Vacation

[Will]

I have a quick question.  my wife and I have not taken a vacation in ten years.  I have agreed to take a week off (taken two days the last two years) and go to Florida to the beach.  We have two children 2&6.  Do any of you guys have any suggestions on were to go.  A friend recommended Destin.  I am most concerned for their being enough to do.  I do not like not doing some thing.  I do not work hard but my typical day starts at 5:00 am and ends at 8:00pm.  I just worry I will go nuts just setting at the beach (which is what my wife wants to do)and I do not enjoy theme parks.  I would go to a theme park for the kids.  Let me know of any suggestions.

 

[sigsigns]

Have been in your situation. If you don't like theme parks like Disney that won't be much of a miss in our opinion. DEFINITLEY take the kids to Sea World though. They will love seeing the shows and you might just like it yourself. As far as the beach. When we were in CA one time and at the beach we rented bikes and rode the paths and there were lots of shops to see as well. Good Luck and Just relax.

 

[knabe]

investigate the everglades.  investigate volunteering on a save the whatever on a survey of something.

investigate local chamber of commerce and just call them and tell them you are not interested in tourism.

most vacations require more planning, and most people simply don't maximize the value of this limited resource and simply relax.

having traveled extensively when i was younger, it is imperative you have a schedule and know what's there ahead of time.

the comparison might be going to disneyland at say 10:45, expecting to visit all the rides without even looking at a map before you got there to see what things happened when.

you will be penalized with waiting if you don't plan ahead.

this is similar to one of those schedules between multiple departments at work to push a product out the door with multiple overlapping time lines.

another thing to consider, is that some people want other people to sit next to them and do nothing and "relax".  a comprimise would be to do that, but that the compramise is that other time points are planned.  to me, hurrying up and relaxing is not a good use of time.  it's pretty easy to do that at home, close your eyes and pretend.  the idea of a vacation is to actually DO something different and stimulate your senses with something DIFFERENT.

 

[JoeDirt]

Take them Fishing on a boat


That would be the best fun for the whole family

 

[the_cowgirl_in_me]

over the summer me and my family went to Palm Coast, and there was a bunch to do. Its not too far from Daytona and there is alot to do there also.

 

[simtal]

Key West is awesome.

 

[redwingfarm]

I have a quick question.  my wife and I have not taken a vacation in ten years.  I have agreed to take a week off (taken two days the last two years) and go to Florida to the beach.  We have two children 2&6.  Do any of you guys have any suggestions on were to go.  A friend recommended Destin.  I am most concerned for their being enough to do.  I do not like not doing some thing.  I do not work hard but my typical day starts at 5:00 am and ends at 8:00pm.  I just worry I will go nuts just setting at the beach (which is what my wife wants to do)and I do not enjoy theme parks.  I would go to a theme park for the kids.  Let me know of any suggestions.

I have a couple of ideas but first of all it is in the official "good" parent handbook that "thou shalt take thy children to disney"  i know that because my wife pointed that out to me several years ago when we made the mouse pilgrimage.  Secondly you said that sitting on the beach is "what your wife wants to do"  well duh, if you value your wife and household happiness you might want to rethink your thoughts of not doing the beach.  I agree with Sea world it really is fun for all.  If you do disney do the magic kingdom for cinderella's castle and epcot .  Most of all kick back and enjoy with what ever you do, enjoy the time off with the family remember the kids grow up fast and all too soon they will be teenagers like my to daughters and you will no longer be "cool" to be with.  Good luck and have fun

 

[Taverli]

My parents used to take my brother and I to Destin, FL every year!!!  I loved it and have nothing but the best of memories from going there.  The sands are white and the water is a beautiful clear blue---Hey I even found a $20 bill in the ocean one year there!!  (thumbsup)  My parents were the "planning" type--They found a lot of things for us to do.  I remember going deep sea fishing, going on a sailboat, getting drug around shopping, and even for a couple of years when we were really little they put us in a "kitty camp" type thing.  It was great!!  I got to meet other kids that were staying in the hotel at the same time and our "helper" would take us out on the beach to look for sea shells, take us swimming, and then do a lot of fun activities while my mom and dad enjoyed some time by themselves.  I would definitely recommend Destin to families who want enjoyment for all ages. 

 

[SKF]

Sanibel and Captivia Isalnd is a good place to go. They have nice beaches, fishing, shelling, biking, great places to eat, and lots of wildlife especially alligators. Also not far to drive down to the everglades.

 

[regangus]

Florida would be real nice right now.  8)

 

[OH Breeder]

Will,
If you want to step into the wild side,Miami is fun. You have beaches and little different culture. Pretty fast moving. Keys are fun but most of the stuff you do, you would want to be on the water.

 

[TJ]

Florida would be real nice right now.   8)

The plains Indians had it figured out... north in the summer & south in the winter! 

 

[jnm]

#1)  the 2 year old is too young for Disney; wait until they are 6 & 10 and you will love it; whether you like amusement parks or not; it will be a thrill to watch the kids
#2) I know you say you can't do "nothing"; force yourself to try it with your children and you will be surprised. My children are now in their 20's; I have  good memories of "nothing" vacations with them but also regrets that I didn't make time for more. They will be teenagers before you know it and then they have so much going on it's hard to find time in their schedule let alone yours.

 

[dori36]

Key West is awesome.

I agree.  I have spent lots of fun times in KW and my parents retired there after living all their lives in Michigan.  However, I'd offer that it's not really much of a place for small children.  It has its weird side (lots of it) and even though it has dependably warm weather and, probably, some of the best deep water ocean fishing anywhere, a 2 and 6 yr on a charter boat for several hours wouldn't be much fun for anyone... especially if they got seasick on the big water.  KW is also very expensive.  I was just there last winter.  I'd probably consider the Orlando area even if you don't succumb to Disney World.  There's still lots to do there including Sea World.  Just be sure to bring the BIG checkbook for just about anywhere fun at this time of year.  And, beware the dreaded Spring Breakers.  Ugh - not a bit "family friendly".  Listen to your peers who have experience finding warm, family friendly, fun places catering to small children.  I'm jealous!  Need a nanny?

 

[JbarL]

i live in crystal river.......60 miles north of tampa/ west coast gulf side......not cause i live here but cause its beautiful and yoiur kids ar 2/6 ..and its only 2 hrs to orlando/daytona....1 hr to tampa....45 mins to ocala....about the middle of the state....the glades and keys are another 8/10 hrs from here....absoultly georgous there as well....but i think that is more of a honeymoon than a kids florida trip....pm me if youi'd like some more  naturecoast of florida info....its a decent place to stay and gt to all the mickey mouse stuff in 2 hrs....a lot of natural stuff close by....and just a few hrs and you  can be in all the fl. kids stuff you can stand..    let me know if i can help....jbarl

 

[AAOK]

I would suggest going further south to St. Thomas.  The beaches and the water are absolutely the best.  Charter a day trip on a sail boat (I can make a recommendation) to St. John.  There's plenty to do and see, great food, and duty free shopping.  You'll see lots of families with small children.  Driving a left steer car on the left side of the road also makes for an interesting experience.  PM for more info.

 

[Will]

Thank you for all of your comments.  We are going to go for atleast a week somewhere in Florida on the west side.  Not sure were just yet.  I do not think we will make it to Disney world this year.  Last year the wife took the kids to San Diego to Disney Land so I don't think they need to go again this year.  The sea fishing sound fun.  Do you guys have a site were I could find a condo to rent on the beach for a week or so in June?  What should I expect to pay for a condo?

 

[cattlejunky]

Thank you for all of your comments.  We are going to go for atleast a week somewhere in Florida on the west side.  Not sure were just yet.  I do not think we will make it to Disney world this year.  Last year the wife took the kids to San Diego to Disney Land so I don't think they need to go again this year.  The sea fishing sound fun.  Do you guys have a site were I could find a condo to rent on the beach for a week or so in June?  What should I expect to pay for a condo?

I would not suggest taking a 2yr old and a 6yr old deep sea fishing.  Sometimes the water is rough and you can guess what follows.
We went to an alligator farm and the kids loved it.  We have also been to the everglades and that is very interesting.  There are a couple of places north of Orlando on is Silver Springs and the other is a water park.  I can't remember the names but they were nice.  The Space Center is neat, but probably not up the 2yr olds alley.