Where Do You Vacation with Little People?

If you dont need a lot of activities to do for your oldest Hilton Head Island, SC is wonderful. They do have things to do but not amusement park type things. I have been going since I was 6, now I take my kids there. We stay in Sea Pines which is the place to go. There is a big playground within the plantation in Harbor Town. There are bike paths everywhere. So if you trust your oldest they can ride all over the place. You also have the beach usually within walking distance. It is a very family friendly place to stay. Also depending on the place you either have a pool at the house or very near your house. I have taken a monitor in past and sat at the pool while my kids have napped. A good website to look at is www.vrbo.com. If you would like more info please feel free to contact me

My family goes to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge in Tennessee every year. We get a cabin at a resort that has an indoor and outdoor pool. The cabins have all the comforts of home, plus the attractions are all close enough to go do one or two things, then come back and rest if needed. There are all sorts of attractions, from all the Ripley's Museums to the Aquarium to Dollywood. There is also the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We like to go there because it is close, it is beautiful, and there is something for every budget.

You could do the zoo or newport aquirmum. If you do newport aquirmum during hoildays there are some stroller rules. I beleive the youngets kid would be free and maybe even the 2 yr old. There are resurants and a small mall there also and a bridge that you can walk accross the river.

Hi M.,

When my brother and I were small, my parents rented a cottage on Catawba Island in Lake Erie (near Sandusky). There is a 3.5 year age difference between us. We loved the beach! The cottage was there for naps and meals, although we could go out to eat also.

Another place we loved was Lake Hope State Park (also in Ohio, it is in Vinton County, SE part of state). It has a beach, hiking trails, fishing, cabins (no radio or TV at that time, not sure about now), a lodge with restaurant, boat rental, picnic areas, mini golf and "caves" a short drive away (some in other state parks)....very laid back and low key. Not sure how that would go with your 14 yo, maybe having a friend along would help. You'd have to judge that for yourself. We went both for vacations of a week's time and also sometimes for weekends--gorgeous in the fall and spring!

Good luck!

K. Z.

We have been coming to Rehoboth Beach, Deleware for years and years... that is where I am now - typing as I watch the ocean and on a balcony next to the pool on the 4th floor in our hotel... there is a mimle long boardwalk that we always rent bicycles for a couple hours one day and ride on. There are shops everywhere... a very small amusement park which is wonderful for all ages. We park the car and walk all week! If you want more info, let me know! It is a very family friendly beach

If you're looking for someplace relatively inexpensive that everyone in the family can enjoy, try Holiday World/Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, IN. Try it for a nice, easy three-day weekend. They have areas for every age in both parks, from babies to grandparents, and there's a good reason HW is consistently voted the nation's friendliest park. Stay next door at Lake Rudolph for ease of eating and naps (take your own food and linens for on-site cabin/RV rental). Consider letting your teen take a friend - they'll have a blast. Not a bad time to check in with Santa, either!
There's nothing wrong with Disney World, and they do have some things for very small children, but it's a terribly expensive trip for something they won't remember. We waited til our youngest was 6 and haven't regretted it. But where do they ask to return year after year? Holiday World/Splashin' Safari. Sooo affordable!
Hope this helps!
S.

IF you can afford it two wrods for you ----Disney Cruise Perfect for EVERYONE

What about the beach? All the kids will have fun, plus there are always sight-seeing things you can go do. If you do head the Florida route, which is what we do most years, you can spend most of your time at the beach (FREE!!!!) with a couple little side trips. Sea World is fantastic for kids of all ages. My two were 2 and almost 4 years old when we took them and they loved it. (We were actually talking about that last night and they still remember some things from Sea World...and they are now 6 and almost 8). And taking the stroller will give the little ones a napping spot if they need it. Plus, there are activities that the 14 year old would like to do, so one of you could take the 14 year old somewhere different while the other rests with the little ones. There are so many options for you!

My family and I have been going to the same place for 30 years (I am only 33 now and have my own place). we take several other vacations during the year but this place is a yearly staple in our lives. Its part of the YMCA and they have activites for the kids/teenagers/adults...its a FAMILY place and LOTS of fun. Here is the website. I am actually going tomorrow for 2 fun filled weeks!! and can not wait!! My parents starting bringing our family when I was 3, (there are 7 of us) and most of us still continue to go with our families. Its a great family place and you will leave more relaxed than EVER in your life!! I dont know where you live but this place is in Northern Wisconsin
http://www.nawakwa.com/

Good luck

We are taking our three year olds to Sesame Place in PA this August. It is geared towards the little ones and we are pretty excited.

What about an all-inclusive resort trip? We go on an all-inclusive Caribbean trip every year. We went to Mayan Riviera in March for 7 days with an 11 month old.. and I have a 15yr old stepson. The 11 month old loved the water, and even the sand. And he took a nap in the shade by the pool/beach. His routine basically stayed the same. And there are lots of activities for older ones too that the resort puts on. Fun for the family. (and the 11 month old cost only $15/day) The food/drinks are all-inclusive with buffets too, so our son had a good choice on what he wanted to eat/and as often as he was hungry. They also have a babysitting service, but we didn't use that.
Have fun!

Hi,
I think that Myrtle Beach is a great place for family vacations. They have so many hotels and condos to rent with all kinds of childrens activities! VRBO.COM is a great place to find travel locations with all your needs from kitchens, washers, dryers hotels ect. I hope this helped you!
:o)
S. J

Im wondering why you think they are too young for disney.
Their schedules.... you mean naptime..and meals. They have food there too. Naps I doubt they will want to sleep much and think how well they will sleep when you get back to the hotel after a day full of fun!

Disney has packages where you go for 3- 7 days just go for 3/4 days instead of full ones. And this is a vacation, its not the schedule they will be keeping the rest of the year and ti wont ruin the child for life to go on vacation and off the routine that gets dull and boring even for kids after awhile.

Go have fun!!!!!

I always took my kids to the Myrtle Beach area. Some of beaches are more family oriented than others. I would definitely suggest that the 14 year old take a friend. If you stay right on the beach in a condo, you can stock the fridge eat some meals in and keep the little ones on their eating and nap schedule and the older ones can entertain themselves on the beach. You pay more for lodging this way, but you save on restaurant costs and entertainment. The beach is free. You can do side trips to historical venues such as plantations near Charleston, or allow them to ride such ocean rides as the Banana boat or Parasailing. There is good shopping at the outlet malls and plenty of theaters with live entertainment. My kids (now in their 20's) still like to go to the beach and will often come down for a few days if I rent a condo on the beach.

We also have done the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area with them since they were little. It costs more because the only free attraction is the Smoky Mountain National Park which is only good really for one day's entertainment unless you are camping. Dollywood is great fun and you can get a 2-day ticket, but it is not cheap and the costs keep mounting the longer you stay inside the park.

I recommend the beach for all families with kids.

I guess the 11 month old might be to young for Disney, but they do have a section for little ones there. Holiday World is designed for little ones in an entire area as well. I guess you have to divide up a little bit so one of you can continue on with the 14 year old while the other two are napping etc. If you have a room with a pool area you can always retire for the nap time thing to the motel/hotel so the younger ones can take a normal nap in the room while the older one swims, etc.

I am a big fan of cruises. They have child care, you need to do very little once you get on the boat, activities to pick everyday, spa, pools, food, etc. If you pick activities and buy drink on the ship - be aware that these can really add up in costs though above what you paid to book the trip, but worth it.

I think cabin rentals as people suggested another great option. Pokonos are also great in PA.

We also recently went to Barbados w/ our 10 mo (8 mo at the time). We packed a big family towel, beach toys, and a baby life vest. He wasn't crazy about the ocean, but loved sitting out on the beach everyday and napping, playing in the sand. And he loved the pool - fresh water pool and they had a small kiddy sized one. (Amenities to keep in mind: kiddy pool & porta crib in romm, refrigerator in room for bottles / baby food)