[daffynpooh]

Help! I have realized that we need a vacation around here.....I will be taking a new job within my company, and am looking for a total stress break for a week. We rarely go on vacation, so I'm open for ideas. Here's my "guidelines" and I live in upstate NY. realistically due to DD's school schedule will not go until at least July

1) Must be within 16 hour drive (road trip!!)
2) No big cities
3) Ocean would be awesome, don't want mega tourist area, but outskirts would be great
4) No camping!!!!
5) Prefer hotel.condo rental with at least kitchenette to cut down on meal costs
6) Areas with historical significance a plus!

You gals (and guys) are the best - my brain is too fried to even come up with ideas - please help!!

[therbel]

Wanna cone to jersey W/ me???? Found some awsome deals! Close to home, kitchen in condo!! Right on the beach, tons to do, and close to do!!! ( oh and there is waffle house on the way)

[daffynpooh]

When??? wedding weekend??

[SoccerMama]

Cape May, NJ is our all time favorite place. Until we moved we would always schedule our trip during the 4th of July. We stay at a B&B so I'm not sure about condo's etc.

Quiet
Clean
Beach
Historic
Americana vibe
Family Oriented
Beautiful sunsets

[daffynpooh]

Soccermama - do you have any info you could send my way?? Sounds super! I really didn't want to drive all the way to Myrtle Beach, which is our fave beach!

[therbel]

Originally Posted by daffynpooh

When??? wedding weekend??

We are going the 3 week in july...... Wedding weekend is this weekend!

[daffynpooh]

hmmmmm T - send info! Could swap babysitting for some "business time"

[therbel]

Originally Posted by daffynpooh

hmmmmm T - send info! Could swap babysitting for some "business time"

Business time....... Check out the daytona motor inn, I think that is where we might stay! Got great reviews on trip advisor, it's right by the beach, has a fresh water pool, kitchens, and is super reasonable!

[daffynpooh]

Will check it out...but the last time I stayed anywhere that had "daytona" and "motor inn" together I was afraid to unpack for the bugs!!! (not to mention the door was off the hinges and busted

The staff is now ordering me to call in sick......I guess I look THAT bad~

[therbel]

Wanna come to the wedding ?????

[daffynpooh]

oh yeah T.....WHERE in Jersey??

[daffynpooh]

would come to wedding just to take pictures of the dress for AFC

[therbel]

wildwood

[therbel]

Originally Posted by daffynpooh

would come to wedding just to take pictures of the dress for AFC

I think I will acution off the pics....... Great Idea for my first auction!

[daffynpooh]

Originally Posted by therbel

I think I will acution off the pics....... Great Idea for my first auction!

Will split profits!!!

[mrslukebrown]

what about alexandria bay, NY? it is amazing, Alexandria Bay, NY about twenty minutes from canada, 1 hr 20 min approx from syracuse <3

[jmwolff]

We've been going to the outer banks NC for the last 5 summers. I grew up in the Long Island area, and I will tell you that the outer banks beaches are much nicer than the NJ/NY area beaches. It is also ALOT cheaper. It is alot less crowded, the water is warmer and blue-er than the jersey beaches I've been too, it is less "carnival" than the board walk beaches. Both are fun, but NC is more relaxing for me (and cheaper)

There are many ocean front condos for rent, and you can get them for a week for under $1000 and they have full kitchens. If you want to pay less you can stay off the ocean front.

The other thing that is nice is that the last 2 weeks of august starts the off-peak season there because schools start earlier in the south. So if you go then you can get pretty nice discounts. We go with another familiy, and we have split ocean front 3 br condos and last year we went across the street from the ocean and split a 5 br house with a pool, game room and ocean view for ~$1600.

Here are some websites for area realtors.
Outer Banks Vacation Rentals | Homes & Beach Cottages
Outer Banks | Vacation Rentals | Real Estate | Village Realty
Outer Banks | Beach Vacation Rentals | Kitty Dunes | Corolla | Nags Head | Duck | North Carolina | Obx

If you want more info let me know

[twinkie23]

For me to relax it takes a peaceful ocean front property.
Now if you go with T to the Wedding you can take those Bridal Gown Pics and split the difference in profit from the AFC Auction. Or Americas Funniest Home Videos.
Because we are all dying to see the dress, why not just video the wedding? Submit the tape.
Have Theresa do a comedy dialogue for background.
This way maybe the Bride will pay for your vacation so you do not take the pictures or submit the tape to the televison show. You know Theresa and Daffynpooh that all AFCer will call in and help you win the prize! There may be a win-win here ladies.

[SoccerMama]

Originally Posted by jmwolff

We've been going to the outer banks NC for the last 5 summers. I grew up in the Long Island area, and I will tell you that the outer banks beaches are much nicer than the NJ/NY area beaches. It is also ALOT cheaper. It is alot less crowded, the water is warmer and blue-er than the jersey beaches I've been too, it is less "carnival" than the board walk beaches. Both are fun, but NC is more relaxing for me (and cheaper)

There are many ocean front condos for rent, and you can get them for a week for under $1000 and they have full kitchens. If you want to pay less you can stay off the ocean front.

The other thing that is nice is that the last 2 weeks of august starts the off-peak season there because schools start earlier in the south. So if you go then you can get pretty nice discounts. We go with another familiy, and we have split ocean front 3 br condos and last year we went across the street from the ocean and split a 5 br house with a pool, game room and ocean view for ~$1600.

Here are some websites for area realtors.
Outer Banks Vacation Rentals | Homes & Beach Cottages
Outer Banks | Vacation Rentals | Real Estate | Village Realty
Outer Banks | Beach Vacation Rentals | Kitty Dunes | Corolla | Nags Head | Duck | North Carolina | Obx

If you want more info let me know

Very good point. We haven't explored the Outerbanks beaches yet-probably b/c heard all the NY'ers go there. (former NY'er here) haha.

It is much cheaper. My only complaint is that I don't like natural beaches-I like a groomed beach. It's easier to walk on the sand and less messy.

[grace.maddie]

Originally Posted by jmwolff

We've been going to the outer banks NC for the last 5 summers. I grew up in the Long Island area, and I will tell you that the outer banks beaches are much nicer than the NJ/NY area beaches. It is also ALOT cheaper. It is alot less crowded, the water is warmer and blue-er than the jersey beaches I've been too, it is less "carnival" than the board walk beaches. Both are fun, but NC is more relaxing for me (and cheaper)

There are many ocean front condos for rent, and you can get them for a week for under $1000 and they have full kitchens. If you want to pay less you can stay off the ocean front.

The other thing that is nice is that the last 2 weeks of august starts the off-peak season there because schools start earlier in the south. So if you go then you can get pretty nice discounts. We go with another familiy, and we have split ocean front 3 br condos and last year we went across the street from the ocean and split a 5 br house with a pool, game room and ocean view for ~$1600.

Here are some websites for area realtors.
Outer Banks Vacation Rentals | Homes & Beach Cottages
Outer Banks | Vacation Rentals | Real Estate | Village Realty
Outer Banks | Beach Vacation Rentals | Kitty Dunes | Corolla | Nags Head | Duck | North Carolina | Obx

If you want more info let me know

we went to the obx for our vacation this year too! we loved it. the beaches were awsome, and had tons of very unique shells. roanoke island is know ior its waves though, so if you have very small children don't plan on doing a lot of swimmin on that island.
one place we thought was cool we stopping to see the wild spanish mustags ponies. they are now protected for their historical sig.nifignace, but they were survivour from the first settlers in america. they also have more ribs and virtebre than other horses. very cool.
we stayed at the elizabeathn inn on roanoke isle. and it was nice, about $70 a night for a really nice room with a full health club and a pool on the second floor.
the kiddos also got excitedc about taking a ferry ride in the van.

[daffynpooh]

Thank you all!! Had thought NC - one of my favorite books as a kid was about the ponies there!
My kids would FLIP - they are horse crazy!!

Twinkie - it sounds like you know T and I well!!!

I will check this all out and report back!!!

[twinkie23]

After T's Bridemaid Dress Thread....I have no idea what the Bride has selected.
Theresa is going to look stunning. This is one Wedding where the Bridesmaid will out shine the Bride!

There is a beautiful area in FL that looks like the Carribean. It is off of West Palm Beach, on Singer Island. Mostly residential. But the water is so blue. You can see all the way down to the floor of the sea at the Marina. There is a very small boutique Hilton.
We are fortunate that we have friends that reside in large homes, and permit guests to stay in their guest houses. I have been to Palm Beach twice this year already.

Kiawah Island is beautiful off of the coast of South Carolina? NC? I am getting sleepy sorry.
Marco island is proabaly too far down in Florida for you to drive. Charleston will stay historical!
Up North I love Cape Code and especially Nantucket. What a about Newport RI?
It all depends what you want from a vacation.
Either way if your are going with T. You must talk her into doing a stand up mic night at a Comedy Club. The woman just makes me laugh. She is just hilarious. Wally World gift with your car rental

[kvilledrummer]

The Outer Banks being cheap kinda depends on what you like to do. I play golf & everywhere was outrageous to play during the high season......it worked out for me the last time we went to Nags Head because I had a free place to stay (wife works for the government & they had a planning conference there). Other than the golf, everything else was fairly reasonable......

If you do go to OBX & you like a good beer, check out the Outer Banks Brewing Station while you're there. They had a special brew called "Irish Breakfast Stout" that is probably the best beer I've ever had. I'm hoping they'll have their planning conference back at OBX this year so we can go back!

Another place to consider for a more natural beach that is a bit closer is the Chincoteague/Assateague area - Cheasapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore of VA. They also have the wild ponies at the wildlife refuge there and a lot of neat small towns to visit & great seafood. We stayed there at B&B's for our honeymoon so I'm not sure about good hotels to offer for a more family friendly stay. The northern entry is also about 30mi from Ocean City, MD if you want to get back to civilization for a day. Its also within a couple hours of Williamsburg for a historical daytrip or a sidetrip to Busch Gardens & just across the bridge/tunnel from VA Beach.

Another interesting site is SkyAuction.com
U.S. & Canada -- Airline Tickets, Hotels, Cruises & Vacation Packages

You can bid there for different stays sort of like ebay - it is generally open weeks at timeshare resorts. Make sure you read the descriptions completely. The bids normally go cheap but there is almost always a set fee that goes along with the rental that is spelled out in the listing. The total price can still make for a great deal if they have an opening when you want to travel & they had some stuff around Williamsburg, VA, NJ & SC available.

[jmwolff]

Originally Posted by kvilledrummer

If you do go to OBX & you like a good beer, check out the Outer Banks Brewing Station while you're there. They had a special brew called "Irish Breakfast Stout" that is probably the best beer I've ever had. .

That place is good! That is our new "arrival day lunch spot" since we usually get there a few hours before we can check in.

We spend ALOT of our time fishing on the piers, to the point that we know the locals, we routinely give away and throw back more fish than we know what to do with, so it's alot of fun if you are into fishing.

[joshmamabear]

I forgot how much time it took to travel from ME to NYC. If you've never been there, I highly recommend it. The beaches are beautiful, I like it even better than the famous Myrtle Beach in SC. If you go to Portland and walk in their cobblestone roads, its like walking through history. You and your family will love it there! the condotels there are priced reasonably, they have those with small kitchenettes if you want to prepare your own meals but most offer free buffet breakfast that will really satisfy big appetites.