Vacation Ideas - kids 13/15
 

Looking for a weeklong vacation idea for a family of four with kids 13 & 15. Looking at first week of July 2008. We have been to several Hawaiian Islands, Chicago, Florida Gulf Coast, hiking in Southern Utah and Grand Canyon, and Vegas. We are somewhat adventurous - hiked over 40 miles in UT and loved it. Wouldn't like just laying on a beach. Would love a week of things to do, see and one day of shopping. Any ideas? Would prefer to stay within the US - due to cost (unless you know some great deals). Thanks.

The Canadian Rockies would really work especially since you enjoy hiking. Mount Tremblant is also very nice, but from what you described, the Rockies would be ideal.

The Florida Keys.

Rent a boat and spend a week diving, fishing, snorkeling, and exploring the keys.

I would stay in Islamorada.

You can also day trip to Key West.

Hiking Acadia National Park in Maine, bicycling and sea kayaking? Outlet shopping in Kittery or Freeport, Maine? (a good day's drive apart)

My 15yr old loved NYC. Plenty to do there although it was pricey. We also throughly enjoyed New Mexico, however, it may be a tad hot that time of the year.

Costa Rica? Shouldn't be any more expensive than the US (and cheaper than Hawaii). With kids that age you can do the zip line tours, rafting, in addition to hikes where you will see all kinds of exotic flora and fauna.

Another vote for the Canadian Rockies. We stay near Lake Louise at Baker Creek Chalets. Great set up for families, and so much to do in the area.

Also take a look at Sunriver Resort in central Oregon. We take our teens there several times each year and never tire of the activities in the area.

You've already gotten tons of great ideas.

Maine would be great, though the hiking there isn't so strenuous.

Here are other ideas:
- Colorado, either just the Summit County/Vail area, or you could combine that with Rocky Mountain National Park. You could visit the Aspen area, or Telluride. You could combine Telluride with Mesa Verde, a unique site that I think everyone in the U.S. should visit (Shopping in Denver)
- Either in conjunction with Colorado, or as a separate trip, the Santa Fe area. There's a lot to see in that area, and a lot of Native American pueblos, etc. And great food and shopping.
- Another unique U.S. sight, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons National Park, though the shopping here isn't so great.

Great outdoor activities in all of those locations, especially hiking.

Yellowstone