours (slightly lower as we have fewer people, but would be about the same if we were budgeting for five), and to stay in budget and have a great place to stay, we usually rent condos from timeshare owners rather than paying retail -- saves a lot of money. I usually get my rentals from Redweek.com or TUG2.net classified ads section if I'm staying a whole week as these are typically week long rentals. Just retail, though, raintree club rents high season for $1400 for the week, not bad. Arroyo Roble condos retail through the best western are quite pricey, so if doing retail I'd probably do the hotel instead. Arroyo Roble has usually been a good one for getting an owner rental, though, as owners all have flexible weeks. And if I don't see something on the typical sites, I've called the condo desk and asked if they have names of people to call and have done that. Lots of times though, I've had a big group and needed three units.

Both these destinations are favorites of my family and extended family.

Am guessing you'd be flying.

With five of you you'd have to see what air looks like to Puerto Vallarta.

Air for Sedona would probably be pretty reasonable -- two hour drive from Phoenix -- closest major airport. It's three hours from Las Vega and many fly into there if the savings on air justify the added driving time.

In Puerto Vallarta you would not need a car. In Sedona you would need a car, but FYI - regular car is fine -- no SUV needed.

 

[mikehn]

I second the mexican riviera - cabo san lucas, puerto vallarta, mazatlan, etc

 

[TwoMisfits]

You could do a driveable DC, Williamsburg, VA Beach trip. So much to do and saving the flight costs means you'll have extra money to have fun. You could do the drive to DC in a day, enjoy a day or two of Capital sightseeing, then drive down to Williamsburg and do the historic area or Busch Gardens for a day or two, and the do the 1 hour drive to VA Beach and enjoy that (on the warmest day). You could also do either/or (DC OR Williamsburg/VA Beach - I will say April VA Beach weather is gorgeous)...

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My family & I loved San Francisco but only had 1 full day to visit on our way to Yosemite. We walked along the waterfront & Lombard St., toured Alcatraz, & rode the cable car. I could easily spend a few more days there.

Sedona is still one of our favorites. We did the Pink Jeep tour and took the Grand Canyon Railroad from Williams, AZ to the GC. It was cute but very time consuming for the amount of actual time spent at the GC. I would go by car next time and be able to stay later at GC or if you really want to try the railroad, get a hotel in GC so you don't have to go back same day.
We flew into Vegas so that we could tour Hoover Dam on the way to Sedona. A pp said it's a 3 hr drive from LAS to Sedona. I was thinking it was more like 5 hrs so I checked and Google maps says 4 hrs. 18 mins. We stopped on the way to eat so that's where I was thinking 5 hrs. We stayed 1 night in Vegas because ds, now 14, was only 6 when we went and it was our kids' first flight that was longer than the 2 hrs that they're used to with flying to MCO. I worried that the 5-6 hr flight then a long drive might just be waaay too much sitting still for him. I wouldn't recommend the Vegas stay. I knew it's not exactly a family destination but wasn't prepared for the "business" cards that litter the streets showing topless women offering their services. Also men standing along the curb wearing a t-shirt printed on the front, "We'll get a girl to your room in 20 mins." Our plan was to just "see the strip" fountains at Caesars Palace, etc. We saw a Cirque show but we were so tired by then we all fell asleep. YMMV.

I would definitely recommend Hoover Dam though. We did the engineering tour and found it very interesting.

We had a week in Sedona because at the time we owned a weeks-based TS and could trade. The time flew quickly but 1 week felt like a good amount of time there. We planned some down time to relax by the pool & just walk around shopping uptown. I'm not sure how their weather is in April if pool time is even a consideration.


I think what we loved so much about Sedona is that the beauty is all around you. Behind the Walgreens, on the way to the gas station, everywhere you look. I'm envious of the locals who can see this every day. The GC is not a place you just stumble upon. You have to follow the signs for it, get out of your car, etc. It's hard to explain but both places are definitely something I'd recommend. Very family friendly.

We also enjoyed Niagara Falls (Embassy Suites Fallsview) but it would drop to the 50s at night in late June so I'd check April temps before planning to go there. Williamsburg is great too. We love Busch Gardens but love their water park even more so if given the choice I'd go there in summer. Also it's around 45 min drive to VA Beach so another reason to visit in summer.

jmho. Have fun planning! Enjoy the ages your kids are now. Teen years will come in a blink along with that "know it all" highly-opinionated attitude. Sometimes it puts a strain on travelling.

 

[3boymthr]

At this point I wouldn't book anything if you live in the Boston area. We're within 4 snow days of losing all or part of April vacation and we've only had 5 snow days. Some towns around us are at 8! One of my relatives indicated that two more snow days and her kids will lose April vacation.

 

[petlvr1064]

I lived in Phoenix for 10 years. It would be a great place to go. U could fly in to Phoenix do some stuff there for a couple days then fly to Sadona go to the petrifed forst slide rock the grand canyon.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I had a great vacation in the San Diego area a few years ago. Lots to see and do, and great weather.

 

[luckyman_apd]

St. Maarten. Last Easter we got round trip flights for $400 per person (booked one way flights on different airlines) out of JFK direct. Spend $650 for a 2 br suite for 5 nights at the Royal Palms in Simpson bay and rented a car for about $150 from sidro United. It was awesome and am dying to go back.

 

[katie111]

OP here.

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. Now seriously considering the Sedona, Grand Canyon trip. Also looking at all of your other great suggestions. I find the planning is half the fun, so I'm having a blast with all these ideas! I'll let you know what we decide.

 

[rnorwo1]

I am always planning different trips for "one day," and after reading this thread I also decided, just last week, to go to Sedona and GC! April seems like the best weather to go. The trip advisor forums have been a wealth of information, and there's another one here on the budget board that's been very helpful. All of the main lodges in GCNP are booked, but there are still openings at Yavapai. It is also in the park, but not right at the rim. We are going to spend two, maybe three nights in Page, one night (1 1/2 days) in GCNP, and the rest in Sedona... From there we will also do a day trip to Holbrook/Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. I wanted to go to Zion also, since we will be so close, but I don't want to rush the other stops. Have fun planning!