Well, not exactly last minute but pretty close and trying to avoid the typical 'go visit family' summer vacation. My wife and I and 2 boys (14, 16). In DFW area and willing to drive or fly. Budget ~$4k which obviously limits flying options but budget is somewhat flexible for a good idea.

Looking for ideas for 5-7 days within the timeframe of June 24th through July 4th. We've done Breckenridge a few times recently and liked that. It's been a while but we've done FL/AL beach a few times...I like that more than the kids. Ironically, kid's passports are good to go but both my wife's and mine are expired.

Family in New Orleans and Chicago suburbs. Most likely outcome will be a road trip to Chicago suburbs with a few stops in college towns for informal visits (Oklahoma State?, Arkansas?) as my older son will be a high school senior in the fall (but currently planning to be an Aggie).

Any slam dunk ideas?

Cancun and the surrounding area is always fun, but passports…

St. John, St. Thomas, or St. Croix would be my next idea (obviously no passports required), but a trip to the USVI might be pushing or blowing out the budget.

You can do Puerto Rico much cheaper than USVI. I would probably suggest Isla Verde or Condado. I lived on St. Thomas for over a year and in Isla Verde for 4 months - this was in 2010-11, a while ago so be sure to get recent recommendations.

Closer to home for you there are so many beautiful areas in Arkansas to visit, but you have probably already done that or it may not be that exciting. I love to drive through the more scenic areas of Arkansas. When I lived in Dallas a long time ago I drove to a Corvette show in Eureka Springs and had a great time and a nice drive.

I would look for a midwest driving trip

Maybe hit up Arkansas Missouri with KC and St Louis as options

You got the outdoors of Arkansas and St Louis can be done on the cheap and if boys are fans of baseball you have quite a few options within that road trip



Tennesee Kentucky and Smoky Mountains might be another option as well

Big Cedar Lodge

stop in Little Rock and go visit U of Arkansas

dgb99 said:

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Family in New Orleans and Chicago suburbs. Most likely outcome will be a road trip to Chicago suburbs with a few stops in college towns for informal visits (Oklahoma State?, Arkansas?) as my older son will be a high school senior in the fall (but currently planning to be an Aggie).

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Hey kids, for this summer vacation we'll tour colleges and spend endless hours driving the midwest on the way to fam in the burbs.

You mentioned flying. Hunt a deal that works and let that drive the location / activities. I just flew RT from Portland to IAH for a boy's weekend in Lake Charles @ $230 / ticket. ~$900 for four. $3k for the rest of things.

I'm sitting in the Loge Bend right now "working" while the fam is SUP'ing on Paulina Lake. I love Bend and will throw that at you.

https://www.logecamps.com/bend-or

Fly into Redmond. Crush beer all over Bend. Rent a MTB and cruise any of the millions of trails (https://www.cotamtb.com/trail-maps.html). Hike alpine lakes on Bachelor (https://americafromtheroad.com/cascade-lakes-scenic-byway/). Learn to surf on the Deschutes (https://www.bendparksandrec.org/facility/bend-whitewater-park/#surfing). Hike a lave cave (https://www.visitbend.com/points-interest/newberry-national-volcanic-monument-lava-river-cave/). Hike in a caldera (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/recarea/?recid=38424&actid=24). Fly fish the Metolius.

If you want day trips, Smith Rock State Park or Crater Lake National Park.

Just my opinion, within budget and a hell lot better than a road trip through the midwest.

RangerRick9211 said:

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Hey kids, for this summer vacation we'll tour colleges and spend endless hours driving the midwest on the way to fam in the burbs.

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This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. All of us need something a little more fun than that although the college visits are a necessary evil. Some might say visiting family is too but we haven't been up to Chicago in ~5 years and we have missed out on the bajillion cousin get-togethers.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'll take a look and price some things out.

CapCity12thMan said:

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Big Cedar Lodge

stop in Little Rock and go visit U of Arkansas

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This, but visit the main campus in Fayetteville. Tons of DFW kids go to Arkansas they love smart, suburban Texas high schoolers.