Immigrant here and we used to go camping almost every weekend as an extended family. We would go to local camp grounds, bbq, fish, etc. Very fond memories!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m an immigrant and I didn’t realize camping was such a big thing in the US with families. I thought it was more of a scouts or adult only thing.

My family never went camping. I'm not sorry.

Same. I probably would have refused to go.

Same. Not a camper and not from a camping family. I don't want to sleep outside. My mom always said her idea of camping was the Holiday Inn and we weren't going there either.

Sounds like your mom had UMC standards? We were lower middle class and camping was all we could afford.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go into debt, but that's because I have to. My whole family lives abroad, and I need my children to develop relationships with them. The good news is, I just worry about the tickets, we stay with my parents and they cover literally everything else. On the years I cannot afford to put the tickets on a CC, we don't go anywhere. It sucks, but it is what it is.

PP - I understand you completely. We are an International Family, and I make every effort possible to ensure my DC have meaningful relationships with their relatives abroad. It has been difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the light is at the end of the tunel. We look forward to leaving the land of McDonalds everywhere and reconnecting with family.

Seriously? I'm not from the US either, but that's not really necessary. Not to mention that I've been to few countries without McDonald's. Are you from Rwanda? Turkmenistan? Yemen? More countries in the world with than without.

Seriously. We also take our kids to see family overseas, and McDonalds is one of the landmarks we pass on the way from the airport, so they know we're getting close to home. Also, I didn't know we needed to self-identify as an International Family.

We go someplace near a tourist destination in Virginia with an ok hotel that includes a frig and microwave and an outdoor pool, if possible. And try to do things off peak season: go to the mountains in the summer, places like Luray Caverns, or Natural Bridge.

Camping is hot and too much work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is timely. I’m actually struggling trying to find an affordable hotel/Airbnb near the DELMARVA beach and so far unsuccessful. Can’t afford the big chain hotels and the cheaper nicer motels has a three night weeekend during the holiday weekends or in the summer. We are a household of 4 with HHI of $150K. We definitely fall in the MC group. BTW I hate camping (the tent kind) so that’s a no go. We don’t have family in the country either.

I think you're missing the point--you're being too picky/selective and when you are "lower middle class" and want to take your family on vacation, you don't have that luxury.

Maybe don't stay at a DELMARVA beach; look into Virginia Beach, New Jersey beaches, etc.

If the hotel you can afford requires 3 nights stay, check into what it would take for you to stay 3 nights. Are 3 nights there cheaper than 2 at the other hotels?

And you refuse to camp so...

Lower your standards or make other sacrifices so you can raise your vacation budget.

A PP here and you must be the postwr thinking you are doling out some great wisdom when you mentioned cutting cable

VA beaches cost just slightly less than OC MD and also have the minimum rule. And clearly you haven’t been to OC MD lately bc even the oldest, basic motel in season is easily close to $200 per night (rate + taxes and fees). OC NJ runs about 20% more than OC MD btw.

And I don’t blame a mom or dad who works hard all year and wants a vacation and doesn’t want to camp. They might actually want to take a real break and not have to do all the grocery shopping, start campfires, cook and try and clean up pans at a campsite. They likely also don’t want to be stuck in heat and humidity on an uncomfortable ground sleeping for a few nights. That’s so uncomfortable. And no it’s not being spoiled and yes middle income people deserve a break too.

Agree camping isn’t for everyone. Sounds exhausting to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go into debt, but that's because I have to. My whole family lives abroad, and I need my children to develop relationships with them. The good news is, I just worry about the tickets, we stay with my parents and they cover literally everything else. On the years I cannot afford to put the tickets on a CC, we don't go anywhere. It sucks, but it is what it is.

PP - I understand you completely. We are an International Family, and I make every effort possible to ensure my DC have meaningful relationships with their relatives abroad. It has been difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the light is at the end of the tunel. We look forward to leaving the land of McDonalds everywhere and reconnecting with family.

Seriously? I'm not from the US either, but that's not really necessary. Not to mention that I've been to few countries without McDonald's. Are you from Rwanda? Turkmenistan? Yemen? More countries in the world with than without.

Around DC, I can't say. But, generally: camping. Places like Great Wolf Lodge. If a splurge kinda year, they go to Disney/Orlando.

I grew up middle class with intellectual parents and we went to visit family who were about a 3 hour flight away. The amount of flying we did was unusually high for our income bracket; when I was in middle school we also took a big trip to Europe and stayed at hostels and camped. Also unusual. Many low-to-middle class people I know now have never been on a plane, and certainly never been abroad. I think how much and where you go is a combination of your values and your income; many LMC and MC families I know may have unusually nice cars or tvs but don't travel. Not everyone cares to and I certainly don't begrudge them their choices. My DH grew up more middle class than me and barely ever traveled beyond his own state until he was in high school and started traveling b/c of his extracurriculars.

Anonymous wrote:Current options:

Maine: York or Old Orchard
NH: Hampton Beach or Canobie Lake

NH, add Story Land and Santa's Village if the kids are young. You can get cheap lodging in North Conway this time of year or camp. Lots of hiking trails, Diana's Bath, etc.

What is your budget OP? That might be useful for people to offer suggestions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m an immigrant and I didn’t realize camping was such a big thing in the US with families. I thought it was more of a scouts or adult only thing.

My family never went camping. I'm not sorry.

Same. I probably would have refused to go.

Same. Not a camper and not from a camping family. I don't want to sleep outside. My mom always said her idea of camping was the Holiday Inn and we weren't going there either.

You can rent houses inland from beach towns for reasonable prices and eat most meals at home. The beach can be a cheap vacation.

Anonymous wrote:I go into debt, but that's because I have to. My whole family lives abroad, and I need my children to develop relationships with them. The good news is, I just worry about the tickets, we stay with my parents and they cover literally everything else. On the years I cannot afford to put the tickets on a CC, we don't go anywhere. It sucks, but it is what it is.

PP - I understand you completely. We are an International Family, and I make every effort possible to ensure my DC have meaningful relationships with their relatives abroad. It has been difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the light is at the end of the tunel. We look forward to leaving the land of McDonalds everywhere and reconnecting with family.

Anonymous wrote:Current options:

Maine: York or Old Orchard
NH: Hampton Beach or Canobie Lake

Family was just at Canobie Lake. Our first time there. Cute park. Most rides are smallish, but still fun.

Current options:

Maine: York or Old Orchard
NH: Hampton Beach or Canobie Lake

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to Kings Dominion or wild world. Busch gardens was considered fancier. We mainly stayed home and played at the local parks

Again people are asking about current options.

Don't like what people are offering? Scroll on by, loser.