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Vacation Ideas......Seriously

samspopsamspop Posts: 1,992 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Hey Guys:

There are enough of you out there that I would feel certain that the better part of the Mid-Atlantic/Southeast US is covered....so here is my deal....

I have 2 small kids (4 and 8) and live near Charlotte, NC. Spring Break is in a month away. We go to the Gulf Coast of Florida for 1 or 2 weeks a year (to see the Grandparents) and would like to do something a little different.

Any ideas for a 4-5 day or up to 8 day excursion that is 'small kid friendly' and is within 10 hours driving time of Charlotte???

Any thing you guys could offer would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

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Comments

  • alnavmanalnavman Posts: 4,129 ✭✭✭
    Mike, I've taken the drive from Parma Ohio (just outside Cleveland) to Florida several times and have really enjoyed Sarasota and Jacksonville. Don't know if your kids swim yet but if they do the beaches are great in Jacksonville. Sarasota has the Ringley Brothers museum which also is neat fo the kids..unless they have clown issues. Also you can't beat Orlando, Disney or Universal. At their age I'd recommend Disney World and MGM Studios. Hope this helps you....in fact my kids are now 14 and 11 and we plan to make the trip at Thanksgiving time this year to see how they decorate Disney for the holidays. Good luck

    al.
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,435 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hi Mike

    Have you considered some kind of cruise that caters to children - like the Disney cruise deal?

    Everyone that has ever taken a cruise, has come back totally excited about their vacation.

    Here in Texas, all we have to do is drive to Galveston - park the car - get on a ship and let them do the rest!

    Just an idea.

    I'm planning on driving to the Rockies, Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore.

    Have you taken the trip to Disneyworld?

    mike
    Mike
  • samspopsamspop Posts: 1,992 ✭✭✭
    We have done the Disney Theme Park thingy twice and have booked the Disney Cruise for Thanksgiving. My 8 year old daughter has told me on more than one occasion that she is tired of going to Florida and wants to do something different...no, she isn't spoiled image and I want to try and see if I can accomodate her wishes.
    Mike

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  • 1123581311235813 Posts: 610
    Don't know how long it takes to drive from Charlotte to DC, but kids are never too young for their first trip to our nation's capital!
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,435 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Don't know how long it takes to drive from Charlotte to DC, but kids are never too young for their first trip to our nation's capital! >>


    That's a great place for children that are inquisitive and like to learn rather than just be entertained.

    I took my son to DC - which is a favorite of mine - I can spend an entire week at the Smithsonian due to the sheer numbers of different museums - the Space Museum is probably the most popular.

    My son was bored to tears and couldn't wait to leave and get up to NY to spend his days on the beach.

    He was 9 at the time and had no use for the Capitol or the White House - he liked Union Station - only cause he got to eat!

    Go figure kids?

    mike
    Mike
  • CDsNutsCDsNuts Posts: 10,092 ✭
    You've probably done this, but Universal Studios in Orlando is a lot more fun than Disney World.
  • Downtown1974Downtown1974 Posts: 6,834 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Mike, For something close, how about renting a beach house on the Outer Banks? I have a 3 year old and a 12 year old who had a blast down there. There are some cool things to do on the main drag there from shopping to golfing, go-carts, parasailing,etc. Just a thought. BTW, these houses arent just little cottages. They are friggin mansions. Our house had decks on each floor, jacuzzi tubs in all of the bathrooms, game room, in-ground pool. It was a great time!

    MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940

  • MooseDogMooseDog Posts: 1,946 ✭✭✭
    I'll second the Washington DC idea. There is plenty to do and see there, and educational to boot.
  • Bosox1976Bosox1976 Posts: 8,557 ✭✭✭✭✭
    How about a dude ranch?
    Mike
    Bosox1976
  • MPeterMPeter Posts: 568
    How about a vacation along the coast of Georgia? It's close to you! Make a hotel reservation in a different spot each night or stay a couple days in each location. Spend a day in Savannah checking out the old shops, restaurants, buildings, boats along the river. Then spin off to St. Mary's for a night and take a tour to Cumberland Island to see the wild horses. Maybe they give tours at the King's Bay Submarine Base right there. Take in a day or two at the beach on Tybee Island or Jekyll Island. There are tons of stuff to keep the kids involved. Best of all you don't have to spend your entire vacation behind the wheel of the car!
  • HighChopperHighChopper Posts: 1,091
    I'm 20 miles from DC and have two kids, four and two.

    Lots to do in DC, MD and NoVA. If you need a theme park, Paramount King's Dominion is about an hour south.

    Went to Outer Banks, NC, last year and the kids had a blast!

    Did the whole kite thing at Kitty Hawk and spent a lot of time at the beach.

    Houses are reasonable this time of year and not a lot of tourists.
    There's a hole in my head where the rain comes in.
  • HighChopperHighChopper Posts: 1,091
    Or you could just hang out in Huntersville, NC.
    There's a hole in my head where the rain comes in.
  • wolfbearwolfbear Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭

    To heck with all those sissy vacations!

    Camp out at Rube's in West Virginia for a week.
    He'll teach your kids all about explosives, guns and lots of other cool fun stuff.
    Pix of 'My Kids'

    "How about a little fire Scarecrow ?"
  • samspopsamspop Posts: 1,992 ✭✭✭
    Wow....a lot of ideas. THANKS GUYS!

    The Rube Ranch may be the best option, but the bills for therapy after the trip (me and the kids) may outweigh the reward of a week with Rube.

    You guys are dead on with the Outer Banks and the Georgia Coast. I was looking at both right before I posted this. I am leaning towards the Outer Banks, and will be praying like crazy that the weather will be "unseasonably warm". I actually went to UNC-Wilmington for a couple of years back in the late 80's and never went to the OBanks. My wife has never been either, so this may be the trip to take.

    Thanks again for all of the input...I may plan the Rube Ranch trip next year when my 4-year old will be 5 and shooting Rube's AK-47 will be a little more manageable for him.
    Mike

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  • kadokakidkadokakid Posts: 426 ✭✭
    Hilton Head has lots to offer.

    Peace
    Trying to complete 1970 psa set.
    45% complete.
  • HighChopperHighChopper Posts: 1,091
    I vote for Kadoka, SD.

    Close to the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore/Black Hills, and the nicest people you'll ever meet.
    There's a hole in my head where the rain comes in.
  • Carew29Carew29 Posts: 4,025 ✭✭

    Virginia Beach,VA
  • mrbecker712mrbecker712 Posts: 525
    Destin, FL. By far the best vacation I've ever had. (Although that was just me and the wife, but there was plenty for kids as well).
    Atlanta Braves, Charlotte Hornets, Shawn Kemp, Dale Murphy, and Bobby Engram.
  • BobaFett72BobaFett72 Posts: 7,304
    any chance of dumping the kids for a few days for an adult vacation image
  • nightcrawlernightcrawler Posts: 5,110 ✭✭
    Good on you Mike, way to go, sounds like you're being a great dad.

    They just grow up to fast, way to fast.


    image
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