Summer Vacation Suggestions?

[LuFins Dad]

We need a frigging break. Last year’s lake house rental was blown up by COVID and the year before Karla was on bed rest. We haven’t had a vacation in three years and what a three years it has been...

Here’s the issue, it has to be interesting enough for an 18 year old, but doable with an month old in tow. Thoughts?

[Mik]

Activities the two (three?) of you enjoy? Does he like to fish at all? With a little one you want something where your surroundings are a thing in itself - like a mountain cabin or chalet.

[Rainman]

@mik
along with what Mik suggests, if you rent a boat with a steering wheel and some power, he would find that fun.

Of course, everyone here would suggest a blond bombshell 18-year old for your 18-year-old son no minimum IQ required, but that would be racist.

Is there any chance you would allow your son to take a friend along? Nothing more exciting than to hear what a couple of 18 year olds end up doing, when dropped off downtown for half a day. Even just browsing around the two of them would have a memorable day.

Give him a jug of booze and a straw, plant him in the back seat. Other than that, I can't think of anything else.

[jon-nyc]

I like the current suggestions but I’d also suggest a house near a popular beach where he’ll find other people his age. Especially if it were near a town big enough to have stuff going on. Myrtle beach, Wilmington, that kind of thing.

[jon-nyc]

Another option is let him bring a buddy. If you’re renting a house and driving it’s not too much of a price difference.

[Copper]

We like the Outer Banks, great beaches

If you need some adventure you could try Maine (vacation land), New Hampshire or Vermont. There are lots of small towns out in the wilderness with lakes and cabins for rent.

I like winneaupasaukee in NH And long lake in Maine

You can find deals at some ski resorts in summer

[Mik]

For beaches, close to you are the Delaware beaches. I recommend Bethany Beach highly. Small, maybe a little sleepy for an 18 year old, but if there are girls his age there that could be an advantage. Everything is within two or three blocks and prices are pretty reasonable. Stay as close as you can to the center.

Rehoboth might be OK but stay away from Ocean City MD.

[LuFins Dad]

Would it be completely insane to think of flying with an 18-month toddler to Bora Bora? There are some incredible deals through Costco Travel right now...

[jon-nyc]

Wow that’s far.

I did 7-8 hour flights with the boy at that age and they were tedious. Basically we had to take turns entertaining him the whole time.

[Mik]

Yes. Insane.

[Loki]

@lufins-dad said in Summer Vacation Suggestions?:

Would it be completely insane to think of flying with an 18-month toddler to Bora Bora? There are some incredible deals through Costco Travel right now...

What is sane is figuring out how to leave the toddler behind. We did it with no fear.

[LuFins Dad]

Yeah, I also think it would be nuts having him run around a little hut that has an opening directly into the water, sigh... @Mik @jon-nyc or anybody with older children or empty nests might want to look at the Costco Bora deals, though.

@Loki this is a family vacation, not a Brad & Karla vacation. We’ll look at other options.

I am hesitating on the rental house this year. We need a break... If we do rent, it either needs to be directly on the beach or on a lake with a dock. I am not going to spend half my vacation loading and unloading the car and driving back to the house for various reasons. I don’t want to spend 2-3 hours at the grocery store picking up forgotten items needed to make dinner, and I’m not giving up two hours a day with Karla for one or the other of us to cook. If we do rent a house, I am probably going to order in, go out, or hire somebody to cook. I just don’t want to deal with it.

Hmmm, are there one week rent-a-nannies? That could be a brilliant idea... Could keep Lucas happy, too.

I’m actually thinking about a resort for once. Maybe Atlantis? Or is there another moderate priced resort that isn’t as commercial?

[Loki]

I have to believe that competition for being on the water at beaches will be brutal this year.

A lake sounds financially viable. Lake George? What about deep creek.. lake Winnipesaukee?

Homestead Resort?

Some east coast ski mountains with good summer experiences?

[jon-nyc]

There’s a club med all inclusive in Florida. And they have kid activities. Jupiter beach I think. Buffet dining. Great pools. Tons of activities. We went when the boy was 3 or so

[LuFins Dad]

@jon-nyc interesting... I like the idea of all inclusive and not having to worry about carrying the wallet. Sail craft included, golf included, very interesting... How was the entertainment? How was the food? I noticed the only non buffet required age 10+

[jon-nyc]

The buffet was all we did. It was fine. You know, it’s a buffet. Lots of options. It was great in that if one of you wants a proper meal and the other wants pizza and the kid needs plain pasta or a grilled cheese you’re covered.

Honestly don’t remember the entertainment that much. We probably were in our room for the night by 8.

We had a good time. Still the only all-inclusive I’ve been to.

[Mik]

Look at Mexico or Dominica for all inclusives.

[jon-nyc]

In Mexico or the Dominican Republic you’re very likely to find resort-based babysitter service even for Finley. It’s actually quite rare in the US, probably due to liability. The club med has it though I don’t know if there’s a minimum age.

[LuFins Dad]

@jon-nyc @Mik The last time I was at a resort in Punta Cana, half the guests got sick. Not from the water (they drank bottled water) but from the fruit and vegetables washed in the water. Finley’s diet is 30% blueberries...

[LuFins Dad]

I did see that there are still a few old resorts in the Catskills and Poconos. That may be fun.