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Started By
Message
Brainstorming Thanksgiving or Christmas vacation ideas - I need suggestions
Posted on 10/7/24 at 9:45 am
Posted on 10/7/24 at 9:45 am
Our family vacations have become rather humdrum, and I'm looking to plan something exciting for this fall/winter. I could wait until spring break, but I'm itching to do something sooner.
I looked into NYC, but it's just absurdly expensive. Cheapest flight from Atlanta to Newark was $1600 for a family of four. Hotels are the biggest issue with the cheapest option over Thanksgiving being near Battery Park for $1700 total. That's $3300 just for travel and lodging. Factor in tickets to Broadway or whatever events we do, food, any shopping, travel...I'd say $5000 is a requirement for us to go there. I really want to make that work, but it's just too much for three days in one city.
So coming from Birmingham, AL, what might be a better option? We've exhausted the road trips to Nashville, Atlanta, and New Orleans. I've never been snow skiing, and it doesn't much appeal to me. We hit the beach every year.
Let's say $4000 is the absolute maximum budget. Two adults and an 11-year-old and a 6-year-old. Could do November 23 - November 27 or December 27 - December 31.
What would you suggest?
I looked into NYC, but it's just absurdly expensive. Cheapest flight from Atlanta to Newark was $1600 for a family of four. Hotels are the biggest issue with the cheapest option over Thanksgiving being near Battery Park for $1700 total. That's $3300 just for travel and lodging. Factor in tickets to Broadway or whatever events we do, food, any shopping, travel...I'd say $5000 is a requirement for us to go there. I really want to make that work, but it's just too much for three days in one city.
So coming from Birmingham, AL, what might be a better option? We've exhausted the road trips to Nashville, Atlanta, and New Orleans. I've never been snow skiing, and it doesn't much appeal to me. We hit the beach every year.
Let's say $4000 is the absolute maximum budget. Two adults and an 11-year-old and a 6-year-old. Could do November 23 - November 27 or December 27 - December 31.
What would you suggest?
This post was edited on 10/7/24 at 9:48 am
12
Posted on 10/7/24 at 9:48 am to StringedInstruments
Small town Vermont. Like Woodstock or Stowe. Fly into Boston, rent a car. Boston isn’t exactly a popular place to fly into that time of year so flights might not be too expensive.
Posted on 10/7/24 at 10:42 am to StringedInstruments
I'm in the same boat. We are pretty regular travelers, and this is the first time in a while where we have nothing on the books.
Kind of stuck in a rut of looking up the same old places. Looking for somewhere to go around either Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years or Mardi Gras.
Family of 4, we've done NYC, CHI, Cali. Ireland & Paris. Not really into skiing, but not opposed to it either.
Thought about New England, Vancouver, or even Toronto/Montreal. Just can't find anything that really jumps out at us.
Kind of stuck in a rut of looking up the same old places. Looking for somewhere to go around either Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years or Mardi Gras.
Family of 4, we've done NYC, CHI, Cali. Ireland & Paris. Not really into skiing, but not opposed to it either.
Thought about New England, Vancouver, or even Toronto/Montreal. Just can't find anything that really jumps out at us.
Posted on 10/7/24 at 11:14 am to StringedInstruments
A Thanksgiving Trip I have done twice is Florida Ocala/Tampa/Orlando area. Both trips were quick 2-3 day trips. Drive in the weekend before Thanksgiving and do as much as you can in 2 days. Then, drive home and be Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Although, this current and the last hurricane may affect this. You may be better off in 2-3 years with the kids a little bit older, but for anyone interested in future trips, here's some of the activities we've done.
I found an airbnb once on a lake in the Dunnellon area and made that our homebase for one trip and loved it. Huge oak trees with spanish moss, lakes everywhere. A couple of local restaurants to enjoy. etc.
Activities:
Snorkel with the manatees in Crystal River and snorkle down the rainbow river (crystal clear spring water). A 6 year old may be a tad too young depending on snorkeling ability. Plantation Resort is a great place to stay. I have gone out with them and American Pro Diving. Both were great.
Airboat ride near the suncoast keys (Ozello). You head towards the Gulf and could see dolphins.
One trip, we drove 2 hours to Tampa and did Busch Gardens. Another trip, we drove 2 hours to Orlando and did Universal for a day.
I've seen horseback riding ans zip lining around the Gainseville area. You can alos find guides to canoe down rivers.
There's many activities to do if you don't mind driving an hour or two from one to the other. You can stay anywhere in the area that suits you best. Thanksgiving is a great time of year because the manatees come into the springs during the colder months and the weather in Florida that time of year is usually cool - not hot or not cold.
Although, this current and the last hurricane may affect this. You may be better off in 2-3 years with the kids a little bit older, but for anyone interested in future trips, here's some of the activities we've done.
I found an airbnb once on a lake in the Dunnellon area and made that our homebase for one trip and loved it. Huge oak trees with spanish moss, lakes everywhere. A couple of local restaurants to enjoy. etc.
Activities:
Snorkel with the manatees in Crystal River and snorkle down the rainbow river (crystal clear spring water). A 6 year old may be a tad too young depending on snorkeling ability. Plantation Resort is a great place to stay. I have gone out with them and American Pro Diving. Both were great.
Airboat ride near the suncoast keys (Ozello). You head towards the Gulf and could see dolphins.
One trip, we drove 2 hours to Tampa and did Busch Gardens. Another trip, we drove 2 hours to Orlando and did Universal for a day.
I've seen horseback riding ans zip lining around the Gainseville area. You can alos find guides to canoe down rivers.
There's many activities to do if you don't mind driving an hour or two from one to the other. You can stay anywhere in the area that suits you best. Thanksgiving is a great time of year because the manatees come into the springs during the colder months and the weather in Florida that time of year is usually cool - not hot or not cold.
Posted on 10/7/24 at 11:32 am to slinger1317
quote:
Thought about New England, Vancouver, or even Toronto/Montreal. Just can't find anything that really jumps out at us.
Yeah I've thought about these as well along with the Vermont idea above. It's hard to think about my 6 year old enjoying these areas especially when it's cold out.
I also just planned a trip to Arizona to see Sedona and drive up to the Grand Canyon. $2400+ for a decent flight time out of Birmingham and $1800 for a bad one out of Atlanta. Flying is ridiculously expensive.
I do have 90k point with my credit card, but we usually use a good bit of that to offset Christmas shopping.
Posted on 10/7/24 at 1:31 pm to StringedInstruments
My favorite thanksgiving vacation was Montreal. Went to a hockey game, took a food tour, toured the Basilica, brewery hopped and walked around Old Montreal. Not sure how much kids would like all that though.
You could look at Miami, Houston, San Diego, or D.C. which should be easy trips with decent weather. Really just depends on what you like.
You could look at Miami, Houston, San Diego, or D.C. which should be easy trips with decent weather. Really just depends on what you like.
Posted on 10/7/24 at 8:48 pm to StringedInstruments
I have two warm weather ideas that fit your budget and are very different from the standard beach trip.
Idea #1: Fly to Miami, rent a car, and drive through the Florida Keys. I think that Key West is the perfect 2-3 day destination, with lots of stuff for kids to do, and there's certainly lots more to do on the other Keys (I've personally only been to Key West).
You can spend a day or half a day on the beach, but the beach isn't the focus of the trip.
Flights on your November dates, nonstop ATL-MIA are $187 on Frontier, before you add bags, and only a little more on Delta and American.
___________________________________________________
Idea #2 is to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is an excellent 4-day trip. You can spend a day or more in Old San Juan, touring the giant forts and wandering the old streets, etc. You can spend a day or half-day at the beach, and then you could go hiking in El Yunque, America's only National Forest that's also a rainforest.
Nonstop flights on your November dates are $239 on Spirit, also before you add bags. This feels like a foreign trip, but of course, no passport is required.
Idea #1: Fly to Miami, rent a car, and drive through the Florida Keys. I think that Key West is the perfect 2-3 day destination, with lots of stuff for kids to do, and there's certainly lots more to do on the other Keys (I've personally only been to Key West).
You can spend a day or half a day on the beach, but the beach isn't the focus of the trip.
Flights on your November dates, nonstop ATL-MIA are $187 on Frontier, before you add bags, and only a little more on Delta and American.
___________________________________________________
Idea #2 is to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is an excellent 4-day trip. You can spend a day or more in Old San Juan, touring the giant forts and wandering the old streets, etc. You can spend a day or half-day at the beach, and then you could go hiking in El Yunque, America's only National Forest that's also a rainforest.
Nonstop flights on your November dates are $239 on Spirit, also before you add bags. This feels like a foreign trip, but of course, no passport is required.
This post was edited on 10/7/24 at 8:56 pm
Posted on 10/7/24 at 8:48 pm to StringedInstruments
San Antonio. Tons for the kiddos to do there.
Hit up a Gaylord Resort: Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, DC, Denver. They’re awesome for the holidays.
Dallas has a lot to offer for Tgiving. Cowboys always play Tgiving Day. Plenty of places open. Great shopping.
Chicago has a lot of similarities to NYC without the cost.
I had a great time in Vegas Tgiving weekend. Not sure how it is now, but it was super affordable when we went.
Ft. Myers/Naples if you want beach.
Hit up a Gaylord Resort: Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, DC, Denver. They’re awesome for the holidays.
Dallas has a lot to offer for Tgiving. Cowboys always play Tgiving Day. Plenty of places open. Great shopping.
Chicago has a lot of similarities to NYC without the cost.
I had a great time in Vegas Tgiving weekend. Not sure how it is now, but it was super affordable when we went.
Ft. Myers/Naples if you want beach.
Posted on 10/7/24 at 8:57 pm to bluestem75
quote:
San Antonio. Tons for the kiddos to do there.
It's really a great 3-4 day destination for families, but the flights aren't cheap on his dates, and it's too far for him to drive.
Posted on 10/8/24 at 9:45 pm to GOP_Tiger
I second Vegas during thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s not crowded either time, can have thanksgiving dinner at nice restaurant. Christmas isn’t crowded at all and the place is very nicely decorated.
Posted on 10/15/24 at 4:08 pm to StringedInstruments
1. Start looking now for a place to stay in the Florida Keys. I would probably try to stay in Islamorada or Marathon and do day trips to other keys if you’d like to do so. Lots of good restaurants in Islamorada. It’s also a good place for fishing and snorkeling. So, good idea to book a day snorkeling or fishing trip. There is the Theater of the Seas Aquarium that is fun, a dolphin sanctuary in Marathon that is always on my recommended list, and a turtle rescue hospital. You could do a day trip to Key West. Lots to do in the keys for kids and adults. I can recommend good restaurants in Islamorada if you stay nearby.
2. Another option would be a trip to Naples, Fl. Nice beach there, a good zoo, good restaurants, etc. Or stay on nearby Marco Island and do day trips into Naples. There is also a good option for lodging in Bonita Springs where there is the Hyatt Coconut Pint resort. Great pools and lazy river, kid activities, etc.
Down the road is the smaller sister tesort calked Hyatt Coconut Plantation. This resort offers studio rooms with kitchenettes, or 1,2,3 bedroom condos with full kitchens and washer/dryer in room. This was originally set up to be a timeshare only resort, but they also rent the rooms like hotel rooms. Sometimes you can find better deals by booking with a timeshare resale/rental company. The resort has a restaurant, multiple pools, a lazy river, kids club/activities, etc. very tropical feel here and at the bigger Hyatt down the road. With kids, I find staying at the smaller or easier as it is nice to have a full kitchen. Both of these Hyatts have access to their private beach in Hickory Island. The resort has a private boat that takes you there. There is a nice shopping area down the road with restaurants, grocery, mall type shopping, etc
3. You could go to Orlando, but skip Disney. Have you ever gone to the big Legoland that is about 30 min from Orlando? Do a day there, go to Gator Land in Orlando another day, spend a couple of days at your hotel swimming and relaxing. Orlando has a lot of hotels with good pool areas with lazy river and multiple pools.
4. Charleston/Savannah would be a nice trip over the holidays
Posted on 10/16/24 at 9:59 pm to StringedInstruments
Big cedar lodge for thanksgiving 
Posted on 10/17/24 at 6:14 am to StringedInstruments
In your position I personally wouldn’t do 4 night vacations for that much money. If you are a baller sure blow out 4 night vacations, but I really only fly personally for things like weddings I have to go to or longer vacations to spread out the cost.
Does bham not have any budget flight options? The problem you are dealing with also is Thanksgiving and Christmas is an expensive time to travel. Consider something like Veterans Day, Columbus Day, MLK Day, etc and take the kids out a night or 2 from school. Your money probably goes a lot further.
I try to mix up shorter cheap trips to just get away and be a family with longer vacations that are more expensive. Just go to NOLA, Gatlinburg, Savannah, etc on a budget save up for the next trip.
Does bham not have any budget flight options? The problem you are dealing with also is Thanksgiving and Christmas is an expensive time to travel. Consider something like Veterans Day, Columbus Day, MLK Day, etc and take the kids out a night or 2 from school. Your money probably goes a lot further.
I try to mix up shorter cheap trips to just get away and be a family with longer vacations that are more expensive. Just go to NOLA, Gatlinburg, Savannah, etc on a budget save up for the next trip.
Posted on 10/18/24 at 6:03 am to StringedInstruments
Friend,
There is a reason NY trips in December are so expensive — they are worth it. It is arguably the best place in America to experience the Advent season. If you are not able to afford the high prices, I would then choose New Orleans, the second best Christmas city in America. The weather is usually wonderful, the crowds not terrible, Christmas in the Oaks is spectacular, and the Jackson Square caroling event each year (this year on the 22nd) is the best civic Christmas celebration in our nation. Do let us know if you plan on visiting, as we always have a cookie and hot chocolate party at the house after Caroling in the Square.
Yours,
TulaneLSU
There is a reason NY trips in December are so expensive — they are worth it. It is arguably the best place in America to experience the Advent season. If you are not able to afford the high prices, I would then choose New Orleans, the second best Christmas city in America. The weather is usually wonderful, the crowds not terrible, Christmas in the Oaks is spectacular, and the Jackson Square caroling event each year (this year on the 22nd) is the best civic Christmas celebration in our nation. Do let us know if you plan on visiting, as we always have a cookie and hot chocolate party at the house after Caroling in the Square.
Yours,
TulaneLSU
Posted on 10/20/24 at 5:35 pm to StringedInstruments
DisadvantagesAdvantages:Here is a low budget option:
The Treasure Coast.
This covers a lot of territory - Cocoa Beach south to Jupiter.
Fly into Orlando - about $1100 for all 4 of you.
Instead of doing blowing your budget out of the water and going to the theme parks and staying in their very expensive hotels, go to the beach on the Atlantic side.
Advantages:
1.) The water is warmer in the Atlantic in the winter. It should be 75 or 76 degrees that time of the year.
2.) Less traffic - this is not Miami, Ft Lauderdale, or even Daytona. We're talking Cocoa Beach, Vero Beach, etc...
3.) Quieter. You may very well have the beach to yourselves most of the time. Parking at most public beaches is free and right at the beach. If you go to Miami or Ft Lauderdale, you'll have to pay for parking and you may still have to walk blocks to get to the beach access. Hutchinson Island, Orchid Island, etc, have parking that is just steps from the beach.
4.) Cheaper lodging. You can find ocean front digs for less than $200/night. I know the Ocean Breeze Inn here in Vero is $169/night for the dates Nov 23-27. It's a 3 star hotel, but it is right in the middle of Vero Beach and right on the ocean. You may have to pay extra for an ocean view. You can get a two BR condo 2 blocks from the ocean for $114/night in Cocoa Beach - I can't vouch for the neighborhood, but it looks pretty good. Total of about $600 at T-Giving. The other big plus is that you will have a full kitchen so you can limit your meals out by grabbing breakfast and lunch foods and eating them at the condo. Big money saver.
Cocoa Condo
5.) Lots of activities in the vicinity, if you plan. Cape Canaveral is probably something your kids would enjoy. You may even be able to see a launch while you are there. Fishing charters are available many towns. I know Sebastian and Stuart are big time fishing towns. There is a Navy Seal museum in Ft Pierce. Vero Beach will have a lot of activities going on for the Holidays and the holiday lights will be great in a lot of places. Vero Beach also has an awesome theatre scene with te Riverside Performing Arts center. They also have a children's theatre, the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and the Vero Beach Theatre Guild. There is a lot of money in Vero Beach, and those folks like their theatre.
Disadvantages
1.) Beach sand is not as pretty as the gulf side - don't get me wrong, the beaches are still beautiful, but they are more beige, than sugar white. They may get to see a sea turtle nest, and there is a sea turtle museum in Juno Beach.
2.) What may be relaxing for some is probably slow for others. The young adults who are looking for partying would have a nickname for Vero Beach, and it's "Zero Beach", meaning that the night club life is not the best. There are a lot o great restaurants and water front places with live music, but it's all kind of laid back and there isn't much in the way of clubs.
3.) You may have to drive a bit, so a rental car is probably a must. Getting an ocean front hotel can cut down on driving if you want to spend a lot of time on the beach. Cocoa Beach is probably 10 miles from Cape Canaveral, but Vero Beach is 80 miles from the Cape.
So you can get flights, a condo a couple of blocks from the ocean, and a rental car for a little over 2 grand. That leaves you a lot of money to eat out, or even cruise over to Orlando for a day at one of the parks - Orlando is 1 hour away.
The Treasure Coast.
This covers a lot of territory - Cocoa Beach south to Jupiter.
Fly into Orlando - about $1100 for all 4 of you.
Instead of doing blowing your budget out of the water and going to the theme parks and staying in their very expensive hotels, go to the beach on the Atlantic side.
Advantages:
1.) The water is warmer in the Atlantic in the winter. It should be 75 or 76 degrees that time of the year.
2.) Less traffic - this is not Miami, Ft Lauderdale, or even Daytona. We're talking Cocoa Beach, Vero Beach, etc...
3.) Quieter. You may very well have the beach to yourselves most of the time. Parking at most public beaches is free and right at the beach. If you go to Miami or Ft Lauderdale, you'll have to pay for parking and you may still have to walk blocks to get to the beach access. Hutchinson Island, Orchid Island, etc, have parking that is just steps from the beach.
4.) Cheaper lodging. You can find ocean front digs for less than $200/night. I know the Ocean Breeze Inn here in Vero is $169/night for the dates Nov 23-27. It's a 3 star hotel, but it is right in the middle of Vero Beach and right on the ocean. You may have to pay extra for an ocean view. You can get a two BR condo 2 blocks from the ocean for $114/night in Cocoa Beach - I can't vouch for the neighborhood, but it looks pretty good. Total of about $600 at T-Giving. The other big plus is that you will have a full kitchen so you can limit your meals out by grabbing breakfast and lunch foods and eating them at the condo. Big money saver.
Cocoa Condo
5.) Lots of activities in the vicinity, if you plan. Cape Canaveral is probably something your kids would enjoy. You may even be able to see a launch while you are there. Fishing charters are available many towns. I know Sebastian and Stuart are big time fishing towns. There is a Navy Seal museum in Ft Pierce. Vero Beach will have a lot of activities going on for the Holidays and the holiday lights will be great in a lot of places. Vero Beach also has an awesome theatre scene with te Riverside Performing Arts center. They also have a children's theatre, the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and the Vero Beach Theatre Guild. There is a lot of money in Vero Beach, and those folks like their theatre.
Disadvantages
1.) Beach sand is not as pretty as the gulf side - don't get me wrong, the beaches are still beautiful, but they are more beige, than sugar white. They may get to see a sea turtle nest, and there is a sea turtle museum in Juno Beach.
2.) What may be relaxing for some is probably slow for others. The young adults who are looking for partying would have a nickname for Vero Beach, and it's "Zero Beach", meaning that the night club life is not the best. There are a lot o great restaurants and water front places with live music, but it's all kind of laid back and there isn't much in the way of clubs.
3.) You may have to drive a bit, so a rental car is probably a must. Getting an ocean front hotel can cut down on driving if you want to spend a lot of time on the beach. Cocoa Beach is probably 10 miles from Cape Canaveral, but Vero Beach is 80 miles from the Cape.
So you can get flights, a condo a couple of blocks from the ocean, and a rental car for a little over 2 grand. That leaves you a lot of money to eat out, or even cruise over to Orlando for a day at one of the parks - Orlando is 1 hour away.
Posted on 10/20/24 at 8:13 pm to StringedInstruments
Gatlinburg is nice at Christmas
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