I am looking to take a vacation this summer with my husband and 6 year old. We want to drive, but no more than about 12 hours from here. Any suggestions of where to go? We were thinking maybe Carlsbad caverns?
Another possibility, though we haven't actually been yet, is Branson, MO. We might be going this summer, as I have heard it is very family friendly and lots for kids to do.
St Louis! Really check it out! Lots of super family friendly stuff, and some stuff is free!
Considering you're already close to the beach, you're probably wanting to get up north?
I suggest aquarium or maybe the space center in florida.
I agree with Stephanie on the gulf shores as I'm from Pensacola and that's where the naval museum is she's mentioning.
Destin, Panama City & Ft Walton is beautiful during the summers!
I currently live in VA and often vacation down in Pensacola with my children :)
Hope that helps!
B.
I grew up in Texas, but now live in Michigan although I go back to visit once a year with my kids. Carlsbad is awesome. Turner Falls is in OK and is one of my favorite places. Also good and educational is Dinosaur Valley in Glen Rose TX. They have fossilized dino prints by the river bed. The water is constantly washing and wearing them away, so you should go see them before they are gone, but that could actually be more of a day trip if you're not too far from there. I would say Turner Falls!!!! They have water falls, beautiful river for swimming and you can go right up to the falls. Hiking trails with "outlaw" caves that I'm sure your 6yr old boy would love. It's beautiful. Google search Turner Falls.
We go to South Padre and rent a beach front condo for a week and always have a blast. The condos are fairly affordable and it isn't too long of a drive. We pretty much stay in our swimsuits the entire time and lay out in the sun...it is so relaxing!
I PLAN A VACATION FOR OUR FAMILY EVERY YEAR RANGING FROM 23-31 PEOPLE AGES 1-85. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON 2011 AND WE WILL BE GOING TO A BEACH THIS YEAR BUT I WANTED TO COMMENT ON BRANSON MO. WE WENT THERE 3 YEARS AGO AND HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. AT THAT TIME MY BOYS WERE IN THERE TEENS AND THERE WAS PLENTY TO DO. WE HAD A WATER DAY WHICH WE RENTED PONTOON BOAT AND JET SKIS AT TABLE ROCK LAKE (VERY CLEAN AND ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL). IF YOU GO I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE DINNER CRUISE ON THE "Showboat Branson Belle ". MY ONLY COMPLAINT WAS WE WENT IN AUG AND IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT. RENTED FROM VRBO.COM/HOMEAWAY.COM THE CONDO'S WERE VERY NICE HAD SEVERAL POOLS AND A SPA. LOTS OF SHOWS AND STUFF TO DO. GOOD LUCK IN PLANNING
Hi R. - we go to Gulf Shores, AL each year and LOVE it. There is lots to do (some is a little bit of a drive but not bad). Like last year we went to the Navel Air Museum in FL. There is Alagator Ally with Captin Crunch the largest Alagtor. It's relaxed, laid back and just a good time. But where ever you go check out VRBO.com for a place to stay. They got some great deals on condos, houses, whatever all over the country. We use that and always get a place several hundred dollars cheaper than renting from an agency. Good luck and God Bless!!
We did Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands and Roswell NM on the same trip with a 6 and 7yo. Roswell, home of cheesy aliens, was the biggest hit, though they enjoyed the caverns too. There is one place with alien tableaus that you can take your picture in so it looks like your kid is riding a motorcycle with an alien, sitting at a table hanging off the ceiling, etc. The kids loved it -- not scary at all. White Sands has lots of hills of fine sand. Take plastic sleds and everyone can sled down. The kids had a great time. It was a fun, cheap and memorable vacation.
My husband grew up in Carlsbad, so we went there to visit his family and we had a great time. We went to the caverns of course. Depending on how long you are staying, there are other cities in NM you should see while you are there. There isn't much in Carlsbad besides the caverns. We went to Alamogordo and walked around. It is in the mountains. That was nice. We also went to White Sands. My daughter loved that! She was about 6 at the time. She also loved the caverns and she walked all the way to the bottom without complaining about the long walk. There was just so much to look at I think she forgot she was walking for a long time. Have fun!
