Vacation Suggestions

Branson Mo. is fun in the summer. Have no idea what it is like in the winter, though.
Big bend? OR San Antonio

I do not know where you live but last year we decided that there was a lot to do around the area we lived in (San Antonio) as well as many things to do in San Antonio as well with SeaWorld, Fiesta Texas and much more. But last year we thought we would go do some other things in surrounding areas that we just never had done or hadn't done in many years. We went to San Marcos to the Caverns there and also did the gravity house. We also went to the Animal Santuary just outside San Antonio where you drive your car through and see all the animals up close and personal - the kids loved that and you can also feed most of them. They also had a petting area at the end. We went to Fredericksburg which the kids weren't as excited about but when they were able to pick something out to buy they got excited. We did the horse carriage ride in San Antonio, the boat ride on the river, went to the Children's Museum which they loved, took the kids to Incredible Pizza and spent an afternoon playing games and just did things close to home and acted like tourists. It is something I still remember as well as the kids and we took so many photos. This way we were able to stay in our own home and not pay for a hotel or much food (we did eat out for lunches etc.) and we had more money to spend on our excursions. There is so much to do right out your own back door. The kids want to do it again. Check out your own area - just because it is close or you aren't staying in a hotel doesn't mean it isn't a vacation and fun time. What ever you decide to do, have a great family time.

just north of Waco there is a place called heritage homestead www.homesteadheritage.com and they do a fair the week of Thanksgiving that I've always wanted to attend www.homesteadcraftfair.com They have crafts and all things pioneer for the children, and it looked like there was much for the parents too. Check it out :)
I looked at it again and a lot was for just a little older child...but they did have a petting pen (I think that is free?) and a hayride for $4 adults, less/free for little guys. The food menu looked good too. It looked like an amazing amount of things to do.

Where are you located?

Hot Springs, AR is fun and about 7 hours from Houston. Lots of options for all ages.

Galveston as a tourist -- meaning do things you usually wouldn't do on a day trip

San Antonio -- fun and lots of attractions

Fredrickburg, TX -- I love all the shops, great navy museum, wonderful German food

There's always Sea World in San Antonio. We've been twice since moving to Texas and have always had a great time. I've never been, but I've heard good things about Great Wolf Lodge in the Dallas area.

We spent 3 days in Galveston this summer and had a blast. It would be too cold around Thanksgiving for the beach but Schlitterbahn has an indoor water park and Moody Gardens Aquarium would still be good.

You could stay in Houston in the Museum District and plan on going to the zoo, the Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History. All great places for kids.

Good luck,
K.

The Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine Texas was a lot of fun. It is an indoor swimming park and it also has a huge swimming pool outdoors. Lots of fun. Check out there website.

Hi, S.!

I live in Gulf Shores, Alabama about 2 weeks out of each month, and there's LOTS to do here! Beautiful beaches, great condos (check out Phoenix on the Bay in Orange Beach, which is just a few miles from Gulf Shores), Waterville, The Track, Pirate's Island, The Warf, etc. It takes about 9-10 hours to drive here from Houston, Texas (with kids!), but it is SO worth it!

Have fun!
S.
SAHM of 7

S.,

We have season passes to SeaWorld, and really enjoy spending time there, but in November, there's no guarantee that you would have nice weather to enjoy it.

One of our favorite family destinations for fall/winter is Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. We went there last October for my niece & nephew's birthdays, and my 5-year-old has been talking about it ever since. She's requested that we go again for -her- birthday in November, so perhaps we'll see you there! :-)

They have a great website that shows all the different attractions, and they have a great area for the little ones. It's a large cove that's about 1 foot deep, with fun things to spray and small slides. My youngest was just over 2 when we went, and she had a ball!

I also recommend that if you go there, hold off making reservations for a little bit, because they offer specials throughout the year. Check their website for deals, or you might be able to sign up for their emails.

Happy Travels!
M.

Dear S.,

Glad that you are getting the chance for a family vacation! Since this is your first one or first one all together in a long while.... perhaps a full day of driving is going to take away a lot of your time and will not be enjoyable for the kids (or you if the kids aren't having fun)!

You have gotten a lot of great suggestions and here is another one: spend a night or two in each place which breaks up the driving and gives you a taste of several places.

Assuming that you are starting from Houston - drive to Brenham - tour the Blue Bell creamery, visit some antique shops, walk around then spend the night (there is a great B&B that has an old log cabin that the kids would find interesting, it is called Scenic Hill http://www.scenichillvacations.com). Wake up the next day and do a little driving and head toward Austin or San Antonio and follow the suggestions of others.

Also - be sure to find a fun, family way to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Have a great trip.
blessings,
Stacy

Come on down to Galveston, there is lots to do. We have Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn indoor waterpark part, the historic houses, rail road museum (I think it may be opened back up), we have nice parks, the flight museum, take a ride on the Bolivar ferry, and of course the beach. The water will probably be a little too cold to play in, but there is still the beach where you can build sand castles, collect seashells, sea beans, and look for shark teeth. On a beautiful day, the beach is awesome in the fall/winter months. Then, of course, you have the attractions just up the road, NASA Johnson Space Center. Most of the hotels and restaurants do really nice Thanksgiving dinners.

San Antonio is another great choice. They have Sea World, Fiesta Texas, the zoo, the river walk, just to name a few. And they have a Christmas parade on the river the night after Thanksgiving.

Go to www.traveltex.com and order a free Texas travel guide. Do it now, so you can have it to plan what you want to do.