Memorial Day weekend is approaching. It's the last three day holiday before summer starts, which means it's the last chance to squeeze in a quick vacation before summer camps give you some much needed breathing room.
Here are a few ideas for Memorial Day vacations for you and the family:
Hit the beach — A beach is a catch-all vacation spot for the whole family. Since most popular beaches are close to major tourist areas, there's an abundance of hotels and resorts, which provide extra amenities, including childcare, if mom and dad want night out. During the day, the kids can learn to boogie board, grandma can chill out with a Mai Tai, and you can get a much-needed tan and R&R. Plus, if you're traveling with an expectant mom having a baby, there's access to medical care-- so there's no need to worry. Remember to scout public beaches in advance to make sure the area you're going to hasn't had any water pollution problems.
Visit historical Civil War sites — Memorial Day celebrates the Civil War, which was one of the defining historical events in American history. A trip to Charleston, South Carolina to see the Fort Sumter National Monument, or various other landmarks and sites across Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, or Georgia would not only give your family an inside look at an important historical legacy, you'd get a chance to check out some great cities. Consider a tour of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Shiloh, and others, where you can witness reenactments of great battles and learn about classic monuments -- it's educational and fun for both kids and adults. This is also perhaps your last chance to head down south before the summer heat gets to be too much.
Disneyland — The old epic debate over Disneyland or Disney World get reprised this time of year. For a three day weekend, I think Disneyland is the better choice simply because of its location (assuming you're on the west coast). You're midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, two wonderful cities that are less than an hour away. In one vacation you could ride Space Mountain, tour Hollywood, hit the beach, and camp at Joshua Tree. Kids love Disneyland, and if you've got teens they'll love walking up and down the trendy LA boulevards.
Talk with your family and take a poll of possible destinations. A three day weekend is a terrible thing to waste!
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