Summer Vacation ideas - budget $5,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does a lake beach count as a beach? We just got back from a week in NH on Lake Winnipisaukee and a week in Vermont on Lake Champlain. Both had lovely, warm swimming beaches and lovely weather (we picked a great time to escape DC!). We also were able to intermix hiking and other adventures that typical beach towns don't have.

Where did you stay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does a lake beach count as a beach? We just got back from a week in NH on Lake Winnipisaukee and a week in Vermont on Lake Champlain. Both had lovely, warm swimming beaches and lovely weather (we picked a great time to escape DC!). We also were able to intermix hiking and other adventures that typical beach towns don't have.

I’m not the pp who asked where you stayed, but I’d also be really interested in learning more about these trips. Could you be a true humanitarian and post some details, perhaps in a separate thread? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do Destin, Florida with that budget.

Lol if you spend 5K just to go to Destin you are a fool.

So you work your life away
Just to pay for a timeshare down in Destin

yes, but it’s one hell of a drug

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does a lake beach count as a beach? We just got back from a week in NH on Lake Winnipisaukee and a week in Vermont on Lake Champlain. Both had lovely, warm swimming beaches and lovely weather (we picked a great time to escape DC!). We also were able to intermix hiking and other adventures that typical beach towns don't have.

Where did you stay?

Anonymous wrote: I’m not the pp who asked where you stayed, but I’d also be really interested in learning more about these trips. Could you be a true humanitarian and post some details, perhaps in a separate thread? Thanks!

We did a week on Lake Winnipisaukee (we stayed in Wolfeboro, did a couple beach days, hiked castle in the clouds and saw waterfalls, caught a concert at a fabulous outdoor arena in Laconia, took a mailboat tour to deliver mail to the boat only accessible islands, and did the typical ice cream/mini golf vacation-y things. Probably could have shrunk this part to 5 days if I’d done it again—the bajillion trump signs started to get to me)

Then we went up to North Conway for a night out of necessity, because our next Airbnb wasn’t ready yet. It turned out to be awesome! We tubed down the river, drove up mount Washington, had awesome beers and blueberry pie. Wish I’d had another night here.

Onward to Colchester, VT, just north of Burlington. House backed up the the bay. More water play, VT teddy bear factory tour, Ben and Jerry’s tour, shopping on church street, zip lines in Stowe, more beer and blueberries. Did 5 days here, it was the right amount.

I considered myself an ocean beach only person until this trip, but I’m sold on lakes now! No jellyfish, huge enough lakes it feels like the ocean, and warm enough water to be comfortable.

We spent over the OP’s $5k budget even though we drove, but it was nearly 2 weeks and we stayed in some really nice airbnbs. I’m sure a week could easily be done for under $5k.

[Anonymous]

Go to the mountains. Switch it up. Fly to Montana.

[Anonymous]

Wyoming? The Tetons are gorgeous!

[Anonymous]

United has cheap flight to Shannon, Ireland, through August.
Or look at travelzoo for packages

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does a lake beach count as a beach? We just got back from a week in NH on Lake Winnipisaukee and a week in Vermont on Lake Champlain. Both had lovely, warm swimming beaches and lovely weather (we picked a great time to escape DC!). We also were able to intermix hiking and other adventures that typical beach towns don't have.

Where did you stay?

Anonymous wrote: I’m not the pp who asked where you stayed, but I’d also be really interested in learning more about these trips. Could you be a true humanitarian and post some details, perhaps in a separate thread? Thanks!

We did a week on Lake Winnipisaukee (we stayed in Wolfeboro, did a couple beach days, hiked castle in the clouds and saw waterfalls, caught a concert at a fabulous outdoor arena in Laconia, took a mailboat tour to deliver mail to the boat only accessible islands, and did the typical ice cream/mini golf vacation-y things. Probably could have shrunk this part to 5 days if I’d done it again—the bajillion trump signs started to get to me)

Then we went up to North Conway for a night out of necessity, because our next Airbnb wasn’t ready yet. It turned out to be awesome! We tubed down the river, drove up mount Washington, had awesome beers and blueberry pie. Wish I’d had another night here.

Onward to Colchester, VT, just north of Burlington. House backed up the the bay. More water play, VT teddy bear factory tour, Ben and Jerry’s tour, shopping on church street, zip lines in Stowe, more beer and blueberries. Did 5 days here, it was the right amount.

I considered myself an ocean beach only person until this trip, but I’m sold on lakes now! No jellyfish, huge enough lakes it feels like the ocean, and warm enough water to be comfortable.

We spent over the OP’s $5k budget even though we drove, but it was nearly 2 weeks and we stayed in some really nice airbnbs. I’m sure a week could easily be done for under $5k.

Np but this sounds amazing! I also considered myself a strictly ocean beach person until staying by lake Champlain in Burlington for two nights earlier this summer. I'm sold on lakes now, too!

[Anonymous]

We’re doing five days down east Maine. Split between Bar Harbor/Acadia and making our way down to Portland. With flights, car and nice hotels, it’s about $5k. Not beach, per se, but wonderfully outside.

[Anonymous]

Anything south of North Carolina is nasty humid and too hot. Rainy too, especially Florida.

We went to Florida in the summer once. No relief from the heat and humidity. Ocean water was like 90 degrees. The air conditioners never got anything cool. Then a hurricane evacuation. Had to drive our rental car to Atlanta to fly home. Not worth it.

Stick to the coastlines of Rhode Island, Cape Cod, Maine or NE lakes.

[Anonymous]

Yes to Costa Rica! August is totally fine to go, it only rained a couple of times when we went. Stay in silencio del campo. Amazing and cheap hotel with an amazing farm onsite and hot springs.

[Anonymous]

Kiawah is an option.

[Anonymous]

Are you Costco members? You can find a package for Puerto Rico for under $5k. Most include flights, some include some food, some include resort credit, costco cards, etc.

Florida has much cheaper packages as well, $2500ish for Tampa, $4k for Key West, $2k-$4k for Marco Island.

[Anonymous]

There’s definitely lots of options out there still. There are houses for rent in Maine (bar harbor/acadia cottage rentals) had quite a few last minute rentals available that are discounted. I’ve been getting emails.

Also check Google flights and you might honestly be surprised!! I know you are looking at Costa Rica, but with possible dicey weather if you want to explore other places….you may find some good deals last minute to Europe. If you are open to a budget airline with carry on luggage, you may find some great deals through play airlines (I’ve flown many times without any issue). You could check meininger hotels/hostels to see what they have available. I really like them and they have had really great breakfast buffets, play areas, and laundry available with cozy spots to relax. They are in many cities in Europe. Check Airbnb and booking.com too but I don’t go for anything with less than 75+ reviews unless the host has multiple listings with MANY reviews. If you are flexible, there’s no reason you can’t plan a great trip! Btw, i basically always plan family trips for my family of 4 at or under 5k and definitely planning ahead there are wayyy more options but sometimes last minute you will be pleasantly surprised!! I had to totally change my own summer vacation last week due to family emergencies and found oceanfront Maine campsites last minute! It can be done

[Anonymous]

When you say $5000, do you mean $5000 on transportation and lodging?

I feel like it's really hard to do $5000 with all expenses accounted for (activities, food) unless you're driving.