Family reunions can be a lot of fun. You get to see family members you may not have seen for a couple of years. Perhaps, there are ‘new’ family members you haven’t met. The good news is there are plenty of family reunion locations throughout the U.S. The possibilities are endless!

It’s important to make arrangements early and find a place that works for everyone. This is a good way to prevent family feuds! If you wait too long to plan your family reunion, your favorite hotel or resort could be booked solid. Also, family members may not be able to attend due to previous travel plans.

How to Plan a Family Reunion, Cut Costs, and Have a Good Time

Book Your Family Reunion Locations Early! Photo credit: Stock exchange-Sign-Helen Bobis

Book early

Beach family reunion locations are popular. The most popular beach vacation destination is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you have your heart set on having your family reunion in SC then you better book your location early. Otherwise, the entire family will be left out in the cold.

Tie your family reunion to an important date

If grandma and grandpa are celebrating 65 years of marriage, celebrate their special day at the family reunion. Building your family reunion around a holiday could be tricky. Big holiday’s like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are during the travel ‘high season.’ You may not be able to find accommodations or someone may not be able to attend.

Hold your family reunion in the off-season

It may be cost effective to hold your family reunion in the off-season. Family reunion locations such as Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and other popular destinations can be expensive during the ‘high season’ which is usually during the summer. Some family members may not be able to afford to attend. Take this into consideration when planning your family reunion. Holding in the off-season could work for everyone.

Meet at a family member’s home

Holding your family reunion at a family member’s home is another way to cut costs. Perhaps, a family member with five or more acres of land will be willing to host the family reunion. Everyone can bring something, a hot meal, desert, or soft drinks. Of course, cash would probably be accepted too!

Decide on the size of your family reunion

Your family reunion doesn’t have to be large. A small and intimate family reunion could be more inviting. First-time family reunion planners may want to plan a smaller affair. You’ll get a sense of what it’s like to plan reunion.

Raise money for your family reunion 

Send out an email blast and ask family members to have garage sales, silent auctions, raffles, car washes, rummage sales, etc. to raise money for your family reunion.

Plan cost-effective family activities

Ask family members what they like to do. Ask family members what their kids like to do. You can’t please everyone. But you can plan activities ahead of time to keep people entertained. Ideas are:

• Renting a karaoke machine.
• Set up a sound system outside (if you’re holding at your home).
• Booking golf outing.
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Going to the park.
• Renting a ‘bouncy castle’ or other inflatable rentals.

Now you know how to plan a family reunion, cut costs, and have a good time! Keep the lines of communication open. Correspond via email or Facebook. Keep in mind that everyone may not have a computer or Facebook page. Contact family members when you have the date, time, and location settled. Keep family up-to-date with the latest information. Happy planning!

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The Seneca Hotel & Suites is a distinctive boutique hotel in downtown Chicago…an intimate escape, just a block off Michigan Avenue…Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

Here you will discover a sophisticated boutique hotel with everything that you are looking for in a luxury downtown Chicago hotel location, featuring spacious suites priced like rooms.

The Seneca is exceptional for all that Chicago has to offer. For shopping, you’re across the street fromWater Tower Place… and just a short walk from Neiman-Marcus, Bloomingdales and theOak Streetboutiques. For entertainment, the Art Institute, Museum Campus,OakStreetBeach, Theatre District, Navy Pier and Rush Street’s nightlife are all nearby. For dining, endless restaurants—from world-renowned bistros to Chicago-style pizza—are all steps away along the Magnificent Mile.

Whether you’re planning a Chicago vacation, weekend getaway, extended stay, an important business meeting or attending a convention, The Seneca Hotel & Suites is the place to be… in Chicago.

The Seneca Hotel & Suites
200 E. Chestnut Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611
800-800-6261
www.senecahotel.com

Located in Central Illinois where Interstates 57 and 70 meet, Effingham has a little something for everyone. With 19 hotels and over 60 restaurants, Effingham provides the very best in service and hospitality and welcomes visitors to come spend a few days exploring what the city and surrounding communities have to offer.

Local attractions in the city include: The Cross at the Crossroads, which stands at 198 feet; The Rosebud Theatre, which hosts live performances by local, regional and national performers; Ballard Nature Center, where visitors can explore nature as they hike wooded trails; and Lake Sara, which is an 800-acre recreational lake nestled into a wooded shoreline.

Effingham is also home to several annual events, such as the Corvette Funfest, Funfest for Air Cooled VWs, Wonderland in Lights, and Sculpture on the Avenues.

For more information about the city, visit www.visiteffinghamil.com or call 1-800-772-0750 to request a free Visitors Guide.

Mt. Vernon, IL – Stay here and go everywhere

Mt. Vernon’s Cedarhurst Center for the Arts is a nationally known art museum and outdoor sculpture park located on 85-acres of beautiful grounds. A recent expansion has made room for a gallery dedicated to the permanent collection containing works from late 19^th century artists. Exhibitions in three other galleries change every six weeks. Special events are always on tap and include chamber music, live performances, art classes and demonstrations. A special gallery is devoted to children and their interests with changing exhibits and hands-on activities. Admission to the museum and sculpture park is free. Cedarhurst is located at 2600 Richview Road and is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Find more information about this gem in southern Illinois at www.cedarhurst.org.

Outdoor activities reign supreme at the superb Rend Lake Recreation Area just minutes south of Mt. Vernon. Visitors enjoy world-class golf, boating, fishing, horseback riding, clay shooting, and miles of bicycle and walking trails. Rend Lake has 27 boat ramps and 20,000 acres of public land surrounding the lake. There’s much to see and do at Rend Lake. 

Other popular attractions in the area include a variety of events and festivals, wineries, shopping, live music, eateries, and hundreds of rooms for economical lodging options. You will want to see what Southern Illinois has to offer. 

Mt. Vernon Convention & Visitors Bureau
800-252-5464 

www.mtvernon.com

Located in Central Illinois where Interstates 57 and 70 meet, Effingham has a little something for everyone. With 19 hotels and over 60 restaurants, Effingham provides the very best in service and hospitality and welcomes visitors to come spend a few days exploring what the city and surrounding communities have to offer.

Local attractions in the city include: The Cross at the Crossroads, which stands at 198 feet; The Rosebud Theatre, which hosts live performances by local, regional and national performers; Ballard Nature Center, where visitors can explore nature as they hike wooded trails; and Lake Sara, which is an 800-acre recreational lake nestled into a wooded shoreline.

Effingham is also home to several annual events, such as the Corvette Funfest, Funfest for Air Cooled VWs, Wonderland in Lights, and Sculpture on the Avenues.

Plan the best Illinois vacation ever. For more information about the city, visit www.visiteffinghamil.com or call 1-800-772-0750 to request a free Visitors Guide.

Vacation to Illinois and experience the splendor of Mt. Vernon and the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.

While Mt. Vernon is well known for art and nature, the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts has stepped things up a notch for the coming season. Cedarhurst Center for the Arts is a nationally known art museum and outdoor sculpture park that recently completed a multi-million dollar expansion of its facilities. Plan your vacation to Illinois in the spring or summer so you can visit the sculpture park, which takes center stage as you come through the gates. Several old favorites including sculpture made from recycled chrome car bumpers – Gorilla and Kimball the horse, and “dancers” floating on the lake are joined by new pieces that bring the sculpture count over sixty. The recent expansion has made room for a gallery dedicated to the permanent collection that contains works from late 19^th century artists including Mary Cassatt and Thomas Eakins. Exhibitions in three other galleries change every six weeks and include local artist exhibitions, new works by the Department of Cinema and Photography of SIU-C, paintings and other works by contemporary artists, and art competitions. Special events are always on tap and include chamber music, live performances, art classes and demonstrations. One thing extra special about Cedarhurst is their motto of “art for all”, and the younger set is not left out. In fact, a special gallery is devoted to children and their interests with changing exhibits and hands-on activities. Admission to the museum and sculpture park is free. Cedarhurst is located at 2600 Richview Road and is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Find more information about this gem in southern Illinois at www.cedarhurst.org .

A new venue for night life has opened in the downtown area of Mt. Vernon. Tavern on 10^th is located in an historic building that has seen a lifetime of change. First opened to sell horse-drawn buggies, the building has seen automobile and motorcycle sales as well as antiques and clothing. The latest incarnation of the Fred P. Watson Building is entertainment, good food and fine spirits. Tavern on 10^th features weekend entertainment by area musicians including rock, blues, beautiful ballads, and not to be missed – Brat Pack 80’s music. The Tavern also has 150” television screens featuring sports and UFC action. In addition to the Tavern, downtown also boasts a brand new grill and bar, Tommy T’s, and the beautifully restored Granada Theater featuring classic and children’s movies as well as live performances. Check out the calendar of events for these and more locations at www.mtvernon.com.

Outdoor activities reign supreme at the superb Rend Lake Recreation Area just minutes south of Mt. Vernon. Visitors enjoy world class golf at the Rend Lake Golf Course, boating, fishing, horseback riding, clay shooting, and miles of bicycle and walking trails. Rend Lake consists of 18,900 acres of water with 27 boat ramps and 20,000 acres of public land surrounding the lake. There’s much to see and do at Rend Lake.

Other popular attractions in the area include a variety of events and festivals, wineries, shopping, eateries, and hundreds of rooms for economical lodging options. You will want to see what Southern Illinois has to offer. Because of Mt. Vernon’s convenient location, you are invited to stay here and go everywhere!

Mt. Vernon Convention & Visitors Bureau

800-252-5464

www.mtvernon.com

The Seneca Hotel & Suites is an intimate escape, just a block off Michigan Avenue… Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. It’s a charming European-style boutique hotel located on a picturesque tree-lined street.

The Seneca consists of mostly suites, priced like rooms. The suites include a living room, dining area, as well as separate bedroom and full kitchen.

The Seneca is exceptional for all that Chicago has to offer. For shopping, you’re across the street from Water Tower Place and American Girl Store… and just a short walk from Neiman-Marcus, Bloomingdales and the Oak Street boutiques. For entertainment, the Art Institute, Museum Campus, Oak Street Beach, Navy Pier and Rush Street’s nightlife are all nearby. And, for dining, endless restaurants—from world-renowned bistros to Chicago-style pizza—are all steps away.

The Seneca offers many convenient services on premise…including a 24-hour fitness center, three excellent restaurants, a nail salon and dry cleaner. There’s also convenient valet parking.

Whether you’re planning a vacation, weekend getaway, or a business or convention trip, The Seneca Hotel & Suites is the place to be… in Chicago.

The Seneca Hotel & Suites
200 East Chestnut
Chicago, Illinois 60611
800-800-6261
http://www.senecahotel.com

With so many choices, it’s nice to know you have a friend in GuestQuest.