I haven't been on a true "vacation" (I don't count visiting family for weddings, funnerals, etc. as vacations) since 2008. We recently decided that the week-long trip we were planning for California later this year is just not feasible for us, considering finances and the ages of our kids (by then, they will be 3 and 18 months old). We will be taking a much shorter trip to Chicago in a couple of months, which should be fun, but it will be a much shorter trip and in colder weather, so I find myself pretty disappointed, not so much about California but just about not getting my vacation.
My husband would really like to take the family somewhere fun this summer, but we still have the same constraints on us that limited our California trip. We don't really have a lot of extra money for airfare AND a hotel AND activities AND the petsitter, and taking kids to different time-zones is also pretty difficult. Plus, the kids are pretty young for places like Disney World. Does anyone have any great vacation destinations that is good for very very young children (and parents)?
Ohio state parks have some great lodges and cabins. Hueston woods is in the Cinci area. My kids loved it. My kids favorite spot was Salt Fork. We've done Maumee Bay too. That one was okay. Less to do in the area outside.
I would never vote down a trip to a beach hotel/condo with a pool in South Carolina (Myrtle Beach, Isle of Palms, etc). However, on your way out of the state, make sure you treat yourselves to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, IN. They are totally geared toward families, from babies to grandparents. If you stay in a cabin next door at Lake Rudolph, anyone can nap whenever they need to, and you can choose to save money on cooking or not. Since both parks, parking, sunscreen and ALL beverages are free, it's a much better bargain than Disney (and we do LOVE Disney). We've been taking our kids since they were infants - last summer we let each take a friend for the trip (they're now preteens). We live hours away, but a summer never passes that they beg to go. You can even check their website to see what days are the least crowded. And yes, Santa is always there :)
Michigan is fun, especially the beaches. Indianapolis has some wonderful attractions. I was going to suggest Columbus but then I noticed you are in Cincinnati so that probably won't feel like much of a vacation. The Carolinas have gotten great reviews from some of my family members with kids. We've gone to Jacksonville, FL and had a great time. Good beaches, wonderful zoo, MOSH (a kids science museum), Huge public Library with kids story time
Good Luck & enjoy Chicago!
Someone mentioned Sesame Place, which is on the PA/NJ border. It's a great place to go with small kids, but the car drive is going to most likely be 10 hours there, maybe more with stops for the kids. We lived near there before we moved here, and it's a haul. If you do choose Sesame Place, the Crayola Factory in Easton is fun as well. I don't know that you would want to do a second theme park during a trip like that, but you could always visit Hershey Park on the way home. Sesame Place is about a 45 minute drive to Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Zoo is fun, and the Children's Museum of Philadelphia always has things going, especially during the summer (it might now be called the Please Touch Museum). Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ isn't far from Philly and we have taken our kids there several times and they loved it. All of these are within an hour of Sesame Place. Good luck making your plans!
Wherever you go, be sure to check online for any web coupons or specials that your destination may offer, especially if you go to a place that has a visitor's center. When we lived in Panama City, FL, there were always tons of coupons and deals on the local tourism website. Happy traveling!
We took our 3 year old to Mackinac and stayed on the beach. We could walk everywhere, and we packed lots of beach toys to keep her busy - it was perfect. Another option, less expensive, we rented a small house/cabin near a State Park in Ohio, with a small beach on a lake, boat rentals, trails, historical sites close by, etc. That was very relaxing and much less expensive since we packed and cooked our own food, and kept it low key.
Indianapolis Children's Museum AND stopping along the way to see things of interest!!! I planned out a week-long vacation a few years ago and my kids absolutely loved it!! I am one to watch my money so we were able to stay at VERY reasonably priced hotels. We weren't on a tight time schedule so we could stay and visit things along the way for as long (or short) as we wanted. I would say do your homework or if you're a member of AAA get them to map out something. There really are a lot of things out there to see and do that don't cost a lot of money!!!
My son just asked me the other day to do this type of trip for Spring Break - I'm thinking of heading a little south this time.
Good luck!!
I would vote for a beach and hotel with pool. Don't know if driving would be an option for you (depends how kids have been in the car on your other trips).
We are in OH too and drove to Virginia Beach a few years ago - DS was 6, DD was 2 - and had a very nice time but I thought the waves werea little too strong for small kids. The kids LOVED playing in the sand and the pool. It was about a 13hr drive. I think North Carolina would be about the same. Northwest FL is probably a 14-15hr drive but with kids that little it may take longer - I think the gulf water is a bit calmer though. I probably would only go during warmer months (maybe late spring to early fall?) You could head a lot further down the coast towards Ft Myers and the time of year won't matter.
I'm with you on the financial end - between the airfare for a family of four, a rental car, and hotel - YIKES!!!
I really hope you can get away!!! Good Luck!
A beach vacation worked wonderfully when my kids were the age of yours. Have you looked into the Indiana or Michigan dunes? That might be within your budget and within driving distance. Or take them to a kid-friendly water park over the summer. Stay in a hotel for one night -- visit the park for 2 days. That'll give you a nice break, create great memories, and should fit within your budget.
Good luck! I think a vacation is well worth the mental break that you get together as a family - but not worth enough to go into debt for. Check out prices and save up for it! =)
We are planning our vacation this Summer to Sesame Place, the Sesame Street Park in Pa! Very excited! Also planning to go to the Crayola Factory!
Personally, I am a big fan of anywhere with a beach and a pool. We have vacationed in Mrytle Beach and Cape Cod and both places have lots of kid-friendly and family-friendly activities, as well as the beaches. Closer for you guys (within reasonable driving distance) would be western Michigan/Lake Michigan and/or northern Michigan (Traverse City area, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinac Island, etc.). You could also still consider Florida, but just not Disney.
