OT: Question for the Travelers esp w/kids
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 11:52 (2440 days ago)
I was just sitting in a deli reading a magazine and had a small freak out. I need to get my kids to some new places and they are getting old (9 and 11).
What do you think are the top 10 or so travel destinations in the US - that we HAVE to go see before they are gone?
I want to get variety of places and things to do, probably sort of in order from most desirable to "least":
1. My cousin lives in Pasedena and we are maybe going out there next year and travel all the way up the Pacific Coast (2 weeks?) Would that be a good trip? Anyone ever done it?
2. Grand Canyon/Yosemite/Yellowstone/Badlands/Cascades/Rockies - which National Parks do we HAVE to go to?
3. Washington DC.
4. New Orleans because I love that place and it is different and have not been since Katrina.
5. Maybe Key West for a fishing trip.
6. Boston/New England and/or Philly
7. San Diego
8. Vegas
9. I think HI and AK are too far?
International?:
We have been to Italy (Rome up to Florence)
Daughter wants to go to PAris.
Germany?
Ideas?
Maybe two international trips?
Tags:
travel
RV Trip to Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, and Grand Canyon NP
by Albie, Friday, June 08, 2018, 14:54 (2437 days ago) @ Grantland
We did it with four families. Flew into Las Vegas. Took taxies to the Cruise Americ rental place and got our RV's. Stopped at Wal-Mart on the way out of town then drove straight to Zion. One night there. Two nights in Bryce and then two nights at GC. With one last night at Lake Mead.
Never thought we would do this but then went back to Vegas and stayed at the Mandalay Bay for a couple of nights. It was a lot of fun. We all renewed our wedding vows at the Vegas Chapel.
Awesome, awesome trip. My kids loved every minute of it and so did the adults. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
You and I (and whomever else) are doing the APP trial
by Grantland, y'allywood, Monday, June 11, 2018, 06:38 (2435 days ago) @ Albie
someday, correct?
I would add that north/central Maine is surreal
by Mike (bart), Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 07:27 (2439 days ago) @ Grantland
lots of relatively easy mountain hikes and the picturesque, limitless landscape views from the tops of them are awesome in the most true sense of the word. Whitecaps, Sugarloaf, Flagstaff Lake, etc.
Acadia is terrific also
by Jack , Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 08:33 (2439 days ago) @ Mike (bart)
edited by Jack, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 08:38
Superb hikes from easy to downright grueling, Maine rocky coast scenery straight out of the picture postcards, fantastic views from the top of Cadillac Mountain and various overlooks from the hikes, and the outstanding town of Bar Harbor right there - but on the other side of the island basically small town Maine with working fishermen and lobstermen if you want to get away from the tourists.
We went there two years ago and loved it. For eastern national parks, I liked Shenandoah very much, but Acadia a lot more.
Thank you everyone. Making a list.
by Grantland, y'allywood, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 06:38 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
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As someone who rarely traveled as a kid...
by PAK, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 18:08 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
As a kid I had a trip to TN to visit family, a trip to Florida/Disney when I was 12 or 13, and every other family vacation was camping.
1) DC is a must. It's a pretty neat city and there's a lot of stuff to do for people of all ages provided your kids like museums. I never went as a kid and I wish I had been able to.
2) I love Vegas and New Orleans but both of these would probably be best served by waiting until your kids turn 21. New Orleans has more sightseeing possibilities so maybe that one at 18 and then Vegas at 21.
3) I've never been to any of those national parks but I'm sure that any of them would make a tremendous trip. Camping is tricky, though - it can take a few trips to get the hang of it as a family. Maybe try a few weekends locally before committing to a huge trip to a national park if you're thinking of camping.
4) I'd recommend NYC over Boston or Philly tbh unless your family is a bunch of history buffs. New York has almost as much historical stuff but IMO better sightseeing, food, and stuff to do (i.e. Broadway, etc).
Going a little off the board here but Canada has some great destinations, too - if you love New Orleans you should also love Montreal and Quebec.
I was thinking the same re NOLA especially.
by Grantland, y'allywood, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 09:09 (2439 days ago) @ PAK
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There is something about the mountains when you’re a kid
by DEM, Chicago, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:42 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
I grew up in the flatlands of the Midwest but my family took a trip every year out west. Most
Often to Colorado or Wyoming. I’ve
Forgotten a
Million trips to the beach or Disney or DC or williamsburg. I never forgot seeing the
Mountains as a
Kid
Three of those are not like the others
by Jack , Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:05 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
edited by Jack, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:18
1. Grand Canyon/Yosemite/Yellowstone/Badlands/Cascades/Rockies - which National Parks do we HAVE to go to?
Answers: Yes/Yes/Yes/No/No/No
I've been to all 6, and all are good, but the first three are in a class by themselves and are bucket list-worthy.
Badlands is way down the list, by the way. They're all worth going to, but go to the Badlands only if you're in the area (it is right off I-90), not as a special trip, no way, no how. Though you can go to nearby Wall Drug and also the Corn Palace for maximum kitsch.
I'd put the 5 Utah national parks ahead of the last three also (and don't get me wrong, I did like Rocky Mountain a lot). I have not been to Glacier but am told it's way up there also.
We did the Grand Circle two years ago
by BPH, San Diego, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 16:49 (2440 days ago) @ Jack
You can use Las Vegas as a jumping-off point. Then, in order, go to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase/Capitol Reef (quick stops at both on way to Moab), Arches/Canyonlands (both accessible from Moab), Monument Park (on way to Arizona), Grand Canyon.
That's what we did to go to Zion and Bryce
by Jack , Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 08:52 (2439 days ago) @ BPH
edited by Jack, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 08:58
Both great and completely different from each other. Zion is like a smaller red rock Yosemite (and I mean really red; even the roads in the park are made from red rock). Bryce is like nothing I've ever seen. One of the many cool things about Bryce is at the bottom of the canyon, due to the walls surrounding it and the "hoodoos" blocking any wind and the powder-fine sand on the floor, it's the quietest place I've ever been outdoors. I was like a radio studio. You could pick up conversations 100 feet away. Just amazing. It's also possibly the best place in the entire country for viewing stars at night because of no light pollution and crystal clear air.
We were going to go to Arches last year but due to torn up roads and ridiculously high temperatures in the hundreds the week we went, decided to stay in cooler higher elevations in western Colorado (which is awesome also). So the other three parks are still on the future list.
What amazed me on the drive from Vegas is how much the terrain changes once you cross into Utah, from pretty boring flat white desert to rock formations straight out of a John Ford movie. And you get out of the desert and hit beautiful forests, also.
How about the MO River ala Lewis and Clark?
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:10 (2440 days ago) @ Jack
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There are long stretches where I can't imagine it's all that
by Jack , Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:15 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
interesting. Haven't been, but am told the Missouri Breaks area in Montana is way cool, but remember it goes through a lot of flatlands, too, and miles of river banks that look like the miles of riverbanks you just went through. It's a very long river.
My favorite trip as a kid was definitely Grand Canyon.
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:31 (2440 days ago) @ Jack
We stayed at Bright Angel Lodge and did the mule trip. Only half way down not all the way. It was very cool.
The Canyon is completely awesome...
by BillyGoat, At Thanksgiving with Joe Bethersontin, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 07:05 (2439 days ago) @ Grantland
what makes it truly unique, IMO, is that you can't see it until you are basically at the edge. Then you get there and it hits you like a ton of bricks.
I would consider Shenandoah
by Mike (bart), Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 12:28 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
beautiful park with hiking that is extensive and enjoyable but not too difficult. Moreover, there are waysides throughout the park that can serve as a nice little hub of civilization within a day of hiking or weekend of camping.
Has anyone done Mammoth Cave?
by BillyGoat, At Thanksgiving with Joe Bethersontin, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 12:46 (2440 days ago) @ Mike (bart)
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Yes
by irishvol , Music City, USA, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 15:50 (2440 days ago) @ BillyGoat
I went as a kid and remember it being pretty cool. My wife took my son this year during spring break. They both enjoyed it, and they have evidently opened up lots of additional cave area to see since I was a lead.
It isn't far from Nashville or Louisville (and the corvette museum in Bowling Green) if you're looking to tack on other things.
We did Wind Cave and Jewel Cave last year in SD, and it
by BillyGoat, At Thanksgiving with Joe Bethersontin, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 07:02 (2439 days ago) @ irishvol
blew me away that they are still exploring both and discovering new areas. The process for that is fairly incredible. But we ended up at a really good burger place where we met a college kid from the Chicago burbs who had just discovered the first lake in Jewel Cave.
Those experiences put me on to Mammoth.
Plus, ever since last year, my kids' determination to collect Junior Ranger badges is basically on par with Thanos' enthusiasm for collecting the Infinity Stones.
Tell them to come down here and get a badge.
by Grantland, y'allywood, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 09:14 (2439 days ago) @ BillyGoat
That looks cool...
by BillyGoat, At Thanksgiving with Joe Bethersontin, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 12:19 (2439 days ago) @ Grantland
(Certainly far cooler than it was to be a Confederate soldier inside that fort 130 years ago)
It is pretty cool. Probably a lot cooler for a newbie.
by Grantland, y'allywood, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 12:30 (2439 days ago) @ BillyGoat
edited by Grantland, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 12:34
I have been to it countless times.
The beach is within site too. Actually not a bad long weekend - we use the fort when we are at the beach but it is raining.
Yes, re the Confederates. They did not last very long - first use of rifle cannons I believe and ripped the place apart. IIRC they surrendered right before the Union was about to hit the powder room.
Really built as a part of National Defense after War of 1812.
A pretty well known First lt. helped design and build, Robert E. Lee.
Wind cave was great
by Jack , Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 08:40 (2439 days ago) @ BillyGoat
edited by Jack, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 08:48
Mammoth Cave is different from Wind Cave in that it has some enormous "rooms", which IIRC is where the name comes from. Not as many rock formations like stalagmites and stalactites, but they have them too. It's really huge. There are multiple tours that if I remember right don't even cross.
It's amazing to think of it as the tip of the iceberg, to mix geographic metaphors. The cave system under southern Indiana and Kentucky is one of the largest in the world (maybe the largest?).
Never done this:
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:06 (2440 days ago) @ BillyGoat
https://wildwaterrafting.com/adventures/chattooga-river-rafting/
Which looks cool but I may be too old. Can't get Deliverance out of my mind either.
I did as a kid. Do not remember a lot but I do remember
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:01 (2440 days ago) @ BillyGoat
thinking it was cool. Biggest (Onliest) take away was blind fish.
Same. Good one to take kids to
by Jack , Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:07 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
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Yep I love it.
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 12:31 (2440 days ago) @ Mike (bart)
I left some things off we have already done.
We have been up the smokies and eventually we will get all the way up to Virginia.
Been to Chicago, of course, on the way to ND games, and NYC.
A few that we've done with our kids
by oviedoirish , Oviedo, Florida, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 12:24 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
edited by oviedoirish, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 12:31
The Grand Canyon was a lot of fun. We made a 5 day trip out of it, flying into Phoenix, driving up for a weekend in Sedona, and spending a day at the Grand Canyon, via the Grand Canyon Railway out of Williams. The Grand Canyon is amazing and photos don't do it justice. We didn't go into the canyon though, because we didn't have the time. Don't go to Phoenix in the heart of the summer. People say 'but it's a dry heat.' That's BS--hot is hot! Sedona is the only place in AZ where I could see myself retiring. Really beautiful.
Washington, DC is a must do trip with kids. Just stay near the Mall and hit all the museums, and take the metro to the zoo. Great subway system. Maybe see a play at the Kennedy Center? Arlington Cemetery is also very interesting, as is Mt Vernon. If you like fireworks, go over the 4th but be prepared for half a million people on the Mall. Amazing fireworks though. It's quite a fun time if your hotel is within walking distance of the Mall.
We loved Boston too--we love history. Just walking around the historic area was great (we also did a guided walking tour that was really cool). Do the USS Constitution tour too. And visit Mike's Pastries.
Key West is interesting and fun, but more so for adults I think. You can see all the sights in a day, but it's a great place to just lounge around, or fish. If you have the time/money, visit the Dry Tortugas National Park (https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm). I have not been there yet, but I have a friend who has and loved it, and I really want to go. Supposed to be great snorkeling.
Could probably combine Boston (2-3 days)
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:49 (2440 days ago) @ oviedoirish
then New England up to Montreal? Too much?
2-3 days total or just for Boston?
by oviedoirish , Oviedo, Florida, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 05:14 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
You can see a lot of historical Boston in a couple days if you don't dilly dally. I've never been to Montreal but it's on my bucket list.
Or Shandoah to Gettysburg to Philly to NYC to Boston?
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:59 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
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You had me until you said DC has a great metro system.
by Pete, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:04 (2440 days ago) @ oviedoirish
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Well, I have limited experience with metros
by oviedoirish , Oviedo, Florida, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 05:10 (2440 days ago) @ Pete
It seems better than NY or Chicago and it's very easy to navigate.
That's all true.
by Pete, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 07:43 (2439 days ago) @ oviedoirish
In fact, I imagine the DC metro is actually probably better than those areas when it comes to tourists. Very straightforward and handy to navigate around the center of the city.
It's general unreliability, both in terms of timing and infrastructure, and steadily increasing fares paired with limited hours is mainly the gripe of the day-to-day commuter.
Yeah, as a tourist
by oviedoirish , Oviedo, Florida, Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 08:47 (2439 days ago) @ Pete
I haven't noticed unreliability issues or price increases. Unless it was broken down when I'm there. :-)
Easy 10 Days
by IrishGuard, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 12:20 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
Fly to San Fran, spent a day there. Drive to Yosemite, stay 3 or 4 nights in Camp Curry (where youll swear you stepped into some wholesome 1950s camp movie). Hike Upper Yosemite Falls, the Mist Trail, the 4-Mile trail down from Glacier Point, and Tenaya Lake/Lembert Dome.
Then head north to Lassen Volcano NP, Crater Lake NP, then loop back down the Pacific Coast Highway and spend several days in Jedidiah Smith, Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del Norte, and Humboldt Redwoods State Parks.
Stop at North Coast Brewery on your way back down the coast to San Francisco. Enjoy the views along the way. Stop in Jenner and Bolinas if you like small, cool coast towns.
Badabing.
This looks very cool.
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:49 (2440 days ago) @ IrishGuard
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good itinerary!
by Jay , San Diego, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:46 (2440 days ago) @ IrishGuard
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Do Boston after your younger finishes 5th grade
by Greg, seemingly ranch, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 12:10 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
It's a great walking town, but a lot of the historical stuff would be lost on a 4th grader or younger and it would seem boring. We did it last summer with the kids (after years of being close but not doing it for just that reason) and I cannot recommend it enough.
San Diego is a great town, but you can probably do it in 3-4 (busy) days. Zoo one day, beach at Coronado the next, and the 14,000 craft breweries in Miramar the final two.
I like the drive up the coast from Pasadena to San Francisco and into wine country. If you take your time, you can spend a couple days driving the coast and really enjoy yourselves -- stop after a short drive and do a day in Santa Barbara, then a longer driving day and stop the night in Monterey. Do the aquarium and Cannery Row the next day and then up to SF in the afternoon. A day or two there, and maybe up to wine country for a quick spin through.
Great ages. Enjoy no matter what you do!
You allocate time correctly - 50% breweries
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 14:00 (2440 days ago) @ Greg
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National Parks...
by BillyGoat, At Thanksgiving with Joe Bethersontin, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 11:56 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
We did the Badlands and Black Hills (driving from Chicago) last summer. Kids were 7 and 6. It was a tremendous trip. I would put it on a must-do list. Happy to share our itinerary with anyone who would be interested.
Yellowstone is tentatively on the list for next summer.
I can't imagine anywhere in the mountain category more gorgeous than Banff. It doesn't have an iconic U.S. National Parks monument like Mount Rushmore or Old Faithful. But it's completely astounding.
Glacier is amazing
by Pat, in the cloud, Thursday, June 07, 2018, 21:47 (2438 days ago) @ BillyGoat
I think I still have to put Yellowstone on top, but Glacier might be a close second.
We didn't spend too much time there so I'm sure I missed some amazing hikes, but even in a car you can quickly get to some of the prettiest lake settings you'll ever see. And the drive up to the continental divide is breathtaking. We did it in the middle of summer and it had just opened as the snow had melted enough for them to plow the roads.
I think my list looks something like this:
Yellowstone
Glacier
Grand Tetons
Grand Canyon
Yosemite
Rocky Mountain National Park
Acadia
Arches
Badlands
Mammoth Cave
(haven't been to Bryce or Zion yet)
The Black Hills >>>> the Badlands
by Jack , Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 13:20 (2440 days ago) @ BillyGoat
The Badlands are worth going to, but for a day, tops. The Black Hills are worth multiple days. Fortunately for the Badlands, they're not far from the Black Hills.
Oh, definitely. Since we were driving 90 to get there,
by BillyGoat, At Thanksgiving with Joe Bethersontin, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 14:38 (2440 days ago) @ Jack
they were essentially a singular entity. Corn Palace, Badlands, Wall Drug, then the Black Hills.
Is Banff the Maroon Bells?
by Grantland, y'allywood, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 12:13 (2440 days ago) @ BillyGoat
Mom and Dad loved it as well.
Banff is in Alberta, in the Canadian Rockies. I didn't
by BillyGoat, At Thanksgiving with Joe Bethersontin, Tuesday, June 05, 2018, 12:22 (2440 days ago) @ Grantland
hear the term "Maroon Bells" when I was there -- and it looks like those might be near Aspen.