Hi Moms,
Hubby is starting medical school in the next couple of weeks! O M G!!!
We had a super vacation last year but it was pretty expensive - it was a memory maker for us all, and so relaxing. When his summer break rolls around next year, he wants to do something amazing again - just really wants to de-stress and be "out" of the day-to-day. HOWEVER, of course, money is a concern. I get where he's coming from, but I don't want to go crazy.
Last year was a disney cruise, just off season, which made a difference but was still pretty hefty price-wise. We live near Dallas. I'm thinking there has to be something we can drive to or take an inexpensive Southwest flight to, and have an amazing time. Son will be 7.
Can you help with ideas to have a vacation that feels out of this world without an out of this world price? Hubby is a water baby, but is open to nature stuff, BUT likes comfort (me too - if I had to camp, it would have to be in a cabin, within a reasonable driving distance of restaurants as needed :)
Thanks!
Have you ever thought about DC? 7yo would love Air & Space - and there is plenty other to do! He would probably like the metro as well!
Southwest flies into BWI there!
My neighbors go to Broken Bow, OK several times each summer and rent a nice cabin on the lake and they have a good time swimming, boating and fishing. It's only about a 3 1/2-4 hour drive from DFW.
We just did Disney with family and our two boys a few weeks ago. Next summer we want something more low key and want a beach vacation. Probably will rent a house or condo in Destin, Panama City beach or Pensacola
Hi P.,
I also live in the Dallas area, and my two biggest complaints about living here are: 1) tornadoes, and 2) landlocked! For years, all we ever did was throw our 3 kids in the van and drive to San Antonio. We got sick and tired of always going to San Antonio twice a year! But, it's affordable. If you don't want to do that, consider Spirit Airlines. Spirit is the cheapest airline out there! Just for the fun of it, I researched airfare for my family to fly to Cabo San Lucas. For the 5 of us, the airfare was slightly over $1,000. Not bad for a family of 5! Then I looked into all inclusive resorts (which most of them, by the way, have kid clubs that are included). For us, we get screwed being a family of 5, b/c most of the all inclusive resorts only allow 4 people per room (same goes w/ cruises - with a cruise, we'd have to pay for a second cabin or a family suite - forget that!). Also, groupon has a ton of all inclusive vacations for good deals, so check that out, too! However, a lot of groupon vacation deals are for two adults only, but some of them say that one child can go with at no extra charge. If it does not say that, it never hurts to ask! Good luck on your choice! p.s. we just booked our vacation to none other than San Antonio! Next year we will try to do an all inclusive vacation, but this year, money is still tight. We are still looking forward to it, b/c we always stay at our favorite hotel, Embassy Suites, b/c hubby and I get our own room separated by a door, and they have a huge free breakfast and daily happy hour (free beer, wine, chips, salsa, and popcorn). We have a season's pass to Six Flags, so we will be going to the San Antonio Six Flags almost every day (which includes a water park).
I find that just going to a beach makes an amazing vacation. It doesn't matter what beach. Going to a beach, together, as a family, playing in the sand and the surf is always fun. I don't think the place is what makes a difference, it's being together without the usual daily stresses that makes a vacation amazing.
In Texas, you have a lot of options for gulf coast beaches - just pick one and go for a week.
The year after we went to the UK, we had to take SD to school so we stopped by a lake on the way and rented a friend of a friend's RV (parked) for a few days. We caught up with our mutual friend and went out on jet skis for one day. This year we are pairing up with my sister's family for a week at another lake. Piling all the family we can in one house and probably skipping the boat thanks to furloughs. But we'll still have a fire pit, the lake to swim in, and family memories. I found out on our trip to the UK that there are a lot more condos than I thought available for rent, and sometimes it's less than a hotel room or two. I liked the condos because we could be together and have home cooked meals vs the expense of dining out every meal.
"Amazing" to a 7 yr old can be very simple. Like swimming every day and s'mores for breakfast. I also think that not every trip need be over the moon...or then that will start to feel commonplace.
You might want to look up "family things near Dallas" and see what interests you.
If you loved your cruise, go on another to different islands. Disney is expensive - try Royal Caribbean. They are awesome.
Isn't Ft. Worth a Vacation destination? Can you book a motel in some other part of town? dinner reservations take in a game, go to the beach, take advantage of room service, have a spa day, play some golf, go to a museum or water park? Have a picnic, visit a historic site.
Do a staycation, but have it be awesome.
Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
We love New Mexico and Colorado. Silverton and Ouray especially. We just got back from Red River, NM. Just the temperature difference is worth the drive. They have horseback riding, rafting, hiking. You can take the chair lift to the top of the mountain. Telluride is also one of our favorite places. We love Port Aransas, San Antonio and Fredericksburg. To save on gas, a trip to the Texas Hill Country would be fun. Fredericksburg is great for walking around, shopping and eating. They have Luekenbach and Pink Granite State Park nearby for day trips. Marble Falls area has some nice lakes and caves. A little farther out are the Caverns of Sonora. My husband likes that cave. Eureka Springs, AR has a lot to do. We always go by War Eagle Mill. Branson has a lot to do and the accommodations are very budget friendly.
You can drive to Galveston and take a cruise to Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica....etc. Cruises are pretty cheap and w/out the airfare to worry about makes it more affordable. Port Aransas is really nice beach. Like another momma said...Check Groupon Getaways, they always have really cheap deals (it appears, although you'll want to check the fine print I'm sure). New Orleans can be alot of fun and I see cheap hotel options on Groupon and flights are usually to expensive there also. I really like the idea of Destin, its a one day drive and the beaches are sooooo beautiful but the accomodations are rather pricey, but if you can go off-season or really search for a good deal that would be good also Gulf Shores Alabama I heard was nice and even closer than Florida and prob. a little cheaper. Good Luck.
Have you considered the Grand Canyon? I believe reasonable lodging can be found nearby (we haven't been but I looked into it last Spring Break & we could have done it + Ranger's spring training for under $1000 not including meals & game tickets for a family of 5). You could stop by White Sands National Monument on the drive out or back & probably see some gorgeous scenery. I recall finding a Drury Hotel (check our their esaver rates too) that looked really nice with a mountainous view in Las Cruces near White Sands. Good luck in your travel planning!
