drivable summer vacation ideas with the kids

[Slava]

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.

The "not quite as busy" part won't fit depending on exactly where you stay because its not exactly secret, but Sandpoint is basically exactly what you're after. Its about 6 hours, has a huge waterpark/amusement park and public beach just down the road at Sandpoint. You can get Airbnb/VRBO rentals in the area or camp and everything is there.

[Northendzone]

I like whitefish myself; however, with the currency exchange it is not as appealing

[bossy22]

If you are thinking of Whitefish, call the Hidden Moose Lodge. Ask if there are any deals for Canadians. We got a deal last year. It's an awesome B&B. Kent and his staff are super nice people.

[cracher]

Nobody has mentioned CDA? 6 hours away, Silverwood theme park has a whole section of rides for the 4 year old. The 6 year old should be able to go on 80% of the rides. VRBO a place on the lake, away from it all. Cheap golf, cheap or high-ish end food and probably the best amusement/water park within 6 hours of Calgary.

[Hockeyguy15]

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.

Check out some places on Eagle Bay on VRBO, it's a little farther out though so I'm not sure if that is what you are looking for.

https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rental...lake/eagle-bay

[CliffFletcher]

Scotch Creek, on the north side of Shuswap Lake. Small town, but has all the amenities you need. Lots of vacation rentals. Or if you're camping there's the provincial park, which many consider the best in B.C. The beach at the provincial park is excellent.

[CliffFletcher]

Can anyone give a rundown of the pros/cons of Sandpoint vs Coeur d'Alene? I haven't been down there in more than 30 years.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Can anyone give a rundown of the pros/cons of Sandpoint vs Coeur d'Alene? I haven't been down there in more than 30 years.

Cons : USD.

[octothorp]

Next summer there's going to be a total eclipse crossing over Jackson, Wyoming. Put it together with a trip to Yellowstone, and it'll be absolutely unforgettable.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by cracher

Nobody has mentioned CDA? 6 hours away, Silverwood theme park has a whole section of rides for the 4 year old. The 6 year old should be able to go on 80% of the rides. VRBO a place on the lake, away from it all. Cheap golf, cheap or high-ish end food and probably the best amusement/water park within 6 hours of Calgary.

6 hours to Coeur d'Alene might be a little ambitious. Not saying it can't be done, but Google maps says its 7:12, plus border wait times, plus kids having to go to the bathroom...

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Can anyone give a rundown of the pros/cons of Sandpoint vs Coeur d'Alene? I haven't been down there in more than 30 years.

this is my opinion, but I think both places are somewhat similar - Sandpoint is smaller and has a great pizza place and mexican restaurant.

CDA - is nice, Spokane (20 to 30 mins) does provide some shopping options. There is some movie theaters in CDA, beach etc

Silverwood amusement park is within 20 to 40 minutes of each city

I'd think if you were in a trailer or camping then sandpoint is the place to stay, but if you are in a hotel/condo then CDA

[Slava]

Originally Posted by cracher

Nobody has mentioned CDA? 6 hours away, Silverwood theme park has a whole section of rides for the 4 year old. The 6 year old should be able to go on 80% of the rides. VRBO a place on the lake, away from it all. Cheap golf, cheap or high-ish end food and probably the best amusement/water park within 6 hours of Calgary.

I guess I didn't specifically mention it, but really CDA/Sandpoint amount to the same thing in my view.

[D as in David]

I'll second the Sandpoint recommendation. The family just loves the area and the roller coasters at the amusement park are fantastic! May have to wait for the kids to be a little older to go on them but there are lots of other good rides there, too. The amusement park and the water slide park are connected so we find that on hot days (of which there a lot in that area) you'll go do rides in the amusement park and then change into your swimsuits and cool off at the waterpark. Rinse and repeat throughout the day.

The drive time is 6 hours but usually find there is a wait of 30 minutes or so at the border on the way down. Coming back, it is usually 10 minutes or less.

Will put in a plug for Scotch Creek, as well. We've stayed at Scotch Creek Cottages (https://www.shuswap.ca/ a number of times and really enjoyed it. Great common area with around 20ish cabins surrounding it. A longer drive, though, to get around to that part of the lake. Usually around 7.5 to 8 hours.

[Northendzone]

one negative thing about silverwood is the lineups at every ride, or waterslide.

there is no fastpass system like Disney, so you can wait 30 or more minutes everywhere.

it is fun standing on the warm pavement for waterslide ride.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Slava

I guess I didn't specifically mention it, but really CDA/Sandpoint amount to the same thing in my view.

I think CDA is more a party town for frat bros, and Sandpoint is quieter and more family oriented.

Good area all around - Silverwood is in between CDA and Sandpoint. Spokane is not far for shopping. Schweitzer has mountain biking, zip lines etc. Boating on Pend O'Reille is very nice - water not cold.

It's me, the M the A-C the K
Stunting like a French pimp from back in the day
I take her to Pend Oreille and I watch her skate
I mean, water ski, ollie ollie oxen free

[PaperBagger'14]

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.

Great trip indeed. Just don't go the first full week of august as that's the Sturgis bike rally. Absolute blast but not the most kid friendly place to be.

[StevenAbootman]

Thank you all for the feedback, there is a lot of great suggestions on here. I have a few summers worth of places to check out here.

Found a few really nice places on vrbo and they are already booked solid for next summer.

[csnarpy]

last summer we took our kids (5 and 7) to Seaside Oregon. Just amazing. from there we were able to go up and down the coast and hit multitudes of beaches and small towns.

we only had two long days of travel (to and back) and we broke it up by hoteling 2/3 of the way.

the kids had a great time as did we.

Ya, the dollar sucked but getting rooms with kitchens is very easy and makes life easier.

[Table 5]

We went camping in Dinosaur Provincial Park last year for the first time, and thought it was pretty great for a weekend. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, but once you are there, there are great places to explore and there were a ton of kids there too.

It's a UNESCO world heritage site, which is pretty special. Everyone always heads to Drumheller, but if you don't need the museum, I found this more interesting.

[Northendzone]

I did not realize that the badlands were about a 14 hr drive - I am going to suggest tot eh wife that we consider this for a vacation in 2017.