Taking Teenagers On Holiday To The States Or Canada

[rockyracoon]

We're thinking of taking the kids to the US or Canada for a holiday and was wondering what you could do with them of an evening as I know kids are not too welcome in drinking establishments. Usually we go on beach holidays where we have a couple of drinks after dinner in a local bar and the kids come with us, I don't fancy going straight back to our hotel room after we've eaten to sit and watch TV or surf the net.

Any ideas or advice?

Thanks :)

[sunny-dave]

Except in big cities, my memory also says that you also have to eat ridiculously early in the evening (apart from McDs etc). Asking for a table later than 7pm causes a lot of teeth sucking.

That could leave some looong evenings of hotel TV ...

[rockyracoon]

If that's the case, I won't be taking them at all, I'll find somewhere else.

Having a bit of a mare as my son has a bit of a problem in very hot sun, he was fine in Thailand the times that we have been, even though it was hot it was a bit humid and seemed more tolerable, but the week we have just spent in Kefalonia kept him in the apartment for most of the day, he struggled quite badly. Our plan was to take them on one last big family holiday and South Africa was on the cards but I'm not sure that would be a good idea now.

[sunny-dave]

If you can throw money at it, then I'd recommend Iceland.

Loads to do, lots to see - I managed whale watching, 4x4 driving on a glacier, white water rafting, snowmobiling, natural hot spring skinny dipping, bird watching and more - all in a couple of weeks.

The beer is eye-wateringly expensive though ...

[237SJ]

What about Australia? I

[rockyracoon]

I did actually throw Iceland into the hat, along with Scandinavia but I think they thought I was joking. I'll investigate further as it could actually turn out to be fun, would Canada be similar do you think?

Would it not be too hot in Oz?

[boxtops]

when are you going, rockette? It's spring in Oz at the moment, but the climate varies considerably - it's a huge country!

[seekeerz]

It's a long flight, that is one draw back, but the next few months could be very pleasant down here .... Do you have friends over here ?

[237SJ]

Sydney doesn't get really hot -it's a bit of a myth. It does get the odd spell but I've have never been there when it's been boiling. Western Australia is ok as well and so is the Central Coast (that's my favourite bit) It gets hot when you start to go North. Then again, it depends what time of year you go.

[rockyracoon]

The earliest will be next summer, if not then either the Easter or summer of 2015, depending where we go and what the weather will be doing around the world.

[sunny-dave]

The rafting is great.

I did this one - including the (very) scary jump at about 1:10 into the clip
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tot6MxVOvzQ

[237SJ]

Why did you decide against SA?

[rockyracoon]

I'd have to really sell Oz I think, OH really doesn't fancy the flight.

Seekerz, I have a cousin in Sydney but I wouldn't bother going to see her :)

[Tilly2]

What about an Allaskan cruise? Loads to see and do.

[rockyracoon]

Summer would be too cold in SA, contradicting myself I know, but I remember hats and jackets being worn by fans at the World Cup and whilst I don't want it boiling, I want to be able to wear a T Shirt. Would Easter be a comfortable time to go? OH fancies Cape Town area.

[rockyracoon]

I really don't fancy a cruise Tilly, don't know why to be honest.

[237SJ]

Easter's ok. It gets really nice about September time onwards. Cape Town is strange anyway because they get a lot of black clouds and fronts that come in so the weather is a bit unpredictable.

[rockyracoon]

Dave, sod that jump, there's not a prayer of my doing it. The white water rafting would be good though and I could get a bit of practice in as the Olympic centre is a just a walk down the road :)

[rockyracoon]

Thanks 237, we'll be dictated by school holidays unfortunately as well as watching exam times.

Personally I'd like to do Route 66 but the OH doesn't fancy all the driving that comes with it.

[237SJ]

Well if you do go to SA in their winter you will be stuck in the evenings as it gets dark early and there's not much to do. Re your original question, the American culture is very TV led but depending where you go, maybe hiring bikes or inline skates would fill the odd evening.

[Tilly2]

I know you said you don't fancy a cruise, rocky but there would be lots of activities for your teenagers in the evening. Have a look at Norwegian Cruise Line. Not stuffy and snooty like some of them.