drivable summer vacation ideas with the kids - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bring_Back_Shantz · 03-15-2010, 10:54 AM

Ever thought of renting an RV?
There are a few places that rent various sizes of RVs and then you can go to all sorts of places.
Not sure how cost effective it'd be compared to renting a cabin, but it could be an option.

Or how about a houseboat?
Might be expensive for just one family, but if you can get another couple with kids in on it, you could have a pretty good time.

Though if you go the houseboat route, you'd be much better off to stay away from Shuswap (or however the hell it's spelled), and go somewhere smaller like Koocanusa.

Bend it like Bourgeois · 03-15-2010, 11:11 AM

Thanks for the RV suggestion. Based on that I did a quick look. A motor home seems to be 300-500 a night if you can believe it. I guess I have no sense of these things because to me thats insane.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

I don't think I'd relax on a houseboat with kids that age. Kids tend to be 'f'in stupid' at times and might think its a good idea to go for a swim at 3 am.

Same here. Especially my youngest. He destined to be the star of his generation's 'jackass.'

North East Goon · 03-15-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kybosh

There is a ton of stuff within Canada that would fit the bill but I'm gonna give a shout out to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Beautiful scenery, lots of "old west" history, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse (as it stands right now), tons of activities for little kids. As a kid, I found the Devil's tower particularly mesmerizing due to the Native legends around it.

And Deadwood has all sorts of gambling!

Bring_Back_Shantz · 03-15-2010, 11:16 AM

Hmmm, I'm not sure where you looked, but I just did a quick search on Canadream, and Cruise Canada for a week around Canada Day (presumably one of the busiest weeks), and Canadream came in at ~275 a night, and Curise Canada was < $200/night for their largest RV.

WilsonFourTwo · 03-15-2010, 11:26 AM

For what it's worth, you can always rent an RV. Did it last year (doing it again this year) and it was about the same price as driving the car and renting hotels. Cost (after fuel) about $1200 for a 8-day trip, in a (very comfy and roomy) 30 footer. It was certainly one of the more enjoyable vacations we've had, and left us all feeling that we got excellent value.

I would HIGHLY recommend an RV Rental and a decent lake-campground for a vacation with the family.

I'm happy to recommend a rental place (and provide some insight on how things work) if you wanna PM me.....don't know that posting a link is OK in this case?

WilsonFourTwo · 03-15-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

Thanks for the RV suggestion. Based on that I did a quick look. A motor home seems to be 300-500 a night if you can believe it. I guess I have no sense of these things because to me thats insane.

We went with a 30 footer from Cruise Canada. The website gives crap rates, but if you go and speak with a rep, the price can/will drop A LOT. Unless the prices shot up dramatically from last year (ie. doubled?), I promise that the rental rate won't be $300+ per night. With all the fuel, campsite and mileage combined, a 30ft should cost around $125-$150 per night.

If it is something the family would be interested in, go in and speak with them. Should take about 20 minutes to go through all the options and you can roam freely through the different models they have.

Yeah_Baby · 03-15-2010, 11:48 AM

I'd only rent an RV if I had practice driving a leviathan. If not, you're going to have tons of 'fun' on the highway.

Seriously though, Invermere is awesome. The Toby Theatre, Gerry's Gelati, Pharmasave all the lake related fun. Its epic.

amorak · 03-15-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

I'd only rent an RV if I had practice driving a leviathan. If not, you're going to have tons of 'fun' on the highway.

Seriously though, Invermere is awesome. The Toby Theatre, Gerry's Gelati, Pharmasave all the lake related fun. Its epic.

You're suggesting a vacation destination based on a pharmasave?!

Don't get me wrong, I agree - Invermere is awesome, but using pharmasave to sell it? I lol'ed, funny stuff...

Dude, hit up Grande Prairie, they have a Shoppers Drug Mart!

Yeah_Baby · 03-15-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amorak

You're suggesting a vacation destination based on a pharmasave?!

Don't get me wrong, I agree - Invermere is awesome, but using pharmasave to sell it? I lol'ed, funny stuff...

Dude, hit up Grande Prairie, they have a Shoppers Drug Mart!

Obviously that part of a joke.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Hey, not all of us make 300 grand a year, we have to buy our dinners at pharmacy checkout stands.

Have to save money so I go all drunken groupy on hockey players later that night at Buds.

photon · 03-15-2010, 12:15 PM

Tofino is a freaking long drive!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

I don't think I'd relax on a houseboat with kids that age. Kids tend to be 'f'in stupid' at times and might think its a good idea to go for a swim at 3 am.

Lol, no kidding. Even when we rent a house with a pool (which we've done a lot of times now, HIGHLY recommended for vacations with kids, Palm Springs is awesome for this), we ask/look for either locks above child level on any door to the pool, or bring child proof doorknobs or lock him in his room at night or whatever.

BOSSY · 03-15-2010, 12:44 PM

Oregon Coast anywhere south of Portland is awesome... We took our kids last summer (8 and 5) they had a blast we will probably go back this year... Lots to do amazing sights and food, not too expensive... Not too bad of a drive (14ish hours) but drive to Spokane and take them to the amusement park there it's actually pretty good, then go the rest of the way 2 days of 7 hour drives... Then we humped it all the way back coming home - sucked but was worth getting it out of the way...

amorak · 03-15-2010, 12:45 PM

My sarcasm detector's busted.

amorak · 03-15-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOSSY

Oregon Coast anywhere south of Portland is awesome... We took our kids last summer (8 and 5) they had a blast we will probably go back this year... Lots to do amazing sights and food, not too expensive... Not too bad of a drive (14ish hours) but drive to Spokane and take them to the amusement park there it's actually pretty good, then go the rest of the way 2 days of 7 hour drives... Then we humped it all the way back coming home - sucked but was worth getting it out of the way...

I can't imagine humping for 14 hours with your kids in the car!

BOSSY · 03-15-2010, 12:49 PM

Give a shot of Whiskey each and its amazing what you can get done!

Bring_Back_Shantz · 03-15-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOSSY

Oregon Coast anywhere south of Portland is awesome... We took our kids last summer (8 and 5) they had a blast we will probably go back this year... Lots to do amazing sights and food, not too expensive... Not too bad of a drive (14ish hours) but drive to Spokane and take them to the amusement park there it's actually pretty good, then go the rest of the way 2 days of 7 hour drives... Then we humped it all the way back coming home - sucked but was worth getting it out of the way...

I totally agree with this.
A few years ago a few friends and I did a motorcycle trip down through California, and on the way there we stayed in a campground pretty much straight west of Portland, that was right on the ocean.
One of the coolest places I've ever camped.

amorak · 03-15-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOSSY

Give a shot of Whiskey each and its amazing what you can get done!

I'll try that now! I'll report back @ 3pm tomorrow (that's 14 hours from now!)and let you know

metal_geek · 03-15-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOSSY

Oregon Coast anywhere south of Portland is awesome... We took our kids last summer (8 and 5) they had a blast we will probably go back this year... Lots to do amazing sights and food, not too expensive... Not too bad of a drive (14ish hours) but drive to Spokane and take them to the amusement park there it's actually pretty good, then go the rest of the way 2 days of 7 hour drives... Then we humped it all the way back coming home - sucked but was worth getting it out of the way...

I second this excate trip... we did it with a 5 year old and a 3 year old and had alot of fun.. Park in spokane, went to Mt St. Helens, spent some time in seattle, came back via Kelowna. Was a GREAT trip.

photon · 03-15-2010, 01:15 PM

My kid LOVES volcanoes (well anything to do with nature but volcanoes especially), another great suggestion thanks!

Maybe we'll go down south this summer, dollar's nice and high too.

StevenAbootman · 11-24-2016, 10:21 PM

I am trying to decide on where to go and what to do next summer (2017) with my family (kids 8&9).

Looking at something that is within a 6 hour drive from Calgary, ideally would be on a lake with a decent beach or very near one. Water parks/slides are a nice to have, and an area not quite as busy would be good to.

The plan is to go with my sisters family of 4 as well and maybe even another family if we can find a big enough place.

Mazrim · 11-24-2016, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenAbootman

I am trying to decide on where to go and what to do next summer (2017) with my family (kids 8&9).

Looking at something that is within a 6 hour drive from Calgary, ideally would be on a lake with a decent beach or very near one. Water parks/slides are a nice to have, and an area not quite as busy would be good to.

The plan is to go with my sisters family of 4 as well and maybe even another family if we can find a big enough place.

How about Vernon, BC? Waterslides aren't far from Swan Lake, but the real swimming is in Kalamalka Lake, which is about 15 minutes from there. Lots of options for camping or places to stay too.

Nice necrobump, by the way.