I have two kids, 16 and 15, girl and boy. They are so opposite, planing a family vacation drives me crazy. My daughter, 16, loves to shop not to mention EXPENSIVE things. My son is into theater, he hopes to become an actor someday, either broadway or the big screen. We already went to NYC last summer, so I was thinking of taking them to L.A. Do you guys have any suggestions on where to start?

We are planning to go there mid June.

Thank you,
Desperate Mom

happy travel - you might want to repost with your title being something like "help with planning vacations for teens with different interests". You will probably get more response.

First of all where do you live and are you open to going anywhere? How long is your vacation? Based on what you are saying about your kids, LA might be a good choice. I have two daughters but otherwise they sound a lot the same as your two, very different, one shopper, one actress. At least the actress likes to shop,too. LOL.

Why not let the kids pick the place? You can take care of accomodations, flights etc. This way they get what they want and it takes a little of the stress off you.

LOL f64club...spoken like a non parent..at least of teens.

happy: What would your son expect to see in LA? Sure you can hang out and maybe get a tour but is that what he may have in mind? Perhaps there are smaller venues where he could actually talk to actors or be more hands on. Seems to me, that would be more theater like. Stratford Ontario has a ton of shows going on during the summer festival time. After that you could take the family to Toronto for a shopping spree...maybe catch a BlueJays game, do the CN tower. toronto has a distinctly international feel....at least to me. My teens (2 boys) enjoyed our visit there a few years ago..

What can the boy see in LA? Well, the dirty little secret of the LA metro area is that is has more theatres than NYC, for one (small venues, a lot of Equity waiver houses). He can see, for relatively low prices, a lot of good acting, often by famous actors and playwrights (I saw "Laughing Wild" with Jean Smart and Christopher Durang several years ago-- priceless!). He can see staged script readings, performance artists, major artists working out new material (Julia Sweeney regularly tries out her plays at Beth Lapidus' "Uncabaret" workshops), improv groups (Groundlings!), stand-up, spoken-word artists, etc. If you time it right, you might see TV/film shoots in your travels (like yesterday at the Santa Monica Apple Store and I. Cugini restaurant-- both within three blocks of my office and both all-day affairs).

That is, a lot of the stuff he probably saw in New York City.

And when you go to a good sit-down restaurant, you'll probably get up-close and personal with underemployed actors ("but I really want to direct!")-- again, just like in New York. Those starry-eyed dreams of STARDOM will run square-on with the reality of (hopefully) steadier work in regional theatre. But in LA, he might have luck working steadily in walk-ons, extra work, small films and those little theatres where so much good work is done.

And for your daughter, the upscale shopping is just as good as in New York (and if she's into Rocker Chic, Gucci AND Fred Segal are in town!). You just don't have to wear as heavy of clothes.

I'll second what rjw_lgb_ca just said. I'm always amazed when people ask why I go to LA for theatre since it's all about movies and TV. WRONG! I love the little theatres all over the city and have seen great things there. The bonus is they are also CHEAP. And the daughter will die and go to heaven in Beverly Hills.

I recommend a stay at Summerfield Suites in West Hollywood, a great place at a super price. Secure parking in the garage below it, a wonderful roof top pool area with spectacular views, and a convenient location.

What about London?

If your daughter has the means to shop for expensive things, I'm guessing budget isn't an issue for you.

If so, than either London or LA will be great choices. The one edge that I might give to London is that it'll be easier for the group to split up and engage in their favorite activities given the relative ease of getting around via the Underground. LA might require two rental cars or cabs because, as has been stated in song, Nobody Walks in LA.

With London, you could also plan a shopping/sightseeing day in Paris as an extra special event. (Expense notwithstanding.)

Thank you all for replying.

London? Not a bad idea. I mentioned this to my husband and he thinks it is perfect. It will be the kids first time travelling overseas (we live in South Florida) so they will be excited about that. There will be shows for my son, and of course, shopping for my daughter. Plus, I have never been there, so it will be fun for me as well.

Thanks everyone, now the question is where do I start?

the europe forum?

London is exactly the place. Great shopping and superb theatre. Cheerio!

Yes happytravel. Post on the Europe Board. Also utilize the search box.

How fun, aren't kids wonderful?