I suggest Hilton Head as well! It is my favorite beach destination.

Hilton Head is fantastic. Rent a house and just bike the Island. It is just under a 10 hour drive but we do it each year without problems.

Go on a cruise out of Baltimore or Norfolk. Book inside cabins, and spend what’s left on excursions. Costco has decent prices on cruises.

Wrightsville Beach

OBX?

What about the Asheville NC area?

Anonymous wrote:Hilton Head or Kiawah - rent a villa for a week.

I was going to say Hilton Head.

Hilton Head or Kiawah - rent a villa for a week.

Anonymous wrote:Flying for six will eat too much of the budget. Focus on drivable destinations. We loved Pittsburgh. A few fun museums, a tour of steeler’s stadium, you could go to a Pirates game.....

I cannot imagine dropping $5k for a trip to Pittsburgh. We've been to Pittsburgh, Philly, NYC, etc. None of those cities can hold our attention for 5-7 nights. Those are long weekend trips at best, and they only cost $1k to $1,500 (when driving).

What about options in the $6k range?

Flying for six will eat too much of the budget. Focus on drivable destinations. We loved Pittsburgh. A few fun museums, a tour of steeler’s stadium, you could go to a Pirates game.....

Thanks for the suggestions!

Can you really rent a beach house for 4 nights? That's pretty much impossible in the DE beaches...especially this late in the game.

It pains me to drop upwards of $3,500 for a beach house since it seems like a btdt vacation (we've been traveling with kids for the last 15 years, and we've done the MD/DE/NJ beaches a million times, and we already have plans for two long weekends at the beach this summer).

Any other suggestions?

agree with PP that a combo of a few nights in Boston to walk around, see the aquarium would be fun and then 4 nights on the cape or driving up to Maine for beach time

Had a great week in Cape Cod staying on the Bay side a few years ago. Should be able to get a house for around $3,500 or so for a week. Liked Eastham and Wellfleet a lot.

You drive in about 8 hours or fly to Boston and rent a car.

Burlington/Stowe VT when stuff is cheaper because it’s the off season?

Travel challenge: August vacation for family of 6 with a $5k budget.

*Not the local MD/DE/NJ beaches.
*Need not be a full week. 5 nights would be fine.
*Prefer to fly someplace fun, but willing to drive.
*Don't need kids clubs.
*Not Disney, not another amusement park (not fun in the August heat).

We like beaches and cities rather than camping or mountains. We also like fishing, so a lake trip would work.

Curious if anyone is currently planning a family vacation for August and has come across cheap flights, hotels, packages, etc.?