6 wet-weather vacation tips

Thar’s a hurricane (or two) ‘a coming, which doesn’t bode well for anyone hitting the East Coast this Labor Day Weekend for one more splash in the ocean or dip in the pool before school begins and fall sets in.

Hotel guests hunker down to ride out Earl As tourists flee Earl, surfers run the other way ‘My Name Is Earl’ puts cloud over Twitter-land Gulf, East Coast have distinct storm profiles Earl sparks port cancellations, itinerary changes Airlines waive change fees due to hurricane

Despite our best-laid plans, weather can wreck havoc on our family vacations. Perhaps we can overlook the bad weather when it’s a weekend getaway, but when we have scrimped and saved for that annual huge trip, what can we do when weather interrupts our fun?

Here are a few ways to turn wet days into fun days:

1. Have a motion picture fest Visit the local motion picture theatre and catch up on the movies you have been wanting to see and witness the blockbusters on the huge screen. Many resorts and higher-end resorts and rental homes feature DVD players. If movies aren’t available for rental, hit the local grocery store for a Red Box video dispenser, where all you need is a credit card and videos cost $1 per day rental. While at the store, stock up on snacks, candy and drinks and turn your hotel room into a darkened theater.

2. Make use of hotel amenities If you are staying at a hotel with a children club, use it! The children can spend the day creating arts and crafts, making friends, and enjoying a camp-like environment. What will you do while they are being entertained? Hit the spa or go shopping!

Video: Will Earl leave your weekend plans awash? (on this page)

3. Hit the museums With as often as I travel to the U.K., I comprehend rain is inevitable during a trip at any time of the year. Just before my departure, I check the 10-day weather forecast and plan my museum visits for days slated for rain. But even if a surprise shower rains on your parade, find the museums in your destination in which to wile away the rain hours. Even small towns and beach communities have tiny museums that can shed light on the town, the region or the people of the community.

4. Get wet If you are at the beach, there is something serene about walking on the beach when it rains. You were planning on getting wet anyway, and if in a warm-weather destination, a rain can cool you off and give you a different view of the landscape around you. Equally, a walk in the woods when it rains can be equally tranquil. And really, when do you ever grant the children to walk in the rain? Let them get a tiny dirty and splash in the puddles! (Just be sure to skip this idea when thunder and lightning are present.)

It’s A Snap!

Check out the latest gallery of pics sent in by msnbc.com readers and vote for your favorite. When you are done, upload your own vacation shots. Full story

Readers share funny pics from their travels Travelers on board for paperless boarding Tourism showing signs of life in the Big Easy Famous attractions that welcome pets A heavy footprint on national parks

BTW: Disney is still open when it rains, where many of the rides and attractions are indoors, lines are covered, and the crowds disperse.

5. Make a game of it If you are going to be stuck indoors, enjoy the quality family time by picking up a deck of cards at the hotel sundries shop and striking up rousing games of “Go Fish,” “21″ and other card games. If you are near a drugstore, pop in and buy board games, automobile games and coloring books, as most have a small toy section. Break up the monotony of sitting in your room but bringing the games to the hotel lobby and relaxing on some comfy sofas. And if your hotel has a game room, of course, join the crowds clamoring to play Wii, air hockey and Xbox games.

6. Picnic indoors It rained a week straight on our first visit to Paris and by the last day, I decided to run out to the corner patisseries and boulangeries and picked up cheese, French bread and an array of French delicacies. I laid a few bath towels on the floor, turned on the radio, and we popped a squat around the towels and ate with our hands, especially enjoying our dessert course (which consisted of just about every type of pastry we could get our hands on). Cheaper than a restaurant, we stayed dry, and children love the uniqueness.

More Source:

6 Wet-Weather Vacation Tips - Family Vacation Critic
In The News - Family Vacation Critic
Driving Hazards 6 - Florida Travel - About.com
Disney World in the Rain: Tips for Navigating Wet Weather

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Submited at Saturday, September 4th, 2010 at 6:01 am on Family by jessica
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