What's a good vacation for toddlers?

(Not FROM toddlers -- FOR toddlers. )

I'm starting to think about going on vacation this year. We didn't go last year because with two infants, I just didn't see the point. But now I think we could all use a change of scenery and some new experiences. However, I don't want to spend a ton of money, which means no flying. We live in Colorado (Boulder), so there is a lot of gorgeous mountain scenery within a ~4-hr drive (about the maximum I'm up for), but toddlers are probably not real big into hiking...?

Anyway, just looking for advice on what to look for in a vacation spot. Like, I'm assuming a playground would be good, and/or a pool. I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere -- I'd rather be in or near a town with a grocery store, a doctor, etc. Any other things to keep in mind?

 

(Not FROM toddlers -- FOR toddlers. )

I'm starting to think about going on vacation this year. We didn't go last year because with two infants, I just didn't see the point. But now I think we could all use a change of scenery and some new experiences. However, I don't want to spend a ton of money, which means no flying. We live in Colorado (Boulder), so there is a lot of gorgeous mountain scenery within a ~4-hr drive (about the maximum I'm up for), but toddlers are probably not real big into hiking...?

Anyway, just looking for advice on what to look for in a vacation spot. Like, I'm assuming a playground would be good, and/or a pool. I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere -- I'd rather be in or near a town with a grocery store, a doctor, etc. Any other things to keep in mind?

 

We take a extended family (with my parents, brother/wife/son(same age as our boys), sister/husband) beach vacation along the east coast almost each year. We went when the boys were all 6mons. It actually was easy. They all slept well on the beach during the day under a tent. Going out to dinner was easy...(they were all in carriers). We went last summer at 2.5yrs (and flew...went well) but skipped the trip actually when they were 18mons. Three boys at that age we thought would be total chaos!(eating sand, running everywhere,etc.) Every child is different but our boys and my nephew were HIGH energy boys at that age. With girls....you have a better chance.

Quite frankly, toddlers and young kids are excited by anything. You don't have to go all out (i.e. DisneyWorld, water parks, etc) They love a pool, sandbox, playground, simple things, etc. You could go a mile from your house and it would be different. I would choose where you and your DH would feel relaxed to go. At the beach, we found a local rental company and were able to rent cribs, highchairs hen they were young. That helped instead of lugging everything. Happy travels!!

 

There's a nice hotel in Colorado Springs that has great family vacation packages. Of course I don't remember the name of it, but I live in Los Angeles and when we were visiting up there I remember thinking what a nice vacation it would be with the twins. I think it's a historic hotel...

Like the previous poster said - it's just nice to get away from the every day stuff and spend some time together doing anything, so you could search on Expedia for vacations near you that are having specials.

Best,
Mia

 

Beach...My boys had a blast at the beach at 1.5 years old.

 

We also did the beach at 18 months and it was wonderful! My biggest recommendation is to rent a house/condo or a hotel room with a kitchenette, because with kids that age, it's so much less stressful to do a lot of meals at "home" instead of eating out all the time. When we went to the beach, we definitely always did breakfast at the house we rented, and then did lunch/dinner at restaurants when we were out and about or wanted to try the local scene. But having the fridge/stove/microwave were key for us!

 

quote:
There's a nice hotel in Colorado Springs that has great family vacation packages. Of course I don't remember the name of it, but I live in Los Angeles and when we were visiting up there I remember thinking what a nice vacation it would be with the twins. I think it's a historic hotel...


Are you talking about the Broadmoor? I didn't stay but toured the hotel and grounds a few years back. I would love to stay there some day but without kids. I would be afraid my kids would break something. It's a very nice hotel.

 

If you can get to a beach...easy all day fun for all!

If not, how about the Telluride/ Ouray area- you could drive, stopping at every park on the way, go to the Glenwood hot springs, get a condo in Telluride- go to the park, town swimming pool, Ouray hot springs, ride the gondola, take kids in back packs on hikes....

 

We have rented a cabin the past couple of years in an area that has go-carts and such for our older son. The girls love it as it is a new adventure for them. We are relaxed because we can stay in and eat there if we want and not try to always take them out. I agree with pp that you don't have to do a big, expensive trip, just do something different from their routine. Last year was more hectic because they wanted to get into everything and we pretty much had to "toddler proof" the cabin, but we managed okay.

 

Here Is an awesome Bed and Breakfast that is totally geared for kids. It's an exotic animal farm/petting zoo. They have some rooms with seperate kids rooms. They have a playground and a playroom. They have tours, hayrides. You can feed and pet practically everything. The town its in also has a water park. It's fun.

Marissa

 

When my boys were 18 months, I took them on a one hour flight and it was a disaster. They couldn't sit still for more than 2 minutes even with all new toys, books, favorite snacks...etc, not mentioning the airline lost one of our car seats. After that, we droped the idea of traveling on plane, we just go places in our minivan. They are really good in the minivan. We have done many times of 6 hours drive to Los Angeles, and stop only once at halfway. From what I heard is, you better off either take your infant (not mobile yet) or age 3+ to a real vacation; otherwise, you might end up with doing more babysitting (without baby proof environment) than having a vacation. The other option is bring over more family members to take turns.

 

quote:
From what I heard is, you better off either take your infant (not mobile yet) or age 3+ to a real vacation; otherwise, you might end up with doing more babysitting (without baby proof environment) than having a vacation. The other option is bring over more family members to take turns.


I think as long as you know you're going to spend all your time with your toddlers and don't expect a romantic trip, a vacation can be a wonderful time to spend with each other. I have to work full time, so I really look forward to getting away alone with my twins. We've done the beach, the desert, and three cruises, and they've been our best times together, because there's nothing to do but enjoy each other. We're flying from Los Angeles to London in September for a week (when they'll be 2-1/2) and I just can't wait.

Best,
Mia

 

Thanks for the ideas!
I would love to go to the beach, but we'd have to fly (I think we're as far from the ocean as it's possible to get in the Continental U.S.!) So we'll save that for when they're older. But I like the Telluride idea a lot. (I think the kids would love the animal B&B place, and I'd get a kick out of it too, but I'd never get DH to go for it.)