Jeramie Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 We are in the process of planning an family vacation. Last year we went to Rushmore. This year we are looking for something different. We are looking for something entertaining for our daughters. Our oldest is 5 and the youngest will be 3 by the time we take the vacation in May. We need something kid friendly. We thought about doing the Disney thing but I'm afraid the 2 year old may be too small. I think she may appreciate it more next year. I hate to spend several thousand without them remembering or getting the best out of it. Anyway, I'm open to ideas. We can and will drive as that is likely what we would have done had we went to Orlando... Chime in Por Favor.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 Last year we went to Table Rock Lake. We stayed at a decent place right on the lake. It's priced decent. We rented a boat one day, hung out at the pool, went into Branson which is only about a 15 minute drive, and Silver Dollar City is right there close too. We went to Fort Walton Beach, Florida for a few days two years ago and stayed at a hotel right on the beach. It had an inground pool and a little kids water park area at the hotel, which was nice. It was a little on the pricey side, but it was the first time my kids seen the ocean so it was worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 you didn't say what month your vacation is, so i'll go with summer. go to colorado, in one of the ski areas. lot's of fishing, beautiful mountains, and things to do. also, the prices are reasonable since it's not ski season. good restaurants, etc. also consider the ski areas of new mexico, ie: taus & angel fire. beauty, cool temps, etc. there are also some GREAT national parks in southern utah. each day is a new park, full of natural beauty. one season pass to the parks and you have a cheap vacation full of history and natural beauty. check out the southern utah/northern arizona area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 We will be ready to leave on May 21st and have scheduled off work until June 6th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 PacNW. I had no idea the amount of things there are out here. It's insane and something totally different than I have ever seen anywhere else in the country. It's simply amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcot2773 Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 steve hit my idea on the head glad i read it before i typed... love the northern arizona area up around flagstaff. Beautiful country, lots of things to do, The grand canyon isn't far away from there at all either. I is like 45 miles or something like that... would be an awesome vacation. mudrunner, what beach did you go to when you were in ft walton? Destin area? Okaloosa Island? sorry i live just north of there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun in Kansas City is not a bad deal, pretty good package deals and closer to home for you. Spend a day or two riding rides and a day or two at the water park. They have places to stay on site I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 I know you might not enjoy it as much as the kids, but The Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Tx really caters to the kids. Besides the outdoor/indoor water park and the amazing themed rooms, they also have an arcade and a highly addictive "treasure-hunt" type game that is very interactive and will wear your kids smooth out. Also, Grapevine is within 30 minutes of Six Flags, Ranger stadium, the new Cowboy's stadium and tons of other activities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyohunter Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 hard to beat yellowstone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 hard to beat yellowstone i agree, plus the custer battlefield, johnson county war site, Ta ranch, fettermen massacre site, and so much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Jeramie, Look no further... YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park is the place to go! My kids were about your kids age when we first went. It's the best vacation I ever had and it's great for kids of that age. We went in early June. Here's why it is so great... Plenty to do for all and some time for you and the wife as well. We went for 10 days, but less would work. We signed the kids up for day camp (M-F: 8am-3pm - half days are also available and you can pick any days you want). It's about 20 bucks per day per kid. That way you and the wife get to hike in the Rocky Mountain National park, fly fish, trail ride, rapid rafting, whatever. Then spend time as a family in the evenings or weekend. Take the Trail Ridge road across the RMNP and see giant elk at 5 yards, moose, sheep, and of course deer. The deer and elk actually walk around the campgrounds! We rented a cabin with a fireplace (they have cheaper ones, but smores in the fireplace were great)! If interested I'd be glad to tell you more. We've been three times! (2006,2007 and 2009). I have a lot of insight and can give you some great money saving tips as well as secret fishing spots for trout. Send me a PM if you want and I'll give you my phone number. http://www.ymcarockies.org/estes-park-center-colorado.html >Frank Some pictures: Our cabin Daycamp for the kids Whitewater Rafting (safe for young kids) Fine eating fresh trout Trail Ridge Road RMNP Looking out the window More in my public album Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 mudrunner, what beach did you go to when you were in ft walton? Destin area? Okaloosa Island? sorry i live just north of there... Okaloosa Island. I think it was at the Ramada right on the beach. It was prett sweet...I don't think I wore a shirt or shoes for three days LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Great ideas gang! I was hoping to get some good feedback. I have more ideas to pitch to my wife. We have been all over but since the kids were born (starting 5 1/2 years ago) we haven't been around much. The emphasis is on the kids as they are getting to the age where they can and will enjoy vacation. I would LOVE to have nothing but trout fishing, hiking, etc but with the little ones I need to occupy their minds too. Seriously, some great ideas. I can use more! Vacation is a huge deal in our family. We look forward to the next as soon as we finish the one we are on! Keep them coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfletch7441 Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 We're heading to South Padre this summer with our family. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Smaller kids 5 and under would be bored driving around the mountains IMO... A beach somewhere would be a good bet for them to have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Great vacation here... http://www.history.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Our kids LOVE camping. We go up into Michigan every summer, plus other trips with friends and church groups, etc. Kids are never bored playing with rocks and sticks and dirt, running around in the woods, etc. Save some of the more epic trips until they can enjoy the beauty and majesty of the places. Find a nice campground in a different sort of terrain/climate than home, and nearby a cool attraction for a day trip to edify you and mama a little bit, and have at it. That way you can also bank a few pesos for one of the epic trips. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Grand Canyon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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