We have a week before school starts every year where there isn't any child care so we use the time for a family trip. We've had a great time the last few years and we're looking at options for next year.
Pertinent info: 7-8 days in mid August. Flights depart from a regional Midwestern airport so have to travel through a hub (Chicago, DFW, MSP, ATL most likely). Two boys, 7 and 10 years old. We all have passports but the kids are young enough that any flights 5+ hours (i.e. leaving the continent) would not be enjoyable. We love beaches but would prefer if there was something more than just the beach to do for the week we're there. My wife doesn't like camping so if we hit national parks then it would be from a nearby Vrbo.
Places we've been:
A few rough ideas we've had:
I appreciate any and all recommendations even if we don't end up using them this year.
Pertinent info: 7-8 days in mid August. Flights depart from a regional Midwestern airport so have to travel through a hub (Chicago, DFW, MSP, ATL most likely). Two boys, 7 and 10 years old. We all have passports but the kids are young enough that any flights 5+ hours (i.e. leaving the continent) would not be enjoyable. We love beaches but would prefer if there was something more than just the beach to do for the week we're there. My wife doesn't like camping so if we hit national parks then it would be from a nearby Vrbo.
Places we've been:
- Lake Tahoe
- Florida Keys
- Outer Banks
- Gatlinburg
- Hilton Head
A few rough ideas we've had:
- Pacific Northwest - likely a few days in Seattle to hit an aquarium, a children's museum or two, and the zoo. Take a ferry, train, or scenic drive to Vancouver Island area and do some hiking, a whale watching cruise, and maybe some beach time (even if it's just digging in the sand and some kayaking with the cold water).
- San Diego - Legoland, Sea World, the zoo, the beach (same Pacific caveats)
- Somewhere in Wisconsin and/or Michigan (Door County, Mackinac Island, or similar coastal town on one of the Great Lakes) - beach time, campfires, kayaking, see some sand dunes and national parks
- Caribbean - likely somewhere with beaches, hiking, and some historic towns/forts to explore. Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, or similar. We don't love big crowds so a cruise wouldn't be our first choice.
- National parks - lots of options. I've been to many of the majors (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Sequoia, Grand Canyon, etc.) but I can't see finding enough stuff to do for a week if we're not camping.
I appreciate any and all recommendations even if we don't end up using them this year.