Need Destination/Marina Suggestions

[taime1]

Here's the story: In May, I booked the perfect cottage at a great price at in a real nice place (Wolfe Island) on Lake Ontario. Last week, in praparation, I pulled the boat out from the marina and took it home because this week, the family and I are in the Niagara Falls area (just got back from Canada's Wonderland a few minutes ago), without the boat. The night before leaving, the Property Manager emails us to let us know that the cottage is no longer available because the owner has a bi-polar ex-wife who has suddenly put an end to the renting of the cottage, and so now, my plan for some much-needed R&R has gone down the tubes, and I''m looking for some suggestions.

Now, for some background, the reason we both rented a cottage and wanted to have the boat is due to the The fact that we have two young kids (4 and 2) whom are both so very wonderful and terrible at any given moment in time. In addition, the Admiral is, how shall I say, somewhat reluctant when it comes to boating and being crammed in the Mac with the two kids who don't go longer than 15 minutes without one making the other cry, is not her idea of a nice vacation.

We were quite unhappy to learn that we no longer had a cottage with a dock and a beach to go to. It was really quite hard to find, at a good price, of course.

Anyway, I think I've got the Admiral on board for trying a Mac-vacation, for a few days. I am looking for suggestions for marinas (family friendly) in the Kingston, Ontario area up to Montreal or perhaps even going to Lake Champlain. I don't think the Admiral is quite ready to anchor out over more than one night, but that would be fun. I need a place that has a beach nearby, as well as other activities for the kids, especially if the weather gets bad.

Of course, any suggestions are most welcome.

[mastreb]

You're doing it the right way: Park the MacGregor at a nice marina, use it for accommodations, but spend plenty of time ashore. I'd choose a marina in a harbor that has some shopping areas (that always seems to sooth admirals) and if possible a park for the kids. These are usually the "downtown" marinas.

Make a little day trip out most days, but be mindful of the kids & admiral and don't go like you're on a quest, just out, maybe just motor, look around for some Marine wildlife to show the kids, and come back.

You'll find the kids sleep great on the boat, and that'll help keep things on an even keel as well.

I wouldn't go too far into "boating trip" land until the Admiral is firmly onboard. All it takes is an anchor drag to upset the apple cart, and you want the first trip to go really well.

[taime1]

Thanks Mastreb, that´s what I was thinking. We have camped out on the boat a few times, but always at our own marina.

I dont´t have my laptop with me and I'm usin an Ipad, so I don't have acces to Active Captain. I did try to download an app (SeaIQ), but the base map is useless to locate marinas.

[dlandersson]

Michigan City, IN has (all together) a nice outdoor mall, a marina, a beach (several with and w/o boats), a park, a splash park, a children's zoo, (and a casino, but that's not for kids) etc. It's 40 minutes from Chicago if you want some world-class entertainment (CityPass, Field, Shedd, Museum of Science and Industry) etc).

My kids love the place - there's always something to do.

(

Here's the story: In May, I booked the perfect cottage at a great price at in a real nice place (Wolfe Island) on Lake Ontario. Last week, in praparation, I pulled the boat out from the marina and took it home because this week, the family and I are in the Niagara Falls area (just got back from Canada's Wonderland a few minutes ago), without the boat. The night before leaving, the Property Manager emails us to let us know that the cottage is no longer available because the owner has a bi-polar ex-wife who has suddenly put an end to the renting of the cottage, and so now, my plan for some much-needed R&R has gone down the tubes, and I''m looking for some suggestions.

Now, for some background, the reason we both rented a cottage and wanted to have the boat is due to the The fact that we have two young kids (4 and 2) whom are both so very wonderful and terrible at any given moment in time. In addition, the Admiral is, how shall I say, somewhat reluctant when it comes to boating and being crammed in the Mac with the two kids who don't go longer than 15 minutes without one making the other cry, is not her idea of a nice vacation.

We were quite unhappy to learn that we no longer had a cottage with a dock and a beach to go to. It was really quite hard to find, at a good price, of course.

Anyway, I think I've got the Admiral on board for trying a Mac-vacation, for a few days. I am looking for suggestions for marinas (family friendly) in the Kingston, Ontario area up to Montreal or perhaps even going to Lake Champlain. I don't think the Admiral is quite ready to anchor out over more than one night, but that would be fun. I need a place that has a beach nearby, as well as other activities for the kids, especially if the weather gets bad.

Of course, any suggestions are most welcome.

[NiceAft]

Here is a different concept that is four hours from Ottawa.

http://www.bonnieview.com

We have been going here for 35 years. The Admiral was pregnant with our first when we started staying here. You can rent a cabin and bring your Mac. There are new docks only a few years old, the place has all of the facilities to occupy children, and you are on a Great Lake for sailing, fishing, swimming, etc. The town of Bolton Landing is only three or four minutes down the road. If you want more honky tonk entertainment for the kids, the town of Lake George is less than fifteen minutes in the other direction. We just got back from a ten day visit.

If you go to their website (a little out of date), you will find a picture of Nce Aft at anchor in Huddle Bay.

Ray

[Starscream]

If you are going to camp out in the islands the best place imho is grenadier island (center) we go there all the time and there is a sheltered dock with plenty of room, toilet facilities and a small roped off beach. It can get a bit crowded on the weekends but it is beautiful on the weekdays. Boldt castle and singer castle are in easy range (us customs is on heart island), Rockport is close by for restaurants, marinas and ice cream. AAlexandria bay is close too, if you want to spend a night in a hotel the Riveredge has dock space available. Pm me for more if interested.

[seahouse]

Taime1- I sent you an email via the forum. - Brian.

[taime1]

Thanks for the suggestions I'll pass them along for the Admiral's review and get back to you with an update.

Dlanderson: sounds great, but too far for us this year.

Niceaft: will for sure look into, I think the Admiral will enjoy that idea.

Starscream: I would really like to do something like that. Great info.

Seahouse: I will get back to you. Just checked in to Americana

Batteries are low on my iPod and can only charge with car right now. It is surprisingly difficult for me to type!

[Starscream]

My admiral was very hesitant about a macvacation too but the 1000 islands convinced her. We were there in early August with our three boys 4,5 and 7 for four days. In July we were there again but that time my daughter (20) joined us for a total of 6 on the boat. We launch at mallorytown landing where you can leave the trailer for 20$\day. The landing has hiking trails, a visitor center with a little museum, ice and toilets.

Grenadier island has one if the few if not only kid friendly beaches in the area. It is roped off and relatively shallow. The beach is not huge but it is located in a large sandy bay and if you don't want to dock you can anchor right outside the swim area and walk in. I'll post a few photos if I get a chance tonight. Pm me for GPS coordinates and more Info.

[Starscream]

My admiral was very hesitant about a macvacation too but the 1000 islands convinced her. We were there in early August with our three boys 4,5 and 7 for four days. In July we were there again but that time my daughter (20) joined us for a total of 6 on the boat. We launch at mallorytown landing where you can leave the trailer for 20$\day. The landing has hiking trails, a visitor center with a little museum, ice and toilets.

Grenadier island has one if the few if not only kid friendly beaches in the area. It is roped off and relatively shallow. The beach is not huge but it is located in a large sandy bay and if you don't want to dock you can anchor right outside the swim area and walk in. I'll post a few photos if I get a chance tonight. Pm me for GPS coordinates and more Info.

[taime1]

Well, after doing some searching and thinking, we found another cottage on Wolfe Island and booked it for a week as of this Sunday. Looks like the true macvacation will have to wait. It's all good, the cottage will allow us to have guests, namely my brother and his small family who are going through some difficult times and could use a bit of a break.

Besides, this will be our first trip with the boat. So the smoother it goes, the more likely we can do it again, and perhaps even join the MMORs of the future, or do extended weekends trips and such.

Another thing we were looking at was to combine boating and camping, but didn't find many places that could acommodate both. The idea would be to have a few of our families camping and we would bring the boat and take people out for day trips while others would stay at the campground. We found one place in New York that might be interesting: http://www.montysbay.com/.

Sure am looking forward to the cottage though...