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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Related Articles

• 7 Must-See Family Beaches in the USA (guestquest.com/blog)
• 5 Hot Tips to Help You Plan Your Family Vacation (guestquest.com/blog)

Are You an Adventure Traveler? Stay at Rock Harbor Lodge

Rock Harbor Lodge - The Perfect Place for the Adventure Traveler

Isle Royale National Park, an island wilderness in northwest Lake Superior, is only accessible by seaplane or boat. Rock Harbor Lodge provides the only lodging in the Park (housekeeping cabins, several newly-renovated lakefront lodge rooms, full service restaurant/ grill onsite.)

For the adventure traveler, naturalist, outdoor enthusiast, avid fisherman and hiker, Isle Royale provides a dramatic escape from the fast pace of everyday life. There are no roads or cars on the island. Enjoy165 miles of hiking trails and spectacular views of Lake Superior plus sightseeing tours of historic lighthouses and abandoned copper mines. There’s 16 hours of summer daylight, thus extended recreational time. Plus, summer visitors may experience the magic of the Aurora Borealis! Ferries run seasonally from Grand Portage, MN, Houghton and Copper Harbor, MI. A seaplane operates from Houghton, MI. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day only. Room / ferryboat packages available. Birding and kayak ecotours available. Groups welcome.

Rock Harbor Lodge
866-644-2003
www.rockharborlodge.com

EnJOY Making Christmas Memories in Frankenmuth !

Christmas time . . . it’s a wonderful time of year to feel the warm holiday welcome of Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Little Bavaria. Come and enjoy the Christmas cheer and shimmering decorations overflowing throughout Frankenmuth.

The joy of Christmas is celebrated all year long at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store! If you love Christmas, you’ll love Bronner’s. The sights, sounds, and spirit of Christmas completely surround you. Bronner’s incredible store is the size of 1-1/2 football fields. There are over 50,000 trims and gifts including thousands of ornaments, lights, Christmas trees and so much more. You can easily spend a few hours or more, and you might even find yourself singing along to the Christmas carols. You can also shop online at www.bronners.com.

Enjoy a relaxing dinner at Zehnder’s restaurant featuring their famous all-you-can-eat chicken dinners, seafood, and steaks. Be sure to visit Zehnder’s Marketplace where you’ll find delicious baked goods, holiday goodies, and gifts for all ages.

Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark features a 30,000 sq. ft. indoor waterpark with two 4-story tube slides, body slide, lazy river, giant dumping bucket, and toddler pool all surrounded by a whimsical theme of enchanted elves. The hotel features 146 deluxe accommodations including 74 suites, Elf Hollow Café for family dining, and a video arcade.

Prepare for fun and enjoy making Christmas memories in Frankenmuth where there’s an endless supply of holiday spirit!

Frankenmuth is located 90 miles north of Detroit – exit 136 off I-75. For more information, visit these websites:

• www.bronners.com for online shopping or Bronner’s information, or 800-ALL-YEAR
• www.zehnders.com or 800-863-7999 for Zehnder’s reservations or information

www.frankenmuth.org or 800-FUN-TOWN for Frankenmuth information

The Jackson area provides a number of expansive and accessible locations which are prime bird watching sites for hundreds of species. The picturesque scenery and varying landscapes of Jackson County also provide the perfect areas for both dedicated sportsmen and people who simply enjoy spending time outdoors.

The Andrews Gallery of Wildlife, found only at the Ella Sharp Museum, allows visitors to come face-to-face with a gallery filled with bird carvings, paintings, prints and taxidermy mounts.

Winter is a great time to catch migratory birds from the great north, like the Rough-legged Hawk and Northern Shrike, as they nest across Jackson County until warmer weather arrives.

There are plenty of cultural activities abound for the indoor crowd as well: From symphonies, museums and Shakespearian plays to Broadway shows, festivals and celebrations year-round.

Jackson’s place in history is rarely forgotten, whether as the birthplace of the Republican Party or as an instrumental piece of the Underground Railroad. Many of Michigan‘s oldest homes are found in Jackson County, as well as the Midwest’s largest Civil War Muster.

Whatever you’re looking for relaxing or exciting entertainment, we hope you enjoy your visit at the place we call home.

http://www.VisitJacksonMI.com

800-245-5282

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

As GuestQuest noted in our previous post, the shape of Michigan is reminiscent of a glove. No biggie, right? But contained in the word “glove” is the word “love”… so what better place than at one of those terrific Michigan hotels to get married?

In all seriousness, if you’re preparing to get hitched in the gorgeous state of Michigan, you need to keep in mind all the legal “stuff” that goes with getting a marriage license. Here, we’ve compiled a few tidbits of information to help get you started on your path to a beautiful partnership:

• If you’re not from Michigan, you’ll need to pay an extra $10 for your marriage license.
• Bring along an official ID if you’re getting betrothed at one of the many Michigan lodging and resort spots. Oh, and don’t forget your birth certificate (the original or a certified copy).
• Like Pennsylvania (see two posts ago), there’s a three day waiting period for a marriage license in Michigan. Still, don’t let that stop you from having your special day in this special state. Instead, come to your Michigan lodging facility a few days early and get everything planned.
• Interestingly enough, Michigan has approved the notion of “secret” marriages. Of course, in the age of the Internet, such a type of marriage might not be feasible (one text message gets out and the whole mystery is blown). But if this interests you, it might be something to investigate!

Okay, okay… so we hear what you’re telling us: “Sure, the United States is beautiful. But we want to go somewhere exotic to exchange vows!” That’s exactly why GuestQuest is going to talk about the Caribbean as a wedding location next!

In the lively tradition of riddles and rhymes, can you determine the following family vacation destination?

(Hint: It’s a northern state.)

The biggest magic supplies maker calls me home;

My Capitol boasts a magnificent dome.

I’m number one in boat registrations

And boast the first land-grant university in the nation.

Our zoo gave the animals freedom to roam –

No cages for them, they could be right at home!

Stevie Wonder was born here,

Madonna was, too.

As were Ted Nugent, Tommy James,

And corn flakes for you.

So who could I be?

Please guess. (Yes, you can!)

I’m none other than…

Michigan!

DISCLAIMER: Our apologies to real poets! But it was fun to compile all the wonderful things about this fabulous family vacation spot.

Never journeyed to one of the many Michigan family vacation spots? What are you waiting for?

One experience at a friendly Michigan lodging facility and you’ll be hooked on The Wolverine* State.

(*Side note: Interestingly, there are no more wolverines in Michigan!)

If the state of Michigan isn’t on your list of family vacation destination possibilities, it should be… here’s why.

Recently, the highly respected National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) handed out its prestigious 2007 Mercury Awards to tourism offices from across America and her five territories. Not only did Michigan’s tourism team win for best Television Broadcasting, it also snagged the title of Best Overall Program.

But what do these types of honors mean for your Michigan family vacation? Plenty!

This type of national recognition carries with it a commitment to continue the tradition of excellence that has won so many kudos. Consequently, any traveler to one of the many Michigan hotels is likely to be treated as if he or she were royalty.

Additionally, any locale providing Michigan lodging is going to be well aware that this kind of honor is special and can correspond to strong amounts of tourism. Thus, extra measures will be put in place to ensure that every guest wants to return for a second look at the state that’s so often compared to a “glove” or “mitten”.

Still not quite convinced that a Michigan family vacation has what you need?

Then consider the following quick facts about MI (courtesy of the researchers at www.50states.com):

- The University of Michigan was established in 1817, which makes it the first official university in the states.

- Michigan State University (founded in 1855) is the largest university in the state.

- The Mackinac Bridge spans 5 miles and connects the upper and lower Michigan peninsulas. (Mike Rowe, host of the hugely successful television show “Dirty Jobs“, had the opportunity to repaint the suspension cables on a particularly interesting episode.)

- Thanks to Kellogg’s, Battle Creek is known as the “Cereal Capital of the World.” (Go, corn flakes!)

- Michigan’s freshwater shoreline is the longest anywhere on the globe.

So what are you waiting for?

Stop by GuestQuest today and check out the Michigan family vacation hotspots just waiting for you and your loved ones!