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I figure that this is probably asked every 10 minutes, but, I searched, couldn't find anything recent that focuses on my situation.. So.. Don't throw too many things if I didn't look far enough back..
I generally take my cousin's kid with me on a vacation every summer.. I'm a single guy with no kids, he doesn't really make much money and never gets a chance to take him anywhere.. So, it works out for all of us.. He spends a month and a half with me during the summer and we go somewhere.
In 2010, I think, we went up to DC and did the Zoo, Smithsonians, went over to Luray for the caverns. I always like DC.. He liked parts of it.. Zoo and Natural History museum.. He didn't care for the walking.
In 2011 we went out to Des Moines, IA and visited my dad.. He got to see the sights of Des Moines, which actually was better than you might expect, we went to a casino there and watched horse racing, and I let him pick some horses, put a dollar on what he thought would win.. Just having some fun with it.. Saw a truck race at the Iowa Speedway and we did a 2 day trip over to Chicago to see a Cubs game and toured the Sears Tower and the museum there with Sue the dinosaur (Shock to me.. Having lived in DC, I was flipping out over actually PAYING to go into a museum).. We both liked this.
in 2012, we didn't actually go anywhere. Did a 'staycation' type thing
In 2013, we didn't really go anywhere, either.. We did day trips up to Asheville, NC and went on a zip-line tour.. Indoor skydiving.. Went to Carowinds amusement park.. Local waterpark
This year, I rented a cabin in Gatlinburg for a week.. Stayed up there, did some of the shows, rode alot of go-karts, played alot of mini-golf and ate alot of pancakes. Toured some of the distilleries (kinda a disappointment to me).. He liked it.. I thought it was OK.. area was a bit TOO touristy for my likes.
I'm starting to plan for next year.. He'll be 13.. His top two destinations are Hawaii and Disneyworld.. Hawaii just isn't going to happen (Not necessarily from cost, but the fact that it's basically 12 hours out there and back via plane.. And, i've been before and wasn't massively impressed. I was ginger before my hair left, so I can't really do beaches and the like.. I get sunburned on cloudy days). Disney.. Him being 13, I wonder if he'd be disappointed by it.. It's not like Disney Channel, which is what I think he's basing it off of.. And crowds.. There's more to do in Orlando, but.. My two thoughts are Vegas and "the northeast".. Thinking fly into Philly or similar, spend a day there, go up to NYC, up to Boston.. My brother lives in New Hampshire, so.. Figuring end up there and fly home from Boston.
Vegas is kinda the front runner right now.. He really got into Penn and Teller specials that I have on DVD this summer.. There's other shows in Vegas he would likely enjoy.. Hoover Dam.. Take a day up along the Extraterrestrial Highway..
Every Christmas, we do 2 nights at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC. And the plan is the same for this Christmas.
Just looking for any thoughts on the places we are considering or any thoughts on other locations. Don't want to leave the country, because I don't want to deal with those headaches. Cruise is out because his mother won't let him go on a cruise before she gets to(Honestly, I think she's just not comfortable with the idea of him being on a boat because he's massively clumsy and tends to sleepwalk)
Anywhere that you can think of that surprised you about how good it was or how much kids in that age range liked it?
Vegas is always exciting. What about a Disney cruise? My teenage cousin had a great time on one to Alaska. I think it was 7 days. They have many different ones though. That is our next trip plan. But there's a ton to do in Vegas too and it's especially nice with the tram.
I think Disney is a lot of fun with, and for, older kids. They handle the wait times better, and can do everything without worries about height restrictions. If he's a Harry Potter fan, Universal is the way to go. If he's never been to either, and it's on his wish list, I wouldn't rule it out. In the summer though, it will be hot and crowded.
My kids' favorite vacation was a cabin rental on a lake in Maine. They aren't crazy about the beach, but there's something about water that appeals to them, especially if a boat is available. Boston is great, so a visit to the city followed by NH would be something my boys would be on board for. You sound like an excellent uncle!
New York City has lots of good activities for kids of all ages including a 13 year old boy. For example, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum), the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Times Square, a Broadway show, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Bronx Zoo and more.
I think also 13 year olds like Disney as well. So I would still consider this option if he has never been.
Cleveland. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a battleship, and Cedar Point for a few days, plus Chagrin Falls. You can easily spend a week there without being bored, and it's a lot less expensive than some of the other options.
@ Labonte: Have you thought about something that could maybe build some more character than a typical vacation?… Maybe try taking him backpacking? Or if that's too strenuous, then day hikes from a mtn cottage rental, or perhaps canoeing, etc… Or if you really want to give him something memorable, sign up for some volunteer work somewhere… trail maintenance, river cleanup, or something else you and he may be well suited for.
@ Labonte: Have you thought about something that could maybe build some more character than a typical vacation?… Maybe try taking him backpacking? Or if that's too strenuous, then day hikes from a mtn cottage rental, or perhaps canoeing, etc… Or if you really want to give him something memorable, sign up for some volunteer work somewhere… trail maintenance, river cleanup, or something else you and he may be well suited for.
Yes, seriously. Have you ever been there? I doubt it.
Yes, seriously. Have you ever been there? I doubt it.
Lol, I have to agree with the other poster, I probably wouldn't think of Cleveland as a vacation a 13 year old would enjoy. I would suggest camping. It might not be for everyone but I know a lot of kids who enjoyed camping & I've been doing it since I was a year old so I obviously love it, lol. And very cost effective if that's a worry.
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