Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;987513]Thinking about a cruise in the summer. They have ships that leave New Orleans so I could drive down there and then get on the ship! Prices are actually pretty good and I'd love to go snorkeling[/quote]
My In laws go like on 6-8 cruises a year. They really love that stuff. They get some ridiculous deals. Take your time as you don't necessarily know what "Large Groups" have been enticed to come cruising as well. They have been on with like Biker rally...cruises. Gay activist cruises. Sooo, if some of these would not be to your liking, check it out first.

[QUOTE=Hog1;987520]My In laws go like on 6-8 cruises a year. They really love that stuff. They get some ridiculous deals. Take your time as you don't necessarily know what "Large Groups" have been enticed to come cruising as well. They have been on with like Biker rally...cruises. Gay activist cruises. Sooo, if some of these would not be to your liking, check it out first.[/QUOTE]

Sweet I'll check them out. I'm not against anyone lol so I'll go with whoever

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

I was asked a question, and I don't really know, but does anyone on here have a preference when leaving on a cruise, whether Baltimore or Charleston is better? My friend and his wife live in Richmond so there is some driving either way.

Any thoughts?

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

We're going to check out Charleston for the first time this September. For those that have been there what are some must see/eat/drink spots? We're staying on Church St.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Mattyk;1010214]We're going to check out Charleston for the first time this September. For those that have been there what are some must see/eat/drink spots? We're staying on Church St.[/quote]

Great city! If you are going for a while hit up Hilton Head and Savannah; must see's.


I like Mello Mushroom

[url=http://mellowmushroom.com/store/charleston]Charleston | Mellow Mushroom[/url]

There is a ton of bars and restaurants it is a fun town. Just if you can avoid it don't mention you are from up north they really still don't like Yankees.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mredskins;1010244]Great city! If you are going for a while hit up Hilton Head and Savannah; must see's.


I like Mello Mushroom

[url=http://mellowmushroom.com/store/charleston]Charleston | Mellow Mushroom[/url]

There is a ton of bars and restaurants it is a fun town. Just if you can avoid it don't mention you are from up north they really still don't like Yankees.[/quote]

We're there for 4 days but we're going to just stay put in Charleston, not renting a car either. We plan on hitting Savannah for another trip sometime.

[QUOTE=Daseal;987386]I love the Outer Banks, NC. Depends on what you like to do on vacation. If you want to relax and really do nothing, it's great. Especially great after labor day when all the kids are back in school.[/QUOTE]

It's great then, and also great for Memorial Day week, kids are still in school. Actually lookin at the ocean as I type this. Weather couldn't be any better, gonna be 85 all week, not a cloud in the sky. And your right, nothing to do today. Except kill some dranks on the beach, gettin started w a mimosa today.

I've actually gotten a house down here the past five years. For a group of 15-20 you can find a killer house on or next to the water for about $225 a person. They have great rates right at the beginning and end of the season.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Mattyk;1010247]We're there for 4 days but we're going to just stay put in Charleston, not renting a car either. We plan on hitting Savannah for another trip sometime.[/quote]

You will be fine plenty to do there.

To be honest I think Savannah is a bit more fun with the River-walk, bar scene and the ghost tours rock.


So if on the last day you get a bit bored in Charleston grab a zip car and check out Savannah it is a beautiful drive too.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mlmdub130;1010251]It's great then, and also great for Memorial Day week, kids are still in school. Actually lookin at the ocean as I type this. Weather couldn't be any better, gonna be 85 all week, not a cloud in the sky. And your right, nothing to do today. Except kill some dranks on the beach, gettin started w a mimosa today.

I've actually gotten a house down here the past five years. For a group of 15-20 you can find a killer house on or next to the water for about $225 a person. They have great rates right at the beginning and end of the season.[/quote]

My family is doing the Outer Banks this year for the first time. I kind of have mixed feelings about it because we are not a just do the beach for the day type of family. We are use to the OC and the boardwalk. We are going the week of 4th of July.

[QUOTE=mredskins;1010257]My family is doing the Outer Banks this year for the first time. I kind of have mixed feelings about it because we are not a just do the beach for the day type of family. We are use to the OC and the boardwalk. We are going the week of 4th of July.[/QUOTE]

There really is a lot to do if you want to. There's tons of stuff in Nags head like mini golf, go carts, crazy restaurants, that sort of thing. Then there's also all the light houses, wild horses, wright brothers memorial down there too. That's kind of why I love it here the beach is so big there are different attractions to each part. Granted it takes about an hour and a half to get from end to end, but a lot of it is centered in Nags Head.

Where are you staying?

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Mattyk;987480]Yeah Key West is on our list, someday we'll get there no doubt[/quote]

Funny, I'm going there for the first time this year. Only problem is that I'll be missing a Redskins game. Anyone know any good bar spots that show all NFL games in Key West/Florida Keys area?

As far as great Vacation spots that I've been to:

If you want the beach, family wise (North) Myrtle Beach is great.

If you want to leave the mainland, Hawaii is nice, I go fairly frequently, but maybe its just me but for as nice as it is, people tend to over hype it. If you all go to Hawaii A) don't go to just one Island (or don't just go to Oahu) B) go for more than 1 week. Maui is the best island and is most like Hawaii in terms of what the mainland tourists think of it as.

Also if you want to go to the Bahamas or Virgin islands, Nassau is good, but St. Martin/Marteen is the best. Very quiet, very beautiful, very peaceful, lots to do. A week is just enough to tour/do everything on the island. The most beautiful beach in the world that I've ever been is there, called Prickly Pear. It looks like that beach from your computer desktop background. I would easily go back to St. Martin over a trip to Hawaii any day of the week.

If you don't want to go to a beach, somewhere local and beautiful are the local Shenandoah mountains. We have a cabin up there thats 20 minutes from the Shenandoah river and is in the forest, great for hunting in the winter, fishing in the summer. The wildlife you can see in Virginia is amazing.

Skiing wise, I'm still trying to go to Vale CO and Jackson Hole WY. Which is better of the two?

I agree that Florida has some of the best beaches. Been to Miami's beach. Hear great things about Key West from people, especially from people who have been and have been to the same places I have.

I've been to Cancun and the western beaches of Mexico. I wasn't impressed and it was way to crowded.

Thailand is beautiful and very tourist friendly. But obviously a LOT of money to travel to.

Been to Toronto. There was a trash strike there so I didn't get to see the ''good side'' of the city.

NYC is still the best city in the world. If you can't find something to do there, theres something wrong with you. I still need to get up there to see the new WTC memorial.

I still want to go to Australia and Bora Bora.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mlmdub130;1010267]There really is a lot to do if you want to. There's tons of stuff in Nags head like mini golf, go carts, crazy restaurants, that sort of thing. Then there's also all the light houses, wild horses, wright brothers memorial down there too. That's kind of why I love it here the beach is so big there are different attractions to each part. Granted it takes about an hour and a half to get from end to end, but a lot of it is centered in Nags Head.

Where are you staying?[/quote]

Duck.

Any suggestions? My kids are 5 and 2.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mredskins;1010275]Duck.

Any suggestions? My kids are 5 and 2.[/quote]

Duck sucks. Full of duke-grad doctor types. You will still enjoy it, but to me its a totally different experience from Nags Head/Kill Devil, Rodanthe/Avon, and Hatteras/Orracoke. Each place is unique. But Duck seems the least "beachy".

Im going down to Rodanthe for 5 days in mid June and then the last weekend in June for a fishing trip.

The Outer Banks has a lot to offer, but you got to get in the car to go do it, which can be frustrating if you got young kids.

I like OBX compared to the commercialized Va Beach, OC, and Myrtle Beach, but I can totally see why kids might perfer the other. OBX is more relaxing and chill. OBX has specifically choosen not to do a boardwalk, big bar scene, or big comercial bullsh*t. When they do it, they corral in certain areas off the main highway.

One thing I know for sure in comparison to other beach scenes, if your looking to Fish and eat good sea food, my friends, look no farther than the outter banks. I put it up against any spot.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mredskins;1010275]Duck.

Any suggestions? My kids are 5 and 2.[/quote]

mred, when you get back post here and tell us how it went. Maybe Duck has gotten better, stayed there like 9 years ago. So its been awhile.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Chico23231;1010281]mred, when you get back post here and tell us how it went. Maybe Duck has gotten better, stayed there like 9 years ago. So its been awhile.[/quote]

I will let you know my in-laws won the trip. So basically i got go with my in-laws so it could be in the best location in the world and still suck. Honestly I am not looking forward to it but one of those things you got do. I honestly hate mixed family vacations; it just a week of what you want do and juggling everyone's needs.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mredskins;1010282]I will let you know my in-laws won the trip. So basically i got go with my in-laws so it could be in the best location in the world and still suck. Honestly I am not looking forward to it but one of those things you got do. I honestly hate mixed family vacations; it just a week of what you want do and juggling everyone's needs.[/quote]

Oh boy, well alcohol will help with that.

Also you mentioned July 4, man the traffic is gonna be terrible. Its two lanes going in, so expect bumper to bumper. Its gonna be a tough call, but I would try to go down early, early Wednesday and I would expect most people rolling in Wed night and Thursday morning.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Chico23231;1010283]Oh boy, well alcohol will help with that.

Also you mentioned July 4, man the traffic is gonna be terrible. Its two lanes going in, so expect bumper to bumper. Its gonna be a tough call, but I would try to go down early, early Wednesday and I would expect most people rolling in Wed night and Thursday morning.[/quote]


My rental is over the entire week I will be there before the 4th.

It is one of those it is what it is situations. If both my kids have a could time that is all I need.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mredskins;1010282]I will let you know my in-laws won the trip. So basically i got go with my in-laws so it could be in the best location in the world and still suck. Honestly I am not looking forward to it but one of those things you got do. I honestly hate mixed family vacations; it just a week of what you want do and juggling everyone's needs.[/quote]

Vacations with friends or family can definitely be challenging. Sometimes you just have to break off and do your own thing at some point. Unfortunately there are always some people who get offended and think you need to do everything together.

[QUOTE=Mattyk;1010286]Vacations with friends or family can definitely be challenging. Sometimes you just have to break off and do your own thing at some point. Unfortunately there are always some people who get offended and think you need to do everything together.[/QUOTE]

My family is like that.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Mattyk;1010286]Vacations with friends or family can definitely be challenging. Sometimes you just have to break off and do your own thing at some point. Unfortunately there are always some people who get offended and think you need to do everything together.[/quote]

My step-mother...good god. She wants a vacation with every single member of her family she can name and all her friends. Then she gets bent out of shape when the 40 people in the house don't do everything together. She's like a 5 year old.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

I am waiting for the one person to come on here and tell me a mixed family/friends vacation is fun. They always blow and never relaxing.

Down too just having to take a dump you don't know who will go in the bathroom next.

Now just thinking about makes me sad knowing I have to go.

Do you know how much work is involved to pack a 5 and 2 year old? Moving day is easier. Plus a 8 hour drive only to meet my in-laws there and listen to their sh*t.

Here is a scenario:

[B]Meal Time[/B]

What yo uguys want to eat?
I dunno
I don't care
wahtever
Pizza?
oh no
not that
we just had that
Chinese
oh no
not that
we just had that

Now repeat for every possible thing a humna can eat. It literally tkaes a hour to get everyone to agree on what to eat.

Last year a few times during all that I just eat cereal during their bickering and moved on from the conversation.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mredskins;1010311]I am waiting for the one person to come on here and tell me a mixed family/friends vacation is fun. They always blow and never relaxing.

Down too just having to take a dump you don't know who will go in the bathroom next.

Now just thinking about makes me sad knowing I have to go.

Do you know how much work is involved to pack a 5 and 2 year old? Moving day is easier. Plus a 8 hour drive only to meet my in-laws there and listen to their sh*t.

Here is a scenario:

[B]Meal Time[/B]

What yo uguys want to eat?
I dunno
I don't care
wahtever
Pizza?
oh no
not that
we just had that
Chinese
oh no
not that
we just had that

Now repeat for every possible thing a humna can eat. It literally tkaes a hour to get everyone to agree on what to eat.

Last year a few times during all that I just eat cereal during their bickering and moved on from the conversation.[/quote]

I've had mixed results.

Last vacation we did with friends was in 2011 in New Orleans and it was great. It was with a good crew, everyone is pretty laid back and we always have a good time when we get together.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Mattyk;1010312]I've had mixed results.

Last vacation we did with friends was in 2011 in New Orleans and it was great. It was with a good crew, everyone is pretty laid back and we always have a good time when we get together.[/quote]

Ok friends I can see because you picked your friends. Family is different.

It is even more so complicated when you have young kids.

[QUOTE=mredskins;1010317]Ok friends I can see because you picked your friends. Family is different.

It is even more so complicated when you have young kids.[/QUOTE]

I tried the whole vacation with my kids in New Orleans last October. Yeah it's just not the same.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mredskins;1010317]Ok friends I can see because you picked your friends. Family is different.

It is even more so complicated when you have young kids.[/quote]

A vacation with kids sounds like a nightmare.

Words from a guy with no kids, I know.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mredskins;1010311]I am waiting for the one person to come on here and tell me a mixed family/friends vacation is fun. They always blow and never relaxing.

Down too just having to take a dump you don't know who will go in the bathroom next.

Now just thinking about makes me sad knowing I have to go.

Do you know how much work is involved to pack a 5 and 2 year old? Moving day is easier. Plus a 8 hour drive only to meet my in-laws there and listen to their sh*t.

Here is a scenario:

[B]Meal Time[/B]

What yo uguys want to eat?
I dunno
I don't care
wahtever
Pizza?
oh no
not that
we just had that
Chinese
oh no
not that
we just had that

Now repeat for every possible thing a humna can eat. It literally tkaes a hour to get everyone to agree on what to eat.

Last year a few times during all that I just eat cereal during their bickering and moved on from the conversation.[/quote]

Here's a solution for that. Pre-plan. On our now basically defunct (woot!) multifamily hellcation all of the separate family units would take a night and cook. We had enough families to cover like 6 of 7 nights and on the lone night some people would go out and others would eat left-overs. Trying to fly-by-the-seat invites stress and frustration.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Mattyk;1010324]A vacation with kids sounds like a nightmare.

Words from a guy with no kids, I know.[/quote]

There is a lot of logistics to it but you then there is a moment where you realize they are having a great time it makes it worth it.

Honestly if they are under 5 keep them home; it is a pain with all their stuff you have to drag along and they really don't get much out of it because their world is so turned up sided down.

I am just starting to see the fun in taking my son who is now 5.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=FRPLG;1010332]Here's a solution for that. Pre-plan. On our now basically defunct (woot!) multifamily hellcation all of the separate family units would take a night and cook. We had enough families to cover like 6 of 7 nights and on the lone night some people would go out and others would eat left-overs. Trying to fly-by-the-seat invites stress and frustration.[/quote]

On vacation I like to spontaneous which doesn't work with mixed group vacations.

I mean really planning is for everyday life not vacation.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

going to the outer banks for the first time, the end of july. anything i need to do/ know?

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

Carolina coast line, from the Outer Banks on down to Myrtle and anywhere in between. Holden Beach NC is a great little spot if you're looking for a quiet relaxing family vacation.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Mattyk;1010324]A vacation with kids sounds like a nightmare.

Words from a guy with no kids, I know.[/quote]

Yeah, are you and Mrs Matty planning any young'ns anytime soon?

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=mredskins;1010282]I will let you know my in-laws won the trip. So basically i got go with my in-laws so it could be in the best location in the world and still suck. Honestly I am not looking forward to it but one of those things you got do. I honestly hate mixed family vacations; it just a week of what you want do and juggling everyone's needs.[/quote]

Duck is pretty much an all beach place with a few things to do. When you get closer to the trip hit me up and I'll send you directions for a back way into Duck. Duck was a small town area back 20 yrs but it has grown into a large resort area with cottage after cottage but the single lane road into Duck is still the same. The nice part is its not filled with any large buildings just cottages. I would advise you take what you need into duck for the first 3 days so you don't have to fight the corwds that come down with nothing then hit the stores. The trafic for the 4th july weekend will suck but after Monday it will get better so you can travel down to Nags Head and other areas to check things out. If you pack enough food and beer just enjoy the beach and relax. What day are you heading down?

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Schneed10;1010398]Yeah, are you and Mrs Matty planning any young'ns anytime soon?[/quote]

It's in the works, no success yet though. Still trying.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=firstdown;1010400]Duck is pretty much an all beach place with a few things to do. When you get closer to the trip hit me up and I'll send you directions for a back way into Duck. Duck was a small town area back 20 yrs but it has grown into a large resort area with cottage after cottage but the single lane road into Duck is still the same. The nice part is its not filled with any large buildings just cottages. I would advise you take what you need into duck for the first 3 days so you don't have to fight the corwds that come down with nothing then hit the stores. The trafic for the 4th july weekend will suck but after Monday it will get better so you can travel down to Nags Head and other areas to check things out. If you pack enough food and beer just enjoy the beach and relax. What day are you heading down?[/quote]


I am heading down on Sunday (6/30) I will hit you up for the back way. My trip ends on the following Sunday 7/7.

I kind of got the wheels turning in my wife's head to skip out on the trip I am praying that comes true. I got a brand new house and have plenty to do with it plus we can just do some day trips which is a million times easier with two small kids then hauling their asses half way down the eastern coastline.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=Mattyk;1010401]It's in the works, no success yet though. Still trying.[/quote]


Good luck!

Practice makes perfect.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=dmek25;1010396]going to the outer banks for the first time, the end of july. anything i need to do/ know?[/quote]

take advantage of the fishing and seafood if you enjoy either. Id always tell peeps to spend a day or two going down to hatteras and then ferry to Oracoke island. Surf, pier, sound, or deep water are all great options for fishing. Beach is good, but the water is a lil rougher than most places, fyi.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

I won a Trip to The Disney Yacht & Beach Club Resort in July. It was a 3 day trip which we are going to stay 3 extra nights so our daughter can really have a good time at Disney World. Funny thing was I had been saving to go to Disney this year and the company I write for just happened to have a sales contest for a trip to Disney.

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=dmek25;1010396]going to the outer banks for the first time, the end of july. anything i need to do/ know?[/quote]

Do you know what part or mile marker?

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=firstdown;1010405]I won a Trip to The Disney Yacht & Beach Club Resort in July. It was a 3 day trip which we are going to stay 3 extra nights so our daughter can really have a good time at Disney World. Funny thing was I had been saving to go to Disney this year and the company I write for just happened to have a sales contest for a trip to Disney.[/quote]

Make sure to stay on Disney property. More expensive but well worth it. Nobody does it like Disney. It will be.........HOT! You only...Thought MD gets hot. Dress cool and loose. Flip Flops and shorts are acceptable wear for every day.....every occasion in Fl.
Bring a cheap rain pancho for everyone as it will at some time rain for a brief shower every day. It will save from buying them from Disney.

[url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/01/taking-the-disney-guest-experience-to-the-next-level/?CMP=KNC-WDW13_NGE_MDX_DOM_Exact|B|4131321.NG.AM.01.01U4S]Taking the Disney Guest Experience to the Next Level « Disney Parks Blog[/url]

Consider the Fast Pass or whatever they call it as.....no lines to deal with. And they can be formidable.......

Re: Your go to vacation spots
 

[quote=firstdown;1010406]Do you know what part or mile marker?[/quote]

all i know is that we are staying here

[url=http://www.elanvacations.com/outer-banks-vacation-rentals/all/DetailPage/264/Boardwalk]Ocean Sands | Outer Banks Vacation Rentals | Boardwalk[/url]