Where in US for a week?

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

The opportunity has come up for us to go to the states in june or july but only for 1 week. DSs will be 3 years old and 7 months old. DH would do 2 days work and then have 5 days together as a family. We can go to any of the sites in the states, so we have the choice of San Fran, New York, Boston, Tennessee or Tampa. Obviously as it's such a short trip we want to get the most out of it! I have family in northern California but would be tempted to go the opposite way, down to Monterey. Florida too hot in July? Just wondering where those in-the-know would choose with young kids.

Is Chicago and option? It's brilliant with v small kids.

Either San Francisco and go down the coast, or Tampa and then head to Orlando.

The dc will get little out of it - so go with what is easiest with a baby ans toddler in tow - and on your own for first two jet lagged days!

I would stick to East coast for only a week - het lag isn't too bad, the extra hr time difference to the west coast is a killer for me.

Are you happy to drive on your own with the dc- if not, start in a city and then if you dh is driving explore the area.

I think you are slightly mad

Go to Boston. It is my favourite US city. It isn't to big and there is loads to do and see, especially with children. We have been taking our DDs there since they were pre school age and they still love it and go back now they are in their 20's

Ooh thanks, didn't think I'd get any replies! We maybe are a tad mad. But, YOLO and all that. We've travelled a lot with DS1 but obvs not DS2 yet. Quite familiar with the states. DH is travelling a looooooot before this trip so we're allowed to go with him this time :)
I agree sticking to east coast. I hadn't really considered Boston. Don't fancy NY with the babies. Thanks for the advice! I'll get researching, think it's between Boston and Tampa (found out it's actually Sarasota).

No experience of Tampa but love Boston, it definitely gets my vote. Agree NY is best left for when they’re older.

I agree with blueskyinmarch go to Boston.
Here is a tip and I will be doing this in July/August.
You can take Amtrak from Boston South for $24 round trip and spend a day in Providence Rhode Island - beautiful place.
There is a company that does tours, did it last year - do a search on tours to Newport. They will pick you up from the Conference Center and drive you from Providence to Newport, all around the sites, take you to all those fancy mansions and the breakers. It's really worth the money - and you get to see places that you would not even think about. They also give you a history of RI whilst on the way.
Or you can take Amtrak DownEaster from Boston North Station and travel to Maine for the day, that's one of my itinerary. Train leaves at 9:45, gets to Maine at 11, you have until 6:00 p.m. to see Maine.
That's three States in a week.

You need to do a search on Amtrak be on the DownEaster website to book the Amtrak trip to Maine.

I just forgot, there is a train that leaves Boston South Station Friday evenings , and Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. for Cape Cod.
It's a really nice journey, cost about $50 round trip.
You get into Hyannis after 10 and the train leaves for Boson about 6:30 p.m. You can also choose where in Cape Cod you want to disembark.
The service starts from Memorial Day until after Labor Day.

Another vote for Boston; the West coast is too far if you’ve only got a week.

Yank here (New Yorker to be precise) and I thought Boston as soon as I saw your post OP. It's a lovely, historic (by our standards) and quite manageable city. It's less likely to be terribly hot in July. Florida in July will be really oppressively hot. There are lots of lovely beaches and by all means do an excursion to Providence or Portland if you have time.

But there is plenty to do in the city itself. For the kids I strongly recommend the Boston Children's Museum

www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org

The New England Aquarium and Museum of Science are also well worth the trip. If you fancy learning a bit of American history Boston was the seat of the American Revolution and there are lots of historical sites. Do try the seafood there, Boston's loaded with great places to eat.

I have loads of family in the Boston area and get up there a lot. My son starts uni there in the fall. Feel free to ask if you have questions.

Boston plus Cape Cod. I am very jealous!

Sarasota is lovely but will be like an oven in June/July.

I'm in Boston and highly recommend it. Loads to do for children

Frog pond (big splash pont in the middle of boston common) and near to Beacon Hill
Swan boats in the public garden - charming
Children's museum
Whale watching - about an hour out of the harbour near the aquarium (which is brilliant) and guaranteed to see whales
Museum of science
Black freedom trail
Freedom Trail
Newbury street for shopping/eating
Faneuil hall for eating/shopping
Holocaust memorial
North end - italian food and some Kennedy stuff and Paul Revere stuff

All of these are in center of boston, more or less within walking distance

Concord and Lexington further out are lovely with loads of historical stuff about the revolutionary war but also a fab museum in Louisa May Alcott's old house.

Also day trips to Salem and the north shore.

You could take a day ferry from boston to Provincetown on cape cod, spend a day on the beach and wander up and down provincetown which is amazing (bring the kids into the public library to see the full-scale whaler)- and maybe take a dune tour and then get the last ferry back.

Great post pallisers. I'm going to be in Beverly in July while my son does his college orientation and you've given me some ideas for things to do.

I'd do Sarasota. Take a week of kicking back. Great beaches, place with a pool. Yours are so little it won't matter if they are doing stuff all day. Bet the 3 year old would love the Alligator farm though.
It's hot but not unbearable

Sarasota weather in July typically sees highs in the low 90's F (about 33 C) with frequent thunderstorms. You're also right in the middle of hurricane season then.

www.accuweather.com/en/us/sarasota-fl/34237/july-weather/328166

@MissConductUS, is your son going to Endicott or are you just basing yourself in Beverly? It is a beautiful campus if he is (toured there with dd this year). The north shore is lovely - marblehead, manchester by the sea, salem and the Peabody Essex Museum, Rockport, Crane's Beach. Would be lovely late in the season.

@pallisers - Yes, he's going to be a Gull! . Endicott was his first choice. His college counselor said that it was "an absolute gem of a school". We visited twice and have family right in Beverly. We're going up for six days. After the regular orientation he's doing their Outbound program if we can get him signed up for the July dates:

www.endicott.edu/student-life/new-student-orientation

We won't burden our relatives by squeezing in with them, we're going to stay at the Beverly Gardens Inn.

It is such a warm, friendly, supportive campus culture. What year is your dd in, 11th grade?

dd is a senior - decided against Endicott (I loved it though). Also have a junior though so still going through the college tour process.

I have a dd who's just finishing her sophomore year, so we're just about to start the process with her. She came along on all of her brother's college visits, so at least she's familiar with what's to come. She will probably want to apply to a completely different set of schools of course.