dbark

Daughter 1, age 19, who lives in the UK - is coming over in July and we want to take a short family vacation - that would be hubby & me, and two daughters 16 & 19. Daughter 1 suggested the Grand Canyon - but I thought it would be prohibitively expensive especially in July. Another possibility is Florida - we could drive there - but I think they're a bit old for Disney, and beaches get old after a day, especially as Daughter 1 is very fair-skinned and burns in a snap.

Can anyone suggest an 'interesting' short break (4 or 5 days?) destination that would not take days to get to from Arkansas? Daughters 1 & 2 would enjoy a bit of shopping, eating out and sightseeing. Parents would be glad just to get through those few days without too much fighting .....

Scouse Express

Hi,

You could try Branson, Missouri, which has lots of shows to offer, along with recreational activities including boating on Table Rock Lake, Dukw (Duck) Rides and plenty of other stuff to do including shopping and dining.

Other places which are not too far away from Arkansas include Dallas or St Louis,

Jim.

Angry White Pyjamas

Theres more to Florida than Disney.

Rompers

Yep. There's also SeaWorld

clydegirl

What about St.Louis ?

Lots to see and do. The Arch, Botanical Gardens,Zoo,Art Museum ,tours of the Budweiser Brewery and lots of shopping.

Not too far from Arkansas.

Lizzi

Florida's going to be disgustingly hot and humid too. If she wants to go to the GC I'd take her there, it's fantastic, so fantastic we've been there twice. Dunno about it being more expensive, but you can stay in places outside the park (south rim) and it's not too far to travel back in. Florida and the theme parks will probably set you back a whole lot more anyway. Have fun, whatever you decide.

mickmills

Chattanooga has enough to keep you busy for a couple of days,

http://www.chattanoogafun.com/

Also, Nashville is a good town to see

http://www.musiccityusa.com/Visitors/

Sarah

Why would the Grand Canyon be expensive? They don't charge you for looking at it do they?
If you're talking about hotel cost, do a Priceline and get it cheaper or camp. I can't think of a better place to go camping than at the Grand Canyon, nice morning view.

Rete

Sure is. There is Sea World, Busch Gardens, Space Museum, Everglades, and Ray.

Ray

Yup.. bring them to me ... A weeks training ..they will never be the same again ... although for their birthdays they may want .. a winchester
and no more girly stuff....

ironporer

Does Barbie accessorize with Glochs now?

Flordia Barbie may have a whole new meaning.

paul_TX

Now, don't laugh, but how about Dallas?

Great shopping at Grapevine Mills or the Galleria if they want more "up-market". Also, my daughters (17 and 15) have discovered a store called Sam Moon which is near the Galleria...it has loads of costume jewelry, handbags, etc etc etc and according to my girls it's "really cheap".
Great steak restaurants (Saltgrass), Bring them to a Texas Rangers baseball game and a day at SixFlags.
You've also got Fort Worth Stockyards, Downtown Dallas with the JFK museum etc.

You'll be bringing them to the city that will (by then) boast the NBA Champions, the Stanley Cup winners, soon-to-be World Series champs and next years SuperBowl champs.

TRPardoe

Skip FL in July unless you really like 100% humidity, 90 degree plus temps, torrential rain every afternoon, the risk of hurricanes and hordes of Chavs (in Orlando).

Right now the weather here is gorgeous, so gorgeous we have a hosepipe ban in some parts.

ironporer

Don't know how 'outdoorsy' you and the family are, but what about renting a cabin on a lake in the Ozarks? Or perhaps even a house boat? Close by, not much travel time... if you like watersports/fishing or camping and such. Might stock up on SPF99 for daughter # 1 while she learns to waterski and put the worm on the hook.

Bob

depends on what you want to do and the like, but Maine really isn't to bad, out in Bar Harbor, nice cheap lobster shacks and the like to eat at, and whale watches, also national parks and mountains for gentle walks, plenty of water sports on various lakes.