Family vacation ideas

[Easy180]

After hitting beaches the past two summers we are looking to dial it down this year and hit a spot within a reasonable driving distance. Shooting for a 4 or 5 nighter with a 6 and 4 year old.

We are eyeballing San Antonio. Anyone taken young kids down there or have any suggestions?

[okatty]

The JW Marriott Hill Country is awesome! Fantastic pool, lazy river, etc. Would be worth a look if you decide on SA.

[MadMonk]

Sea World would be great with kids that age. Or maybe Schlitterbahn a little further north in New Braunfels. Also, if you are going in summer and need a break from the heat, touring the Natural Bridge caverns is cool (figuratively and literally), though with the younger kids, they may not be as interested. Mine were 10 and 8 when we went and they really didn't want to go, but enjoyed it once we were there.

[Mel]

I hope you are driving. Road trips with kids that age are still fun. SAT is a good destination with plenty of activities for all ages. Once they become sullen teenagers the fun is over. Hope you have a blast.

[Bellaboo]

When our kids were ages 7 to 13 (4 kids), we went to San Antonio for a soccer tournament, did Sea World and the Alamo, then headed on over for a couple of days to Corpus Christi. The beach at Aransas Pass was okay and there were dolphins swimming around the ferry boat. They also have the Texas State Aquarium there. We even took them on a harbor charter fishing boat. Our kids had a great time as did we.

[turnpup]

I'll second what Mel said about driving. Some of my fondest childhood memories were our annual car vacations all across the U.S. It was so much fun! We'd have an eventual destination, but we'd stop at interesting places all along the way as we spotted them. Some of those little stops were about as much fun as the final destination.

The only bad part was that I had motion sickness, and we had one of those station wagons with the back seat facing backward. I still can't figure out why my parents put me in that seat. You'd think they'd have known better.

[Zuplar]

If you want to keep it in the state you may check out Broken Bow.

[Easy180]

The JW Marriott Hill Country is awesome! Fantastic pool, lazy river, etc. Would be worth a look if you decide on SA.

That resort looks fantastic. Now trying to break down my wife who said it would be cheaper going to the beach lol. I will keep reminding her of the spa there.

[Urbanized]

I recommend this place: Rivers Edge Cottages : Oklahoma Luxury Cabin Rentals

Beautiful cabins with luxury finishes; comfy beds, fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, roomy showers, washer/dryer, stainless appliances, dishwasher, granite countertops, books, a bottomless bowl of Hershey's Miniatures, decks, rocking chairs, great views, charcoal grills, furnished bicycles, free access to canoes/kayaks on a beautiful scenic river.

Everything you might need (dish soap, laundry soap, cleaning products, charcoal lighter fluid, spices, condiments, coffee, even wasp/hornet spray) is already in your cabin, just as if you are visiting someone's home. You only need bring food/beverages and charcoal.

I stayed four days and never encountered another person. I once saw a pickup (though not the person driving) come by to retrieve trash that I had taken to the can at the end of the driveway, but never even laid eyes on other human beings except for a couple of times when sitting on the back deck, when I could see people several hundred yards away and a couple hundred feet below me kayaking/swimming on the river. The cabins are situated in such a way that you even have a hard time seeing other cabins through the woods.

Alas, no phone (even cell service is sketchy), no TV, no Internet. No texting, no e-mails, no calls to/from work, no Facebook updates, no Twitter, no Xbox.

Unfortunately, you and the kids will have to amuse yourselves by doing things like reading books, talking to each other, eating meals together, cooking out, riding bicycles, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, exploring, looking at the stars, and using your imaginations.

[Jeepnokc]

We did SA for spring break a few years ago with three preteens or younger. I think we stayed at the jw marriott. It was near both six flags and seaworld. Did both parks and kids had great time. Was a little chilly for water rides/ pool in March but that could change each year

[kelroy55]

This a fun place and not too far from Six Flags and another big water park.

Indoor Water Park | Waterparks in Texas | GreatWolf.com

[okatty]

That resort looks fantastic. Now trying to break down my wife who said it would be cheaper going to the beach lol. I will keep reminding her of the spa there.

You can spend a lot of time at the resort, around the pool, etc so the cost is relative. It's not cheap though..ha. You probably can't golf on family vacation but the 36 holes there are really awesome. We stayed at a couple of the other Hill Country resorts and this one was the best in my view.

We have never been to this place but have heard about it. Might be worth some research.

The Serengeti Resort (Bergheim, TX) - Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor

[bradh]

What do you guys like to do? Do you have to have access to attractions, or are you more the relax and enjoy outdoors type? If the latter, I'd recommend Pagosa Springs, CO. A bit further drive (11 hours) but a great little town.

[Mel]

Or if they like trains go to Durango, CO. The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge is a nice train trip. Taking your kids from the flatlands to the mountain can be fun. Whole other world up there.

[okatty]

Or if they like trains go to Durango, CO. The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge is a nice train trip. Taking your kids from the flatlands to the mountain can be fun. Whole other world up there.

That is a great trip! Gorgeous, cool and fun! Get a little soot in your hair too!

[Easy180]

What do you guys like to do? Do you have to have access to attractions, or are you more the relax and enjoy outdoors type? If the latter, I'd recommend Pagosa Springs, CO. A bit further drive (11 hours) but a great little town.

Have to admit we are true city folks so not real big on camping, hiking etc. I'm sure it is beautiful there but I can just picture my kids whining if we go off the grid lol. Appreciate the tip though!

[kevinpate]

Rivers Edge, mentioned by Urbanized, is a decent way for citified folk to stretch themselves into a comfortable country based bit of relaxation.

[PennyQuilts]

I fourth or fifth San Antonio - and San Marcus/New Braunsfels is on the way. Tons to do to keep the kids busy. On the other hand, a few day trips or overnight trips instate is also a way to get to know your state and build memories that might ground your kids near you and mama when it comes time for them to fly. A lot depends on the time of year you're going, too.

[OKCisOK4me]

I was going to say Colorado Springs...entry to Garden of the Gods. Granted, I was probably 10 when I went there but it left an impression on me. I love Colorado. Even went to Durango on that trip and rode the train up to Silverton. I'd recommend the mountains any day for beauty over flat San Antoine!

[Mel]

Both sides of the continental divide has lots to offer. You can find condos in the summer are fairly reasonable. Ski season not so cheap. Even in July it's still winter at the top of Pike's Peak. Take the cog train to the top, I glazed my brakes bad coming back down.

[Zuplar]

I was going to say Colorado Springs...entry to Garden of the Gods. Granted, I was probably 10 when I went there but it left an impression on me. I love Colorado. Even went to Durango on that trip and rode the train up to Silverton. I'd recommend the mountains any day for beauty over flat San Antoine!

I agree. I've been to Colorado every year since I've graduated college from there. It seems like there is always something to do.

[warreng88]

The JW Marriott Hill Country is awesome! Fantastic pool, lazy river, etc. Would be worth a look if you decide on SA.

Agreed. Went with the wife in September and had a blast. You basically never have to leave the resort for anything. They have multiple restaurants and each one of them are great. The spa is fantastic. They have an adults only pool (if you are ok with the kids playing by themselves) and an 18 hole golf course. Of course, talk to Josh about other things to do in SA besides the JW Marriott. If that is too expensive, check out the Lakeway Resort southwest of Austin, but also close to San Antonio. Not as inclusive at the JW Marriott, but beautiful views and you are pretty close to The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX. You could stop at the outlet shops in San Marcos and maybe do a day trip to Schlitterbahn if the weather works in your favor.

[Easy180]

Agreed. Went with the wife in September and had a blast. You basically never have to leave the resort for anything. They have multiple restaurants and each one of them are great. The spa is fantastic. They have an adults only pool (if you are ok with the kids playing by themselves) and an 18 hole golf course. Of course, talk to Josh about other things to do in SA besides the JW Marriott. If that is too expensive, check out the Lakeway Resort southwest of Austin, but also close to San Antonio. Not as inclusive at the JW Marriott, but beautiful views and you are pretty close to The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX. You could stop at the outlet shops in San Marcos and maybe do a day trip to Schlitterbahn if the weather works in your favor.

The JW in San Antonio is the clear leader since it seems we can stick to the resort aside from the day we hit Seaworld. Wifey learns of her raise tomorrow morning so if all goes well reservations go in this weekend lol.

[zookeeper]

The JW in San Antonio is the clear leader since it seems we can stick to the resort aside from the day we hit Seaworld. Wifey learns of her raise tomorrow morning so if all goes well reservations go in this weekend lol.

Sounds like a GREAT trip! (Good luck to the other half on the raise. )

[PennyQuilts]

Good luck on the raise!

Good times...