Favorite US destinations with young ones
 

I posted in another area, but got nothing. So back to the US boards it is!

One of my goals is to get my two young sons to all 50 states by the time they graduate high school. We've already done ME, NH, MA, NJ, DE, PA, IL, and IN. We will be going to CA (Disneyland and San Diego) next week and to Mystic CT at the end of summer.

Next year I know we are doing Disney World with my in-laws.

What are some great locations that you enjoyed visiting with your kids when they were younger? Right now they are 2 and 3 so I'm holding off on places like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Niagara Falls until they are older.

California is the best state for kids because there are a lot of theme parks in the area.

We did Block Island - Rhode Island a few years ago. Kids were 4 & 6 at the time. You take a ferry (several ports to depart from) to get there. Very mellow island but still has stuff to do. We all enjoyed it and you do not need a car.

Kids also loved Hawaii - Wakikki Beach. Had a two bedroom condo right by the beach - awesome trip.

I also agree California is amazing and so much to do. Have not taken kids there yet but it is on the list.

Good luck!

The Great Sand Dunes National Park is what I think is the best park for small kids. Specifically, go in late May or early June when Medano Creek is running(some years a lot better than others-this year is going to be a down year as not much snow).

We did Disneyland, Disneyworld, and Disney Cruise(all several times). We discovered national parks when my daughter was about 10. We don't just go and spend 3 hours there like the average person, we really do them. Raft the Grand Canyon, do some adventurous hikes, do wild caving in places like Carlsbad, Mammoth Cave, Wind Cave, Canyoneering in Arches National Park, ride horse, kayaking, etc. I think they are all 10 times better than Disney type stuff(especially when your kids are a bit older).

I have made it a goal for myself to visit all 58 national parks. Don't know that I'll make it, but I'm half way there. Plan to see 4 more this summer. I've been to a few of them multiple times. I've been to two of them in Alaska, but none in Hawaii, US Virgin Island, or US Samoa.

I hate to advertise from Frommers on Fodors, but they have a good book entitles Top 100 things to do with you kids(or something like that). Very good ideas in it ranging from Baseball Parks, National Parks, Cities, Amusement Parks, etc.

Personally, I think Yellowstone and Yosemite are the absolute best parks. I really like Zion, Bryce, and Arches in Utah as well.

Oh, Schiltterbahn water park in Texas is not to be missed either with kids.

Lake Tahoe, North shore Nevada side.

Hey, my kids are now 16, 14 and 11. Good job for having the energy at this point in your life to think ahead and plan what kinds of vacations you want. When my kids were toddlers I was so focused on day-to-day and wish I had asked some of these larger questions like you are doing.

Your kids are young enough they are not going to remember specific places well. What you did last year and this year will fade into a blur longterm. The oldest may remember a few things longterm from next summer's trip. Still, a vacation is worth doing if you have good times together and build family ties.

I lean against too many theme parks at that age, but it is certainly fun to go to California and get those adorable pictures of a toddler on the teacup ride. Just be prepared to take it slow. Even at age 4, my youngest was a bit overwhelmed by Disneyland and really only truly liked Toontown. The place he loved, loved was Legoland in Carlsbad. I'd vote for more days at Legoland than Disney.

For preschoolers, I believe the best vacation is slower and simpler. A week near a water feature (lake, ocean) where they can wade and play in the sand. Riding in a boat of any kind (row boat, paddle boat, small tour boat) is always a huge hit. Campfires and marshmallows and hot dogs will also be requested year in year out. In a year or two, get a bike rack for your vehicle and it's heaven on earth. In fact, vacation is a great time to help with learning to ride a bike. You are less rushed and more relaxed.

A cabin will be easier on you, and perhaps allow you things like a shower of your own and an indoor kitchen to augment the firepit and Coleman stove. You could mix it up by camping in Maine one year, and the San Juans the next year, or you could go back to the same beloved spots near your home.

If you can handle all the work entailed, they will especially love tent camping--and also yurt camping, but those are tough to reserve in most states. I compare camping to home birthday parties--exhausting for the parents, but the kids often love them more than Chuck E Cheese over and over.

Another thing to consider longterm is finding a family in your circle who has kids of similar ages who would like to do a long weekend every year. If you have fun together, make it a tradition. We did this for several years with friends' families until the kids got too busy with different summer activities and sports. But they are priceless memories.

In about 3-4th grade, or maybe 4-5th grade, I'd encourage a trip to Europe if you can swing it. We went to Rome because of family reasons, but it was a trip of a lifetime and my kids absolutely loved it. Chasing pigeons in the piazzas and climbing among the ruins at Ostia Antica are strong memories for all of them. If the cost is daunting, do the aforesaid camping for a couple of summers and keep your savings in a separate account to gear up for it.

Hope this helps...

Where are you coming from?

Have you been to the DelMarVa peninsula? You could knock off three states and let the kids play on the beach in Chincoteague and see the ponies.

Many cities have children's museums so that might be something to look for whenever you decide to travel.

When you are in Mystic CT (the aquarium will be lots of fun for kids of any age) this summer you could hop over the line into RI (it's the next town} or go to New London, CT or Pt. Judith, RI for the ferry over to Block Island. There are some nice beaches for swimming there as well as along the RI shore.

Mostly kids just love the added attention they get from parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles etc. when they spend time with them.

Enjoy

Near Mystic is a sweet little nature museum. It has a little room where you can experience a meadow at night. We were there about 5 years ago so hope it's still there. I think this is it http://www.dpnc.org/

If you have a boy who gets car crazy, we gave DS a surprise visit to the Corvette Assembly plant in Bowling Green KY while we were visiting Mammoth Caves.

The elementary school library had some history books that we had DS read when we went to Washington DC, Mount Vernon, Monticello and the Cherokee village. (DH decided on a mega loop from DC to KY, and back up thru NC via Blue Ridge Pkwy).

I think he was too young when we visited Williamsburg.

Visit local libraries when you are road tripping. Sometimes you can catch a story time or special event for children.

Planning to take our GDs to the Montshire Museum in NOrwich VT. Friends said there is some great water play for warm weather. Both Brandon and Bristol VT have great 4th of July parades.

DS was a young teen when we went to San Diego and he was crazy about the Top Gun movie. Relatives took us to a scenic point where we could see Miromar and thanks to DH's uncle who volunteered at the Air and Space Museum, they got a behind the scenes tour of the workshops.

We took a couple of beach/camping trips to St John USVI but I think this is the last year that Maho Bay is operating. Cinnamon Bay is run by the US Parks Dept, though. It's ideal snorkeling for kids because you just wade into the water near rocks to see marvelous fish. Kids meet each other on the beach to play while parents watch. First trip was when DS was in kindergarten.

We never did go to Disney so in high school he was the only kid in class who had been to some of the historic places they were studying. Everyone else had been to Disney. Don't forget to teach your kids how to use public transportation. At age 18 and traveling alone, DS remembered our travel trick to visit a local library (clean restrooms and great info).

This great...thanks!

We are coming from NH. Inlaws are in NJ, so that area is visited quite often.

I do have ideas for when they get older....Williamsburg, San Fran, hiking in Utah....but sometimes it's tough coming up with age appropriate things right now.

Next April, I'm considering New Orleans to Pensacola. New Orleans for me since I've never been, and then in Pensacola they can watch the Blue Angels practice on Tues/Wed mornings. Obviously some beach time in either AL or the Destin area.

We try to take 2 vacations per year, and yes, there are many great children's museums around. The one in Indy has been our favorite so far.

Wisconsin Dells

I'll add my voice to those recommending a beach vacation in RI. Weather is usually good that time of year, prices start to drop after Labor Day. Plenty of nice houses in the Charlestown area, (Quonny, Shelter Harbor, Shady Harbor), and parts of Westerly, Weekapaug and Watch Hill (for the carriage trade). Near Mystic, ferry to Block, etc.

Fantastic places when they are a little older (7 and up): DC, Williamsburgh, NY, Boston, SF - you can't start an appreciation of art, culture and history too young - and let them learn this is FUN - not work. All of those places have enough going on outdoors that you canmix and match. (And I still remember my 2nd grade class visit to the Museum of Natural History - all little kids LOVE dinos.)

I love this question. I have been wondering something similar after just having my first child and already itching to get out and travel.

Years ago, National Geographic traveler had a list of trips to do with children by age. I think somewhere I have that issue but haven't had the time to go back and search for it.

what a great idea you have!

emalloy - delmarva is a great idea. we used to live on the eastern shore of maryland many years ago and i never think of it as a place to visit. but the boys would love to see the wild horses.

williamscb13 - if you find a link to that, please share. i'll try searching their website.

dfrost - great ideas as always!!

anyone take their kids on a mississippi river boat ride?

What about sesame street place in Pennsylvania? Close and geared towards young kids.

http://www.frommers.com/go/100placesforkids/

I agree with most of the list above, but certainly can think of other places that I think are better.


http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ey-grow-up.cfm




http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/...-they-grow-up/

We took our kids to Tucson, AZ when they were 8 and 6. They had a blast!! Lots of stuff to do with kids. Other places we have been: Washington DC (they were 2 and 4)--the zoo is great and they loved the air and space museum. It's easy to go around on the metro or grab a cab to get back fast to the hotel for nap time! We have being going to Arches NP for years with them--it is an awesome park for small people! San Diego was also very good (ages 4 and 6)--Legoland and Sea World and some beach time. We do the National Parks on shorter vacations because we are near so many and then do city/theme park/activity overload type stuff once a year.

Our 3-year old loved Chattanooga. 2 different trains to ride (one up a mountain) and a really nice and accessible downtown on the river. Didn't even get to the aquarium or children's museum.

Brian - good to know! another idea i had was to do atlanta (aquarium, etc) and then drive north thru chattanooga to nashville. my boys love trains!

Spiro, the OP's kids are 2 and 3 years old. They are not ready for the Grand Canyon or DC.

The posters suggesting places with train rides, a great beach in a nearby state (RI, MD, etc) are looking at age-appropriate, not just "the best."

We started taking our children to the national parks when our youngest was 2. We put him in a backpack and hiked all over. He loved seeing the animals at Yellowstone, and then would nap in the backpack. He doesn't remember the trip at 2, but he also doesn't have many memories of trips at 6 and 7. However, we all had a great time.

When my kids were preschoolers, our best trips were beaches and Rocky Mountain National Park. At RMNP, we stayed at Lane Guest Ranch, which has a children's program and lots of activities. On some days, we explored RMNP on our own. We did short hikes (with younger child in a backpack carrier), drove Trail Ridge Road across the park, and saw lots of animals.

My kids are now 14 and 16. They have been to 37 states. My spouse has been to all 50, and I have 3 left. The midwest is the area where my kids have the most states on the to do list. Now that my older one is looking at colleges, we may be able to get those last 13 states in. :)

Atlanta and Chattanooga would be a good preschooler trip. I'd go to the aquarium, the Children's Museum and the zoo in Atlanta (1.5 days, 1 night). Chattanooga is lots of fun for preschoolers with its aquarium (better than ATl imho), Incline Railway, Rock City, and the Children's Museum. There is a day trip excursion train ride near Chattanooga. Thomas the tank engine is there at least once a year. My kids still remember riding on Thomas' train when they were the age of your kids.

For those not willing to take the longer train ride in Chattanooga, there is a shorter ride available. We did the whole experience including the ride, turntable and museum in less than 2 hours:

http://tvrail.com/

5alive,

The OP didn't ask for a specific location. In fact, it mentioned going to CA next week. It didn't mention a specific age. I was suggesting many of the places we had been with our daughter up to this point (age 18). I realize that the poster indicated age 2 and 3. The only place I specfically mentioned was The Great Sand Dunes. The links that I provided are for Parenting Magazine and a book entitled Top 100 Things To Do With Your Kids Before They Grow Up. There are many age appropriate places-zoos, parks, trains, etc on that link.

We had a good time at it all at every age. She went to Disneyworld and Cruise 7 times before age 5- Had a great time every time. I see many kids at places like Yosmite, Zion, under age 4 and they all seem to be having a good time. Playing in the Merced, or Virgin River Narrows, Camping, etc. I'm not sure just how much they will remember of any of it.

Sorry, I didn't answer the post the way you thought it needed to be answered. I'm sure you have the best ideas. After all, you stated yourself that you were to busy in day to day duties when your kids were young. I made it a point to spend time and plan events with my child, be it vacation, church, or participating in sports, piano, and more.

rizzo,

Since you mention aquariums and you are going to be in CA. My favorite aquarium is the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

We really like the Zoo, but equally liked The Wild Animal Park. You might even thing about doing the Roar and Snore there at the zoo.

San Diego Zoo is what I meant

Spirobulldog, here is a quote from the OP:
<Right now they are 2 and 3 so I'm holding off on places like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Niagara Falls until they are older.>

"I'm holding off on" sounds to me like she wanted places appropriate for the next few years.

I also would like to address the following:

<After all, you stated yourself that you were to (sic) busy in day to day duties when your kids were young. I made it a point to spend time and plan events with my child, be it vacation, church, or participating in sports, piano, and more.>

That was not entirely accurate--I said I focused on the day to day. I said nothing about duties. For the record, my day-to-day duties were staying home with my children; we did play groups and park visits and we don't miss church (unless we are vomiting). I also had some health issues to square away. We did take them to the beach and camping a lot but, as I said before, during those preschool years we never thought about a longterm vacation strategy.

We also do all of the activities you mentioned plus Scouting, flute, Battle of the Books. We also lead and coach, and have for years. I lead classes in our church and units out at summer camp. I don't know everything but I've spent 40 hour weeks with campers for several years, and you do learn a few things about what kids need. Sometimes my husband and I probably give too much and don't make time to plan a vacation in January like we should. I'm not sure what you're implying, but that's our life.

Still not sure why you singled me out and my suggestion.
What you think is age appropriate and good places to visit might be different than my thoughts.

If you actually read the links I posted, there are many many places (not just the popular Big Name National Parks). I think pretty much every one might want to go to Yellowstone, Yosemite Niagra and Grand Canyon. Again, the links have various age appropriate places to visit.

Simply trying to put some ideas out there, geez.

Back from California...had a lot of fun, but it's good to be home. The best bonus: the time zone confusion has lead to my 2 year old sleeping later!!

Thanks for all of the great sugguestions. I hadn't thought about Rocky Mt Nat'l Park...just hasn't been on my radar.

We have decided to postpone our WDW trip. I want them to be older and not need naps before we tackle Disneyworld, Epcot, etc. Don't get me wrong, they had a blast at Disneyland, but WDW is so much bigger.

Leaning towards the Atlanta to Nashville trip at the end of April and maybe a trip to Amish country in June. While they are young, I'm thinking one flying trip, one driving trip per year.