Trip

What is a good affordable vacation for a family of 7??

Any suggestions?? My husband and I haven't taken the kids on any family trip and we need suggestions on something fun and affordable. We live in Missouri and are willing to travel any way--anywhere but Missouri. We've been all over our state.

Public Comments

1. How about Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Dollywood. Great vacation for the kids and you and hubby would like it as well. Here are some websites:
   
   http://www.mypigeonforge.com/
   
   http://www.bestwesternplazainn.com/fun_things_to_do.html
   
   http://www.smokymountainlake.com/thingsto.html
   
   
   
   Have fun!
2. Well, with a family of 7 you need two things - cheap airfare and lots of room where you'll be staying. Airtran flies out of both St. Louis and Kansas City to Orlando at pretty great prices (flights to Orlando are among the cheapest from anywhere), and you can stay at one of the Starwood (Sheraton) condo hotels at reasonable prices. Car rentals in Orlando are also among the most reasonable. We've stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Villages which is quite nice. They offer two bedroom condos with a queen size pull-out couch in the living room, full dining area, full kitchen, washer & dryer, gorgeous pool, poolside bar & grill. It is very close to activities and great restaurants on Int'l drive. I think we paid somewhere around $250/night during January, but this would be less after April or so. There is also the Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando which is much larger but I haven't stayed there. Here's a link to the Sheraton resorts:
   
   
   
   http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=SVO_main&IM=CORP_SVO_INT
   
   
   
   One word of caution - these ARE timeshares as well as resorts, and they will call to ask you to attend a timeshare presentation, but we just said no and were not bothered again.
   
   
   
   While Disney and Universal are very expensive, there is so much more to do in Orlando. Lots of water parks, Ripley's, miniature golf, dinner shows, I could go on forever.
   
   
   
   I hope this helps!
3. South Carolina is a great place to vacation. We have everything. Beaches, lakes, mountains, water parks, historic sites, plantations, battleships, racetracks, shopping, a multitude of restaurants, golf courses, (adult or miniture) and festivals.
   
   With a family of 7 & trying to keep a vacation to a budget it can be stressful. Most of South Carolina's historic sites are inexpensive to see (but well worth the trip). From Rainbow Row & the Battery in downtown Charleston, to the U.S.S. Yorktown (retired aircraft carrier) & Fort's Moultrie & Sumter in the Harbor. From Beaufort, (shrimpboats & Gullah traditions) to Edisto Island, Isle of Palms & Sullivan's Island (small uncrowded beaches) to Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasent (Many movie's have been shot here) to Brook Green Gardens (beautiful flowers & sculptures). Myrtle Beach is a legend, water parks, Ripleys Aquarium, Nascar Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe(in the shape of a pyramid)(you can go in & look around without eating) (*food is pricey)...Alligator Adventure & the boardwalk at Barefoot Landing, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede (full course dinner plus a live cowboy/indian old west show while you eat)..etc...
   
   Columbia (state capital) still has cannon balls lodged in the state house that can be seen from the street. A huge zoo & botanical garden. The mountain region has water falls, hiking, canoeing, old west themed parks/towns. Glorious scenery & even snow skiing in some places.
   
   Various festivals happen around the state at different times of the year. Flowertown festival (Summerville) is beautiful. Grits festival (St. George) is all about the grits..Hell Hole Swamp festival (Jamestown) is about old time moon shine runners..Catfish festival (St. Stephens)...The Okra festival (Irmo) is believe it or not a festival dedicated to ..OKRA...lol...
   
   as far as a place to stay...cheap, but nice on a budget...Try our South Carolina State Parks...a few tents & sleeping bags or an air mattress or two...camp sites are inexpensive. (Cabins are also available at some locations)...Bathhouses with warm showers are at every location & the parks are usually not crowded & near most attractions. They are patrolled by Rangers & secured at night with a combination lock for the guest security and convinence.
   
   Koa campgrounds are similiar in prices, but don't have the activities or offer hiking, fishing, waterfalls, beaches, etc...the way the State Parks do.
   
   
   
   Where-ever you decide to vacation, I hope you have a grand time. Keep the State Parks in mind, no matter which state you visit. I think you'll be surprised at what you find. If you'd like to find out more or have questions...click on my picture, which will take you to my homepage & e-mail me.