Where else do you vacation?

[Twoboysnmygirl]

We went to WDW with my IL's last October and we (my husband & kids) are planning more trips, but FIL was not converted! Ahem...that happens when you spend most of the time back at the house rental and don't even go to the parks!

Anyway, we are looking for a fun family vacation for 9 of us, but having trouble deciding where to go. We went to the beach one year and enjoyed it, but the kids are teens now and I'm not sure it will be fun enough. Our other big obstacle is that my oldest son is afraid to fly, so we have to drive. We live in Missouri, so we are central, but it takes forever to get anywhere.

We were thinking New Orleans, the beach (where?) or mountains? We do NOT like the rustic/country/ranch type thing, my MIL already suggested that. We LIVE in the country, we really don't need more of it!

So where do you suggest? I know, nothing compares to WDW, that's why I have 3 plans in the making, but IL's need something "with less walking" (says FIL).

 

[monkeybug]

Well this probably won't match your criteria, because it would likely require a plane ride, but Smugglers Notch in Vermont is pretty cool. It's in the mountains, has tons of activity's for all ages, and you stay in nice condos. They will send out dvd's for free if you request them.
Our family is renting an RV for a week for our vacation next year. (you would need a big one for 9 people though!!! Maybe 2 smaller ones?) We are excited about it. It's actually pretty pricey, but if you rent during the school year it seems to be a little cheaper. We are going to use it to hit up all of our favorite East coast spots before we (hopefully) get transferred back to the West coast. We are really excited about it.
Lot's of people talk about the Wisconsin Dells. I've never been but it looks pretty nice. I suppose that would require either a very long road trip or a plane too though.
I don't think I'm much help! Sorry!!

 

[monkeybug]

Oh I forgot about Williamsburg Virgina! There is a lot to do in that area. Colonial Williamsburg, Great Wolf lodge, Busch gardens, and Jamestown. It's also not that far from Va. Beach.

 

[eliza61]

We love New Orleans, lots to do for all ages. How about a National park? Yellowstone is great, absolutely awe inspiring plus you can go white water rafting, horseback riding.

Lastly, How about Vegas? Vegas has a ton of stuff now for families. Swimming, sight seeing (hoover dam, etc) and entertainment. We are not gamblers at all and our kids had a blast.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Great ideas, thanks! I forgot about the Dells, I may look into that. We're willing to drive quite a bit and the RV sounds fun too (not sure about packing us all into an RV with MIL and FIL??)

Vegas is my DH's favorite place in the world, but he doesn't want to share it with his parents. He says that's a special place for us.

Has anyone been to Myrtle Beach? What's there to do (other than the beach! LOL)

How about some quiet beaches but within driving distance to some activities? We LOVED LOVED LOVED Galveston beach b/c it was quiet but still had some attractions.

We homeschool, so going off season is paramount. No need to brave the summer crowds when we can go whenever we want!

 

[tinx35124]

Since ya'll have driven to WDW, why not a cruise out of Port Canaveral only about 40 extra min. drive.

So much for teens to do. Actually a lot for every age. We took MIL, mom, 16 yr old son and 11 yr old son 2 years ago and everyone wants to go back with us.

We took a cheap Carnival out of New Orleans that time. And My husband and I have cruised out of Ft Lauderdale (Royal Caribbean NICE), Miami, Mobile and have had great times on all.

 

[CoffeeCup]

Myrtle Beach is a beach area with some great restaurants, several good family oriented shows, and a lot of outlet shopping. Teens love it there in summer, but it is very crowded and hot. Off-season it is quieter with a lot of retired people and golfers. If you want a quiet beach, consider the Outer Banks of NC. The beaches are very nice, and there are so many things to do....lighthouse, the Wright Brothers Museum of the first flight, Jockey's Ridge (a gigantic sand dune you can climb to see gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, as well as a popular place to fly kites), a professional outdoor drama
about the first settlement in the New World, wild horses that are descendants of horses that were brought on early trips to the New World and survived shipwrecks, a replica of one of the original ships from England and a colonial village showing how early settlers lived in the area, the quaint island of Ocracoke at the end of the Outer Banks, etc.
Another idea is Hilton Head, on the South Carolina coast. Disney Hilton Head has great activities for kids and adults, and it is a very scenic area. It isn't on the beach, but there is a shuttle to take you to the beach with a private beach house, or you can rent bikes. It's a beautiful area with live oak trees, Spanish moss, birds, fishing, etc.

 

[monkeybug]

I think there are some quiet areas of Virgina beach, and there are certainly activity's with in driving range of that. We visited a part of the beach that was on a military base and that was VERY quiet, but my friend who lives there told me they have found a nice quiet beach to that is not part of the military base. Colonial Williamsburg, great wolf, busch gardens, and jamestown are about an hour from Va. beach.
There is also Ocean City Maryland, and you could drive to the DC area from there (it would be a few hours though, maybe more with traffic).
Myrtle beach isn't my favorite, but really neither are the other two I mentioned. I'm used to West Coast beaches, especially the ones on the Northern coast. They are a lot less commercial. For the most part there is no boardwalk type attractions, just the natural beauty of the ocean, tide pools for exploring, and little local restaurants and shops. Not everyone's cup of tea, but we've found we prefer that to the mini golf, gift shops, and little carnival type areas that we've found on most of the East Coast beaches we've visited. Myrtle beach just felt tacky to me, but I think it's because it's not what I'm used to. Lot's of people love it!
I have also read about the beach with the wild pony's (assoteaque?) but we haven't been yet. Sounds nice though.

 

[Happy Mom2]

Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, AL are wonderful. We go to Orange Beach every year, and just got back last Saturday. There is so much more to do than just the beach. It's a great place for families... something for everyone from little kids to grandparents. There is a great outlet mall about 30 minutes away in Foley, a putt putt/race track about 20 minutes away, deep sea fishing, dolphin cruises, wave runners, parasailing, etc. There are other things in the Mobile area that would be about a 90 minute drive.

We stay in Orange Beach. It's a little less crowded, and just a few more minutes down the beach blvd. Either is great.

If you are interested, PM me and I'll send you a link to where we stay. I'm not sure how the oil spill with affect things. Destin, FL is another great area, but it's been years since I went there.

My only other ideas would be... a big city with lots to do... Dallas, Austin, etc.

I'm an hour from New Orleans so if you want more info on it, just let me know.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

We like going to the Hampton Inn in Carolla, NC (Outer Banks). We do that every few years.

We also like going to most traditional vacation spots. We are going to Washington, DC this year as well as OBX and Disney (since we are driving down and back, they are all on the way).

We are planning a trip to California next year, and would love to get to Ireland some time.

 

[ebtbmom]

We just took our first trip to NYC and loved it! Tons of stuff for your kids, my son (12) keeps asking when we can go back.

I agree about Myrtle Beach being tacky, very touristy and just overall boring.

 

[ZeroMyHero]

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are great. There are lots of beach houses to rent, from affordable to extravagant. 18 of our family members went in 2008, including small kids, teens, and adults, and everyone had a wonderful time. Your problem will be the driving part - it's far from Missouri (we're in IL). I wanted to mention it, though, because we really enjoyed it and we plan to go back every other year (the years we don't do Disney).

ETA: Have you been to Chicago? That would be a much shorter drive and there is a lot to see and do. Just another idea.

 

[WishMom09]

I second the Orange Beach, Al suggestion! Beautiful!
Also Pensacola Beach, Fl is AWESOME!
WE love the beach....no better vacation to just relax on!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

There is always lots to do in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area. Even over to Cherokee North Carolina.

 

[tricia]

Since ya'll have driven to WDW, why not a cruise out of Port Canaveral only about 40 extra min. drive.

So much for teens to do. Actually a lot for every age. We took MIL, mom, 16 yr old son and 11 yr old son 2 years ago and everyone wants to go back with us.

We took a cheap Carnival out of New Orleans that time. And My husband and I have cruised out of Ft Lauderdale (Royal Caribbean NICE), Miami, Mobile and have had great times on all.

Gotta agree with this. Something for everyone on a cruise, and then all meet up for dinner in the dining room and share the days experiences.

 

[Mom2apirate&princess]

Our other vacation spot is Hawaii.

I would also like to get back to NYC and drive up the coast of California to the Redwoods. I did that as a kid and would like to dh and my kids.