What is your favorite US "non-Disney" resort type vacation spot???

[KCmike]

Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego.
It's the oldest wooden structure hotel west of the Mississippi. It's right on the beach and its awesome. All the presidents have stayed there, many foreign famous people, Marilyn Monroe filmed Some Like it Hot, and so much more. The weather is always amazing. The beach is rated the best family beach in Southern California. It looks like the Grand Floridian and that is where the GF got its inspiration. So much to see and do in San Diego if you wanted or you can just relax on the Coronado Island. Everything is within walking distance on the island. I can't say enough good things. It is very expensive but you can always find deals. Take a look at my trip report below if you want to see more pics.

Hotel Del Coronado pool views by KC MikeD, on Flickr
The ocean is just to the left of the pool and the main building to the right. This was our view each day.

Here is the official website:
http://www.hoteldel.com/

Also if you want Disneyland is only 90 minutes away!

 

[SamSam]

We loved Yellowstone as a family vacation...plenty to fill a week.
We also liked the Grand Canyon, rented a lodge and did day hikes.
As an extended famiy trip, we did a dude ranch...more than once because we all had such a great time.

 

[Nina1]

In no particular order..the Grand Canyon (have to see it to believe it); Charleston. SC and the surrounding beaches - Kiawah Island is our favorite; St. Augustine, FL; Rocky Mountains; just about anywhere in Southern California; Siesta Key, FL.

 

[momof1princess]

we went to hilton head island in 2010, and it was wonderful. it was also a short drive to savannah, ga, and charleston, sc, so we visited both places. i highly recommend it.

we went to gatlinburg in april of 2008, and it was gorgeous, cabin was nice and reasonably priced, but the attraction prices were outrageous.

 

[DebMcDonald]

My family loves Myrtle Beach, but we tend to go in the off season, I'm not sure if I would love it as much if I went in the height of the season. It's just so relaxing for us.

 

[Maleficent53]

We loved Yellowstone as a family vacation...plenty to fill a week.
We also liked the Grand Canyon, rented a lodge and did day hikes.
As an extended famiy trip, we did a dude ranch...more than once because we all had such a great time.

Gotta agree here....
We have done both Yellowstone and Grand Canyon as family trips and they are some of the most memorable times we have had! We spent a week at Yellowstone with adults and kids and no one was ever bored! We stayed in National Park hotels/cabins right in the park.

At Grand Canyon, if you want relaxing, avoid the south rim with is very hot and touristy. Instead look into the North rim - there are national park motels with basic rooms -- it is higher elevation, pine forests and cooler weather. It closes in winter due to snow. Mule rides into the canyon and tons of hiking trails. One of the best weeks I have ever spent.

 

[denene914]

I agree with the person who said Gatlinburg! So much to see and do there. Dollywood, Smoky Mts, etc. We rent a cabin, and by cabin, I mean nicer than my house. We had 5 bedrooms, a game room, jacuzzi, 3 decks to sit on that overlooked the mountains. Best vacation other than Disney!

 

[SamSam]

Gotta agree here....
We have done both Yellowstone and Grand Canyon as family trips and they are some of the most memorable times we have had! We spent a week at Yellowstone with adults and kids and no one was ever bored! We stayed in National Park hotels/cabins right in the park.

We also stayed right in the park - loved it! Pretty rustic but so fun. If anyone does want to do this, it is important to try and book a year in advance (at least it used to be) as they get booked up pretty quickly.

 

[ratherbeindisney]

My family loves Myrtle Beach, but we tend to go in the off season, I'm not sure if I would love it as much if I went in the height of the season. It's just so relaxing for us.

Can you give me any details about Myrtle Beach? We are considering it this spring break. I have girls 10 and 16. Is there shopping around, activities or just the beach? Someone said something about a place called the Strand, although not sure what that is. Any info you can give me would be appreciated.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Hawaii - Oahu/Waikiki if you like the hustle and bustle along with the beach; Big Island if you want to see a volcano; Molokai if you want something out of the way and unique. Maui & Kauai are also nice for a resort stay.

San Diego/Disneyland - We really enjoyed our San Diego vacation where we stayed for a few days then we drove up to Disneyland, stopping along the way on the beach and such. It was really nice!

Alaska - We enjoyed Alaska, but this is not a 'resort' vacation. It is a bit of work We did drive from Anchorage to Denali and stayed in a cabin there for a few days. Denali was more resort like and had a lot of outdoor activities. We also drove south and did a glacier cruise. Definitely go in the summer although be prepared for all that daylight! And I'm glad we went and possibly I'll go back again when the kids are older but this is not someplace I would personally choose for my yearly vacation.

Colorado - Well, sorry but I can't say that we've did a resort vacation here because we live here but the mountains are so awesome!!! Winter or Summer - fabulous!

 

[taylor3297]

Can you give me any details about Myrtle Beach? We are considering it this spring break. I have girls 10 and 16. Is there shopping around, activities or just the beach? Someone said something about a place called the Strand, although not sure what that is. Any info you can give me would be appreciated.

The is lots of shopping in Myrtle Beach. Broadway on the Beach is probably the largest (it isn't right on the beach though) and it also has other things to do there besides shopping.

The Strand is the main road that runs along the beach. There used to be a quaint amusement park in the center but that was torn down to build condos. There still is a small amusement park further down. There still are shops, restaurants and arcades on the Strand.

If you go to N. Myrtle Beach there is an outlet mall.

 

[brekin67]

We loved Windswept at North Captiva Islands, off coast of Florida.

http://windsweptnorthcaptiva.com/

 

[com_op_2000]

Resort - Gaylord Palms Orlando
Park - BG Tampa
Ocean Resort - Any place along the St Pete coast line

 

[taymorel]

We love Las Vegas. Surprisingly there are lots of kid friendly things to do and my 7 year old son loves it. They have amazing hotels and always have deals.

 

[teedisney]

Myrtle beach has lots of shopping. Lots of fun things to do. There are 2 Tanger outlets and 2 malls. Plus broadway at the beach and another area in North Myrtle. Myrtle Waves amusement park and NASCAR go carts. Lots of good food as well.

 

[shell8558]

We love San Antonio , Washington DC, and Destin.

 

[heyca]

There is a ton of stuff to do in myrtle beach--we went twice a year every year growing up (ok that may have been a bit much but being the daughter of a golfer...). Tons of miniature golf, different stuff like aquarium, wonder works (science/museum) medieval times dinner show, pirate dinner show (both are really fun). Ripley's museum, skywheel (huge Ferris wheel right on the beach....oh and seriously...TONS of mini golf...always my favorite

 

[mhambrick]

We are thinking of going to Myrtle Beach the end of April, but I'm worried about choosing a place to stay that isn't a dump when we get there. I read a bunch of reviews on tripadvisor but most seem pretty mixed. Any suggestions?

 

[pens4821]

Our favorite vacation spot is the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I don't know if you could consider it a resort though. There isn't all that much to do, but to us that's what makes it a true vacation. Just go and relax. Rainy day? Stay inside and relax or take a drive.

 

[figment3258]

cape cod ma! we live here so we go there whenever possible lots to do and very fun. we love yarmouth and stay at the red jacket resorts