Suggest a vacation for us.

[brendon_small]

Mrs. Small, Baby Small, and myself would like to take a trip. It will be the weekend of our wedding anniversary (March 15-20 will probably be about right, since the 17th is our anniversary), so we would like something that is fun, somewhat affordable, and somewhere that a 8-month old baby would be able to be taken.

We had considered Tennessee, Myrtle Beach, and Emerald Isle. We aren't sure what we're looking for, but those were just places we had been to in the last few years that would be okay for another vacation.

What do you dopers suggest?

Brendon Small

[brendon_small]

A quick bump just to see if I can get any suggestions.

Brendon Small

[ivylass]

We need more info. Do you want to do things as a family, or do you want to drop the kidlet off for an evening while you and the missus do your own thing?

Do you want shopping, golf, hiking, fishing, amusement parks? Are you interested in learning about history, or do you want some place with fantastic pubs? Will you be flying or driving to this destination? Do you want to pitch a tent or have full room service?

For me, personally, I'd rather go somewhere I haven't been before.

[Kalhoun]

An 8-month old baby isn't going to care one way or the other. Since everything they see is new, it's all cool to them.

If you haven't been to Washington, DC, it's a great trip. TONS to see, good transportation around town, and everything is kid-friendly (especially to a baby who doesn't give a hoot). Just about everything you see is free. It's educational, and more moving and thought-provoking than I'd imagined in my wildest dreams.

[Edward The Head]

We traveled to Ireland with a 9 month old. She was ok since she slept on the plane ride. However, don't lose your car seat as the ones they have are harder to put in. She was good for the most part, but she was just learning to crawl so was trying to go everywhere.

We didn't get as much done as we had hoped though, we hurried through Dublin and a couple of other places. I had been a number of times before, but Iris hadn't. I would have liked to have spent more time, and I'm sure she would have too. The baby didn't care one way or the other I'm sure. Closer to home might be a better idea.

[KneadToKnow]

IMHO, that's the perfect time of year to go to the beach.

[bannerrefugee]

Originally Posted by brendon_small

We had considered Tennessee, Myrtle Beach, and Emerald Isle. We aren't sure what we're looking for, but those were just places we had been to in the last few years that would be okay for another vacation.

What do you dopers suggest?

Brendon Small

I am from Myrtle Beach SC. The Pawley’s Island Litchfield area is quite relaxing about 30 miles south of MB. You could check out Huntington beach state park or Brookgreen gardens. Or go farther north to the Barrier Islands of NC for example Oracoke NC.

Myrtle Beach has nice beaches and good restaurants but is truly a tourist trap.

[brendon_small]

Well, we'd like to go somewhere we hadn't been, and we don't want to just drop off the little one somewhere. Historical stuff, museums, and aquariums are great, but where? A lot of it is deciding on anything at all. We went to Florida last year, but that was because we were meeting friends in Sarasota about halfway through the trip to stay for a few days. We talked about going to MB just because it is not as long of a drive, but it seems kind of like a cop-out. Not that it isn't a good place to visit, but that it seems to be where we go and still run into people from our home town who are also on vacation.

Yesterday, she talked about Texas. I'm not sure why, but it was discussed for a few minutes. Of course, if she reads on here that Ireland was mentioned, that would be the decision, but we really aren't sure how that would work out money-wise (I'm a non-working student at the moment, until May anyways).

I think somewhere that we can drive to (so within 15 hours or so of Ohio) and has a lot of cultural or historical sites would be great.

Brendon Small

[ivylass]

I don't know driving distance from Ohio...how close are you to Pennsylvania Dutch country?

[artemis]

Have you considered Chicago? It's not a warm destination, but there are plenty of (indoor!) cultural sights to enjoy and kid-friendly activities for Baby Small, and it's not too long a drive from Ohio.

[Tastes of Chocolate]

By then, Savannah, GA should be warming up. It's full of interesting places to visit, and still small enough to walk around most of it. Looks like about 650milse from you, so unless you drive really slow, it should be inside your 15hr range. Buy a pass on one of the trolley tours and you can get them to take you all over town, while the 3 of your sit back and enjoy.

[Missy2U]

How about Mackinac Island?

[Caractacus Pott]

I'll throw Charleston, SC , into contention. You've already thought about Myrtle Beach, so head a bit further southeast and you'll have beaches, history, culture, and good food. Get a DASH Pass so you can take the shuttle all over downtown. If you have time, eat a lunch or dinner in the round Holiday Inn, but only for the view. Unless they've changed recently, the food's only OK.