Vacation alternative? Any help or suggestions...

[rascalmom]

for a Disney obsessed mom whose family is ready for something different? We have been to WDW 5 times since Oct. 99. My DD's are 15 & 11 and not really the "great outdoors" types (except for the beach We have done Vegas, DC & Williamsburg & are looking for a new alternative to Disney. We all kind of like to get to one place & stay there for the week - packing & repacking takes some of the vacation out of it for us. Any suggestions for a great vacation spot where there is lots to do/see in one general location. Thanks!

 

[ILUVDXL]

Have you thought of Charelston, S.C.? We went there a couple of years ago and it was grand.

Then again you could always come here for a visit to Boston.

 

[rascalmom]

Boston is an idea - I know there is a lot of history there. Do you know of any great places to stay?

I really don't know anything about Charleston - what did you do & where did you stay?

 

[Minnie824]

I agree Boston area is very nice. Also, what about somewhere in California? There are a lot of options and tons of things to do there.

 

[twoksmom]

Myrtle Beach, SC is great for kids.Lots of things to do for them and great shopping for the grownups.My girls love Myrtle Beach. April

 

[CamColt]

A cruise? Specifically a Disney cruise for the obsessed mom.

 

[rascalmom]

We thought about a cruise, but my girls are very close & actually prefer to do things together - but with their ages, 11 & 15, the cruise lines that I have looked into would have separate activity levels for them. I know we don't have to do the teen/kids programs, but I do think they would enjoy them so we will wait awile to try the cruise thing.

As for California, we thought about that. My husband grew up very near Anaheim & we lived in the Mission Viejo area for a few years when we were first married. We'd probably just end up at Disneyland . Still looking for something different..... Anymore ideas???

 

[ILUVDXL]

Let's start with Charelston first. It's a smallish city packed with history. There have a beautiful Water Front Park, lots of historical homes and plantations. Yoy can take a boat out oin the Harbor a visit Fort Sumter. On the otherside you can take a wate taxi ti Mt. Pleasant. Here you will find an aircraft carrier submarine, coast Guard cutter all available for exploration and there are many museums. We stayed at rge Planter's Inn right in the heart of Charelson, but it is a bit pricey. The food was great everywhere. I'm pretty sure there are beaches you can go to as well. We are looking forward to a return visit soon.

As for Boston, there are tons and tons of things to do here. Hotels can range fron the very expensive to the very reasonable. There are Duck Tours and Trolly tours, Boston Common, Boston Public Gardens with their famous Swan Boats. Harbor tours, The USS Constitution, The Freedom Trail, the Aquarium, many, many mueums, I could go on and on.

I think you would find either city a fun vacation. We've visited most on the major cities up and down the eastern seaboard and Charleston and Washing D.C. are our favorites.

Perhaps if you want to be a bit more adventurous, you might want to visit our neighbors to the North. Montreal and Quebec City are fabulous.

 

[mtemm]

Coastal Maine is gorgeous in the summer...when are you thinking of going?

Southern or Northern California is a great option, too! Lots to do whether you stay in one place or travel around.

 

[Steve H.]

How about Hilton Head? We vacationed there last summer and loved it!

 

[Jomrog]

We rented a house there last summer and had a blast! There is tons to do, amusements, shopping, plenty of restaurants & the beach was beautiful!

Have fun!

 

[Minnie824]

How about a ski resort in Colorado? I know you may think theres nothing to do in summer, but we saw one of the resorts featured on the travel channel, and they had tons of activities just in the summer months.

 

[crazyme5kids]

How about a dude ranch? Our family had a blast when we went ( I was 14), my sister was terrified of horses, but she rode Grandpa everyday and even had fun!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Hawaii is beautiful and I think there are some nice deals right now. Also Cancun is fun. We did an all inclusive in Sept. (Barcalona Maya) It was a great deal with pretty beaches and tours of the ruins. Closer to home, we enjoy the Branson area every year. Silver Dollar City is opening a new park this year and Table Rock lake is great. We just returned from Spring Break at Destin, FL. Fun family place and pretty close to home. Let us know what you decide! Too many choices not enough vacation time!!!!!

 

[luvflorida]

How about a drive through the Florida Keys and a stay at Key West. We took our daughters when they were 11 and 17. The drive was beautiful and Key West has a lot of things for older kids. We rented a condo for a week right off DuVal Street, the main drag, and walked everywhere. Key West is very laid back and has an atmosphere unlike any other place we've been. My youngest daughter fell in love with all the chickens that you see walking all over Key West. We also saw dogs wearing sunglasses, dogs in strollers, and cats lazing around shops and outdoor restaurants. There is Ernest Hemingway's house to visit, the Conch Train tour of the island, Ghost Tours, Mallory Square with its beautiful sunset celebrations, and restaurants and shops galore. One of our days we took a cattamaran boat trip out to another island and spent the day snorkeling on the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. Favorites of my daughters were the henna tatoo stands, hair wrap stands, and tropical skirts and tops in every shop along DuVal street.

New York City is also a place we like to go. See a Broadway show, eat at Planet Hollywood, visit Madame Tussand's, (not sure of the spelling), Wax Museum, take a tour of NBC Studios and Rockefeller Center, and of course, shop!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

From a SC gal of 20 years before getting married and moving....MYRTLE BEACH was the place to be!! It's just absolutely beautiful and so much to do! DH and I live on the beach now in a manner of speaking. We're only about 15 minutes from 2 beaches no matter which way we go, it's quite nice.

I vote for Myrtle Beach also, I think you and the girls will have a blast there!!

 

[torismom]

I would hit the Caribbean and veg on the beach for a week. Check out www.beaches.com. Beaches has a wonderful resort in Negril. Negril is gorgeous. Also, they have a resort in turks and caicos that I have heard good things about.All-Inclusives are a wonderful way to vacation.

 

[Piper]

How about the Smokey Mountains....around Gatlinburg, TN--very nice--lots of day trips and things to see. Just breathtaking scenery and lots of shops, etc.

 

[rascalmom]

I love these ideas! Please give me more specifics on great hotels at some of these places.

I may get several vacations planned from this thread. We are saving Hawaii for our 20th anniversary in 2005 (not sure if the girls get to go yet !)

Thanks for the great ideas!

 

[Kitty 34]

We had the same problem this year. We've been going to WDW every year since '98 and the boys (16 and 14) wanted something different. So we're going out to Vegas to see the sights. It's going to kill me not to go to Disney this summer. I just hope the Hoover Dam will be as exciting!!!