Family Trip - Suggestions please
 

My husband and I would like to take our 14 and 11 year old on a trip this spring break. We don't want to break the bank but are open to suggestions - want to stay in US. The 14 year old is picky (imagine that) so we would need a destination(s) that are adult and kid friendly (it's not too cool to hang with the parents all the time he he) Grand Canyon? Driving Trip? Dude Ranch?
THANKS

More info would help greatly! :)

* What interests do your kids have in everyday life?
* Have you asked the kids where they'd like to go?
* Where do you live?
* What type of budget do you have in mind? (not breaking the bank is pretty individual)
* Where have you gone in the past that you've all liked or disliked?
* Do you want warm weather? Skiing? Anything in particular?
* Finally, are the kids boys or girls?

We did a great New Mexico and Arizona trip with out kids a couple years ago - boys aged 15, 13, and 10. Highlights were Sedona, AZ - Hummer 4-wheel drive off-road tour and Slide Rock State Park/Oak Creek Canyon (where we stayed); Prescott - Verde Canyon Railroad and Montezumas Castle; on the way to the Grand Canyon Sunset Crater and, especially, Wupatki National Monument; two nights at the Grand Canyon (entering park from the eastern entrance; west with stops at Petrified Forest, El Morro, and Acoma Pueblo; through Santa Fe to Taos (rafting and horseback riding); through Roswell (alien museum) to Carlsbad Caverns; and left out of El Paso. It was a great trip - something for everybody, although we did have a couple long days of driving. We took about 2 weeks.

Ditto jlm_mi. This is really impossible to answer without knowing a lot more about you and your budget.

On Spring Break our family has enjoyed:

San Diego
Chicago
Williamsburg
Disneyland
Arizona (based in Flagstaff)

In San Diego, Williamsburg and Flagstaff we rented an apartment/time share. That worked out great. In Chicago we stayed at the Hampton Inn just off of Michigan Ave. It was very nice.

Our next US trip will probably be San Francisco/drive down coast/Disneyland.

Sorry about that - the kids like hanging with rollerblading; skateboarding; guitar - we want moderate accomodations and condo's are usually good so you can save some money on meals. The Arizona / New Mexico sounds great but we only have a week - I was looking fo something different than the usual !!

The other questions are at least as important, especially only having a week and wanting to budget - particulary, where are you coming from? And have you asked the kids (I see they're boys from your other thread) where they'd like to go on vacation? You don't have to do what they say - but getting their input will make the whole trip happier for everyone.

If Spring Break is in March, northern AZ might be pretty cold, although this winter has been much warmer than usual.

If you want to consider southern AZ / Tucson, let me know. I can send you info that has a lot of clickable links on things to see and do, so you can "visit" before you come. Much of the information is structured as day trips. If you want to send me an email, I will send it to you.

My teens loved San Francisco.

Seattle is pretty cool with the Experience the Music project and the world's first Starbucks.

Washington DC

I second the Arizona vacation, last Arpil took two teens and started in Sedona. Arrived at night so they had no idea what they were going to see out the window the next morning. Wow, they loved the scenery! Went to an awesome city skatepark in Sedona--bring a camera. The weather was gorgeous warm days and cool evenings. Stayed at a time share that I would not recommend, warning do not stay here--Sunterra The Ridge on Sedona The spring flowers were out in the desert.

Headed north to the Grand Canyon through back roads and arrived for winter snow. But again, the kids loved it--did one tour--stayed one night to see the sunset & sunrise. Just enough time to see the right sights and then off to Phoenix for hot summer weather. Stayed at Hilton Point Suites at the Tapatio Cliff Resorts with several pools and an exchange with sister resort Squaw Peak Resort. Mini golf, lazy river, loads of activities for the kids. Both hotels are a bit tired but the service was exceptional and affordable. For a real treat order room service for the kids and head up for a fantastic meal at Different Pointe of View (make reservations early for a sunset table outside). Skateparks abound in the Sun City. Good luck, keep us posted on your plans. Always looking for family vacation ideas.

Sedona and the Grand Canyon are fabulous choices. They will love the Broken Arrow Pink Jeep tour and Red Rock country. Every kid needs to see the Grand Canyon. If you can get reservations, the mule trip down the canyon is unforgetable!

A sunset biplane ride out of Sedona airport is an absolute blast!

Take them to New York City. Teens love it.

Are you looking for warm weather? If not Jackson Hole, WY for skiing/snowboarding and a very cool atmosphere for all ages. Great food, shopping and snow!!

If you get to Sedona - even better than the Pink Jeep (in my male pre- and teenagers opinion) was the Hummer tour. A guy thing, I guess!