Anonymous wrote:I'd do a Texas driving extravaganza - some combination of Hill Country, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston with some side quests for barbecue or weird/interesting regional stuff. (I haven't actually planned this trip, but it wouldn't be too hard to pull of and if you're up for hunting quirky adventure, you could have a great time.)

Gotta say xnay on this, unless you feel like being in the car the whole vacation. Texas is a huge state, 100s of miles between cities, and reall not that interesting scenery.

Ooh, I love the Tucson suggestion and might now do that with my kid for (April) spring break. Winter break in the desert is a little too chilly for my taste - but likely beautiful.

Resort areas are likely to be tough to find openings. Maybe pick a city in a warmer area that has a lot of things to do — you are more likely to find hotel openings or a vrbo. I’ve posted on here before about Tucson as a vacation destination — you can do hiking, visit the air and space museum, Visit the desert museum, old Tucson (movie studios with stunt shows), go horseback riding, maybe do a driving trip to tombstone or bisbee or mar uner caverns, visit titan missal museum etc., there’s a Spanish baroque church on the tohono reservation, etc. there are probably other small cities in the sun belt area with similar activities — maybe San Diego or San Antonio?

Anonymous wrote:I eland is a great option. Lots to do.

Is that supposed to be Ireland or Iceland?

I eland is a great option. Lots to do.

Mexico

Another option - miss the last day or two of school. We're leaving Thursday morning. Flights and hotels are much cheaper if you can leave then - plus you get a few days to find your footing and do a choice activity or two before the crowds descend. And then try flying back on NYE.

You can also sometimes save big by being flexible on connections. Last year, we connected to Cancun via a city with a small airport that was right on the flight path. We paid about $100 for the perfectly fine hotel near the airport, but saved over $1000 on our tickets combined. I would've have done that through Orlando, for example; but through a smaller airport and with an early connecting flight (likely to be on-time), it was easy-peasy. And our big luggage checked through so no stop at baggage claim.

Also, agree with PP who mentioned Panama. We went spring 2022 and had a blast. We stayed in Panama City and then took an easy flight to Bocas del Toro.

It's a great time to visit Charleston, SC. My teens love walking around, eating, shopping, eating, touring and eating. I haven't been to Savannah, but you could fit that in too.

At the end of your post you say you have a "flexible budget" but then you also mention that what you're currently finding is "ridiculously expensive."
Can you give us more information about where you draw the line, financially?

My 14 yr old loves engineering. We've been taking trips to see interesting structures, natural wonders, cool buildings, etc.

Last year we did 5 days in Panama which was comparatively inexpensive. We spent 3 days exploring the Panama Canal from coast to coast, a day in the city, and a day at the beach.

For thanksgiving this year we went to Vegas. Not really warm in Dec but we visited the Hoover Dam, Sphere, saw Chris Angel, went out to eat a few times.

For xmas week, we're going to Houston. Visiting the space center and a few of the museums in the area. As a pp mentioned, we're going to find bbq and see where the quirky adventure takes us.

Next spring, we're looking at Iceland. Again, not warm, but he wants to see the geothermal power exhibitions.

How about New Orleans?

Florida is not sold out. Look at that 30A airbnb place someone always posts.
Could you fly to LA/San Diego?

I'd do a Texas driving extravaganza - some combination of Hill Country, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston with some side quests for barbecue or weird/interesting regional stuff. (I haven't actually planned this trip, but it wouldn't be too hard to pull of and if you're up for hunting quirky adventure, you could have a great time.)

Driving to northern Florida is doable. May not be lay on the beach weather but will be much nicer than here. Have you checked all Florida airports with random/flexible days on google flights? Are you willing to fly on 12/25? That is sometimes cheaper.

I’d check JAX, MCO, TPA, FLL, MIA, and RSW and see what you can find. Then just book a slightly inland hotel that’s a mile or two away from the coast and take little day trips each day to local beaches, nature sanctuaries, etc.

We do FL like this for most spring breaks because I’m not willing to pay “spring break” prices somewhere but still want a warm getaway. DCUM would judge but we enjoy it.

Shoulda planned early but life got in the way. We never go anywhere, but I think sitting at home for the long holiday break will drive everyone nuts this time around. We're not skiiers and would prefer warmer to colder weather. At this point FL and the Caribbean are sold out/ridiculously expensive. Any other suggestions, including road trips? All creative ideas welcome. Flexible budget.