Where would you go?

ATXmommas

My sister gave us some Southwest vouchers that we need to use by the end of the year. I'm thinking that October will be the best time for us to travel. Where would you go with an 11-month-old in the fall?

By the way, we haven't been legally married yet, so a marriage equality state would be at the top of our list!

doodah1013

Good news... more and more states are marriage equality states all the time!  The leaves in New England are supposed to be amazing in the fall.... I think that is where I would go.  A nice cabin somewhere not to far outside of a town... Where you can enjoy delicious home cooked (vegan? right?) meals and enjoy some baby-wearing hiking...

Well... now I want a fall vacation too.  Thanks   )

Louliza

I would go to Hawaii..any island really!

Jazibel

Northern California, it'll be a pretty short flight and the weather is still warm.  You could visit the wine country, the ocean or city?   And of course I'm partial since we live there and maybe we could meet up!! :-)

Since I live in Norther CA I'd likely chose Florida for the warmer weather and beach.  Also I have a cousin and her daughter whom I'd love to see.

Does Southwest fly to Hawaii? 

(As you can tell I lean toward beach/water vacations ;-)

Louliza

Oregon is good too...go through northern CA see the redwoods

2brides

Boston or Portland, Maine.  Theoretically, you could do both. It isn't that far of a drive from one to the other (3hrs?)

Isn't Women's Weekend in P-town in October? You could take the ferry over for a quick daytrip. Not the same as pre-kids, but fun nonetheless!

ATXmommas

Thanks for your suggestions!

Hawaii is more of a long term plan - not quite ready to be on a plane that long with a kid in diapers! Although @herbabymama‌ did it! But, I don't think our budget would take us that far.

I think Northern CA or New England are our best bets and Z and I will likely fall on different sides. I LOVE Northern CA, but I think I would love to visit New England during that time of year (even though I would love being able to connect with @jazibel IRL!). Z is a total beach girl and I know would opt for CA. Hmmm.

Hope more people chime in and can convince me one way or the other!

ATXmommas

2brides said:

Boston or Portland, Maine.  Theoretically, you could do both. It isn't that far of a drive from one to the other (3hrs?)

Isn't Women's Weekend in P-town in October? You could take the ferry over for a quick daytrip. Not the same as pre-kids, but fun nonetheless!

What is Women's Weekend? Sounds intriguing!

mwagner25

We just booked a vacation to club med in Florida for Oct/nov... We are not usually all inclusive type ppl but we wanted something relaxing and they really cater to families. They will have a crib put in the room, have a baby restaurant where you can bring your LO and get all the nice food without feeling like u have a baby in a fancy restaurant. They have a chef who makes food specifically for babies. There is daycare and nannies (which we probably won't use) but nice to have the option if we want some adult time. Anyways.... That's what we ended up deciding on.

2brides

https://womensweekprovincetown.com/

Never been so I can't comment - but it could be fun to walk around!

2MamazInSeattle

Looking at SW's website and where they fly direct from Austin (assuming you don't want/need the hassle of switching planes), AND being a west coast girl, I vote for San Fran or Portland! Both super cool cities.

Of course, New England in the fall is rad, but the only place close that is direct is NYC. I'm a big baby about switching planes *without* a baby, so that is my 2 cents. I notice Chicago also has a direct flight, but you were just there.

Anyhow - sounds fun and exciting!!

Pinkspark

I'm also very partial to New England

I've been here: https://www.highlandsinn-nh.com/   Which is a lesbian centered (But not excluding anyone!) kid friendly inn in New Hampshire. Although, full disclosure: I know they changed owners and I haven't been there since the old owners retired!

The place is gorgeous, and I can't wait to bring the kids when they get a bit bigger!

ball.and.chain

Well if you were coming to New England, we could plan our Boston GTG around it...

ATXmommas

2MamazInSeattle said:

Looking at SW's website and where they fly direct from Austin (assuming you don't want/need the hassle of switching planes), AND being a west coast girl, I vote for San Fran or Portland! Both super cool cities.

Good point!

Y'all are killing me! Will have to check out some of the links above this evening.

CageyMack

Hawaii!  If you like a little touristy-ness, this is a great, baby-friendly place:

Ko Olina Lagoons - Best of Oahu

Jazibel

mwagner25 said:

We just booked a vacation to club med in Florida for Oct/nov... We are not usually all inclusive type ppl but we wanted something relaxing and they really cater to families. They will have a crib put in the room, have a baby restaurant where you can bring your LO and get all the nice food without feeling like u have a baby in a fancy restaurant. They have a chef who makes food specifically for babies. There is daycare and nannies (which we probably won't use) but nice to have the option if we want some adult time. Anyways.... That's what we ended up deciding on.

Can I ask the name of this place? Feel free to PM -  Sounds great!!  :-)

KH826

ball.and.chain said:

Well if you were coming to New England, we could plan our Boston GTG around it...

LOVE this idea! Perhaps I could plan a visit to see my family then too and we could have a fun little bump gathering! That is my totally selfishly motivated vote for your vacation, but that is a great time if year to visit New England!

JGY

Jazibel said:

mwagner25 said:

We just booked a vacation to club med in Florida for Oct/nov... We are not usually all inclusive type ppl but we wanted something relaxing and they really cater to families. They will have a crib put in the room, have a baby restaurant where you can bring your LO and get all the nice food without feeling like u have a baby in a fancy restaurant. They have a chef who makes food specifically for babies. There is daycare and nannies (which we probably won't use) but nice to have the option if we want some adult time. Anyways.... That's what we ended up deciding on.

Can I ask the name of this place? Feel free to PM -  Sounds great!!  :-)

Me too, me too!  I know you said Club Med, but is there a specific site?

JGY

ATXmommas said:

  I think Northern CA or New England are our best bets and Z and I will likely fall on different sides.

Split the difference and come to MN!  I'll even cook all vegan-y for you. 

 

valeriegp

October is the time of the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque, which has wonderful chilly weather in the fall. Baby would probably love looking at all those balloons, and you could do some nice easy hikes in and around ABQ. Not sure how hard it would be to get a hotel at this late date, though.

https://www.balloonfiesta.com/

firstcomeslove2013

Pinkspark said:

I'm also very partial to New England

I've been here: https://www.highlandsinn-nh.com/   Which is a lesbian centered (But not excluding anyone!) kid friendly inn in New Hampshire. Although, full disclosure: I know they changed owners and I haven't been there since the old owners retired!

The place is gorgeous, and I can't wait to bring the kids when they get a bit bigger!

C and I went here for a wedding once...WAY better than expected. The people who own it are amazing and the grounds are beautiful. Very secluded and a nice quiet place to stay!

2MamazInSeattle

ok so if you all do a Boston thing in October.... J and I were just talking about how NEITHER of us have ever been there. Might be a wee soon with the baby, but...hey...I'd consider it! Keep the group posted. Perhaps it'll be a bigger board meet-up!!!

mwagner25

@Jazibel‌ and @JGY‌ it is the Sandpiper Bay resort.

ETA: I will let u know after our trip if it is really as great as it sounds!

ATXmommas

Boston is looking good! Neither of us have ever been. And I love the bonus of a possible Bump get together. @2MamazInSeattle‌ - Simone would actually be a great age to travel by plane!

Anybody know about the marriage process for out of state folks in MA? I mean, I know how to google, but if you have any inside tips that would be great!

@themommymonster‌ - Ash and I had a chance to visit Chicago in May for a work trip. My first time there and I loved it!

@JGY - tempting offer!

ball.and.chain

ATXmommas said:

Boston is looking good! Neither of us have ever been. And I love the bonus of a possible Bump get together. @2MamazInSeattle‌ - Simone would actually be a great age to travel by plane! Anybody know about the marriage process for out of state folks in MA? I mean, I know how to google, but if you have any inside tips that would be great!

Boston Boston Boston!  Would be awesome of J, J and S came too!

I have no inside info about marriage -- we were residents when we did it -- but I'll save you a Google.

Pinkspark

ATXmommas said:

Anybody know about the marriage process for out of state folks in MA? I mean, I know how to google, but if you have any inside tips that would be great! 

Not so much an inside tip but this is the most organized info on it that I've seen (Save you the trouble of googling it!):  https://www.cityofboston.gov/registry/marriage/

ball.and.chain

TwoMomsInTX said:

Tip- city of Manchester, NH is just across the border from Boston, no 3 day waiting period, just take an hour drive! Btw- totally jealous! Wish I could plan a trip home to see friends then!

That's a good idea.  Or Portsmouth NH is a cute city and would be convenient if you wanted to drive up the coast.

ATXmommas

Very interesting… I pitched the idea of Boston to Z tonight and she is open - even excited - about the idea!  Still a lot for us to think about in terms of where we would want to start/end our trip (I love the idea of starting or ending in NH or ME) and where we may get married, but I think all signs are pointing to Boston at the moment.  So… for those of you in the area (of those of you who can make the trip!), start thinking about dates in October that may work for you.

ATXmommas

@herbabymama - I LOVE IT!  Thanks for sharing!  And, I absolutely adore the photo of you coming down the steps.  Z and I really do want to visit Northern CA at some point in the not too near future, so I see a visit with you and @jazibel sometime soon.