After doing some reflecting on 2016 (and some much-needed recharging), I am finally setting some goals for 2017. One of those goals is to plan a family vacation, and I would love your help in picking the perfect spot!
First, I should share that our little family travels a lot! We have family spread all across the United States (literally, we live in Iowa and have extended family in Arizona, Oregon, Florida, North Carolina, and Maryland). And we’ve historically spent all of our vacation time and budget on visiting family. We have gone to Disney World with my in-laws and often visit my family in Arizona and have taken several other trips to visit family members across the country. We love those trips and don’t plan on stopping them completely.
This year, however, we really want to cut back on some of our other travels and use a chunk of our vacation time and money to take a family vacation with just the 4 (soon-to-be 5) of us. And ideally, I’d like this to be the start of an annual or biennial tradition.
We are pretty open to ideas but what I am envisioning is about 1 week in a lake, beach, or mountain town. I want our vacation to be mostly relaxing and focused on spending time together, but family-friendly things to do and see are important too (even if it’s as simple as going for a hike or a bike ride). I do not care, however, about having fancy restaurants or highly stimulating attractions to visit.
The ideal vacation spot for us would include lots of long walks, pretty scenery, cute shops to browse or at least gaze into the windows of, yummy places to grab coffee, ice cream, breakfast, and dinner (in that priority order), and quasi-affordable places to stay (we are open to renting a home or condo or staying in a more traditional hotel or resort).
It would be great if this vacation spot was within driving distance of our home in Iowa, but it’s not a must have and we are willing to drive a bit if needed (probably up to 10-12 hours although obviously the shorter the better). I’ve been focusing my initial search on Michigan beach towns but am very open to other ideas. So please share them!
Also, I’d love to hear how and when your family vacations. We are expecting Baby #3 in late June and Mr. Peas has a very important work event in mid-August, so we either need to plan a trip for this spring or wait until the very end of summer/ beginning of fall. If we wait until after Baby #3 is born, we will probably try to sneak the trip in while I am still on maternity leave, so we will have a short window to do so in late August/early September.
Finally, I’d love your thoughts on the benefits and drawbacks of going to the same place year after year (or every other) versus trying out new places. I can see the appeal of both and am wondering if the ideal solution may be something like this:
Odd years – Vacation in usual spot
Even years – Vacation somewhere else maybe with extended family
Please share your family vacation wisdom! I’m particularly interested in hearing about your very favorite vacation spots.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
Great post!!! Now that we have completed our family of five, this is on my list of things to do! Living in FL we are fortunate to get the chance for the beach vacation and the exciting Disney World trips. But I want something for just our family.
Growing up we did both types of trips. Typically over summer we would do a big trip to Chicago to see family (sometimes driving the 24 hours from FL). Even though it was to see family, it was a fun trip. Also, we found a quiet little beach town that we would rent a little unit right on the gulf. We would make 1 stop at the grocery store on our way in and then we wouldn’t get in the car again after that. All day just at the pool and beach or watching movies inside.
However the trips that we changed up location were typically to more the sight seeing destinations. Washington DC once we got old enough to understand history. San Fransisco, Yosemite, NYC, etc. Typically we would pick one every few years.
Now that our oldest is in public school, we are looking at ways to match our trips up with the school calendar. Every year there are 2 weeks before school starts that most camps are closed but school is still on summer break. While August is a really hot time in FL that may be our “annual” stay in-state and relax trip. Then at another point in the year (spring break or earlier summer) maybe would be our “destination” trip.
pear / 1648 posts
I’m originally from Michigan and summer is beautiful there. Given that, the weather & water are MUCH warmer in July, August, and even early September so it sounds like later might work better if the kids want to swim. I don’t have any specific recommendations as I’m assuming you’re looking at Lake Michigan towns and we generally went north, but I know there are some really quaint ones!
guest
This sounds lovely!! I’d recommend Asheville, NC – it literally sounds like what you’ve described tons of great food/coffee, shops and scenery. We try to visit twice a year and each time I just fall in love with the area even more. You can rent great houses and getting around town is easy.
guest
Yes to Lake Michigan beach towns! Holland is lovely! So is Saint Joseph or South Haven. Further north Travese City is nice as well. We live in Grand Rapids and have enjoyed all of these “backyard” spots. I agree that late summer/early fall would be better for the beach. The lake temp would be way too cold in the spring.
clementine / 830 posts
Great goals! I love the idea of alternating vacations every other year. Growing up my extended family on my dad’s side rented the same house on the beach in South Carolina every year, and that was a really treasured tradition. Going back to the same place every year, but for a short time, for us meant that it was familiar and relaxing, but everything still felt new again since you hadn’t been there for a year. When I was on maternity leave this year, we took the opportunity to revive the tradition, and it was such a joy. I definitely thought the maternity leave vacation was a great use of that time, and relatively easy to do in a rental house.
guest
Check out YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO. That was my family’s annual vacation spot when I was a child. You can stay in a small cabin or a lodge room for very affordable rates. There’s tons of free activities like mini golf, hiking, organized activities for all ages (everything from playing with bubbles to high ropes course and horseback riding), and it’s all the in beautiful Rocky Mountains.
pear / 1961 posts
I think that, with young kids, it makes sense to do repeat vacations to the same spot (assuming you found a place that meets most of your requirements and that you like!). It makes it easier to know where to stay, what you need to bring, and you can both explore the area more every year AND to go events/places that worked well previously.
With 3 kids, it’s going to take a lot of logistical planning, and you’ll have several years of someone still needing to nap/conflicting schedules, car seat travelling, etc.
It would also give you the opportunity to find a sitter or two that is local to the area and use them every year you go back to visit in case you and DH want to do something alone, or just do something with the older kid(s) while the younger one(s) nap, etc.
Going somewhere new makes more sense to me when your kids are all older and can participate in and appreciate the sight-seeing parts a little bit more!
pear / 1622 posts
On our list for one time trips is going to New England – Western Mass to check our the Eric Carle museum and Vermont where my mom grew up and then a trip to Albany, Oregon where they are building a carousel and some of the surrounding area.
I agree with PP that the Michigan coast, NC mountains are also awesome places for a family vacation – places that maybe you’ll be able to visit every year? DH loved his family vacations to a lake in Minnesota growing up and I think the Ozarks in MO are popular – not sure how far a drive those would be for you.
nectarine / 2243 posts
we’ve been going to the outer banks for 15 years, sometimes 2-3x/year. Now that we live in NYC, the drive is longer 7-10 hours depending on traffic. However, I think the drive would be too long for you based on your requirements.
Is flying out? Turks and Caicos for families is fantastic.
cantaloupe / 6086 posts
We love Glen Arbor which is on the lake outside traverse city in Michigan. May be longer drive than you want vs more southern towns but it’s so cute! The homestead is a great resort with lots of options or there are plenty of other places in the area. Lots of cute stuff in driving distance too – Leland, my favorite chocolate place in empire, wineries, good restaurants (from dive to fancy) etc. Mario Batali vacations in this area so you know food must be good!
grape / 89 posts
I love the idea of a simple, predictable vacation every other year, and something more exciting or exotic on alternative years. We’ve naturally fallen into a similar rhythm.
We have visited South Haven and we absolutely loved it. That was before kids and quite a few years ago, so I’m probably not much help on that front.
Last year we went to Moon Palace in Cancun with our entire family, including 7 kids between the ages of 1.5 and 7. It was AMAZING. All inclusive with lots of pools and activities. There was a waterslide, a surf/wave rider, a kids club, magic shows, and ton more. If you are looking for an all inclusive to go to with kids, this is it. The entire family loved every minute of this vacation, we felt very safe, and the possibilities for activity were endless.
pomegranate / 3973 posts
We’re in Iowa also and visited Racine, Wisconsin for our mini-honeymoon (about 4 hr drive for us in eastern Iowa).
We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton, right on the Marina/Harbour. It is absolutely gorgeous! There are beaches north and south, lighthouses available to tour (Windpoint), a zoo in Racine perfect for small kids (or drive to Milwaukee for a bigger zoo). Lots of cute shops/restaurants within walking from the hotel as well. Stop at the Mars Cheese Castle on the way too/from. Trails/hiking/boat rentals. Loved it.
guest
Long-time Michigan resident here, both west and east sides. Anywhere along Lake Michigan is going to be great, though my personal favorites are Holland, Grand Haven, and Glen Arbor/Sleeping Bear Dunes area.
Other places in the Midwest I’ve heard good things about are the Wisconsin Dells or Door County, WI; the Lake Erie coast and islands in Ohio; and my sister-in-law from Indiana loves the recreation areas in southern Indiana.
If you wanted to go in the spring, stay south! In west (and especially northern) Michigan, it can still snow in April!
grape / 85 posts
Door County in late August was lovely, with lots of towns and state parks to explore and the beaches on the bay side still warm enough to swim in. Lots of cottage rental and hotel options, too!
coffee bean / 44 posts
My family (immediate and extended) has been going to Door County, WI since before I was born (30+ years, ahem!) – driving from NE Iowa (since college I/we have commuted from Iowa City, NE and MD this year!). Just about every type of accommodation, group size, age, activity, etc. over the years. I love it, but part of that is the amazing memories wrapped up in that special place – that being said, I recommend it to any one who asks and have several friends who now go with their families. As many have said, Lake Michigan is often best in late summer, but fall is beautiful too; the benefit of the peninsula is the bay side has calmer, (slightly) warmer water.
Just put in our deposit for this summer . . . can’t wait!!
guest
Have you thought about Minneapolis? When I was in the 6th grade my family went and visited. We had so much fun! There are a ton of museums and shopping. When we went, we rented a house for the week and were able to bring food and make dinner every night. Also, depending on what part of Iowa you live in it is about 3 hours away.
Here are some great attractions featured on this website:http://www.minneapolis.org/things-to-do/suggested-itineraries/150-things-to-do-in-minneapolis/
blogger / apricot / 275 posts
Thank you so much for all the ideas & advice! It has been incredibly helpful and now I’m having a ton of fun researching all of your excellent suggestions!! I’ll keep you all updated on what we ultimately decide to do :).
guest
I second Asheville, NC. If you stay at a place near the Blue Ridge Parkway you will be a short drive away from scenic outlooks. Many outlooks have hiking trails near them. Downtown Asheville has great coffee and cute shops. If you want a place similar, put a little more remote, Hendersonville, NC is a quaint mountain town too.
nectarine / 2180 posts
@Mrs. Peas: Another vote for Grand Haven!