Summer Family Vacation Ideas?

[fastfredracing]

I'll add a huge + 1 to the southern Outer Banks,

[Seahawk]

OBX is a great suggestion. We did two summer vacations there with another family when the kids were little.

Depending on you desires, there are some great beach towns in SC (Myrtle Beach has been mentioned). Pawley's Island, Sullivan's Island (near Charleston), Isle of Palms, Edisto, etc.

Lots of stuff to do besides the beach near Charleston if that suites you.

Have fun!

[john70t]

A group of us planned to share a rental house on the Outer Banks NC. Originally.
Decided against because it was more expensive and there was only one main drag in and out.
(but that could a good thing, depending)

We ended up on Topsail Isle to the south.
A stack of extremely overbuilt structures all crammed together along a long empty beach, but desolate during the off season.
Nothing but beach and big empty rental houses.
The north end had a younger surfing community.
The Wilmington waterfront/pier/battleship area was a short drive away.

[CHICKS]

Victoria Canada, I was surprised how cheap it was how much stuff there was to do.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Stay in Loveland, CO and drive up to Estes on the back roads. Interesting drives, great parks!!!

Visit up through Wyoming and Montana for some great parks with good hotels on the route. Wonderful scenery.

Might be a bit expensive but what about Traverse City, MI? Nice parks, great hikes, but can get crowded as well.

For me I want to go back to Palo Duro Canyon in Texas. NOT crowded, lovely scenery, lots of outdoors!!!! Not too far of a drive from Wichita.

There is also the cheese circuit in Wisconsin my buddy keeps telling me about... He likes cheese! Well, and beer...

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

Might be a bit expensive but what about Traverse City, MI? Nice parks, great hikes, but can get crowded as well.

...

I was just looking at Traverse City Mi. yesterday about when the cherry festival is. There is a great international air show out over the bay that is awesome. Usually around 4th of July.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

I was just looking at Traverse City Mi. yesterday about when the cherry festival is. There is a great international air show out over the bay that is awesome. Usually around 4th of July.

Great golf courses in the area.

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by 71scgc

Check into the Crystal Coast of NC as well.
I live here year round.
Family oriented beaching, etc.
Check Bluewater Realty for vacay rentals.
Not near as crowded as some of the locales listed.

Carter

OBX in July is EXPENSIVE. High season there. We'll be there this July and the only two things to do are surf and fish.

We typically have our house booked for the following year before we check out.

Crystal Coast is a very cool area IMO. Stayed in Beaufort a couple days when I bought my boat and it seems to be an amazing area for fishing.

How about Quebec City? Been thinking about going for a few years now.

[KFC911]

Shhhh.....I sure wish folks would quit recommending the Outer Banks or other NC beaches . I still remember the OBX (and other NC beaches) from my youth when it was pretty much off the beaten path....no mas (especailly "in season"). Been to Myrtle Bch (and North Myrtle) too many times to count during my high school/college years....avoid those unless you like congestion, crowds, and TRAFFIC

[71scgc]

Originally Posted by berettafan

OBX in July is EXPENSIVE. High season there. We'll be there this July and the only two things to do are surf and fish.

We typically have our house booked for the following year before we check out.

Crystal Coast is a very cool area IMO. Stayed in Beaufort a couple days when I bought my boat and it seems to be an amazing area for fishing.

How about Quebec City? Been thinking about going for a few years now.

The absolute best time here is right after Labor Day.
Prices usually drop around then, as season's over, school's on, etc.
Hurricane risk at its highest though. The crowds are gone, it's still plenty warm, both out of and in the water, which is still close to 80* F.
You can actually get in a restaurant!! Traffic is mostly gone (yay!!).

Carter

[KFC911]

+1 for Carter's advice....last time I was at the OBX was the week starting on Labor Day weekend. On Monday (after the crowds left) it was much more like the good old daze and a totally different place...for the better