On top of everything else, it’s time to think about planning a summer vacation. We generally do beach vacations, but it always go better when there is some activity. As much as we say we just want to relax, after a day or two of relaxing, we’re climbing the walls. So we need a combination of beach and some touristy activities. We did the all-inclusive in Mexico last year and it went well, but I think my husband wants to stay in the US this year. My daughter absolutely wants to go back to Mexico (loved the all-inclusive) but I don’t think she can win that battle.
When I say east coast, I’m thinking anything from Florida to Delaware. Our family is myself, my husband, 18 year old daughter (graduation year) and young adult son who may or may no go with us.
And if you have a non-east coast favorite vacation spot, shout it out, it’s always good to hear ideas.
Thanks!
A little further north, but we love Ocean City, New Jersey.
NC’s Outer Banks
South Carolina…Kiawah Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach…all in easy driving distance to Charleston.
Coming up on Year 8 of 8 for tuition payments. Haven’t had many beach vacations since daughters began college but we’re beginning to think about 2016 when we hope to get back to Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island in March and Cape Cod during the summer. We usually spent a week or two in the Harwich/Chatham area when our kids were younger.
Bethany Beach, DE - Ocean City, MD, (I’d skip Va Beach as it’s gotten quite dicey in the last few years), Wilmington, NC, Hilton Head, SC
All of them have great beaches and enough around to have other things to do.
What kind of touristy things? Physical activities? Museums? Food sampling???
I always have to put a plug in for Michigan. Traverse City area, Leelanau Peninsula, Lake Michigan around Sagatuck or Grand Haven - all gorgeous, beach and food/art/fun stuff to do.
Just FYI…I’d be planning pretty quickly if you want to rent a place in one of the more popular areas. Many folks rent a year in advance. We put the deposit down on our NJ house in September for this summer!
@eyemamom, I’m sorry to hear VA beach isn’t such a nice place these days. We used to go there when our kids were much younger because it was more family friendly than Ocean City.
I hear there are some great places on the gulf coast in Florida.
@hudsonvalley ~ we live on the lower Cape. Spend alot of time in both of those towns 
I second Cape Cod (but only the Lower Cape) for a week or two in the summer! Orleans, Wellfleet, Truro…loads to do for kids.
I have been to VA Beach twice in the past few years and loved it. Rented very nice houses in an area called Croatan which was very nice and a short drive from the boardwalk area. Traffic was never a problem. Both times our group consisted of Moms and teens and the kids were very happy.
Cape May, NJ–it’s across from Delaware, so that counts, right? Got ocean, bay, and back waters for all sorts of water activities, plus the town has great shopping, eating, historic tours, theater, if you’re looking for that, plus Wildwood Boardwalk–rides, water parks, etc. Whale watches, parasailing, kayaking, biking, fishing–the area’s got a lot to keep you busy.
I’ve always wanted to go
to Cape May. Hampton Beach was another place, but when we went last summer, yuck
I love Cape May, especially walking the neighborhoods of painted houses downtown.
Then ferry to Delaware, especially Bethany.
What about Puerto Rico? You don’t need a passport, they have gorgeous beaches, and you can explore Old San Juan whicj is a lot of fun. Seems like a nice compromise between the states and Mexico.
I second abasket - west coast of Michigan. You are late booking this summer, though. Try Sleepy Hollow in South Haven.
Second The Cloister at Sea Island–although I’ve only been there in the spring–don’t know what it’s like in July or August. If you’re willing to go north of Delaware the beaches on Cape Cod are great and the best beaches of all are on Nantucket.
Two - Cape Ann up north & Amelia Island down south