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 :)

[ummmm]

Retrochic...my kids are perfectly happy in our company. I assume Rocky's are too...

[rockyracoon]

Retro, no, I don't think it's inflammatory at all. They don't mind at all, we don't get smashed, just generally have a couple of drinks to round the night off after a meal and on the way back to the accommodation. They'd never go on their own on holiday, they don't even opt for school skiing trips which we will happily pay for. As I said though, this holiday is supposed to be one last hurrah as a family before they start going to work/uni and doing their own thing.

Once they're not coming with us anymore, I doubt I'll ever look at a poxy beach or bit of sun again ;)

[jaynethepain]

During the summer in the US & Canada lots of activities are open in the evenings ....... Crazy golf, water parks, sporting activities (we've just been in whistler , Canada where you could go up and down the mountains on mountain bikes for example), swimming pools and of course there's always the cinema and bowling indoors. I wouldn't let it put you off, there's load of kids in North America that need entertaining in the summer.

[ummmm]

Lol Rocky....I forgot you hated the sun.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Jayne.

Ummmm, as lovely as Greece was, that sun was too hot, the sand was too hot, the apartment was too hot, even the cold water tap was too hot. I got burnt on my chest after smothering myself with factor 50, I only sat there for half an hour. The sea was nice and cold though, nice to sit in to cool off, when I wasn't worrying about sharks of course. ;)

[Clanad]

At about 2,500 miles from coast to coast and roughly 1,200 miles top to bottom the U.S. contains around 3.97 million square miles... if you could narrow your interests a little perhaps I (as a native) could help you with your quest.

One thing, right off the top, it'd be a good idea to limit your hotel choices to one of the (many) extended stay selections. While I appreciate that you don't want to cook while on vacation, the extended stay's offer seperate bedrooms and a nice area for just kicking back... maybe watching our extremely interesting selection of reality TV programs (Duck Dynasty comes to mind) (Not!).

Anyway... I use Marriott products and their "Residence Inn" series is especially comfortable (seen here: http://www.residenceinn.marriott.com/?scid=4f9f3df7-9bda-4576-ade2-74a4a6f93555&ppc=ppc&d=1br2core&utm_source=Search-Engine&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=Branded+Core&utm_campaign=Branded ) Sorry for the lengthy URL. There are many others as well.

But... to reiterate, you need to ask about or tour the internet to see what you're looking for. Need not be in a major city... for example, Wisconsin Dells in, guess what State...(Wisconsin) has the country's largest water park... and there are several others to boot. Our kids love it... seen here: https://www.noahsarkwaterpark.com/?_bt=47586331642&_bk=wisconsin%2520dells%2520water%2520park&_bm=b&gclid=CNCCy4vzsMACFQwV7AodnTgAYA ...Or... perhaps one of the many Six Flags Over Texas theme parks (not just in Texas) and I highly recommend San Diego, California as the best all around destination. Always wonderful weather (averaging 73 degrees (F), one of the largest zoo's in the world, major theme parks, plus Balboa Park (seen here: http://www.sandiego.org/articles/balboa-park/balboa-park-san-diego.aspx ).

All that, plus one of the U.S. Navy's largest bases. We haven't even touched on New England or the Pacific Northwest, mush less the Rocky Mountain area in which I live... Welcome to the U.S., regardless of destination!

[andres]

Well rockyracoon,You've been all round the world in 4 hours!Why don't you stop in the UK ,save some money and go to Butlins. And let them take a friend each.

[Retrochic]

or centreparc?

[rockyracoon]

Lol Andres, I would rather pull my teeth out.

Clanad, that is a lovely, extensive answer and I will look at the links you've given a bit later, I'll also ask the kids exactly what they want from a holiday, though it make take 6 months to get an answer :)

Col, I could go a holiday like that.

[Retrochic]

rocky you really do not have to go abroad to have a great family holiday. Because of work commitments we've been going away the odd weekend instead of having a formal two week holiday,and have a 13 year old in tow. We've had really good days away in scotland, Scarbrough/Whitby, The Lakes staying in fab b&B and with the extra money to really treat ourselves, plenty to do if its wet or if its sunny. I can honestly say we have enjoyed it more than our holiday last year to Greece that cost us the best part of £5K.

[andres]

Well, Whatever your kids decide for goodness sake please let us all know when they do. The suspense is killing !

[rockyracoon]

Andres, when I know, you'll know. I wouldn't hold your breath though, I'm still waiting to see what they want for dinner and I asked them yesterday. :)

[sherrardk]

RR, we had a villa in Florida, I didn't even boil the kettle let alone an egg.

[rockyracoon]

That's exactly what I intend Sherr, I never cook when I'm on holiday and I do rather prefer a hotel to self catering, though I have to say the link Clanad gave could change my mind.

[puzzled54]

Like Clanad says, USA is huge, there is bound to be loads of places that you will all want to visit, just a matter of doing some research. I can recommend Las Vegas and the Grand canyon. Perhaps they would like to visit some of the iconic places.

[Eve]

I've had fantastic times in San Francisco and LA (and inbetween, Yosemite, good for walking and such, Monterey etc...) and New York and no shortage of things to do and so many tourist places around I can't see there not being places you can go in the evenings and plenty of food places which serve drinks as well.

Canada wise I've only done Toronto, great city and right on one of the lakes, Niagara not far away too, I'd love to go to Quebec, Montreal and Ottowa though it's a fair bit of travelling but trains are apparently excellent.

It was pretty hot in all places when I went, though I'm not a fan of really hot weather, but more cope-able for me in more built up areas with lots of aircon.

New York is amazing to go around at night too, some fantastic views with all the lights and they do evening bus tours and there are shows on and all sorts of entertainment. The top of the Rockerfeller Center at night is pretty special. I can't remember having an issue not eating early.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Eve, San Fran is looking to be a likely choice along with another city if we go to the States, I fancy Boston but as me and OH have been there before he'd rather try somewhere different. I'm having a gander at Austin and Chicago at the mo.