Does this vacation destination exist?
 

OK, here's the criteria, I'm wondering if such a place exists......

- Within a reasonable flight from Chicago, travelling with a 2/3-month old baby (who of course is a perfect angel and won't annoy any other pax while flying). We will buy her a seat.
- Relaxing
- On or near water is a plus
- In a city/town with lots of interesting places within walking distance
- Great for a three or four day visit
- Baby will be happy (so probably not going to Mexico on this trip). I am posting here because I assume that other travel-lovers will understand our goal of getting the baby used to travelling early/young ... others maybe aren't so tolerant as this community is...

Some places I've considered are:
- Newport RI
- Marin County CA
- Miami Beach
- Quebec City

I am not looking for a major sightseeing destination (baby wouldn't like that) but we also don't want to just sit in a hotel room and watch waves for three days (so we eliminated places like Cape Cod, where we'd have to do a lot of driving).

Suggestions?

Cleveland. No, I'm serious!

Huntsville, AL

AA has a direct flight.

You can visit lots spots in the immediate area. Helen Keller's home, the Space Center, take a boat ride on the Tennessee River.
One plus, this is a very child centered area. In Madison County the median population age is 7 years old. Lots of young professionals with young children. No one will shoot you dirty looks for having your child out and about with you.

San Diego??

Vancouver. Wonderful city, and your criteria are met if you stay at the Westin Bayshore on the water near Stanley Park. Lovely hotel, Stanley Park is a terrific place to be (I'd have wished I couldda gone there when I was a baby), and Granville Island is the perfect getaway-within-a-getaway.

Key West ?????

Tampa?

Or New Orleans?

I don't think of Miami as relaxing, but maybe that's just because of the things I like to do there. Sarasota,FL?

Chicago

I second Vancouver as well as San Diego. AA.COM had some San Diego flights offered for a great price if you leave Saturday and come back Monday or Tuesday.

If you stay in Vancouver my suggestion is the Fairmont Waterfront. WIDEMAN was on the money however as the Westin is a great place to stay as well. And like he said earlier I wish I was taken to Stanley Park as a child.

My choices for San Diego are the San Diego Marriot and Marina or if you want to do a real nice and memorbale place go for the Hotel del Coronado www.hoteldel.com. Both have their advantages. I think that the Hotel Del has a kids program as well. The Coronado is right on the water.

Good Luck.


[This message has been edited by I LOVE EWR (edited 07-22-2002).]

Fly into Portland, Maine and either stay there or in Kennebunkport, Freeport, Boothbay Harbor, or drive out to Bar Harbor. You have the breathtaking rocky coast (well not rocky in Kennebunkport), places in town to walk, sea air mixed with pine balsam, and great downhome restaurants.

would be great if we didn't live here already! We wanna get away!

Thanks to others for all the great suggestions so far!

For a 2 or 3 month old baby, it makes no difference whatsoever. Choose a city at random! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Put-in-Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio
Toronto
Portland, Oregon
Seattle
Vancouver, BC
Lake Tahoe
Memphis
Bilox, MS
Ely, MN
Corpus Christi, TX
and my #1 choice...

San Francisco!

JP

Bar Harbour, Maine