I would pick a location you can drive to in order to save on transportation costs. I like Williamsburg, Massanutten, Va beach, maybe even the mtns. in NC, thinking of Asheville area. Or I've heard from many folks that they love Myrtle Beach at Christmas time and there are tons of condos around for rent.

Another thing you can do is rest a house and drive -- Eastern Shore? Cheasapeake Bay? we have rented twice from Eastern Shore Vacation Rentals and liked the quality/service each time. You'll be on the hook for cooking and cleaning, but it's beautiful and relaxing.

I really like the beach in the winter-- offseason and cheap but still nice. Not sure if the hurricane will reduce the availability of nice rentals, but you might poke around.

I think you absolutely could find a house to rent that's not too far. What about properties in the mountains or near Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia? Check out vrbo.com

My brother & SIL did this one year for Christmas with their 4 kids. They lived in PA and they rented a farmhouse in Vermont for a week.

Check out cabins in Gatlinburg TN. We go there for summer vacation every year with 4 kids ages( 3-10). We can usually get a 3 bed room cabin for $1200 for the week. We bring food and cook 2 meals a day in the cabin and go out once.

It is an 8 hr drive fron NoVa. If you leave early morning you can stop for lunch along the way and be at the cabin before dinner. Make sure you check the requirement for 4 wheel drive or chains in winter. Many of the cabins require it but there are some that don't so just be sure to check.

We use Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg and have loved every single cabin. You can stay in the cabin and relax. There are some great family shows in town like the Dixie Stampede and the Lumberjack Fued and tons of places to eat.

Hershey would be fun - the town decorates and really gets into the Christmas theme. I'd probably just look for nice cabin rentals near Luray though for that budget. A hot tub and a beautiful mountain view would certainly help you to de-stress!

Hershey Park, Dutch Wonderland, Sesame Place? Never been, but I think they'd be great at time of year. Plus, you can drive, which means just the cost of entertainment, food and lodging.

Philly is an option. Williamsburg is also fun at Christmas time.

Unfortunately prices both for air & hotel sky-rocket Christimas week. $2k is not much of a budget for 4 kids and 2 adults for an entire week over the holidays. I suggest looking at places within driving distance. A mountain cabin?

Anonymous wrote:Lol WOW that is a tall order OP...

I was afraid of that. Maybe there is a neat place within driving distance. I just don't know of anything because as I said we just aren't travelers. Ugh. Maybe I'll just tell them all we are away and pull the shades.

Lol WOW that is a tall order OP...

Last thing, the kids don't have passports. Thanks again.

I really love Quebec City and Montreal around the holidays.

Op Here:

4 Kids are between 1 and 8 years old. Thanks.

I'd really appreciate some help from seasoned travelers on this. We have a bunch of really horrible extended family problems going on right now and I really just want to take my family away from it all for Christmas week. We have 4 kids and could spend about $2000.00. We aren't big travelers and don't love beaches. We just need some time away from all the drama and time to be together. We visited NYC over the summer and had a great time but I'm sure that is way too expensive for a week.
Whatever info or ideas anyone can share would help so much. I am desperate. Thank you!