fish72s
Flush
When I was 13 my family rented a houseboat and cruised down the Suwannee river in Florida. We camped by the shore and swam in the springs and fished along the way for 4 or 5 days before reaching the Gulf. Good times
Trip Ideas for a Short Excursion with my son (13) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Irish
- Start date
sugarcane
Pair
Sounds like an awesome opportunity for your son and family. Good for you!
I have 12 and 10 year old kids. When we talk about where to go for trips, they always start with theme park related suggestions. Like everyone, we've enjoyed some great times at many of these such as Disney, etc.
That being said, I would say our favorite trip was to northern California with the emphasis on Yosemite. We initially spent 3 nights in San Francisco. The kids liked riding bikes across the golden gate bridge, seeing alcatraz, and driving just North of the city to Muir Woods to see redwoods (rented car).
We then went to Yosemite and spent 4 nights there. (2 nights there with 2 full days to see things would be probably be OK). Everyone was amazed. I would describe us as "not outdoorsy" or camping oriented and we all loved it. We stayed at a lodge which was just outside the edge of the park.
If there was a negative, it was that the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite (and back) pretty much sucks. There are a couple of closer airports, but I think the stuff you would see and do in San Francisco outweighs it.
Oh yeah, I forgot to comment on your thought about a disney cruise. We did a seven day Disney cruise this spring. It was a great. If you aren't used to cruises, I think you will likely experience some sea sickness no matter how big the boat is. Definitely get a Scopalime patch (transdermal) to wear. It requires a prescription but is worth it. I've never used one of the non-prescription patches but have heard they are typically worthless.
I have 12 and 10 year old kids. When we talk about where to go for trips, they always start with theme park related suggestions. Like everyone, we've enjoyed some great times at many of these such as Disney, etc.
That being said, I would say our favorite trip was to northern California with the emphasis on Yosemite. We initially spent 3 nights in San Francisco. The kids liked riding bikes across the golden gate bridge, seeing alcatraz, and driving just North of the city to Muir Woods to see redwoods (rented car).
We then went to Yosemite and spent 4 nights there. (2 nights there with 2 full days to see things would be probably be OK). Everyone was amazed. I would describe us as "not outdoorsy" or camping oriented and we all loved it. We stayed at a lodge which was just outside the edge of the park.
If there was a negative, it was that the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite (and back) pretty much sucks. There are a couple of closer airports, but I think the stuff you would see and do in San Francisco outweighs it.
Oh yeah, I forgot to comment on your thought about a disney cruise. We did a seven day Disney cruise this spring. It was a great. If you aren't used to cruises, I think you will likely experience some sea sickness no matter how big the boat is. Definitely get a Scopalime patch (transdermal) to wear. It requires a prescription but is worth it. I've never used one of the non-prescription patches but have heard they are typically worthless.
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moose
4 of a Kind
Niagara Falls is packed with things for a teenager to do.
We took our son to Atlantis Bahamas when he was 13 and he loved it. Comfort suites is right next door, much cheaper, includes breakfast and gives full access to Atlantis.
https://www.choicehotels.com/bahama...0&ratePlanCode=RACK&rateType=LOW_RACK&rooms=1
https://www.comfortsuitespi.com/m/
We took our son to Atlantis Bahamas when he was 13 and he loved it. Comfort suites is right next door, much cheaper, includes breakfast and gives full access to Atlantis.
https://www.choicehotels.com/bahama...0&ratePlanCode=RACK&rateType=LOW_RACK&rooms=1
https://www.comfortsuitespi.com/m/
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Here is my idea for planning a trip to include getting to see lots of beautiful country along with some things a 13 year would like to do. I would fly into Denver and drive west on I-70. That is the most picturesque stretch of road I have ever driven. You could do white water rafting as well as biking near Vail. You could then drive to Goblin Valley for some hiking and camping. From there it is a short drive to the San Rafael Swell where you could rent a side by side and drive the trails around The Swell which is amazing country. I have not driven atv's there but used to hike and camp there years ago and love the area. There is an area in The Swell called The Wedge that is referred to as the Little Grand Canyon. It is a great place to hike around and there are areas where you can see petroglyphs. It is not a long drive from there to fly out of Salt Lake City or possibly Provo which is closer.
fish72s
Flush
.......or you could ship him off to ROTC camp and fly to Bangkok for the week.
* the moderators have (or should) block Likes for this post due to poor taste.
** PCF does not advocate leaving your children and flying to exotic lands.
*** Delta airlines has cheap flights to Thailand leaving on Friday afternoons.
* the moderators have (or should) block Likes for this post due to poor taste.
** PCF does not advocate leaving your children and flying to exotic lands.
*** Delta airlines has cheap flights to Thailand leaving on Friday afternoons.
OP
OP
When I was 13 my family rented a houseboat and cruised down the Suwannee river in Florida. We camped by the shore and swam in the springs and fished along the way for 4 or 5 days before reaching the Gulf. Good times
All added to the list, thank you both for the suggestions and various tips, much appreciated!
Yosemite is on my bucket list
and we've been thinking about Niagara as well since it's not too far a drive from Jersey.Ha he wishes
Would be a consideration if we weren't so far, I think airfare alone would break my budget. We honeymooned in Hawaii (stayed on Kauai with side trips to Oahu & the Big Island), it was hands down the best vacation I've ever had.
slisk250
Straight Flush
You also have Rocky Mountain National Park if you veer towards to north...
Jambine
Full House
Ballpark tour.
moose
4 of a Kind
Here is a short cruise that will give your wife a chance to try cruising without spending a lot of time at sea between ports. Plus the booze is included! But I couldn't get the stupid site to show in US dollars but it should be even cheaper for you. NCL.com
IMHO, hiking in nature is ideal from age 12 to 102 if your feet can hold you.
You 've got dream destinations in your country, like the Yosemite and the Yellowstone (and many others, probably less crowded during the useful frost-free months).
Flying to Greece for early summer vacations may not be cheap, but once you arrive things get cheaper (in relation to NY at least).
Especially if you ignore the beaches, in favour of mountains and canyons:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikos_Gorge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samariá_Gorge
You 've got dream destinations in your country, like the Yosemite and the Yellowstone (and many others, probably less crowded during the useful frost-free months).
Flying to Greece for early summer vacations may not be cheap, but once you arrive things get cheaper (in relation to NY at least).
Especially if you ignore the beaches, in favour of mountains and canyons:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikos_Gorge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samariá_Gorge
Slick51o
Pair
Yosemite is pretty amazing if it's on your bucket list. The rivers in the area open up to trout fishing the last weekend of April. If you wanted to avoid San Francisco, another option would be fly into Reno and drive down 395. You could also spend some time in Mammoth or Bishop area or check out the ghost town Bodie. Lot o high mountain lakes in that area.
San Francisco has a lot to do to, but the above option would work better for a more outdoorsy vacation.
San Francisco has a lot to do to, but the above option would work better for a more outdoorsy vacation.
It looks like the Zion narrows may be a no go.
https://fox13now.com/2018/09/25/zion-national-park-ceases-issuing-permits-to-popular-narrows-area/
OP
OP
Figured I'd post a quick update and thank everyone again for all the suggestions, I was able to put together a nice list of suggestions for my son to research. He decided on a southern California trip - mostly LA (Hollywood area tour, Tar pits, LA Angels game). He also liked the cruise idea a few of the national park trips, but he didn't want to do any of those himself, he would rather wait to go with his little brother so they could explore together. Trip is planned for late April, he's very much looking forward to it. (y) :thumbsup:
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