Anonymous wrote:Not a fan of hotels at this age. Far better to be in a rented house/condo.

Agree, and rent a crib so that you can be sure the kid is safe and contained.

I agree about the beach. I also agree about hotel. The baby just wants to spend time with the parents and play. If there is someplace you especially want to go, take him with you--but be prepared to adjust your schedule. That is why the beach is fun--not too many limits on your schedule.

I don't think we went on any trips until DD was maybe 4? (except visiting family of course). Then we went to the beach.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a fan of hotels at this age. Far better to be in a rented house/condo.

I prefer hotels...much less work to do. Cooking, cleaning etc.

+1 The only vacation part of vacationing with a toddler is not having to think about housework.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the suggestions so far! I guess the one parameter that we do have is that we don't have family who can help out - this would be a trip for just me, husband, and toddler. I'm on the fence about whether we should even take a trip, but I would like a change of scenery! So it's good to hear about what others have done that is reasonably fun (if not exactly relaxing)

My husband and I have taken our son all over. We are of the mindset that we don't care if he doesn't remember. If he enjoys it at the moment then why not. At that age there are a lot of options and I don't feel you need this army to help that everyone has been talking about. We took our son to Hawaii and 1 and that was GREAT! He loved the pool and the beach and other activities. Pick another city and do all the things you would do here at home in DC but there. That is a good change of pace. We will be taking our son to Disney in that age range.

Anonymous wrote:Not a fan of hotels at this age. Far better to be in a rented house/condo.

I prefer hotels...much less work to do. Cooking, cleaning etc.

A toddler that age doesn't need a trip farther than a playground. They don't need the experience of Paris, or whatever.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the suggestions so far! I guess the one parameter that we do have is that we don't have family who can help out - this would be a trip for just me, husband, and toddler. I'm on the fence about whether we should even take a trip, but I would like a change of scenery! So it's good to hear about what others have done that is reasonably fun (if not exactly relaxing)

Rent a condo on a beach. You can do that here, (Rehoboth, etc.) or get on a plan and do it elsewhere (Florida.) The effect is the same. Beaches are great fun with babies.

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I guess the one parameter that we do have is that we don't have family who can help out - this would be a trip for just me, husband, and toddler. I'm on the fence about whether we should even take a trip, but I would like a change of scenery! So it's good to hear about what others have done that is reasonably fun (if not exactly relaxing)

Not a fan of hotels at this age. Far better to be in a rented house/condo.

Anonymous wrote:The beach. Preferably with family who can help out.

Yup.

If you know that a "trip" at this age is mostly a new place do the dishes (meaning, not a vacation), then Philly and the Please Touch Museum could be fun. We also liked Lancaster County a lot.

Someplace very simple. A beach, room or condo with a kitchen.

The beach. Preferably with family who can help out.

We have not defined any parameters yet. I just want to know what good trips you went on at this age - near or far. Thanks!