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Old 04-15-2014, 10:58 PM   #1
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Looking for midwest family vacation ideas

Ok, hoping to find some ideas for our family vacation this summer. We live in Iowa, and will be pulling our TT, so will probably try to limit it to roughly 8 hours away, or less. We have three children- 6, 8, and 12. Looking at a week long trip.

We did the Black Hills Trip last year, so that one is checked off. Yellowstone and the Smoky Mountains are a bit further than we want to go.

We are looking at the Ozarks/Branson and at Duluth MN/north shore Lake Superior area. Any thoughts from others taking kids either place?

Hoping you guys have some suggestions and ideas to places we haven't yet considered.

Thanks!!
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Old 04-16-2014, 07:03 AM   #2
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Goshen Indiana frog rally?


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Old 04-16-2014, 07:05 AM   #3
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Door county Wisconsin?

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Old 04-16-2014, 07:12 AM   #4
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Porcupine mountains "porkies" u.p.
Of Michigan.
Went there a few years ago.

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Old 04-16-2014, 07:19 AM   #5
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Porcupine mountains "porkies" u.p.
Of Michigan.
Went there a few years ago.

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Porkies, copper harbor, picture rocks, The U.P is a great place to camp with kids. That is why we go every year
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Old 04-16-2014, 07:29 AM   #6
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You absolutely can't go wrong going to Branson. It is a fantastic place to visit for the entire family. It is busy, crowded, etc, but can't be beat for an all around good time. The entire area is all family oriented and everyone is extremely friendly. We've been going there since 1949 before it was famous. Went there on our honeymoon in 1960 and stayed in pup tents and have been back about every 10 yrs since. Silver Dollar City has something for everyone with rides, glass blowing, basket weaving, candle making, duplicate turning lathes, metal spinning, log cabin building, wagon building, etc. all using 1800 era tools + it has Marvel Cave which is another great adventure.
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Old 04-16-2014, 07:40 AM   #7
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Porkies, copper harbor, picture rocks, The U.P is a great place to camp with kids. That is why we go every year
When do u usually go?

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Old 04-16-2014, 07:58 AM   #8
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We also go to Branson frequently. We usually stay at the Wilderness Campground (SDC) but also have stayed at the Compton across the street (if you are tent camping or have a smaller trailer, Compton is better). There is so much to do there and yes it's a little bit of a tourist trap but I don't care. I feel at home down there. I'm not sure where in Iowa you are but it takes me about 7 or 8 hours to get there (depending on what I'm driving).
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Old 04-16-2014, 08:07 AM   #9
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Indiana Beach Monticello, IN - nice campgrounds right there at the Amusement park
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Old 04-16-2014, 08:33 AM   #10
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If you go to Branson you will have a lot to do. We stay at the Missouri State Park on Table Rock Lake. Brochures out the wazzo. Go to the State Conservation trout fish hatchery (free) at the bottom of the Dam. The 'River Walk' with the 'water show' (free) is something to see. There is a public swimming Beach at the State Park campground. We had a little 'time' and went on a short 'Timeshare presentation to get some free tickets to some shows.... We took our 5lb Mini Pekineses in a carrying case to the 'presentation' (opened the case and she walked around the table the whole time, it was a hoot ) When a guy was showing us 'the place' (nice snacks) I asked about 'pets' (he knew Very well that I was carrying a dog).... he said no pets allowed.... I said... Well, give us our comp tickets and we are leaving, because the little girl goes everywhere we go.... (our little puppy really enjoyed the I-Max and Dixie Stampede )
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Old 04-16-2014, 08:41 AM   #11
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North Shore Lake Superior MN

Lots to see in the North Shore of MN. Some of the sights I have taken my daughters and they would recommend are Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, Soudan Underground Mines, and a harbour cruise. I would visit Grand Marais and stay at the The Grand Marais RV Park and Campgroud which is right on the shore of Lake Superior and a short walk to town. Highly recommend reservations.

As you role through the Twin Cities there is the Mall of America, MN Zoo and Valley Fair Amusement Park.

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Old 04-16-2014, 08:45 AM   #12
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Hey thanks for all the suggestions so far. Wife kinda leaning towards Branson, but I'm a little hesitant because of the tourist circus we saw when were there honeymooning 15 yrs ago. Kind of intrigued by the North Shore area, but keep the ideas coming, this is a big help!!

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Old 04-16-2014, 08:48 AM   #13
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Porkies, copper harbor, picture rocks, The U.P is a great place to camp with kids. That is why we go every year
Pictured Rocks is great.. we did a kayaking trip in double kayaks with the kids and it was a blast
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Old 04-16-2014, 09:32 AM   #14
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Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio. The amusement park has been rated the best amusement park in the United States. It is also known as the roller coaster capital of the world. Hey very nice campground adjacent to the park.
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Old 04-16-2014, 09:42 AM   #15
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Pictured Rocks is great.. we did a kayaking trip in double kayaks with the kids and it was a blast
X2 on the Pictured Rocks! If you don't do the kayak thing, take the Pictured Rocks boat tour--You MUST do the sunset trip. The rocks burn red and orange with the setting sun all set to a Lake Superior background! There's also the Shipwreck glass bottom boat tour in the same city (Munising). We stayed at the Munising Travel Park with all the kids. It's a city owned park, well kept, beautiful views, fun beach. We backed right up to Lake Superior! The U.P. has tons of great things to do. It's my vote!
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Old 04-16-2014, 10:13 AM   #16
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Door county Wisconsin?
A few years ago we took the kids to Peninsula State Park on the Door Peninsula. Nice beach, nice bike paths around the lakeshore, nice shopping close by. We really enjoyed it. You will need to reserve early, it does get a bit busy especially on the weekends.
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Old 04-16-2014, 10:22 AM   #17
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Did you know that Adventure Land has a park? It is in Altoona, Ia.
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Old 04-16-2014, 10:37 AM   #18
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Hey thanks for all the suggestions so far. Wife kinda leaning towards Branson, but I'm a little hesitant because of the tourist circus we saw when were there honeymooning 15 yrs ago. Kind of intrigued by the North Shore area, but keep the ideas coming, this is a big help!!

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If entertaining the kids is a priority, there isn't anyplace better than Branson. As for the circus atmosphere, that's part of any place with family attractions. History, entertainment, eating, go carts, shopping, Branson has the whole nine yards.
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Old 04-16-2014, 10:58 AM   #19
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How about St. Louis? See the Arch and ride to the top, take in a professional baseball game, go to the world class zoo (it’s free), visit some of the many museums, take in a live theater production, tour the brewery (Anheuser Busch), visit Grants Farm, visit the Science Center, visit the oldest botanical garden in America, spend the day at Six Flags, and so many more things to see and do.
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Old 04-16-2014, 11:29 AM   #20
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I know it's a little farther then you said but Chattanooga, TN is nice, I love Rock City, there is lots to do there. They also have some nice campgrounds.
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