Help me with summer trip! Family of difficult travelers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d look into those family camps where all kids eat dinner together most of the time and where there is a daily schedule posted. Your picky eater kids will disappear when eating next to peers and your husband will have everything planned for him.

Deer Valley YMCA Camp is what you're looking for

https://www.deervalleyymca.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dutch Wonderland / Hershey / Amish country could be an easy option. There's a steam railway and train museum too.

Agree. And it’s a short drive also. Turkey Hill experience. Chocolate world. Strasburg railroad.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it Woodloch Pines resort - rent one of the houses although you’ll have a short drive to the main resort

Staying on the main resort is even better with the meal plan and they are very good with dietary restrictions and picky eaters but you’d know whether that’s feasible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d look into those family camps where all kids eat dinner together most of the time and where there is a daily schedule posted. Your picky eater kids will disappear when eating next to peers and your husband will have everything planned for him.

Do any of those family camps cater to families with older kids/teens or is it all young-uns?

Definitely teens also. (I'm the PP who posted about Deer Valley)

[Anonymous]

I’d rent a house for a week someplace that is an easy drive or short flight/drive.

Driving ideas are Deep Creek Lake in Md or the OBX (it is less crowded/calmer there than DE beaches, in particular if you go way north in Corolla or father south like Bald Head Island).

Flight/drive ideas are-
fly to Portland, ME and rent a car to take you to a house rental in Camden area. Great hiking, water activities, etc and Portland airport is small and logitica are easy there.

Ditto Burlington, VT and staying someplace on Lake Champlain. Lots of water activites, hiking, farms, etc.

Use vrbo to find house rentals. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. We've done Dutch Wonderland and last summer we did Legoland NY. Beaches are fine but we are at the beach max an hour and need something to do the rest of the time.

[Anonymous]

I would not fly. You guys need control over your environment, to stop when needed, and to bring a lot of stuff.

Have you tried renting a beach house? That worked well for us. Is heat a problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. We've done Dutch Wonderland and last summer we did Legoland NY. Beaches are fine but we are at the beach max an hour and need something to do the rest of the time.

Do you like hiking? Vermont is pretty but there’s not a ton to do besides hike. Farmers market, small museums…

[Anonymous]

What do you like to do? You have two people with anxiety and 1 with ADHD. Intense hikes are probably out. What about short hikes? Exploring areas but without a clear guide? River tubing? Is a busy city too much for those with anxiety?

Maybe do a Boston city trip with a couple of day trips mixed in.

[Anonymous]

I would do a cruise. They cater to picky eaters and there’s always things for people to do. No logistics for your dh.

But seriously, your family sounds incredibly inflexible! I’d do everything you can to make them more flexible and less rigid. Or do girls trips with your friends instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do a cruise. They cater to picky eaters and there’s always things for people to do. No logistics for your dh.

But seriously, your family sounds incredibly inflexible! I’d do everything you can to make them more flexible and less rigid. Or do girls trips with your friends instead.

Thank you. Yes our family is inflexible. Traveling to new places and doing things outside of their comfort zone is part of trying to make them more flexible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We rent a lake house at Smith Mountain Lake and rent a boat every summer. The kids swim off the dock. We go tubing and water skiing. We use kayaks and paddle boards to explore. We bring a stack of board games and have move night. We cook yummy family meals. It's a very relaxed week.

We prefer it to a beach because we don't have to deal with salt or sand.

This, or Canaan Valley with access to a pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dutch Wonderland / Hershey / Amish country could be an easy option. There's a steam railway and train museum too.

Agree. And it’s a short drive also. Turkey Hill experience. Chocolate world. Strasburg railroad.

And Lancaster Science Factory (hands on kids science exhibit).

The key is also to stay at a place that has a kitchen/kitchenette so you can do simple easy meals for the picky eater if you need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do a cruise. They cater to picky eaters and there’s always things for people to do. No logistics for your dh.

But seriously, your family sounds incredibly inflexible! I’d do everything you can to make them more flexible and less rigid. Or do girls trips with your friends instead.

I wouldn't do a cruise. There's a high chance of someone in the family getting some stomach bug, which would make things even less relaxed.

[Anonymous]

Just go to ocean city to an Airbnb or condo north of 90th st with a kitchen. Lots to do there for fun.