Ok, here's my dilemma. I'm looking for a family vacation for 4 to someplace relatively inexpensive for a week or so, end of June/beginning of July (limited due to scheduling). We were planning a cruise but had to change that. I really don't want to spend more than $2000-$2500, inclusive of everything (hotels, meals, travel costs, etc). Anyone have any ideas? I'm looking for something a little different than a week at the beach.

Have you considered an amusement/water park sort of thing?

COME UP TO MICHIGAN IN THE SUMMER OR EARLY FALL...........

Yeah, I have but where? Done Disney (which I wouldn't do in the summer anyway), done Cedar Point, done all the local ones.

Any suggestions, Lilith? Kids are 14 and 16.

Spent more summers Up North than I can count I grew up outside Detroit.

Though, I wonder, what's Drummond Island like anymore? We used to go there every summer with my dad but haven't been in 25 years or more.

Well, Cedar Point certainly is great, they have a fantastic water park and several new roller coasters. How long since you were last there? They built a resort hotel a few years back.... and you could go to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland one day as well.

Go visit Lilith and stay with her for free

Let's see, I guess it was about 3 years ago? And that's true about the Hall of Fame, haven't been there in about 10.

Hmmm, something to ponder. Thanks, Lilith

Lilith?

The other option is southern Maine....

There are fantastic hiking trails, small fairs and parks (some amusement and water parks mixed together, but tiny and quaint)... plus cheap lobster, corn on the cob and biscuit picnics at outdoor restaurants. LL Bean is there, tons of Ben & Jerry's everywhere, canoeing on lakes, maple candy, and historic stuff out the ying yang. Sigh, it is SO beautiful there.

Sure you can, but I am an hour south of Cleveland and 1.5 hours away from Cedar Point..... not too sure how that will save you!

There's Great America up in Gurnee, IL. Fantastic amusement park, and it has one of the countrie's biggest malls nearby for shopping.

It's right near the highway, and you could go downtown Chicago to see things like the Sears Tower, the lake, take a tour of all the old gangster hideouts and speakeasys, take in a baseball game at either Cell Field (White Sox) or Wrigley Field (Cubs).
Take a ride down the Chicago river, ride a ferris wheel on the lakefront, go to one or all of the neighborhoods for food (Greek, Jewish, Chinese, Italian, Polish, German, Irish, Middle Eastern...etc).
Between Jun 26, 2009 - Jul 5, 2009, we have "Taste of Chicago", where 70 restaurants peddle food down near the lake. There's Ravinia, for (usually) free outdoor concerts, and we have
alot more than that..

I KNOW SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE A CABIN ON DRUMMAND ISLAND IT JUST LIKE IT WAS 25 YEARS AGO......

ITS SMELLY OLD AKRON...........

Walt Disney in Orlando is a option

six flags ,in st.louis ...they have the arch and all kinds of stuff to do !or you could jump over to memphis tn. and see elvis ....

rent an RV for a week and pick a spot to go see

We're considering that, thanks! Just where to go? Mileage is expensive in those puppies

come camping we put on a great 4th of July fireworks show

Yes, there's a lot to do in St. Louis.