When it comes to our summer break and vacations, you can be sure to find us in one place – the cottage! We’re so fortunate to have a place where we go to every weekend and vacation there for about a week or two each summer. In a few years, when the boys are a little older and better swimmers, I plan on spending a big chunk (a month give or take) of our summer break up there with them. The plan is that John will work in the city during the week and head up on the weekends to be with us. Clearly, we love the cottage and we cherish every day up there. Which got me thinking about writing a blog post about why families should consider vacationing at a cottage. However, I’m a little bias since we own one and it really doesn’t make sense for us to be anywhere else. That’s why I reached out to a few friends who rent a cottage every summer to get their feedback. I asked for the goods – both the pros and cons – and here’s what they said (with some side commentary from myself).
Advantages of taking a family vacation at the cottage
Living in the city is amazing, but so is getting out of the city and experiencing the country and Canadian nature at its best. Luckily, Canada is full of lakes surrounded by greenery that is available for families to enjoy and explore. And if you’re not really into the camping thing, renting a cottage / cabin is the next best thing! It’s a great way for families to spend quality time together and create beautiful memories in sights typically unseen while enjoying the fresh air north of the city. Experiences that can’t be found in the city include swimming in the lake, enjoying a boat ride, fishing, going on nature hikes, finding wild animals like birds and snakes and roasting marshmallows. Get ready to catch lots of fishes with the expert advice provided on Trusty Fisherman. It’s a great teaching opportunity to get your kids to appreciate nature and everything that our beautiful country has to offer. Plus, for a comfortable camping experience, consider setting up an suv sleeping platform to ensure everyone gets a good night’s rest after a day of fishing adventures.
Spending time at a cottage means unplugging and focusing on loved ones – like really spending quality time together. And sometimes, it means letting your kids explore around the cottage while you relax on a comfortable Muskoka chair!
Vacationing at a cottage is also a more cost efficient vacation for your family. You will likely spend around $2,500 for a week versus $9,000 if you go on an all-inclusive (for a family of 5). Besides, staying in Ontario for the summer is just as good as going down south. The weather is so beautiful, you’re better off saving a vacation to the Caribbean for the winter months. Not to mention, the kids are not focused on material things (like souvenirs, shopping for toys etc..).
Besides, some things are just better at the lake, including sunsets, eating all of your meals outdoors while overlooking the lake and seeing the stars at night (there isn’t light pollution in cottage country). Similarly, it’s a great opportunity to spend quality time with your friends whether your rent a cottage together or on the same lake. The slower, relaxed pace is what family vacations are all about!
Disadvantages of a family vacation at the cottage
It’s hard to avoid cottage traffic. Even if you miss it on the drive up, you’re bound to get stuck in it on the way back home. While not a major disadvantage, it’s definitely something to consider especially if you have kids that don’t do well on long car rides. The typical 2.5 hour drive can take 3 to 4 hours if traffic is terrible. Preparation is key… which brings up the next point.
There’s a lot of planning and preparation that goes into a cottage vacation. You need to think about all of the necessities that your entire family will need as you’ll be away from home for extended periods. It’s not just the clothes, but also the food, specialty kitchen items that might not be available at the cottage, life-jackets, water toys, kid games, and if you have little ones you need to think about pack-n-plays, booster chairs, etc…
Life jackets at ALL times!
While having a kitchen is nice when traveling with kids, the flip side is that you’re responsible for cooking… and cleaning! Obviously that’s not always how we want to spend our vacation.
Some of the other things that my friends mentioned were the bugs which kids don’t always like (not to mention the pesky mosquitoes). As well as always being on constant alert around the water, especially with younger kids.
Like any vacation, there’s always pros and cons and while we obviously love taking our vacations at the cottage, we realize that it’s not for everyone. The one thing that everyone does agree on is that the week goes by way too fast!
What’s your take? Would you or have you taken a family vacation at the cottage? Did you love or loath it?