Best vacation for children
Jun 17th, 2006, 07:27 PM
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Best vacation for children
My wife and I will be taking our nieces on a week-long trip next summer. Their ages will be 10 and 13. Both are over achievers in school. They, my wife and I are in above average physical health, so a physically active vacation is attractive though not necessary.
Understanding all of that, what would be your recommendation about the best place to take them in the U. S. Please exclude the Washington, DC area, Disneyland and Disney World.
Thank you!
Understanding all of that, what would be your recommendation about the best place to take them in the U. S. Please exclude the Washington, DC area, Disneyland and Disney World.
Thank you!
Jun 17th, 2006, 07:34 PM
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Camping on or a cottage vacation near a body of water. Hiking. Fishing. Boating. Playing board games. Spending time together.
If too tame, then a driving vacation through the SW including the Grand Canyon and perhaps tagging on the Rocky Mountains in Colorado - with a stop at Mesa Verde National Park.
Speaking from experience here - childhood and trips with niece/nephew.
If too tame, then a driving vacation through the SW including the Grand Canyon and perhaps tagging on the Rocky Mountains in Colorado - with a stop at Mesa Verde National Park.
Speaking from experience here - childhood and trips with niece/nephew.
Jun 17th, 2006, 07:38 PM
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One thing that comes to mind is Custer State Park in South Dakota. I think it's a fantastic place to take kids. The scenery is beautiful. And there's so much to do in the area. I'd recommend combining it with a day or two in the Badlands.
Jun 17th, 2006, 10:46 PM
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Take the kids camping, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding--a real outdoors kind of trip. Campfires and cooking out--how much more could you ask for? How about some place in Montana? It will as much fun for all of you as you are willing to make it. Plus, you'll provide lots of great memories for the kids. Good luck with the planning!
Jun 18th, 2006, 04:41 AM
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Thanks for all of the great ideas. Looking forward to seeing more!
I forgot to mention to please exclude beaches. The nieces go to the beach every year with their parents and we want to provide them a new experience.
Of all the national amd state parks, which is the best for kids?
I forgot to mention to please exclude beaches. The nieces go to the beach every year with their parents and we want to provide them a new experience.
Of all the national amd state parks, which is the best for kids?
Jun 18th, 2006, 05:03 AM
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Some of our favorite family trips were to Colorado, San Diego and San Francisco.
Do you take over achieving children to different places than you would dumb children? I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. It seemed an odd qualifier when talking about travel...
Do you take over achieving children to different places than you would dumb children? I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. It seemed an odd qualifier when talking about travel...
Jun 18th, 2006, 05:45 AM
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Do you take over achieving children to different places than you would dumb children?
I wouldn't call any person (child or adult) dumb. But I think over achievers in school -- and "school" is the operative word -- might enjoy certain kinds of museums and activities requiring longer attention spans, greater reading ability, etc. that they otherwise might not enjoy.
My wife and I are not parents, so we really don't know about that. I mention that the children are over achievers in school if indeed that might be helpful information. If it's not helpful, that's fine too.
I wouldn't call any person (child or adult) dumb. But I think over achievers in school -- and "school" is the operative word -- might enjoy certain kinds of museums and activities requiring longer attention spans, greater reading ability, etc. that they otherwise might not enjoy.
My wife and I are not parents, so we really don't know about that. I mention that the children are over achievers in school if indeed that might be helpful information. If it's not helpful, that's fine too.
Jun 18th, 2006, 05:56 AM
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I would take them to Yellowstone and the Tetons. Have them read about Yellowstone first and then they'll better appreciate the geologic wonders. You can spend some time in Jackson too for a change of pace.
I applaud you for taking an interest in your nieces' lives. We used to take our nieces on trips all the time but now they're high schoolers and way too busy with extra-curricular activities! Enjoy it while it lasts!
I applaud you for taking an interest in your nieces' lives. We used to take our nieces on trips all the time but now they're high schoolers and way too busy with extra-curricular activities! Enjoy it while it lasts!
Jun 18th, 2006, 09:29 AM
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NYC. My kids are your nieces ages and we did this trip last spring and the kids loved it. We stayed midtown, across from Carnegie and walked to many locations. The kids were old enough to recognize many sights, and remember what they did see. They had just as much fun in Manahattan as they did at Disney when they were younger, and I felt SO much better spending money in the city. And spend we did!
Jun 18th, 2006, 10:12 AM
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Here's a vote for Yosemite National Park. Bicycling the park is a wonderful way to see it... I spent a lot of time there with my Aunt's and Uncles and have such fond memories. The beauty of Yosemite is amazing.
Jun 18th, 2006, 10:23 AM
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What about Williamsburg? We spent 2 days doing the colonial part and we went to Virginia Beach for a day and then did Water Country for a day. The colonial part is quite interesting and there is a lot to see. Virginia Beach is relaxing. We went last summer and our kids were 7 and 10 at the time. We drove 12 hours straight from Detroit and then 12 back home. I believe we were gone Tues-Sun. We stayed right in the Colonial Williamsburg resort area at the Woodlands. Check them out at www.colonialwilliamsburg.com and see if this would interest your family!
Jun 18th, 2006, 12:17 PM
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I started to list the national parks I'd recommend, but then realized that I'd list all I have traveled to, so I guess you can't go wrong there. Just about any NPs would work, but some are very crowded during summer months.
Great hiking in most national parks and surrounding areas, but check opening/closing dates, and road opening/closing dates within and around the park, especially with the mountainous parks.
Which area of the country are you traveling from? Flying or driving? If driving, it might be better to try to go somewhere closer to home so you don't have to spend most of your week traveling to/from your destination.
If money is not object, how about taking them to Alaska? Incredible scenery, wildlife, and outdoor activities.
Great hiking in most national parks and surrounding areas, but check opening/closing dates, and road opening/closing dates within and around the park, especially with the mountainous parks.
Which area of the country are you traveling from? Flying or driving? If driving, it might be better to try to go somewhere closer to home so you don't have to spend most of your week traveling to/from your destination.
If money is not object, how about taking them to Alaska? Incredible scenery, wildlife, and outdoor activities.
Jun 18th, 2006, 12:28 PM
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BTW, don't sweat the "over achiever statement." I think most of us knew what you meant and realized you were not parents, but just proud of the kids you want to bless with a vacation while also providing an educational opportunity.
Jun 18th, 2006, 12:57 PM
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Continued thanks to everyone for their replies. This is an interesting thread for lots of reasons.
When starting the thread, my perspective is that my wife and I have seen most of the major national parks. But we don't have children and went on very few vacations when we were children. So we really don't know what will be lasting memories for our nieces without your helpful advice.
Keep the ideas comin'! And thanks again!
When starting the thread, my perspective is that my wife and I have seen most of the major national parks. But we don't have children and went on very few vacations when we were children. So we really don't know what will be lasting memories for our nieces without your helpful advice.
Keep the ideas comin'! And thanks again!
Jun 18th, 2006, 01:51 PM
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I think you need to try to get an idea of what the girls would like to do. It may be that if they really have pushed themselves to do the best that they can, they might like to just do something that is very casual, easy-going and relaxing.
Camping maybe just the thing, IF and only IF they are into sleeping outdoors, rustic cooking, etc.
Oh the otherhand, they might have a very good idea of somewhere that they would LOVE to go. (you might want to restrict them as to how far you will take them) They could have even talked about going to a certain place.
You don't say where they are from, but if it's from an area where snow in seldom seen, somewhere like Glacier National Park might be just the thing.
Try to go somewhere that looks a lot different from what they see at home.
Camping maybe just the thing, IF and only IF they are into sleeping outdoors, rustic cooking, etc.
Oh the otherhand, they might have a very good idea of somewhere that they would LOVE to go. (you might want to restrict them as to how far you will take them) They could have even talked about going to a certain place.
You don't say where they are from, but if it's from an area where snow in seldom seen, somewhere like Glacier National Park might be just the thing.
Try to go somewhere that looks a lot different from what they see at home.
Jun 18th, 2006, 01:56 PM
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California has a couple National Parks that are less populated: http://www.nps.gov/seki/
http://www.nps.gov/lavo/
http://www.nps.gov/lavo/
