Where would YOU vacation with an 18 mo. old?

craftylady29 · May 2014

We live in Wisconsin and want to go somewhere out of the Midwest. Also, looking for budget friendly destinations please. Thanks mamas! :-)

honkytonk_kid · May 2014

The beach or camping. Somewhere with open spaces and nothing to break, haha.

craftylady29 · May 2014

honkytonk_kid said:

The beach or camping. Somewhere with open spaces and nothing to break, haha.

I totally agree! It's just hard to decide where since I'm not familiar with any beaches besides in Florida.

NicoleWI · May 2014

Not Door County or Northern Wisconsin?

If you really want to leave Wisconsin, I would fly somewhere where you can stay in one place and just enjoy the beach or resort. Not a lot of city touring. Gulf Shores? Destin, FL?

myatala · May 2014

We spent a weekend in Portland, OR, staying in Vancouver, WA, and had fun going to places like OMSI. Closer to you, though, would be somewhere in MI. My family took trips to Mackinac Island and Ann Arbor and the like.

rachie1019 · May 2014

Gulf Shores, AL... awesome beach!!

dizzycooks · May 2014

We did San Diego last summer. We stayed at a home wood suites and bussed around town. It was awesome, there was plenty for all of us to do and she had a great time.

Mrs.Hizzo · May 2014

We liked Captiva when the kids were that age. We also did a couple all-inclusives Mexico which were nice, but it was better to have a condo with a full kitchen.

spring_time · May 2014

The beach. You can always go to Michigan and visit Traverse City, Petoskey, or any of the small towns along lake Michigan. Although you probably have those same options in Wisconsin. If you really want out of the Midwest, you could to Myrtle Beach. At 18 months, I feel like the closer, the better, unless you are intending to fly. A long car trip with an 18 month old sounds like torture.

Rink08 · May 2014

Camping is our go-to. Preferrably somewhere that we can fish/swim or play in water/hike. We've taken the kids as young as 2 months and would have no hesitation at 18 months. We're actually going this afternoon for the weekend.

zbeesma86 · May 2014

team beach!

notkateanymore · May 2014

The beach

AKB090609 · May 2014

We took our 17 month old with us to hawaii, if you can find a deal it can be super inexpensive.

kcisthebombdotcom · May 2014

Rent a beach/lake house. That's the only traveling I enjoyed with toddlers.

MesmrEwe · May 2014

What about Canada??? You're only ~4-6 hours away LOL...

Since you want to get out of WI/Midwest, I won't suggest the Dells, Baraboo, Milwaukee (Zoo, Brewer game, State Fair, etc.), Oshkosh/Appleton/Green Bay (EAA, Houdini Museum, Packer HOF), Door County, Minocqua, Eagle River, the UP (Marquette/Ishpeming/etc.), etc.

Honestly, Florida - since there are so many places that cater to young kids... Then you've got all sorts of options even if you didn't want to do Disney - there's western Florida where the Sarasota/Ft. Meyers/Tampa area has the Zoo, Ringling Museum, Aquarium, etc. The Gulf Shores area of Alabama and Mississippi is AWESOME too (ship yard tour is another great idea)..

craftylady29 · May 2014

Thanks for all the replies ladies! I'm going to look into renting a beach house in Michigan somewhere and hope that we have nice warm weather!

LC122 · May 2014

We did Savannah. There is plenty to see and do downtown and you have the option of going out to Tybee Island if you want beach.

You might also consider DC. You'd probably want to find a cheaper place to stay on the outskirts, but all the monuments and Smithsonians are free, so that helps with entertainment.

lala5507 · May 2014

We've taken an 18 month old to the beach and to Sesame Place.

MesmrEwe · May 2014

craftylady29 said:

Thanks for all the replies ladies! I'm going to look into renting a beach house in Michigan somewhere and hope that we have nice warm weather!

I know it's not MI, but if you're willing to consider WI some point in the future, a friend of mine owns a camp ground on the North side of Oshkosh called Hickory Oaks Campground... The nice thing is they have a couple cabins, a swimming hole (that is not incredibly deep from what I remember), and a quiet time rule after 10PM...

LoveBeingMama · May 2014

feffy11 said:
Is cruising not a good idea? We were considering one of those short cruises from NJ to Bermuda and back. Quarters are tight, but I thought the constant buffet, pools, and the kids center would be really good for a toddler? Also, the babysitters come pick up the kids halfway through dinner so you can finish in peace and go watch the show. It sounds amazing! Anybody cruised with a toddler?

Forgot to mention free room service and that kids are free until age 2

I've never cruised with my kids, but years ago we went on a cruise and my cousin brought her toddler. She had been looking forward to everything you mentioned, especially the kids babysitting center. Unfortunately their rules were something like the kid had to be 2 and potty trained. So she couldn't take advantage of it. I remember it being less than a wonderful trip for her. Check the cruise guidelines carefully before booking.

cactus5 · May 2014

I would do the beach. Easy and entertaining.

Deblondie1 · May 2014

LoveBeingMama said:

feffy11 said:
Is cruising not a good idea? We were considering one of those short cruises from NJ to Bermuda and back. Quarters are tight, but I thought the constant buffet, pools, and the kids center would be really good for a toddler? Also, the babysitters come pick up the kids halfway through dinner so you can finish in peace and go watch the show. It sounds amazing! Anybody cruised with a toddler?

Forgot to mention free room service and that kids are free until age 2
I've never cruised with my kids, but years ago we went on a cruise and my cousin brought her toddler. She had been looking forward to everything you mentioned, especially the kids babysitting center. Unfortunately their rules were something like the kid had to be 2 and potty trained. So she couldn't take advantage of it. I remember it being less than a wonderful trip for her. Check the cruise guidelines carefully before booking.

We cruised on Royal Carribean when DD1 was 20 months. It was awesome! She went to childcare on the formal nights and otherwise she hung out with us in an umbrella stroller or the Ergo. She couldn't go in the pools because the kids must be PTd but that was no biggie for me.

We went on kid friendly excursions like beaches. If you can swing it, get a room with a balcony. It was nice to go out there with our drinks after she went down for the night.

LC122 · May 2014

larkin220 said:

LC122 said:
We did Savannah. There is plenty to see and do downtown and you have the option of going out to Tybee Island if you want beach.

You might also consider DC. You'd probably want to find a cheaper place to stay on the outskirts, but all the monuments and Smithsonians are free, so that helps with entertainment.
@LC122‌ no offense, but DC with a toddler? No way. Museums and monuments? Horrible idea.

@larkin220‌, we used to live in DC. I guess it depends on your kid(s). My toddler is happy go lucky and up for anything. We take her to fine dining restaurants and people compliment her palate. I'm sure this is not normal for most, but it is for us. DC also has a Playseum and a Building Museum with a great kids area. Actually most of the museums have very kid-friendly if not kid-oriented stuff.
FTR, DC was not my cup of tea to live in, but it did have a lot to offer. And I would easily go back with my kids. DH still commutes there for work, so it may happen.
We can agree to disagree but I think it could be enjoyable for a range of ages.

LC122 · May 2014

Erin KM said:
I am going to take DS to DC this summer just to see the pandas at the National Zoo.

And the National Zoo is FREE!

cmrand4 · May 2014

If you want to get out of the Midwest, I'd recommend Cannon Beach, OR. Go in summer when weather is a bit better. Gorgeous beaches for beach combing with a toddler. There are reasonable and nice hotels there right on the beach where you can step out into the sand to play. We were seriously considering this trip until we decided on Maine. Also a good option with a family. Were going to Bar Harbor and Old Orchard with our kiddos on Monday for a week. Were renting bikes with a bike trailer for the kiddos to ride in Acadia Nat'l Park, beach walks, picnics. Our hotel has an indoor and outdoor heated pool too. So just lots of relaxing time and slower pace in a beautiful setting. Oh, and super yummy food for mom and dad:) We have a few nice restaurant stops planned, eating dinner at 5 of course!

eaglesfan700 · May 2014

I vote beach for sure. Nothing about cruising or camping appeals to, kids or not. Touring a big city involves things I would want to do with just my husband, like drinking often and eating at non kid-friendly restaurants

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