Vacations in the US
Oct 24th 2011, 4:27 pm
#16
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,040
Re: Vacations in the US
We are looking to book something for 2012. Must be relatively kid friendly and we wish to stay away from Vegas or Disney.
I am thinking Washington D.C. I spent some time there while in the military and it struck me as somewhere with decent amounts of interesting things to do, as opposed to just lying on a beach, playing blackjack or hurtling down a ride. Nothing wrong with those and we have done so in the past, just looking to look at somewhere other than the usual vacation.
Don't mind driving or flying or a combination of the two if that would enhance the trip.
We are looking to spend a week or two.
Any thoughts and, if I could impose, could you please also suggest an appropriate time of year for your suggested destination.
Many thanks
I am thinking Washington D.C. I spent some time there while in the military and it struck me as somewhere with decent amounts of interesting things to do, as opposed to just lying on a beach, playing blackjack or hurtling down a ride. Nothing wrong with those and we have done so in the past, just looking to look at somewhere other than the usual vacation.
Don't mind driving or flying or a combination of the two if that would enhance the trip.
We are looking to spend a week or two.
Any thoughts and, if I could impose, could you please also suggest an appropriate time of year for your suggested destination.
Many thanks
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Oct 24th 2011 at 4:29 pm.
Oct 24th 2011, 4:36 pm
#17
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,685
Oct 24th 2011, 5:04 pm
#18
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Vacations in the US
I think DC is a good idea if your kids haven't been there before.
You can get to Nassau direct from Calgary as well, biggest water park in the world reportedly at Atlantis Paradise Resort. Bit of a tourist trap though. But so is DC.
Chicago might be worth visiting. Actually I quite like Denver, but seeing as the main attraction is the mountains it might seem a bit pointless coming from Calgary.
Oct 24th 2011, 5:23 pm
#19
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Vacations in the US
We are looking to book something for 2012. Must be relatively kid friendly and we wish to stay away from Vegas or Disney.
I am thinking Washington D.C. I spent some time there while in the military and it struck me as somewhere with decent amounts of interesting things to do, as opposed to just lying on a beach, playing blackjack or hurtling down a ride. Nothing wrong with those and we have done so in the past, just looking to look at somewhere other than the usual vacation.
Don't mind driving or flying or a combination of the two if that would enhance the trip.
We are looking to spend a week or two.
Any thoughts and, if I could impose, could you please also suggest an appropriate time of year for your suggested destination.
Many thanks
I am thinking Washington D.C. I spent some time there while in the military and it struck me as somewhere with decent amounts of interesting things to do, as opposed to just lying on a beach, playing blackjack or hurtling down a ride. Nothing wrong with those and we have done so in the past, just looking to look at somewhere other than the usual vacation.
Don't mind driving or flying or a combination of the two if that would enhance the trip.
We are looking to spend a week or two.
Any thoughts and, if I could impose, could you please also suggest an appropriate time of year for your suggested destination.
Many thanks
I used to live in DC, and as most have mentioned there are a lot of museums, exhibitions and even the zoo and all are free to the public. I'm not sure it warrants more than three or four days unless you're really enamored with American 'culture'.
Oct 24th 2011, 5:32 pm
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,378
Re: Vacations in the US
I was there as a squaddie so we did a brief visit to Arlington cemetery and took in one museum (the one with the Enola Gay). We didn't do any of the touristy stuff.
We are thinking that, with kids in tow (9 + 12), we could stretch things out a bit to last a week. The reference to 2 weeks was just in case someone thought that more time was warranted.
Oct 24th 2011, 6:38 pm
#21
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Vacations in the US
Thanks.
I was there as a squaddie so we did a brief visit to Arlington cemetery and took in one museum (the one with the Enola Gay). We didn't do any of the touristy stuff.
We are thinking that, with kids in tow (9 + 12), we could stretch things out a bit to last a week. The reference to 2 weeks was just in case someone thought that more time was warranted.
I was there as a squaddie so we did a brief visit to Arlington cemetery and took in one museum (the one with the Enola Gay). We didn't do any of the touristy stuff.
We are thinking that, with kids in tow (9 + 12), we could stretch things out a bit to last a week. The reference to 2 weeks was just in case someone thought that more time was warranted.
I lived right next to the zoo, which would make a very nice afternoon wandering around, but no more than that. A stroll around Georgetown is okay, and if you can ditch the wife and kids, there are many old school taverns to have a pint in.
Oct 29th 2011, 5:29 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 56
Re: Vacations in the US
You can fly into Vegas and start / end the vacation there. Vegas actually has lots to do for the kids, assuming they are still under 12. Zion National Park is about a 3 hour drive from Vegas. Spend a couple of nights there and then drive a couple of more hours east to Bryce Canyon.
Book early because there are limited hotels in the area. Late August is a good time to go. The school year starts early in many parts of the US so it will be less busy.
Oct 29th 2011, 5:41 pm
#23
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Joined: Apr 2008
Location: On
Posts: 389
Re: Vacations in the US
We did Vegas, Bryce Canyon and Zion with the kids. Best family trip ever! We've been on cruises, Florida, Washington, South Carolina and to the Caribbean, but nothing comes close. Bryce and Zion are simply stunning.
You can fly into Vegas and start / end the vacation there. Vegas actually has lots to do for the kids, assuming they are still under 12. Zion National Park is about a 3 hour drive from Vegas. Spend a couple of nights there and then drive a couple of more hours east to Bryce Canyon.
Book early because there are limited hotels in the area. Late August is a good time to go. The school year starts early in many parts of the US so it will be less busy.
You can fly into Vegas and start / end the vacation there. Vegas actually has lots to do for the kids, assuming they are still under 12. Zion National Park is about a 3 hour drive from Vegas. Spend a couple of nights there and then drive a couple of more hours east to Bryce Canyon.
Book early because there are limited hotels in the area. Late August is a good time to go. The school year starts early in many parts of the US so it will be less busy.
Oct 29th 2011, 9:58 pm
#24
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,021
Re: Vacations in the US
We flew to Phoenix, went to Montezumas castle, then Flagstaff and saw the volcanoes, then Grand Canyon, then Zion, Page (hire a power boat on the lake there- highlight of the trip) then monument valley then Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. Took 2 weeks, road trip with 2 kids 11 and 10. Worked well ending with 2 days in a Phoenix water park. Stayed in a wigwam on route 66, Gouldings lodge in Monument valley and in the Grand Canyon (Yavapai lodge). Absolutely fabulous - kids had a ball and became rangers at all of the National parks (70USD for a year pass to all NPs). Highly recommended. Before we have done a week in Yosemite tagged onto a week in San Francisco. Great time!
Oct 29th 2011, 10:37 pm
#25
Septic Sprout
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 7,994
Re: Vacations in the US
We did Vegas, Bryce Canyon and Zion with the kids. Best family trip ever! We've been on cruises, Florida, Washington, South Carolina and to the Caribbean, but nothing comes close. Bryce and Zion are simply stunning.
You can fly into Vegas and start / end the vacation there. Vegas actually has lots to do for the kids, assuming they are still under 12. Zion National Park is about a 3 hour drive from Vegas. Spend a couple of nights there and then drive a couple of more hours east to Bryce Canyon.
Book early because there are limited hotels in the area. Late August is a good time to go. The school year starts early in many parts of the US so it will be less busy.
You can fly into Vegas and start / end the vacation there. Vegas actually has lots to do for the kids, assuming they are still under 12. Zion National Park is about a 3 hour drive from Vegas. Spend a couple of nights there and then drive a couple of more hours east to Bryce Canyon.
Book early because there are limited hotels in the area. Late August is a good time to go. The school year starts early in many parts of the US so it will be less busy.
Oct 30th 2011, 12:43 am
#26
Bon Vivant
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,956
Re: Vacations in the US
I did Arches two days ago, Canyonlands and Dead Horse point State Park yesterday and Monument Valley today.
In Kayenta, AZ right now.
I'm on my way to my winter place in Arizona via Flagstaff, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Prescott and then to Yuma.
Lots of snow in Denver and tried a bit of snowboarding in Georgetown (between Denver and Vail).
The Colorado Plateau is my favorite place on earth !
Oct 30th 2011, 11:12 am
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 56
Re: Vacations in the US
There is loads to do and see in DC...and most of it is free. Not sure I would want to spend 2 weeks there though. I would spend several days there then head south...towards the Carolina's. Spring and fall are the best times to visit IMO...winters can be very cold and snowy....summers very humid and hot.
www.litchfieldbeach.com
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...e-beach#a18161
