DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Good Kid Friendly Vacation Ideas

Anyone have any suggestions on where to take a nice friendly family vacation?

The wife likes the beach and we have tried Topsail Island NC a few times any other suggestions or secrets to some of your not to busy beach areas?

Thank

Holden beach NC only 30 minute's from Myrtle beach.
Clean and not packed.

How about taking them to the In-Laws????

Now there is a vacation for YOU.....

I haven't been to either in ages, but Hilton Head, SC was always great as a kid, and Savannah, GA is pretty close by. And the outer banks was good too, but not a lot for kids that I recall.

My sister and her family go to Gatlinburg, TN quite a bit.

thanks for the quick responses....... will check into Holden Beach.... we like unpacked beaches the most

where do you live?

South of Canton but am willing to drive some....

For about 20 years, we went to Emerald Isle, NC, which is just outside of Jacksonville. We NEVER had problems with crowds and there was plenty to do if you were willing to drive a little bit (20 or 30 mins). Really nice aquarium, mini golf, go carts, etc. Also, Camp Lejeune marine base is right there, so you sometimes see the helicopters and jets fly over which is pretty cool.

We went to Tybee Island, GA this past spring, and it was great. It was the last week in March, and it wasn't crowded at all. Plus, Savannah was really great.

This summer, we've switched from Emerald Isle to Kure Beach (near Wilmington). We just wanted something different. But we always liked Emerald Isle, mostly because it wasn't crowded at all.

Hey how is/was Kure Beach, this is the spot others have mentioned to me as well because they have the aquarium and Fort Fisher right there....

Well, I've never been there, and we don't get there until the 15th. I'll let you know, though.

The Georgia Golden Isles are under the radar....and great beaches.....I like St Simons.

If you want a good kid vacation, Branson, Missouri.

In the summer, 5 million people are there and 4 million are 4 feet and under.

Okay I exaggerate that number a bit but you get the idea. Just finding an adult beverage in that town was an event.

Everything there is geared for kids. Everything.

You won't find a foul mouthed comedian or foul mouthed anything in that town. It's all peachy keen and rosey cheeks.

Since my wife and I don't have kids and she was the one who dreamed up this idea of a vacation there, when we got there I just looked at here with the WTF were you thinking look on my face.

There is a river that runs through the town where we found a mexican joint that had a decent margarita, but like the dinner cruise we took, the hardest thing we could order to drink was an iced tea.

If you're looking for a day trip, which I suspect you're not, Kennywood amusement park in Pittsburgh is great for families. There's rides for thrill seekers and other fun rides for those who enjoy the tamer type of thrills.

How old are the kids and what do they like to do?

One wont be doin to much to young but the other is 3 and just loves to go do anything.... he loved the beach last year so we were thinkin the same this year but just didnt know where to hit

Just got back from a week in Virginian Beach. Stayed at the Holiday Inn Sunspree, 3900 Atlantic avenue.

18 of us. Mom and dad - their 4 kids and spouses. (that's 2 plus 8 = 10), and 8 grand kids.

Beautiful place. The hotel was clean - kids under 11 (or 12, I forget) eat free at the hotel. Beach was awesome. They have 3 pools - 2 outside, 1 indoor. And, did I mention, it's right on the beach?

They have daycare for kids, if that's what you want. For us, the kids were with us the whole time - we didn't do that daycare thing. Spent most of the time on the beach. The grandkids are 23, 20, 16, 10, 10, 8, and twin 6 year olds. Great weather.

Fantastic place. There are many, many hotels right there - imagine that - I can't speak for any of them other than the one we stayed at. Plenty of restaurants within walking distance if you choose to leave to eat.

But, the hotel was clean. That's important. The beach was groomed every morning - I watched from the 5th floor balcony as they did it. Lifeguards......although, I will say, if pools and the beach aren't your cup of tea - well, I don't know what to tell you. We didn't venture out other than to eat. As far as other activities? I don't know what to tell you.

Thats great arch glad you had a good time... were the prices down that way decent for summer peak season?

Another stupid question how busy was it down there?

Prices? It's vacation, right? (actually, it was for my parents 50th wedding anniversary, so they took care of the hotel. I believe it was around $250 a night - the "listed" price. )

Beach wasn't "crowded" by any stretch. People, yes, but not crowded. And it wasn't a party atmosphere - mostly families.

We got back from Kure Beach yesterday. It was really nice!

Kure beach doesn't have a ton, but if you go about 5 minutes up the road, you hit Carolina Beach which has a little boardwalk with rides, games, etc.

It was really a lot of fun. There's a nice aquarium there as well as a ferry that takes you to Southport. That has some nice shops, but the kids got a kick out of taking the car onto the ferry.

Fort Fisher is down there, too. It's not crazy exciting, but for a history guy like me, it was pretty neat.

And, I have to recommend Squiggley's ice cream. I'm not a big ice cream fan, but man, that was amazing!

We already re-booked the place we stayed for next year.