Old Dominion Heather Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Here are the qualifications: 1. needs to be within a 10 hour drive of central Virginia. (Just to give you an idea, we can apparently drive to Niagara Falls in 9hrs and 45 min.) 2. Needs to be somewhere that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to stay. Ideally, we will spend about $1,000 on the trip and we have a week. 3. Outdoor activities are a plus... particularly natural wonder type things. 4. One son wants to go places to say he has been there and see things to say he has seen them. He is just looking for experience, natural, historical, whatever. 5. We have three boys aged 10, 7 and 4 at the time of this trip. 6. Camping is a plus. Ideas? Links? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spetzi Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Vacations in the poconos in PA are very inexpensive this year. Many 4 BR houses very close to the lake were about $1000 and I know you won't need something that big. There are lakes, hiking trails, boating, lots of woods and commercial things like indoor waterparks, mini golf, PA raceway, if you want a day of that. There are some colonial history spots in NJ, especially Morristown, NJ (an hour or so from poconos.) Of course, you might have had enough of that era being in VA. HTH, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingM Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Camping somewhere in the Poconos, Adirondacks, or Catskills, with day trips to see historic sites would be interesting, age appropriate, and budget friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 A KOA campground at Kill Devil Hills - my bil and family stayed there while our family was on the beach in a hotel ;) and we'd meet up at the beach. It is right next to Kitty Hawk - there is an historic site for you, too. So I am saying check out campgrounds in N. Carolina outer banks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dominion Heather Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 checking on these, keep them coming. We won't be going until late August/ Sept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLG Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 If it were me, I'd head to the Eastern Shore of MD and camp, spend time on the beach, crab, visit all the little towns with wonderful lighthouses, explore the sea life in general. Central VA is so beautiful that my other ideas would be redundant to what you probably have everyday! Or consider a longer drive and see Boston or the likes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 We stay at Lost River Campground now that we have a camper but have stayed at the http://www.woodstockinnnh.com/default.php- the breakfast is GREAT! We LOVE Storyland (Jackson, NH)!! Your dc are the perfect ages! Whales' Tale waterpark, Lost River, Clark's Trading Post & nature trails are some of the things we enjoyed. http://www.lincolnwoodstock.com/vacation/attractions.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 How about going to Mammoth Cave, KY? That's a nice one to say, "been there, done that!" http://www.mammothcave.com/ My family went there one year on spring break, and on the tour we went on, encountered another family from my (very, very small) school! Small world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lux Et Veritas Academy Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 We stay at Lost River Campground now that we have a camper but have stayed at the http://www.woodstockinnnh.com/default.php- the breakfast is GREAT! We LOVE Storyland (Jackson, NH)!! Your dc are the perfect ages! Whales' Tale waterpark, Lost River, Clark's Trading Post & nature trails are some of the things we enjoyed. http://www.lincolnwoodstock.com/vacation/attractions.php I second this- your kids would love this...It is a local's favorite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 How about the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There are campgrounds in the park and many, many more in the surrounding areas. There is tubing, hiking, white water rafting, and you could visit Cherokee Indian Reservation - very fun for boys. You could also go to Asheville and see the Biltmore Estate - the largest private home in the US. It is an amazing tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jananc Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Another vote for the Outer Banks. We camped at KOA at Cape Hatteras. You can ride ferries to the islands, see beautiful, wild, seashores, go to Roanoke Village to see and go aboard a replica ship like the ones that came over in the 1600's, and go to see the Lost Colony outdoor drama that tells the story of the first AMerican settlement (check on dates for that since you're going in late summer). That was one of our favorite vacations ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in MD Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Mammoth Cave is a good choice, with the cave temperatures being a refreshing change from heat and humidity. (We bought a battery operated fan for our tent). Natural Bridges in KY would also be a nice choice. We've also backpacked around End of the World State Park, PA and the Grand Canyon of PA (?) in late August (same trip). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Best vacation spot we've ever been to is Acadia National Park in Maine. It could be pushing your mileage limit; not sure. It's beyond gorgeous, tons of natural things to do, great hiking and fantastic camping. Bar Harbor is nearby for more "touristy" things to do. We've been about ten times and always stay at the same campground. If you go, try to get a waterfront camping spot. It's quiet and clean. We always go the week after Labor Day and the weather has always been just about perfect. http://www.mountdesertcampground.com http://www.nps.gov/acad/ Happy planning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) Bar Harbor, Maine. Beautiful, within driving distance, affordable, campable, hiking, sailing, swimming. Here's a link: http://www.barharborinfo.com/ Edited June 11, 2009 by Stacy in NJ link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Best vacation spot we've ever been to is Acadia National Park in Maine. It could be pushing your mileage limit; not sure. It's beyond gorgeous, tons of natural things to do, great hiking and fantastic camping. Bar Harbor is nearby for more "touristy" things to do. We've been about ten times and always stay at the same campground. If you go, try to get a waterfront camping spot. It's quiet and clean. We always go the week after Labor Day and the weather has always been just about perfect. http://www.mountdesertcampground.com http://www.nps.gov/acad/ Happy planning! Great minds think alike. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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