Need a Recommendation for Family Trip

We do this with our family every 3 years. We have people with a variety of interests - outdoor activities, poking around towns, etc. Here's where we've gone the past few times:
1. Adirondak state park (in upstate NY) - stayed at a lodge with family style meals by Blue Mountain Lake. Beautiful. Lots of fun.
2. Cape Cod - rented a house by the beach. Near to bike paths, towns, etc. This was great.
3. Steamboat, CO - this is where we're going this summer. Nearby golf, hiking, fun town etc. Also renting a house/condo. This year we have 2 new kids (will be 14 months and 11 months at the time of the vacation) in the mix.

1 mom found this helpful

Depending on how far you're willing to travel and how long you'll be gone . . . last year we met my family (who live in Alabama) at the Genral Butler State Resort Park in Carrolton, KY. They have "cottages" there with full kitchens, A/C, etc. It was close enough to Lexington to go to the Horse Park and see things there and also close enough to Cincinatti for a day trip to the Cincinatti zoo (rated one of the bed kids' zoos). We were only there for a few days, but it was very relaxing. There's also a lodge with a pool as well as golfing, mini golf, and camping at the State Park.

HTH

1 mom found this helpful

Hi M.,

There is a place in Florida (close to Atlanta) that is a disney resort. I think it starts with a V. I am sorry that I don't have more info, but my friend went there with her family and loved it. San Diego is also a very family oriented city with lots of stuff to do. Did you want to stay midwest or travel? Beeches resorts are also fantastic.

Dominican Republic is beatiful, as well as Jamaica. Both family resorts.

I would highly recommend a cruise for that size group. There is a TON to do for adults AND kids. The price includes food and good deals can easily be found. Good luck!

Hi M.,

Are you looking for somewhere not too far and afordable or is it open? I just came back from Maui and I loved it! There is so much to do on the island including the road to hana, taking a swim in waterfalls, and also hiking Haleakala Crater. We stayed at the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort. The hotel itself has a Luau event several times a week and offers the Wailea day camp from about 9-3 which provides many activities for children while allowing grown ups to do there thing for a few hours. You can scuba, kayak, whale watch, run along the beach or visit the Shops of Wailea, and there is a beautiful golf course right across the street from the hotel. The beach is near the south end of the island. We had a great time and were fortunate to kayak along a school of dolphins which was amazing. The staff were friendly and I also learned to play the ukulele! The best part of the trip was the helicopter ride over the whole island. The view is absolutely breath taking. I hope this helps.

My family (husband and 3 kids) go to Sunset Beach (near Mrytle Beach, South Carolina) with my husband's whole family. If you book before Memorial Day, the beach homes are VERY reasonable. Very cute little beach town (rent bikes, fly kites, etc.). The only problem is getting there. It's hard to get direct flights from Chicago -- there's a few, try United or Delta.

C.

Hi M.,

Funny you should ask this as we just booked and finalized our plans for a family vacation to the Florida keys with 12 people. We have decided to rent a large house on the ocean with a pool in the backyard. We plan to stay there most of the time to spend with family. It's on a large piece of property so if the time comes that we are on top of each other there is plenty of room to roam.
http://www.gulfcoastrentals.com/florida/flakeys/ricketts/... Here's the link for the house we've got booked, but I'm sure that if you do a search for "Florida Keys rental Homes" I bet you can find so many more homes available down there.

This may not be right for you, but I just learned of it through a favorite author who represents them and wanted to share it because my heart goes out to single parents who can't afford a nice vacation. Camp Ojibway in Richmond,Minnesota (Rice Lake) is a very low-cost ($225 Family Maximum) affordable Christian Camping grounds for Single Parent Families. Their website is www.campojibway.com and they are sponsored by www.hope-pc.org

Have an awesome trip, filled with love! L.

M.!! you and your husb should check out this travel group i'm in.... its great for getting ideas for trips and stuff, where to go and where NOT to go! but check it out!
i work for a developer of vacation properties, so i need to keep up on whats hot and whats not, and i was really impressed with this group! (i'm new to the group, last month was my first time but i was really impressed!)
here;s a link if you want to check it out!
http://travel.meetup.com/502/?gj=sj3

sincerely,H.!!!!!

M.,
We have a family get-together every other year and by far the best place we have found is Orlando. We rent a HUGE house (8 bedrooms) that has a heated pool and jacuzzi, a pool table, air hockey table, full entertainment system and Disney is only 3 miles away. We have children of all ages and this is the best way to cover everyone's needs. It also works out to be less expensive since you have a gigantic kitchen and can cut down on food costs. The place we go to in renting these big houses is www.blueribbonvillas.com You can view all the different houses they have available as well as their rates (they vary based on the time of year you go). Their management staff is amazing and they took great care of us.

Good luck!
C. Barduson
http://www.workathomeunited.com/C.

I don't know if anyone's mentioned Marco Island, FL to you, but it is one of our FAVORITE spots in the world. I know they have a location that is kind of a time share complex, but I think anyone can rent the units. It is very relaxed, kid friendly with (our little ones love the pools, beaches (we go shelling), walks). And I can guarantee you'll find golf!! It is truly one of the most beautiful locations in Florida I've been to. And it's far enough south that you'll get warm weather for the most part...year round.

Hope this helps!

M.

Hey M.! For my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, they treated all 30 of us (yes, all 30!!) to the Atlantis in the Bahamas for 10 days! It was fabulous. We had people of all ages (my son celebrated his 1st birthday there!)There is a ton of stuff to do, ton of different places to eat. You definately won't be disappointed!!

S.