Where to vacation with almost 8 yr old dd next summer?

[legs22]

I have been thinking about where to vacation next summer. DD will be 8 at the end of July 2005. It would only be the two of us.

Ideas I have:

The last western Caribbean Disney Cruise in May before the ship heads to CA (she would only miss 4 days of school) then stay in timeshare on Sanibel for a week in summer.

NYC

D.C.

Chicago

Dude ranch in CO

Alaskan cruise

Grand Canyon

Maybe she is too young yet to appreciate NYC, D.C., or Chicago or the others?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

The Grand Canyon is neat.

Also, the White Mountains in NH is gorgeous and has a lot for kids.

 

[orvilleair]

Agree with EsmeraldaX on what she said.

Vacation in July 2005, and with you being from South Florida; the mountains would be something different for you and your daughter to experience. If you want something more "touristy" maybe look into Gatlinburg, Tenn.

 

[aprincessmom]

legs...

I took DD (7 at the time) to DC last summer and we had a blast. She loved the museums and architecture as well as the restaurants and shops. We stayed for 6 days and she can't wait to go back again. She keeps hounding me for another trip there.

Maybe she is too young yet to appreciate NYC, D.C., or Chicago or the others?

I've travelled with DD since she was an infant, going far and wide for vacation and sometimes business. What I've found is there is no place we've gone where she's been too young to appreciate the surroundings. Granted we've been going to museums since she was a baby and plays and concerts since she was about 4...she loves that kind of thing. We travel a lot and going to all these places has given her a real sense of adventure and wanderlust which will serve her well as she grows.

We have a long list of places we both want to see and visit and each year we try to knock a few off the list. The problem is we always seem to add more than we take off -- take off 3 add six

Oh well...all your trips sounds great. You'll both have a wonderful time no matter what you choose.

 

[aprincessmom]

double post

 

[MerryPoppins]

I vote for the Disney cruise. They have a great kids program. Your DD would love it and so would you! Lots of together time and some time apart as well. Our kids thought it was wonderful.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I vote for Disney cruise, but my second vote would be a dude ranch in CO. I have had a lot of friends do this and they love it, the best part is riding the horses!!

 

[nemo1987]

unless she really wants to go shopping the i wouldnt take her to chicago because there probably arent things that would interest her as much. we went out west a couple of years ago and i was soooooo bared. there were only a few things i liked and the grand canyon was no one of them. you could ask her what she prefers i guess. i would want to go to nyc first and then the disney cruise. we are going to chicago for my bday next week and i am soo excited!!
**Sarah**

 

[sk!mom]

I will be taking my DD8 to NYC next year. She is so anxious for this trip mostly because she wants to go to the American Girl Place. She will be 9 or close to it when we go. We always have fun no matter where we go.

It is hard to chose for someone else.

 

[legs22]

I was leaning toward the Disney cruise. I had done the eastern when she was 4 and wanted to do the western before she was too much older. I think that is the most relaxing vacation for a single parent because of the childcare. However, I can't justify $3300 for a weeklong Disney cruise in the summer, so that's why I was planning for May instead. But there are those other places I mentioned that I would like to try also. I have been to NYC, Chicago, and D.C. but would love to show my dd. DD has asked to go to NYC ever since I went there on a business trip in Feb. Plus she is getting an American Girl doll for her birthday this month and NYC now has a store.
But it would be nice for me to go to a location that's new to me.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

If you are at all interested in the White Mountains of NH, take a look at this site :

http://www.visitwhitemountains.com/

Tons to do for kids. Aside from the usual hiking, and visiting places like the Lost River and Polar Caves, there are also amusement parks like Storyland, and Santa's Village.

It's really nice place, and can probably be done on a budget.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My DD7 and my DS10 are in Phoenix right now visiting my sister. They begged me to tell her "NOT" to take them to the Grand Canyon. They said they didn't want to see some old rocks. I just think that they are too young to appreciate the beauty of the Grand Canyon.

I would pick the cruise and Sanibel.

Lori

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

How 'bout a trip out West? Why not do San Diego with a side trip to Disneyland? Within about a ninety minute drive (on a good day!) you've got:
San Diego Zoo
Seaworld
Legoland
Wild Animal Park
Disneyland
Knotts Berry Farm
Hollywood
Rodeo Drive
Universal Studios
The list goes on and on....