Happy Monday (?) !
I am getting through this Monday by trying to brainstorm ideas for a little getaway for me, DW, and DS (18 months).
We live in St. Louis, and the only real requirement is that it be either a nonstop, direct flight or a max 4-5 hour car ride.
What I am envisioning is an actual time to relax and recharge - not go go go like we do at home every weekend. Buuuut with enough to do to entertain a toddler.
TIA for any suggestions!
cherry / 189 posts
i don't have any suggestions, but just responding to say we're looking for the same thing and we're also in st. louis! i feel like it's more difficult because there aren't a ton of good direct flights out of lambert. 
cantaloupe / 6131 posts
Branson? Its a little country, but also pretty laid back. You could drive there timed to your son's nap. Plenty of resorts there and lake activities.
Or, I agree, Chicago.
nectarine / 2180 posts
We had a fabulous trip to Austin, TX when our DD was around that age. We rented a 2-BR AirBnB with pool access. We went to Barton Springs, the children's museum (which has moved since we went there, I believe), and just enjoyed exploring, eating great food, and a little shopping. I know there are a lot more outdoor things we could've done if we had had more time.
grapefruit / 4321 posts
It's an easy drive to Nashville! Lots of fun stuff to do but also not crazy busy. You can eat BBQ, go to the zoo, relax by the pool if you pick the right hotel.
pomelo / 5084 posts
@peaches1038: LOL - first thing I suggested! DW thinks it might be to rushy/busy? Is there a way we could get like an air bnb on the lakeshore or something and pretend we are at a lakehouse and not in a city ... do you know??
pomelo / 5084 posts
@Truth Bombs: Nashville is on our short list! Have you been?
Would you say it seems vacation-y? Or just like another/different St. Louis??
coconut / 8472 posts
My family and I are going to a resort on a lake in NH for Memorial Day weekend. I expect we'll chill out at the pool, walk around the town and do some shopping, and eat out a bunch. I don't need too much else on a weekend vacation, lol. You could try to find something super low key like that, if that interests you. It's only a 1.5 hour drive for us.
But iff I were you and I wanted to do something a little more involved, I'd probably do a weekend in Charleston, SC. Looks like it's a 3 hour flight, non-stop, on Southwest. I've never been there, but my understanding is that there's lots to walk around and see, plus beaches and beautiful scenery.
pomelo / 5084 posts
@ShootingStar: What you are describing sounds perfect! I just dont know how to find something like that in the midwest? SC is interesting! Thanks! I will investigate.
pomelo / 5084 posts
@Pancakes: Thank you! I will investigate!
@gingerbebe: My only hesitation is that I always used to go there for work (well, Big Cedar Lodge) so I associate it. Haha.
grapefruit / 4321 posts
@wrkbrk: I live here so it's not vacation-y to me
honeydew / 7463 posts
In February we went to Boca Beach Club and it was A-MAZ-ING. We flew into Ft lauderdale and it was about a 30 min drive if I recall correctly.
They have wonderful pools and beach. Food is top notch (and I'm kind of a foodie). Rooms are beautiful. It is expensive but 100% worth it. We barely left the resort except for a couple date nights. Speaking of, I have an AMAZING sitter/nanny that we used (recommended by the hotel and we couldn't have been happier). She is fully bonded and background checked by a nanny agency.
If you aren't opposed to Mexico (not ttc) look at Nizuc. Spectacular over the top wonderful experience. We are dying to go back but we are ttc.
coconut / 8472 posts
@wrkbrk: Oh man, the northeast has like a thousand cute towns and lakes with hotels or bed and breakfasts. Here's where we're going (it's our 5 year anniversary!) Feel free to join us in NH ;). https://millfalls.com/church-landing/
pomelo / 5084 posts
@SweetiePie: Thank you! I will add Boca Beach Club to the list! Probably do want to stay in the U.S.
pomegranate / 3231 posts
@wrkbrk: When my son was 18mo, we spent a week at the Mount Washington Hotel in NH. It was great. There was lots of hiking (especially great for my husband), a tourist train (especially great for our son!), a gorgeous veranda overlooking the mountain range with an excellent cocktail menu (great for me and my husband!) and a spa (great for me!). There was also an indoor pool, and outdoor pool, a playground and lots of open lawn for my son to run around. And a fire pit at night. Etc. etc.
We are actually going back again next month. My son is two years older so hopefully it will still work well for us.
nectarine / 2047 posts
Some places that are closer and still have a laid back, beach town vibe are saugatuck mi and lake Geneva, WI.
pomelo / 5084 posts
@ElbieKay: Yeah, everything good is in the NE 
@peaches1038: Thanks! I will check them out!
watermelon / 14467 posts
We just came back from three days in Chattanooga and it was perfect. It's a 4.5 hour drive from where I live, but it looks like you can get non-stop flights there from St. Louis. We stayed downtown. There is the Creative Discovery Museum (which my 3.5 year old LOVED), the aquarium (was more fun for us than for her, she was over it after 20-30 minutes), and then the Riverwalk, which was great for sightseeing on foot safely. I can't stop raving about our time there. If we had been there longer, we probably would have done some hiking in the mountains and explored lots of other neighborhoods.
nectarine / 2262 posts
@avivoca @wrkbrk Chatt is a GREAT recommendation. I have lived in the area (and lived in Nashville) and I would definitely recommend Chattanooga over Nashville for a toddler/family vaca. Nashville is more fun for adults, I think (not to say there aren't toddler/family things to do).
cantaloupe / 6131 posts
What about Indianapolis?
Sorta random left-field place, but if its just about a change of pace that's driveable, Indy has an INCREDIBLE children's museum as well as a zoo and aquarium - all toddler hits.
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