Best cities for a family vacation? (camping, hotels, beaches, mountains)

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I don't have a family, just curious what everybody thinks. What cities are best for parents and kids to do things together?

[goozer]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

I don't have a family, just curious what everybody thinks. What cities are best for parents and kids to do things together?

San Diego. Too expensive to live in for families nowadays, but a great place to visit. Among the great kid stuff to do is:

San Diego Zoo (and other fun stuff at the Balboa Park complex)
Wild Animal Park
Sea World
Legoland
Scripps Acquarium
Visit the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument
Visit the seals at La Jolla Cove

I used to live in San Diego (before I had kids) and I can't wait to go back with them someday!!!

[golfgal]

One of the best places we have been as a family is St. Louis. There is a TON of things to do there:

City Museum--our favorite
Grant's Farm
StL Zoo
Gateway Arch

[JakeDog]

My vote would go to San Diego, Washington, D.C., and New York. Of course Hawaii is probably the best. St. Louis? Um, I seriously cannot recommend it for a "vacation".

[Chinolala]

San Diego, Washington D.C., Chicago (summer), beaches (NC, FL, Hawaii, CA), Door County, Michigan UP or Minnesota for winter activities

[rain2day]

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Tennessee.

Very affordable!

There is something for every age (0 to 100), every interest and every taste bud.
Year round activities (fall leaf changing, winter xmas lights).

Pigeon Forge has shows (comedy music magic), tons of stuff for kids, shops, parks, restaurants, etc.
Gatlinburg has museums, restaurants, and the gateway to the Smoky Mountains where you can hike, see waterfalls, bear! (Cades Cove), etc.

There's a waterpark and a theme park.

Accomodations - camping, hotels (low & high end), cabins, houses. You can choose to stay right in the mountains or right in town.

There's a trolley that runs the entire area.

My family loves finding what we call the "secret freebies" in a town and this vacation tops our list for the most (inner tubing!)

Venture away from the area (isn't necessary but if you must) and things to do grows even longer, anitques, lakes, etc.

Just way to much to list.
I don't know anyone who has ever been let down.

[pirate girl]

Every child should see Washington DC so that city gets my vote.

And right down the road on 95 is Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA. So you can inundate them with history and have some fun too.

[Capt. Dan]

I think every St. Louis Cardinal fan should spend at least 1 day at WRIGLEY FIELD!!

[Steve-o]

San Diego(beaches, zoo), Washington D.C. (museums, memorials, etc), Chicago (museums, lakefront, shopping, dining, architecture), NYC (same as Chicago), Tampa (beaches, Disneyland), Wisconsin Dells (waterparks, rides, etc), Boston and Philly (history).

[snowflake73]

I agree with Gatlinburg. Fun place for kids and not that expensive. If money were not option, I'd go back to Disneyworld. Or Destin, Florida is fun.