Good "home base" city for family vacation

[Anonymous]

We are working on planning our first family vacation since our twins were born last year. In the past, we did a lot of cruises because my DH likes to be active, new port every day, explore different cities, that sort of thing. Problem is that my new job requires me to be constantly available even on vacation, and the spotty internet on our last cruise caused a lot of annoyance and stress. Someone suggested choosing a city with a lot of different interested stuff nearby. The example they gave was Virginia Beach--do a few beach days but also do Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, Marine Science Center, Busch Gardens--lots of activity and variety. I think something like that might work and wanted to come up with a variety of options.

It would likely be sometime next spring, twins would be ~18 months and we would have either our nanny or some grandparents or both along to help with the kids. We'd have 5-7 days and travel limit is something like 5 hours in the car or 4 consecutive/5 nonconsecutive hours in a plane.


Where should home base be and what day trips should we do?

[Anonymous]

Almost every place has a variety of things to do nearby. I don't think there's a single city or area where it's like there's only one thing to do. Go someplace you haven't gone yet that interests you.

Lancaster - Amish farm stuff - Strasburg Railroad - Dutch Wonderland - Hershey Park - Turkey Hill Experience

Philadelphia - PMA - Please Touch Museum - Cheesesteaks - Independence Hall - Manayunk - South Street

New York - Chinatown - Statue of Liberty - Central Park - Children's Museum - Times Square - Rockefeller Center

Nashville - Memphis - BBQ - Country music - Parthenon replica - Smoky Mountains

Austin - Food trucks - the original Whole Foods - South Congress - Wildflower Center - drive through Hill Country - San Antonio riverwalk - Missions

San Diego - La Jolla cove and sea lions - Zoo - Balboa Park and museums - Coronado Island - tacos

San Francisco - Fishermans Wharf - Napa/Sonoma - see redwoods and the beautiful Pacific coastline at a park - Golden Gate Bridge - ruins from the Baths

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I know that nearly any city has some sort of museum, etc. Just looking for places with a big variety of things that would be worth traveling for individually, rather than one main thing that draws out of towners and lots of little things that are more regional. E.g., lots of cities have zoos, but with the National Zoo at home, most city or state zoos are going to be a letdown.

[Anonymous]

Fantastic list 9:00. Bravo.

I vote Lancaster or Virginia Beach. Save a longer-haul trip for when your twins are older.

[Anonymous]

No brainer at this age: Lancaster - Amish farm stuff - Strasburg Railroad - Dutch Wonderland - Hershey Park - Turkey Hill Experience

Hersey park is especially fun for all ages.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Sounds like some strong votes!

[Anonymous]

Mid Coast Maine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Almost every place has a variety of things to do nearby. I don't think there's a single city or area where it's like there's only one thing to do. Go someplace you haven't gone yet that interests you.

Lancaster - Amish farm stuff - Strasburg Railroad - Dutch Wonderland - Hershey Park - Turkey Hill Experience

Philadelphia - PMA - Please Touch Museum - Cheesesteaks - Independence Hall - Manayunk - South Street

New York - Chinatown - Statue of Liberty - Central Park - Children's Museum - Times Square - Rockefeller Center

Nashville - Memphis - BBQ - Country music - Parthenon replica - Smoky Mountains

Austin - Food trucks - the original Whole Foods - South Congress - Wildflower Center - drive through Hill Country - San Antonio riverwalk - Missions

San Diego - La Jolla cove and sea lions - Zoo - Balboa Park and museums - Coronado Island - tacos

San Francisco - Fishermans Wharf - Napa/Sonoma - see redwoods and the beautiful Pacific coastline at a park - Golden Gate Bridge - ruins from the Baths

Not to correct you, but the Smoky Mountains are not anywhere near Nashville and Memphis. The park entrance is in Gatlinburg, which is about an hour outside Knoxville.

[Anonymous]

At 18 months, this trip is more about what you want to see & do. Toddlers don't give a fig about sightseeing and most certainly won't remember a thing about the vacation. They want to chase pigeons and eat ice cream. Or dig in the sand and sit on grandpa's lap. Any way you can leave the twins with grandparents at your house and nanny helping during the day, and you two escape?

[Anonymous]

I actually think 18 months is a little young for Lancaster. I personally would prefer a beach or a location that I would enjoy, like Philly, NY, Portland, etc. But understand and be reasonable about what you'll be able to do with 2 18 month olds along for the ride.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 18 months, this trip is more about what you want to see & do. Toddlers don't give a fig about sightseeing and most certainly won't remember a thing about the vacation. They want to chase pigeons and eat ice cream. Or dig in the sand and sit on grandpa's lap. Any way you can leave the twins with grandparents at your house and nanny helping during the day, and you two escape?

We'll be doing a separate couples' trip later in year. This one is meant to be a combination of couple and family time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually think 18 months is a little young for Lancaster. I personally would prefer a beach or a location that I would enjoy, like Philly, NY, Portland, etc. But understand and be reasonable about what you'll be able to do with 2 18 month olds along for the ride.

I agree. I'd go to cape may. Small boardwalk that is perfect for kids, the Zoo is wonderful, and there are great restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all! We are looking forward to planning!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. I know that nearly any city has some sort of museum, etc. Just looking for places with a big variety of things that would be worth traveling for individually, rather than one main thing that draws out of towners and lots of little things that are more regional. E.g., lots of cities have zoos, but with the National Zoo at home, most city or state zoos are going to be a letdown.

The zoo caught my eye. The National Zoo is nice because it's free. But compared to many other zoos, it's a huge letdown. My kids don't even consider it a real zoo. If you visit the zoo in Memphis, San Diego, Jacksonville,etc. you'll see a truly good zoo. That's a great example of why travel to other US states is so great. You don't have any idea of what you might find!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for followup. I have been to San francisco Zoo and found it really lovely, but also to state or local zoos that made me sad for the animals, so I'll assume any zoo recommended here will be in the former category!