https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:13:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2907787 Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:33:28 +0000 hitchhiker 2907787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stayed in cabins at the YMCA of the Rockies for a friends reunion a few years ago. It was amazing - pool, craft house, cafeteria if you didn't feel like cooking. And very close to RMNP. My parents stayed there on our recommendation, too, and also loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2907689 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:53:46 +0000 hellobeeboston 2907689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: amazing! Thank you!! I may... i'm off to google the area :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2907683 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:38:19 +0000 psw27 2907683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: @hellobeeboston: This is where we stayed too! It's a very fun area for the kids and Rocky Mountain National Park is gorgeous. The Georgetown Railroad is pretty fun for kids too. With the winding mountain roads it is probably 2.5-3 hours north of Colorado Springs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2907680 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:36:03 +0000 hellobeeboston 2907680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: THANK YOU! The Broadmoor is exactly where I would love to stay, but you're right, $$$$... not this year, but maybe in a year we can save up for that. Looks awesome, love the rustic cabins option... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2907674 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:18:47 +0000 josina 2907674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: We did Colorado this past August and stayed at Winter Park Resort, which is about an hour/hour and a half north west of Denver. So beautiful! We got a VRBO for super cheap with an awesome pool and hot tub; walking distance to the resort town, super fun 'summer camp' with a gondola ride and alpine slide.<br /> It's less than an hour north from there to the west entrance of RMNP which I highly recommend driving through, Estes Park at the other end is also gorgeous. We also drove out to Loveland Pass and Georgetown for a day.<br /> Nearer Denver we did Red Rocks and the Dinosaur Ridge.<br /> Let me know if you want any more details! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2907665 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 14:34:11 +0000 psw27 2907665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: I would stay in Colorado Springs! You are close to Manitou Springs, Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, etc. From there you can drive to Durango, Taos, Mesa Verde, etc. Colorado is a huge state so you can end up doing a lot of driving but I think Colorado Springs is nice and central. I've only stayed at 2 hotels - one in Estes Park (North west of Denver) but the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is spectacular (but probably $$). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2907663 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 14:15:58 +0000 hellobeeboston 2907663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: hi! I'm resurrecting an old thread - any reco's on where to stay for a great family vaca that is central to see &amp; do a lot?? Flights into Denver are so cheap, and i don't mind car travel once there --- looking for an awesome family trip in July with my family. TIA! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830973 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 14:45:18 +0000 ElbieKay 2830973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: I just got an email about a summer promotion for the Palm Springs resort:</p> <p><a href="https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/palm-springs-rancho-las-palmas/specials/stay-splash-summer-sale" rel="nofollow">https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/palm-springs-rancho-las-palmas/specials/stay-splash-summer-sale</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830970 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 14:27:50 +0000 looch 2830970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snarkybiochemist: I was just going to write the same thing!</p> <p>You could go via Buffalo, see Niagra falls and then go on to Toronto.</p> <p>Or go via NH/VT and go to Montreal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830965 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 14:19:09 +0000 YogiRunner 2830965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We loved Yosemite. We went without our 2 year old, but I’m pregnant so couldn’t do the strenuous hikes anyway. The valley is so vast that we were able to do many beautiful flat hikes that the kids could do with you. Only thing is that we love gorgeous drives, and our drive there wasn’t too exciting (we came from Monterey CA). Just a ton of farm land! And, I hear it can get pretty crowded in the summer. But we also love national and state parks, my husband has traveled to many in the US and counted this as one of his top picks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830940 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 13:27:37 +0000 psw27 2830940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Colorado - Mesa Verde National Park, Garden of the Gods, Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes, Durango railroads, the Royal Gorge (rafting!) -- I could go on and on! I spent my childhood summers in Colorado so I love it. </p> <p>Edit: Oh I'll add Carlsbad Caverns and Taos NM are also really fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830930 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 12:12:43 +0000 codeitall 2830930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've heard really good things about the new Utah State Park: Sand Hollow. It is close enough that you could also do Zion in the same trip. Goblin Valley is another really kid friendly state park. Tons of rocks everywhere to climb on and hide behind.</p> <p>You've probably already done some of these, but I'll just list them out:<br /> Arches<br /> Canyonlands<br /> Bryce<br /> Mesa Verde<br /> Million dollar highway in Colorado<br /> Redwoods in California<br /> Oregon Coast<br /> Carlsbad Caverns </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830894 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 10:00:51 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2830894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Driving from CT could get you into Canada, the weather is usually pretty nice and there are both city things and outdoorsy stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830893 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 09:59:33 +0000 crazydoglady 2830893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: You would absolutely love it! Let me know if you want ideas of places to stay, good eats, things to do etc. 😊 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830889 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 09:47:13 +0000 DesertDreams88 2830889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: DH suggested that last night! I've definitely been thinking about it as a good option! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830882 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 09:31:04 +0000 crazydoglady 2830882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: What about Lake Tahoe? It's absolutely beautiful, great temps, very affordable, family friendly, and amazing hikes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830855 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 08:47:03 +0000 DesertDreams88 2830855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: Hmmmm interesting! I'll look it up! KY is also a 2 day drive from CT so we could "meet in the middle". Also one of my best friends is in OH and we could maybe pop up there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830854 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 08:45:46 +0000 DesertDreams88 2830854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: @ElbieKay: Oh, I get it! It's just that we've done New England a bunch very recently and I'm itching for something different.... especially if it means we don't have to fly cross country ($$$). In the past 5 years, we've done Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Block Island. We're doing VT in July. However, this is making me remember there is more with the kids..... Lake George, Boston, Mt. Washington, the Jersey Shore, Hershey Park, the White Mountains in general.... I guess those locations just don't excite me much because I did them all a couple times each as a child :silly: I REALLY want to do Acadia National Park though! I'm going to make a separate thread on this.... I love vacation planning :happy: </p> <p>@ElbieKay: We did Palm Springs last year but just for 2 days - it is gorgeous, I would definitely consider it again! I'll look up that resort. </p> <p>@lamariniere: @Pumuckl: ugh so tempting! We want to save Yosemite and Yellowstone for when the kids are older, we think.... we'd hate to go somewhere like that and only be able to do half of the park due to kid limitations. But again, tempting! We could always go back and do more...... That's what we're going to do with Vegas, we had a great family vacation there in Thanksgiving mainly focusing on food &amp; Red Rock State Park but we want to go back and finish some of the more difficult hikes and do a couple shows. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830851 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 08:42:16 +0000 avivoca 2830851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It would be a full two-day drive (Google maps puts it at 27 hours from Phoenix), but Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, KY is my favorite. Very family friendly, especially in the summer, really nice hiking, and you have the option to rent a cabin or stay in the lodge. They also have on-site dining. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830837 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 07:56:18 +0000 Adira 2830837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get that you're from New England and so aren't interested in a revisit for yourself personally, but there are a ton of fun things to do with your kids! We just took ours to Story Land in NH and they have so much fun there! Also there's Edaville (Thomas Land anyone?) in MA. Plus a ton of hiking, swimming, and other events to do in New England. Plus it's not scorching hot here in the summer. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830818 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:15:46 +0000 Pumuckl 2830818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How about going further north to the Blackhills/Rockies or the Yellowstone area? Both are really beautiful and there is lots of hiking possibilities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830814 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 01:53:14 +0000 ElbieKay 2830814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had two excellent family vacations at the Mount Washington resort in NH. We have gone in mid June and early Sept to beat the summer crowds. Kid friendly but elegant enough for adults. Lots of hiking in the area. In the mountains so usually great weather.</p> <p>I realize this violates your NE rule but we have had such a great experience that I figured I would recommend it.</p> <p>We also went to the Omni resort near Palm Springs this April. Another great trip. We did offsite activities in the morning then hit the hotel pool / water park for a few hours before dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830811 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 00:18:13 +0000 lamariniere 2830811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: the Oregon coast is so beautiful! </p> <p>Yosemite? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830806 Tue, 26 Jun 2018 22:58:05 +0000 crazydoglady 2830806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: I mostly mentioned it because we are there right now. :silly: DH is trying to convince me that we should move to SD and I'm like, "on two teacher's salaries?" 😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830805 Tue, 26 Jun 2018 22:53:03 +0000 DesertDreams88 2830805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: Love but done 3 times in 8 years :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830804 Tue, 26 Jun 2018 22:46:37 +0000 crazydoglady 2830804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>San Diego? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830800 Tue, 26 Jun 2018 21:39:15 +0000 youboots 2830800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Southern Oregon Coast! Gold Beach. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-a-family-vacation-destination#post-2830795 Tue, 26 Jun 2018 20:43:04 +0000 DesertDreams88 2830795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just brainstorming for Summer 2019. Here's my factors:<br /> - Contiguous US<br /> - Preferably a 1-2 day drive from AZ<br /> - Open to a 1-2 day drive from CT<br /> - Inexpensive (!)<br /> - Suitable for family travel with a 3.5 and 1.5 year old<br /> - Nature-oriented options (National or State Parks are our favorite)<br /> - Open to theme parks but neither Disney bc we're saving that for later</p> <p>Things I don't want:<br /> - No New England.... I grew up there and did a ton<br /> - Not humid or temps above 90s<br /> - DH &amp; I have done mostly everything in Southern CA, all of AZ, and most of NV / UT / NM. </p> <p>anddddd...... go! </p>