Vacation with a 1 year old

[MommyofCharlie]

Hello all...

I have searched but haven't found anything about this topic... if there is could you all direct me to it... otherwise... I am looking for advice about going on vacation with a 1 year old.

I live on the East Coast, so we are thinking about going to Hilton Head or going on a cruise. What do you all think about take a one year old to either of these locations?

Also does anyone have a recommendation on where to go and where to stay?

Thanks
MofC

[H.Starr]

If you are going to go on a cruise, I know there are a few child-oriented cruise lines. They have fun activities for the kids/whole family, and they have daycares onship to let the parents get some time alone.
Don't ask me which lines, haha, I have no idea, I just know they exist!

[giraffes_buddy]

hehehe - H.Starr is channeling my next dream vacation! Disney Cruise Lines comes to mind, but I think most of their kid-centric activities are geared at slightly older kids (3-4 year olds and up). Still, it can't hurt to check. I know that Disney hotels in Orlando are excellent with arranging child care, so I have no doubt that the cruise line does as well.

Hilton Head would be really nice, as would Ocean City. Both are fairly good for families, and I'd think most anything beachy would be a blast with one that little.

I'm on the fence about Virginia Beach though. IMO, it doesn't seem quite as family-friendly as other beach towns. If you're looking towards there and want something a bit more rustic, check out First Landing State Park. It's a few miles north of the VA Beach boardwalk. They have cabins or campsites for rent, and the park sits on the beach across the street from where the cabins are. It's more family-centered than the hotel scene in VA Beach-proper.

The big Smithsonian festival in Washington DC over the 4th of July holiday is nice, but it would depend heavily on the temperament of your 1-year-old. There's so much to see, but it can get awfully hot in July in DC, and the crowds are HUGE. They also are pretty restrictive on what you can/can't bring onto the mall.