If you can get to a port under your travel stipulations, I recommend a cruise. This was hands down the best vacation with the boys during the teen years.
They can be more on their own than the usual vacation-where are they going to go? There are usually teen activities and they might even be able to sneak into an adult comedy show(THAT was the highlight for mine)
There would also be plenty for your little ones. We did Mexico-great options for on shore trips as well but that will add to the cost
And, really, if you dont spend money off the boat, cruises arent a bad deal financially. You CAN eat every meal on the boat and you can stay on all the time if you wish as well.
We did our summer vacation this year on Cape Cod. I'm not an expert on distances, but mapquest says you can get from Chicago to Provincetown in 17 hours. Anyway....what we liked was there was something for everyone - beach, biking, art galleries, night life, etc. And there are different personalities to the different towns/cities. This year we stayed in Welfleet, which has a small town charm - lots of art galleries. But we were able to do alot of different things. One highlight was a drive-in movie. For DH and me and it was a return to our childhoods, for our kids it was totally new!
We did recent trips to Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia, which we all loved - but both of those would need a passport.
Another possiblility would be to find an all-inclusive resort - that has stuff for kids and adults of all ages. I know ones in the Northeast, but not the midwest.
Oh, boy! I love Minnesota. it's on the list, but since we want to be near some water, June probably wouldnt' be the best option BRRRRR lol I ALMOST went to college in Bemidji (lived in Cincinnati) and totally chickened out. Too far from home. Biggest mistake of my life! I went back a few years ago to take my niece to Bemidji to start her freshman year. It was as beautiful as I had remembered. That's a little more remote than I personally want to go, but it's right up my anti-social husband's alley! lol There's just not much to do up there in the evening, and since Ron and I didn't get a honeymoon (gag LOL) I'd like at least a couple of hours doing something adult like!
If you can get to a port under your travel stipulations, I recommend a cruise. This was hands down the best vacation with the boys during the teen years.
They can be more on their own than the usual vacation-where are they going to go? There are usually teen activities and they might even be able to sneak into an adult comedy show(THAT was the highlight for mine)
There would also be plenty for your little ones. We did Mexico-great options for on shore trips as well but that will add to the cost
And, really, if you dont spend money off the boat, cruises arent a bad deal financially. You CAN eat every meal on the boat and you can stay on all the time if you wish as well.
We did our summer vacation this year on Cape Cod. I'm not an expert on distances, but mapquest says you can get from Chicago to Provincetown in 17 hours. Anyway....what we liked was there was something for everyone - beach, biking, art galleries, night life, etc. And there are different personalities to the different towns/cities. This year we stayed in Welfleet, which has a small town charm - lots of art galleries. But we were able to do alot of different things. One highlight was a drive-in movie. For DH and me and it was a return to our childhoods, for our kids it was totally new!
We did recent trips to Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia, which we all loved - but both of those would need a passport.
Another possiblility would be to find an all-inclusive resort - that has stuff for kids and adults of all ages. I know ones in the Northeast, but not the midwest.
Sue, mom to Leah and Seth
With your no flying stipulation, come on up here to Minnesota!
Oh, boy! I love Minnesota. it's on the list, but since we want to be near some water, June probably wouldnt' be the best option BRRRRR lol I ALMOST went to college in Bemidji (lived in Cincinnati) and totally chickened out. Too far from home. Biggest mistake of my life! I went back a few years ago to take my niece to Bemidji to start her freshman year. It was as beautiful as I had remembered. That's a little more remote than I personally want to go, but it's right up my anti-social husband's alley! lol There's just not much to do up there in the evening, and since Ron and I didn't get a honeymoon (gag LOL) I'd like at least a couple of hours doing something adult like!
keep the ideas coming. I'm making a list!
Tracy - wife to Ron since 9/9/03, mom to college sophomore, Jason (18), high school Junior Chase