Teenagers! Best Place to take them for vacation!?
 

We have a 14 yr old who doesn't want to go see rocks (the GRAND CANYON!) any advice as to where might interest a 14 yr old boy? We're from the Detroit area, not sure if I want to deal with the time/distance in the car, last year we did manage to go to Yellowstone.

Our two teens love to travel. We went to Arizona this past Christmas. My 18 y.o. actually preferred Sedona to the Grand Canyon. Is it really the destination OR is it the travel to get there?

Whether we travel by car or plane, as long as the kids have CD's to listen to and/or a DVD to watch, they are happy.

How about NYC? You can take him to Tower Records/Time Square/ESPN Zone Restaurant or how about Trip to Chicago & go to Wrigley Field see the cubs. Good luck!

My teens loved (and still do) DisneyWorld and Universal Orlando. Universal has some great coasters as well as some other awesome rides you can't get any where else. If you could stay in one of their hotels, you would have front of the line passes and the hotels are fun too, like the Hard Rock. And Disney offers tons of options, right now they have a special of 7 nights for the price of 5.

I second NYC. It is fantastic there is something for everyone. From Muesums,Central park, shows, Statue of liberty, Empire state building, Studio tours, Great food. Just riding around on the subway is fun.

What are his intrerests?

Chicago is also a great place for a trip ( detroit is so close)

Several years ago my two teens "didn't want to see rocks" either. So we left them at home with the grandparents and my husband and I had a fabulous trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona all by ourselves. Flame me if you wish, but sometimes we all have to consider who is paying for the vacation. In my opinion, most of us (and I'm as guilty as anyone) spend too much time trying to please our kids.

Having said that, many teens enjoy either the beach or amusement parks, although some kids are "bored" no matter where you take them.

I agree regarding Universal and Disneyworld. There is just so much to do. Our son (now 17) still loves this trip. We like it because we don't have to hear "This is so boring".

New York City is another good idea. Our son enjoyed that very much when he was 13. We went to a Broadway play, stayed in a nice hotel, did some shopping, etc. He thought NY was "cool". We only stayed one night in NY because we were taking a cruise to Nova Scotia. He would like to go back to NY.

Have you considered a cruise? He may enjoy that. Especially if he can hook up with some kids his age. Our son made a friend on our cruise to Canada and that REALLY helped. Otherwise, I think he would have been bored.

Good luck - it isn't easy to plan trips with teens, especially if there aren't other kids with them. Our son is an only child and it was so much easier when he was little!!!

P.S. We are from the Detroit area also (Sterling Heights)

Enjoy your vacation - whatever you decide!!!

Have you thought about going across the border to Ottawa or Montreal?

I'd put together a list of 4-5 possibilities, with a short description of what you'd see and do in each destination, and let him choose from there.

OR....

I keep hearing how kids that age get excited about a trip if they get to help plan it. Why not let him pick (with restrictions of course)?

Oops, hit post too soon...

If he gets to choose, it could turn into something educational. He'd have to look at a map, figure out the best route, research activities, etc.

Thanks everyone for the responds. bjboothman: It has crossed my mind about leaving our son behind, but at 14 I figure he doesn't really know his own mind about this. I think if he were older I would leave him at home with family, he might enjoy it more with a friend, but I don't think I could deal with 2 14 yr olds! I like the NY idea, been to Disney World/Univeral twice. I've thought of staying close to home (up north michigan)less road time, but I would really like for him to see the Grand Canyon. I agree, we do spend too much time trying to please our kids!! Having said that I'm making that kid go ; )

You could always take him on a little tour of Vegas to balance out all the Grand Canyon "boring" stuff... which he might actually enjoy if he could take a ride into the canyon on a mule...

When my second oldest daughter graduated from high school, one of the things she wrote in her "Senior Night" thank you letter to us was about how much she appreciated all those family vacations over the years. There are plenty of years ahead to travel without the kids and they are gone before you know it.
Best of luck and have fun wherever you go!

What about a Toronto/Niagara Falls trip?

I think most teenagers like the beach. Myrtle Beach or somewhere like that full of activities.

It's a bit of a drive from Detroit but not like driving out west.

I have 3 sons which are all teenagers now - 19, 17, and 13. They thought the trips I planned in the past to Glacier/Yellowstone/Grand Tetons and to Yosemite/Sequoia/King's Canyon would be boring, but they each told me how much they enjoyed them. I've planned a trip this summer to Flagstaff/Grand Canyon/Lake Powell/Bryce/Zion/Las Vegas. My boys want to do active stuff - not just sit and look at scenery. So, we are going hot air ballooning, off road jeeping, Slide Rock State Park, hiking (I even make them get up at sunrise for this!), horseback riding, float trip, tubing, seeing a show they picked in Las Vegas, etc. Inbetween all this, we also go to museums, sightsee, and enjoy each other. I have the trip pretty much scheduled before we go since I don't want to listen to 3 boys argue where to eat dinner or what to do next. However, we are open enough that we make changes as needed. I also have rules such as when we enter a National Park or town the electronics go off, they get to pick the places for breakfast and lunch, and sometimes I will let my older son (and maybe my 17 yo this yr.) have some time to himself (themselves) to explore. My boys would never say they want to go on one of the trips I plan, but we have a great time. I can't wait to get out west w/ them next wk! Good luck!

After all the great replies--Istill vote for NYC.
There is just SO much to do.
Took 15 year old last year--- "speed boat" tour of harbor (Circle line for the more sedate) Central Park bike ride, Empire State again!!(still loved it) Time Sq. saw play, got up VERY early and went to Bryant Park (not exactly sure where this is located we took cab)for one of the big network TV AM shows-usually onFridays. Also this type show weekdays ar Rockefeller SQ Took double decker bus for city tour when we firsrt go there and decided on what we wanted to see.
Enjoyed it so much will take the 12 yr.old in a couple of years..
You will all have a good time...

I have to agree with many of the previous posters, NYC! Who doesn't love New York after experiencing it?

You could rent a houseboat at Lake Powell for a week. It's very Grand Canyon-like and beautiful. Great weather in the summer. You can get a speed boat for water skiing as well. Always lovesd water skiing as a kid. Haven't been in a couple years, so if you decide to do this, you may need to check how water levels are - the West is going through a major drought.

And I agree, the beach is always fun. A nice AI package where all your watersports are included would be great. A cruise would probably have enough activities to keep your son busy as well.

I'd also suggest NYC, but you could also consider Seattle or San Fancisco. Mix some tourist stuff in with some interesting city sites.

I have a friend with two teen sons and their favorite by far is Universal, staying at the Hard Rock Hotel. Guests at the Hard Rock have priority in the park (I prefer the Portofino across the road). I read on this forum how great the club level rooms (with extra food and drinks) are. She's taking one son back for a surprise visit to celebrate a special event. They go every year and her boys (as well as Mom) love Universal. I don't think they've done Disney since the youngest reached his teens (per their request).

Here's another vote for New York. My own middle school aged daughter is always ready to return to NYC.