Summer vacation 2011...where or where???

[momx2]

In summer 2011 my family would like to go somewhere in the "continental" US as we have free companion airfare for continental US. Other than WDW or Florida where would you go? We have 2 girls that will be 13 and 10 then. We could stay anywhere from 1-2 weeks. We are going to D.C. in April 2011. I'm looking for ideas. I have thought about Outer Banks, or the coast of California. Where have you guys been that you absolutely love????? Thanks!

 

[Minnie824]

We went to Colorado in the summer a few years back....Beaver Creek. It was great. We did a rafting ride, ice skating, took the ski lift up. There are so many activities to do and the kids loved it.

 

[abdmom]

How about an Alaskan cruise? My kids loved our cruise to Alaska last year. For them, it was much more interesting than the Caribbean cruises we have taken previously.

 

[etoiles]

Some ideas:
- Alaskan cruise - We haven't gone yet but are so excited. We are taking Norwegian Cruise Line leaving from Seattle this August.

- San Diego - Loved the Wild Animal Park, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, whale watching boat ride, scenic drive, etc... It was a wonderful vacation that DH and I still talk about after years.

- Fly to one of the national parks such as Yellowstone or South Dakota Badlands area. we had a good time in South Dakota seeing the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Black Hills, etc....

 

[Magic Mom]

Colorado to this ranch. I haven't been, but it's on my "have to go" list.

http://www.homeranch.com/

 

[momx2]

Wow! That is beautiful! Keep'em coming....

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

What about NYC or the Boston Area?

In Boston, you could do day trips to Cape Cod, Salam Mass, take a road trip up to maybe Wells, Me or Kittery to the outlets. There is so much to see and do in the area I'm sure you could fill a week or two.

In NYC maybe take in some shows on broadway, Times Square, Walk the shopping areas, get up early and watch the Today Show or GMA. Not sure if there is an age limit but maybe see if David Letterman is taping during your trip and go to a taping. Depending how far you want to drive or if you feel up to a train ride you could try and get into Philly as well.

Virginia Beach, Old Williamsburg, Kings Dominions was a fun trip when I was that age we went for 2 weeks! It was a blast!

I'm sure no matter what you choose to do as a family that you will have a blast and make lots of memories. Have fun planning!

 

[perdidobay]

It all depends on what your family likes to do. If you are the cultural vacation type I'd suggest California - esp San Francisco and Napa Valley, etc. Outdoors lovers-the Colorado mountains.

 

[momx2]

It all depends on what your family likes to do. If you are the cultural vacation type I'd suggest California - esp San Francisco and Napa Valley, etc. Outdoors lovers-the Colorado mountains.

Funny you should mention Napa Valley. Both my girls want to go there and up the northern coast of California, but I'm afraid it will bore them. Maybe I should think more about that.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What about NYC or the Boston Area?

In Boston, you could do day trips to Cape Cod, Salam Mass, take a road trip up to maybe Wells, Me or Kittery to the outlets. There is so much to see and do in the area I'm sure you could fill a week or two.

In NYC maybe take in some shows on broadway, Times Square, Walk the shopping areas, get up early and watch the Today Show or GMA. Not sure if there is an age limit but maybe see if David Letterman is taping during your trip and go to a taping. Depending how far you want to drive or if you feel up to a train ride you could try and get into Philly as well.

Virginia Beach, Old Williamsburg, Kings Dominions was a fun trip when I was that age we went for 2 weeks! It was a blast!

I'm sure no matter what you choose to do as a family that you will have a blast and make lots of memories. Have fun planning!

Seconding the NYC (Eastern) trip.

 

[loveadobie]

Este Park Colorado, at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Beautiful

Gatlinburg TN, base of the Smokey Mtns.

Upper Peninsula of Michigan, or Northern Mi.

 

[golfgal]

If you are going to do a 2 week trip I would do a trip up the west coast (get the most bang for your buck out of your tickets ). I would start in San Diego, spend a few days there, hit some spots up the California coast, then head into Oregon and Washington. I would rent a convertible to do that trip too .

 

[cme]

This year we are going to Wrightsville Beach, NC for a week and then to Mackinac Island, MI for the July 4th holiday. Never been to Wrightsville and really looking forward to it but Mackinac Island is a family favorite and we typically go 1-2 times per summer (love the atmosphere, no cars, lots of fudge and many memories). Northern Michigan is really beautiful also (Glen Arbor, Crystal Lake, Traverse City, Leland, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs). Whatever you decide to do ENJOY!

 

[J Le]

Another vote for the national parks. Grand Tetons and Yellowstone; Grand Canyon; Rocky Mountain. I've been to Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yosemite once and I'm taking my whole family back with me in June 2011!

I forgot to mention - www.nps.gov - very useful!

 

[binny]

If you are going to do a 2 week trip I would do a trip up the west coast (get the most bang for your buck out of your tickets ). I would start in San Diego, spend a few days there, hit some spots up the California coast, then head into Oregon and Washington. I would rent a convertible to do that trip too .

Thats funny I was going to say that too! 2 weeks is time to cover a LOT of territory!
Doing the 101 would be a great trip!

This year we driving from Denver to Calgary Alberta for a week then on the way back stopping at Glacier National and Yellowstone for the second week.

 

[binny]

If you want to do Rocky Mountain National Park here are a couple of pictures for you. We were just there Saturday

Keep in mind this was 6-5-10! This is near the summit of the highest paved road in the country. This is a white knuckle drive but really amazing to see!

 

[pigletgirl]

^ That is Trail Ridge Road between Estes Park and Grand Lake! We are usually there in July so its pretty darn neat to see with the snow..

We've done Fall River too and that one is scarier.

Next summer is a family reunion there. We'll also have 1 more family member!

 

[dislaney]

Another vote for California. So much to do and see!

 

[Sorsha]

Florida.
I have vacationed lots of other places, and I have just never found anywhere else I enjoy as much. I would probably do 5 or 6 days in WDW combined with the rest of the time doing "real" Florida; the beach, wildlife preserves, an airboat ride, the Everglades, the Keys, etc.

If not that, then I think my second choice would be a historical tour of the East Coast. I would want to hit all the highlights; Colonial Williamsburg, the Capital, battlefields, museums, etc. This would be a lot of driving though, and I am not sure how it would work with your airline tickets.

 

[momx2]

If you want to do Rocky Mountain National Park here are a couple of pictures for you. We were just there Saturday

Keep in mind this was 6-5-10! This is near the summit of the highest paved road in the country. This is a white knuckle drive but really amazing to see!

Wow!!! That is absolutely beautiful!!!