Where to vacation with kids OTHER than Disney?

[Disney_Queen34]

Next summer we will have a 1.5 year old and a 6 month old and aren't going to do Disney until the following summer (2008). So we'd like to do a family vacation somewhere other than Disney but honestly, we've never been anywhere else! Camping with two kids that young is out of the question so how about some good vacations that aren't too pricey and not necessarily overly kid oriented (since they won't even know really what's going on).

 

[mytwotinks]

Before free dining came around we were planning on going to Colorado this summer. We were going to get a cabin in Colorado Springs at the base of Pikes Peak. There are tons of things to do around there and we found a cabin that had a hot tub on the deck! We were going to stay at the cabin for a week and then spend a few days seeing some sights and then driving home to Kansas.

My Dh really wants to go to Texas and go to Sea World and the Alamo. He has some other stuff that he wants to do to. It would be a driving trip.

I have always wanted to go to Colonial Williamsburg. I think there would be a lot of stuff there that you could just bring the kiddos along for the ride!

 

[rt2dz]

I posted this somewhere else recently too (with a review & ordering link), but can't remember where. Frommer's has a book out called 500 places to take your kids before they grow up. I would assume that would have tons of ideas that would fit your needs and interests.

 

[lovesmurfs]

You're in Wisconsin -- how about the U.P.? We've rented a cabin and stayed in Au Train the last 5 years -- it's about 10 miles west of Munising -- there's an awesome sandy beach on Lake Superior and the Au Train River flows into it -- the river water's warmer and it's very shallow (and CLEAN!). There are boat tours of the Pictured Rocks and it's just a nice time for families. The kids (now 7 and 12) look forward to it every year.

 

[pyrxtc]

well, our next big one is to San Diego to visit the zoo and seaworld. Also can visit the coast. It is kid friendly but I know we will all ahve a lot of fun there. My kids are older than yours but I think you would enjoy it too.

 

[QueenGoblin]

We took DD to the beach when she was 18 months or so and she really seemed to enjoy playing in the sand, watching the water and the birds. They also had those boardwalk places with the silly little rides that are ok for toddlers.

She is older now but we just came back from staying at a lodge at a National Park. We saw quite a few people with little guys in backpacks just enjoying being in the outdoors.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ever been to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? There is lots to do, and it is so beautiful. Plus, for me being in the mountains is so relaxing. No one is in a hurry, all the servers call me "Hon" for some reason, and I looove the sweet tea!

 

[Lisa_Belle]

My Dh really wants to go to Texas and go to Sea World and the Alamo. He has some other stuff that he wants to do to. It would be a driving trip.

I'm thinking about doing this next summer. If you go this route, there is a great waterpark near San Antonio called Shlitterbahn. You can also take a drive to the Gulf Coast and spend a few days at Padre Island.

 

[Lora]

We were in Boston when our kids were young. They have a great Children's Museum (among LOTS of other things). Many large cities have children's museums and aquariums for kids. I would avoid most of the larger amusement parks since there's just so little for the little ones to do most of the time...kind of why Disney started Disneyland.

We used to visit the Bronx Zoo when our kids were little, too. They especially liked the areas like the butterfly zones. There's a great Butterfly place in south FL...I don't remember the name of it or the exact location.
I've never been, but when my kids were little, I always thought it would be fun to go to Seseme Place in PA (not sure if that's the only one).

We also did a lot of visiting to relatives. I know many people don't consider that vacation, but it was important for us since our relatives were always some distance from us. We probably started camping with ours when they were about 2 and 4 - usually for no more than 2 nights. Now they're almost 9 and 11 and this summer we went to three Nat'l Parks for hiking and viewing (Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon).

 

[kimmikayb]

You have a great place to vacation right in Wisconsin.....Door County! We loved it there. Lots of peaceful places you can stroll with the kids.

If you want to go further...Tennessee is beautiful or one of my favorite places Myrtle Beach, SC. Just play with the kids in the sand. If the crowds bother you, head further north and go to Topsail, NC. Great beaches.

St. Louis is also close. Great zoo, the arch and even 6 Flaggs.

Plus there is Mt. Rushmore in South Dakato....Yellowstone....Colorado. Lots of great places.

 

[newtowdw1]

We are going to Williamsburg this year. The Historic Triangle will be fascinating for all of us. Two hours to Monticello, about an hour to Virginia Beach, 3 hours to Washington, DC. I'm so excited I'm almost at a Disney-level planning state! Plus it's Jamestown's anniversary. Should be pretty neat!

 

[robinb]

If you're not going to Disney, then I would go somewhere close.

What about the Dells in late August/early September? The rates are cheap after the kids go back to school and you can choose a resort with a great kiddie area. Minneapolis or Chicago would be interesting. Again, the "shoulder season" is the cheapest time to go. Lot of things for adults to do and the babies won't mind being wheeled around a museum, etc. I don't know if I would do Door County. Your kids are too young to camp and B&B's may not be the best for two possibly cranky babies.

I also have a really CRAZY suggestion. What about Europe? Your kids can travel by air as lap babies for ultra-cheap (taxes only) and we had a great time overseas with our DD. By the time she was 3 she had already visited London, New York, Chicago, Paris and Japan. I think London was our favorite with a baby. We went in February when the airfares were really cheap. It was rainy in the 50's, but we were from Wisconsin it was *warm* and there were NO LINES for anything.

 

[ilovejack02]

Chattanooga, Tn is AWESOME for families! We go every other year, also Gatlinburg is good for families too.

 

[LoveMyDisneyCats]

What? People vacation at places other than Disney???? Don't tell my DDs

 

[chrisn]

By FAR the most spectacular trip we've ever done. One of the United States Virgin Islands. Very tiny, very uncommercialized, very very beautiful! Some of the worlds most beautiful beaches reside on this spot of an island 4x9 miles. Rent a private villa (owners vacation home) and a Jeep Liberty. Stay for a week and immerse yourself in a paradise that still overwhelms me (planning for our third visit). Lots of families travel there. Saw lots of children, kids and babies. Secluded coves, beaches. Almost every restaurant is open air with a view to kill for. You'll share the roads, beaches and trails with wild donkeys, cows, mongoose, pigs, goats. Breathtaking beauty unbound. My favorite place in all the world and this is coming from a girl who grew up with Mickey. WDW is my second favorite place behind St. John. Amazing and unreal. Quaint and unobtrusive. I'm wishing my life away until the day I can return again. Man, I could go on and on and on...

 

[laceemouse]

Some places we have enjoyed:
Branson, Mo
St. Louis
Chicago
The Smoky Mountains
San Antonio
Wisconsin Dells
Hershey, PA
Philly
Williamsburg
And next week we will be in Hot Springs, Arkansas for the first time!!
I know your kids are really young, but as they grow older PLEASE take them someplace else besides WDW!! I feel sorry for kids that never go anywhere else, we have a long list of great places in the US that we want our kids to experience. We will be going to New Mexico and Arizona/The Grand Canyon next summer !!

 

[utahkennedys]

How about renting a cottage on Cape Cod? We grew up having a summer cottage there and just loved it. Ours was in Dennisport and for some reason the way the gulf stream comes up the water is warm there in August...so fun to relax in a little cottage, play at the beach, ride bikes, walk and get an ice cream, etc. Kind of like going back in time. My Dad grew up doing that, then me, and now we are planning a trip with dd4 and dd6 months for next year.

 

[kaysmommie]

By FAR the most spectacular trip we've ever done. One of the United States Virgin Islands. Very tiny, very uncommercialized, very very beautiful! Some of the worlds most beautiful beaches reside on this spot of an island 4x9 miles. Rent a private villa (owners vacation home) and a Jeep Liberty. Stay for a week and immerse yourself in a paradise that still overwhelms me (planning for our third visit). Lots of families travel there. Saw lots of children, kids and babies. Secluded coves, beaches. Almost every restaurant is open air with a view to kill for. You'll share the roads, beaches and trails with wild donkeys, cows, mongoose, pigs, goats. Breathtaking beauty unbound. My favorite place in all the world and this is coming from a girl who grew up with Mickey. WDW is my second favorite place behind St. John. Amazing and unreal. Quaint and unobtrusive. I'm wishing my life away until the day I can return again. Man, I could go on and on and on...

i also Love St. John! It is just beautiful. We usually stay at the Westin hotel there. The beaches are like no other island, especially Trunk Bay. Looks like it does in pictures but even better. You would have to fly to St. thomas though and then take a ferry to St. John. The Westin has a private boat at least which makes it easier with small children. I want to go back when my kids get a bit older though. My DS is 2 and high maintenance so maybe when he's 4.
Also another great vacation would be Beaches resort in Turks & Caicos or Jamaica. They are awesome too! Alot of stuff for kids and they have the Sesame Street characters too. The beaches are really nice here too. It is so relaxing. We might do this for our next vacation after Disney.

 

[flortlebap]

Blasphemer!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[golden1]

For kids that young, I would think about just renting a condo on the beach or by a lake. Up here in MA, there are lots of options like Cape COd or the White Mountains in NH.