rajgodhuli

Hi there,

I am a new member.

I am planning a 10 -day vacation before i leave US in September.
Will be travelling with my wife and two kids (3 and 1). Out trip timing would be either last week of July or second week of August.

We are trying to pick between a trip to Hawaii versus a trip to the following places on the east coast, Niagara falls, NY city, Washington DC and perhaps one more place if we can fit in the time. We have not been to any of the above places.

Since this would be our last vacation before we leave US we are not sure if we should go for the beautiful beaches of Hawaii or visit the east coast to get a flavor of famous American places. We live in Tucson, AZ. The other consideration is about our 3 years old son and what would he enjoy more.

I would love to hear from you all. Any suggestion that will help me decide would be great.

Fra_Diavolo

Well, your kids won't remember anything so the main issue is keeping them occupied.

New York, DC and even Niagara will most likely have stifling heat and humidity. Locals escape when possible to a beach house, and that would be my advice, although you are a bit late for booking. Try Cape Cod or Rhode Island for swimmable water.

Never been to Hawaii but that would probably work too.

suze

I *love* Hawaii and that's where I'd go. I think kids (even young ones like yours) enjoy a beach vacation more than touring major cities.

november_moon

I think that with kids that age, Hawaii is the clear choice - beaches, water, outdoorsy stuff, laid back so you can go with the flow and the kids' moods and energy levels.

The east coast will be extremely hot that time if year - the humidity will make it feel like you are wandering through a sauna. I know you have heat in AZ, but it is the humidity that really does you in on the east coast. A city vacation in the heat with small children does not sound fun.

stevews

great adventure.

nytraveler

Depends on what you like more and what is available when you return home.

I have never been to Hawaii and may go eventually - but I am not a beach person and need to be very careful in the sun - so a beach vacation bores me after about 6 hours (and has since I was a child).

If you really love the beach and think that will keep kids happy go for it. I would be more concerned with what I can;t see anyplace else. And think kids will be happy anywhere as long as you allow them time to do kid things (run and nap respectively). (A 3 year old would like the Central Park zoo and playground, probably a boat ride, maybe a carriage ride. Museum of Nat'l Hist in NY has special kids programs - but I think 3 is probably too young - better probably for 6 and up.

suze

<so a beach vacation bores me after about 6 hours>

Hawaii is not only about beaches or activities in the sun. It's an incredibly beautiful and diverse group of islands with all kinds of amazing things to see and do.

rajgodhuli

thank you everybody for your opinion.

We are going with HAWAII!!!!!!!!

We will have ten days. Any suggestion about the island(s) that first timers like us
should choose?
Would it be a good idea to hop islands on a 10 days trip (assuming two days would almost go in flying in and out)?

Thanks in advance for any suggestion you may be able to provide.

sf7307

10 days is plenty of time to do 2 islands (it takes half a day to change from one island to the other).

Which islands you do depends on your interests. With kids ages 3 and 1, what are you likely to be doing other than the beach (we went to Maui when our kids were 3 and under 1 - it was almost exclusively a beach vacation, with some wandering around Lahaina, a trip on the Sugar Cane Train, but no hiking, no road to Hana, etc).

SueNYC

After doing time in Tucson, seeing real vegetation in Hawaii sounds like the best idea. When you decide to visit NYC give a holler!

thestarryeye.typepad.com/explorenyc

suze

For a first trip I'd pick either Oahu or Maui for all 10 days. Or a 5/5 day split between those two.

jamie99

I'd do Oahu and Kauai, for greater contrast, North Shore will be drop dead gorgeous on Kauai in August. You will think you died and went to heaven with all the gorgeous shades of green. Be sure and book your rental car when you book your airfare.

ChiSue

I would spend a few nights in a hotel in Honolulu while you see some of the historic sights and drive along the beautiful east and north shores of Oahu. Then I would fly to either Kauai or Maui and rent a condo. Northern Kauai is very laid-back. Maui has a wider choice of condos and restaurants -- has both quiet and more 'buzz-y' parts. Big Island is really BIG, and it will be hot in August. You could have a lovely time staying right on Oahu -- splitting between Waikiki and Turtle Bay on the north shore. That would save you losing a good part of a day flying between islands, then settling in again. Most children are not crazy about 'moving house'.

EmilyPost

With kids, I'd pick one island and rent a vacation house or condo for the duration of your stay.