Our extended family always goes on a nice vacation in the summer. We total about 20 people, 8 of them kids. We are all in Texas (houston, dallas, san antonio). The last two years we have taken rather extensive (and expensive) vacations. This year we want to be lower key. So those of you who have vacationed here, what have you done? Obviously those three major cities are out. My FIL suggested going to west texas, which is where I grew up and I kind of cringe at the thought of that, so I decided to take it upon myself to find a new perspective! Thanks for your help.

By Kaleighsmommy on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 07:19 pm:

How old are the kids? Austin is pretty fun. There's educational stuff like the Capitol and the Bob Bullock Museum. There's sports events: Ice Bats, Austin Wranglers, Round Rock Express. There's all kinds of stuff. I don't know what your family likes to do, but Austin has tons of stuff. Or, there's always the beach (if you can stand the heat) I know a lot of people that go to Rockport or South Padre. Well, hope I helped.

By Mommmie on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 09:30 pm:

Schliterbaun!! (I probably butchered the spelling.)

By Kaye on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 09:51 pm:

The kids range in ages from 6-13. We are a funny bunch. I don't love camping, but really enjoy sports so i don't mind being outside. The rest of the crew are city folk, the inlaws probably only want to spend an hour outside a day..LOL. Our last two vacations were hawaii and washington dc, so it is hard to compete. I have been online for awhile today. Lake buchanan looks fun, I thought of schliterbaun too. Even a dude ranch (heck we are in texas..LOL).

Keep coming with the ideas!

By Palmbchprincess on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 09:57 pm:

The Gulf? That's where I'm dying to go this summer. There's a new Schlitterbahn down there, I think it's South Padre Island. Austin is a lot of fun, but we have trouble finding much to do with our kids there. There are a few interesting things in this area (Ft Hood) but I doubt enough for a vacation. New Braunfels is pretty cool, but close to SA. Schlitterbahn, the outlet mall, some museums. Waco area has Cameron Park Zoo, the Dr. Pepper museum, shopping, the Brazos River. It's tricky, because most of us go to Dallas, SA, or Houston for mini-vacations.

By Debbie on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 08:29 am:

There is Padre Island. And like Crystal said, there is a new Schlitterban down there. It just opened a few years ago. I am partial to Austin, since we lived there for 15 years. In fact, we are going there for Spring Break to vistit my parents. In Austin there is the capital, great parks, shopping, wonderful restraunts and Lake Austin. They have boat rental places so you can go out on the lake. There is also a Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels which is just about 45 minutes away from Austin. If you like baseball, UT has the #1 college team. We are going to a game when we are there. We have friends that rent a house on the Frio River each summer. I think it is about an hour or so Northwest of San Antonio. They use a rental company that has several homes. They differ in size and are really beautiful. I can get the website for you if you are interested. They have pictures, descriptions, rates and availability on the website. That is all I can think of for now.

By Conni on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 09:35 am:

I took Brad and Blake to Corpus Christi / Padre Island / and San Antonio about 4 yrs ago. We went to the beach, visited a cousin in Corpus and the did Sea World and the RiverWalk in San Antonio...

What about Galveston? I havent been there in 20 yrs or so --I dont know much about it.

Dallas? I love Dallas! There is always something to do there.

What about that big Flea Mkt in Canton, Texas they have once a month. My sisters and I are all mtg there in the Fall of this yr for a weeknd of shopping!

My Grandparents live in West Texas (my husband and i were born there). We are going there Spring Break. While there we always visit Amarillo for shopping, sometimes we go to Lubbock, TX, Clovis, New Mexico for a little shopping, Portales, New Mexico for fresh peanuts (we bring bags of them home). This yr I'd love to drive on over to Santa Fe, New Mexico and stay a night--I dont know if dh will go for it or not.

By Kaye on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 10:14 am:

Just a side note, did yall know there is a schlitterbaun opening in galveston soon?

I like the new mexico idea too, I am a little worried about the length of the car trip.

what is in LA for kids? Maybe we should go that way!

By Jann on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 11:28 am:

Schlitterbaun in Padre is great!!! You are in water whenever you are waiting in line so you are not dying of heat. There are so many wonderful condos or hotels down there to choose from.
Hill Country Hyatt is a great place.
Also, Bandera with the dude ranches is great fun! The Flying L has it's own golf course. The Mayan is a wonderful one too.

By Mommmie on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 02:14 pm:

Gaylord Texas resort in Grapevine!

By Kaleighsmommy on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 05:03 pm:

Another thing in New Braunfels is the Guadalupe River. We used to go tubing when I was younger. It's a lot of fun. I'm kind of partial to Austin, too because I live here. The only other places I can think of are the ones you live in!!!