Family Vacation Ideas?

We just got back from Beavers Bend in Oklahoma and had a blast. I have a 3 year old. We also went to Sea World in March for the 2nd time with him. I love San Antonio, too!

Schlitterbaun the water park is fun.It's in Texas. You can stay on property. They have lot's to do for children and adults.We really like it.
Red River New Mexico is nice too.

Turner Falls in Oklahoma has cabins and tent sites and it's a very nice place to stay for a few days. Lots of space for the kiddo to run around.

If you dig for diamonds, go to Arkansas. It'll keep him busy for hours, but not much else to do around the Diamond mine in Murfeesboro.

http://www.arkansas.com/things-to-do/diamond-hunting/

But Hot Springs isn't that far so you could do a few days there and a night or two in Murfeesboro.

San Marcos is a cheap place to stay and it's just a few minutes from New Braunfels and the Schlitterbahn which is TONS of fun. San Marcos has shopping and cheap places to eat.

Personally, I wouldn't take my kids to New Orleans or Las Vegas. There is too much to keep them away from in both places. Some people would dis-agree but I think they are places for adults.

We had a great time last spring at Guadalupe River Ranch. Stayed in a little cabin. There is horseback riding and carriage rides, roasting marshmellows, and a restaurant onsite. Our cabin was right by the sand volleyball pit (which served as a giant sandbox for our 1 and 3 yr old), swing set (in the shade) and swimming pool. There's a little convenience store that sells ice cream bars. We bought goodies to stock the minifridge for breakfast and snacks and never really needed to leave the ranch, though we did go out one night for dinner. You can rent TV/DVD/VCR and movies from the registration desk.
We took walks down to the river, enjoyed beautiful views and the kids fed graham crackers to the deer. It was a very relaxing time!
http://www.guadaluperiverranch.com/lodging.htm
It wasn't a bad drive -- we took the scenic route down there and stopped often to give the kids a break.

new Orleans has a great zoo and aquarium.
They need the tourism.
K.

We travelled north to Arbuckle and Turner Falls and had a blast. We actually went with another couple that has children the same age and stayed in a rented cabin that was AWESOME! The people who own the cabin work for Arbuckle and they had several different kinds of exotic birds and animals the kids loved to see. There was a private pond for fishing and a grill & hot tub. We had an awesome weekend. Unfortunately the website information is at work but I can get it on Monday if you are interested in more information.

Sea World in san antonio is GREAT for little ones- we've taken our pre-schoolers (and babies) for the past 3 years, and they always have a great time. Stay at the Radisson Hill Country across the highway, they have a great package deal including a huge backpack filled with toys and stuff along with breakfasts and 2 day sea world passes. Check out radisson.com. Have fun!

We are going to try Turner Falls and San Antonio this summer. I've heard great things about both. Maybe someone can suggest a good TX beach?

Good luck and have fun! :)

I love Seaworld in San Antonio!

Yeah I was going to suggest Sea World too. There are a TON of things in San Antonio that are fun family things to do. Sea worls has a splash/water area for kids/families in it as well and then there is 6flags Fiesta Texas there as well that has kids areas as well. I am pretty sure SAN Antonio also has a zoo as well. Plus if your 3 year old is anything like my daughter he/she would love the boat ride down the river! Have fun!

For a weekend getaway, Glen Rose is a great place too. Fossil Rim Creek is there and it's wonderful!! We haven't taken our daughter there yet, but we plan to very soon. My husband and I went there together two years ago and really enjoyed it.

-Char

Sea World--we're going in a couple of weeks with a 3,2, & 4 year old.

try Virginina Beach. I used to live there and it's VERY family oriented... im sure you'll love it!!

We just took our boys to Galveston (1 and 4) and rented a beach house with another family. The boys loved it. We were right by the beach. It was the first time for our 4 year old to be in the ocean and he couldn't get enough.

For a day getaway we frequently go to Glen Rose to Fossill Rim and Dinosaur Valley. For a good weekend trip the water park Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels is a lot of fun. Both inexpensive fun trips. If you want to do something more costly of course there is Sea World.
http://www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/

I went last year an am going again this year. If your child likes water (whose child doesn't) then Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Tx (30 mins before San Antonio) is a great family getaway. Whether you rent a resort room or hotel nearby it truly was enjoyable for the whole family. We stayed in the park from 12 in the afternoon until about 6:30 easy. My daugther (4) played on the all the little parks (each of these little parks have no more than 2-4 feet of water and there are many themes. Check them out www.schlitterbahn.com) and we were in water lliterally all day. they have to parks and we only got a chance to see one. Going back in a few weeks with more freinds and family. Have fun wherever you decide.