We’re planning a last minute getaway for the Easter Holiday. The kids have a couple of days off before the holiday and I figured we could all use a few days away to play and reconnect as a family. Nothing too fancy, we just need some good outdoors time in the fresh air so we can all clear our minds and refocus to get through the end of the school year.

I’d like to head south because we need some warmth. It’s still pretty chilly in Pennsylvania and I’d like to see some foliage. We won’t be getting leaves on our trees until mid-May so the thought of going somewhere with lots of green is highly appealing. I’m not completely obsessed with needing to see palm trees, not yet at least, so we don’t have to go to Florida this road trip. South Carolina’s got some palm trees so that is definitely an option.

Because my teenage daughter is nervous about driving many hours with her two little annoying brothers, we want to make sure this isn’t a super long drive time. I’ve got my sights set on the Outer Banks, NC or Myrtle Beach, SC. Decisions, decisions. I personally love the idea of South Carolina. I just think we’ll have a better chance for some warmer weather mid-April, but the idea of only needing to drive 6-7 hours to North Carolina is very appealing. What do we do?

We weigh the pros and cons, then take a family vote. I found a few places on Vacation Rental By Owner and Air B n B to choose from. They’re all just slightly out of our price range for this trip, but that’s what I get for waiting until 3 weeks before going.

North Carolina – Pros: Closer drive, very natural, budget friendly things to do like climbing a lighthouse, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, and Roanoke Island – I already have these fun places planned out

North Carolina – Cons: Temps not as warm, can’t find a place to stay right on the beach though many are a short walk away, no palm trees

South Carolina – Pros: Warmer temps, PALM TREES within driving distance, can find a budget friendly oceanfront condo because we’re going before the peak season, lots of beach time even if the water is too chilly

South Carolina – Cons: At least 9 hours of drive time, seems more commercialized and not too close to State Parks where we could explore walking or biking trails, potential whining – one of our kids does not love the beach (scratchy sand) so 3-4 days in the oceanfront would not be his favorite idea

Tonight we’ll take a look at these together as a family and then we’ll take our vote. I kind of have an idea of what it’ll be, but I’ve been surprised before! Once we decide where we’re going, I’ll start mapping out meals and activities to share with you so you can see how we make the most of a few days away without breaking the bank.

Pro tip: save money by eating in! This is the biggest way we save money when we go away. Sure, it’s not fun (as a mom) to keep cooking even when on “vacation” (read: relocation) but it works and it helps us keep costs low, which is a big goal of ours.

While you’re waiting for our big reveal (hahaha), take a moment to check out our first family road trip to Yankeetown, Florida. We left Christmas night 2018 and came back on New Years Eve. IT WAS AWESOME!

HAPPY ADVENTURING!

Candice