First time USA holiday with teens - where to start?

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

We are planning a big trip to the USA with kids after GCSES/A-levels so poss next year or year after, during August school holidays. We have never been to the US before although in-laws love Florida and bug us to go with them every year. But we are not looking for theme parks, shopping malls and a villa on a complex which is inlaws’ idea if a good holiday. We would like to see some proper AMerican sights but we’re just not sure where to start. We get excited when we start talking about it and want to see ALL of them! . So we need to narrow it down somewhat so we see plenty but feel like it’s a whistle stop tour which will be exhausting.

We Are probably unlikely to go as a family again so this will be our big trip. However we don’t want to spend too much time in the car each day, unless we end the holiday with a good 5 days or so of chilling. So up to 3 weeks in total. We don’t mind driving but don’t want 3 weeks of sitting in a car.

was thinking West Coast/Californiabut the weather looks horrendously hot in August inland.

Alternatively, New York and that coast? No idea really.

Need some inspiration!

As much as I would like to recommend many of the wonderful places to visit in my region of the country, it would be way too hot in August (Deep South).

My suggestion would be the Northeast, especially New England. You could even get a visit to New York City in, then head north to Boston and other parts of New England.

What do you like doing? Historical things, museums, beach, shows, nature?

But DON’T feel like it’s an exhausting whistle stop tour.

We like doing a mixture of everything. And seeing a mixture of scenery. Not too bothered about shows. And I won’t camp! Apart from that, anything and everything. It makes it hard to narrow stuff down.

We definitely want to see a national park. And some coastline, some laid back places, one or two cities. Mainly we want a few “wow” moments as a family to remember.

Had thought of New England but DH and I may go there on our own in a few years in the fall.

We just want to feel like we’re experiencing a variety of what the USA has to offer, culturally and scenery wise.

You could spend a few days in Washington, DC, then take the train up to NYC for a few more days. Or you could just drive up. It’s roughly 5 hours? After that you could continue north to Boston. There’s so much to do in all those places, and it’s all on the East coast so about a 6 hour flight from the U.K.

In August, I'd probably avoid the south-west, as very hot and humid and possibly hurricaney.

We did a driving tour of California for our honeymoon, starting at the beginning of September, and it was fine weather-wise. A number of big cities to see, as well as national parks. Food is excellent too.

Internal flights can be found quite cheap if you book early, which may open up some itineraries. Or Amtrak sleeper trains. Fly in to one airport and out from another? Rent an RV?

New York - Washington DC - Maryland - Virginia
Pacific North West - Seattle & Portland, Oregon
Driving from LA to San Francisco

You could spend a few days in Washington, DC

I love DC, but it's actually in the South and shares its climate, meaning that is can be a misery in August.

I'd avoid the south-east even.

Geography...

I would recommend the west coast, we were there in July a few years back, like you a post GCSE/A level trip.

We started in San Francisco, which actually is still quite cold then, then down to Monterey for whale watching, then up to Yosemite, the teens were anxious about this one as we promised them no chargers or wifi but they were ok in the end, then across to vegas up to Lake Powell via the Grand Canyon then flew home through vegas.

I can def recommend these guys it was by far the best couple of nights and is top of the list for my DD's who both want to do it again. www.lakepowellhiddencanyonkayak.com

Don't stress too much about the driving in between places, is actually quite a nice experience over there. The countryside is interesting and the roads are not busy. The biggest journey we did was the Yosemite to Vegas but you could put in an extra stop there.

It's cheeky but I always find looking a itineraries for fly drives is really useful for working out where to go! I've been to nearly 40 States so I could recommend a million places! The plan a previous poster posted about California sounds good though and will be fun for teenagers.

We generally travel in Spring and Autumn so I'm trying to think of where we've done in the summer.

We did Yellowstone and Glacier NP in June and they were AMAZING. But will be very busy in August so you'd need to book early (I think we booked our Yellowstone hotel a year in advance!)

We did Lake Michigan in July and again that was amazing but no real famous sights, except Chicago.

Charleston and Savannah are beautiful but might be too hot as they are south east.

I think for teenagers who probably want to instagram their trip - San Fran, Yosemite, LA, Las Vegas would probably be the most fun for them.

The best thing in the US is the great outdoors. It is unparalleled. Fly to Vegas (cheap in August). Recover from the jet lag there. From there you can easily get to the Grand Canyon and Death Valley. Head from there to Silicon Valley and San Francisco.

Or fly to Washington DC (far cheaper than flying to NYC in summer. Spent several days at the Smithsonian, then visit some the Blue Ridge mountain area, Then Visit NYC and then drive down coast, eventually arriving in Williamsburg, which is a 1776 museum town, complete with actors. Drive back to DC.

Alternatively, when we went to Savannah and Charleston we flew into Washington and got the Amtrak down to them. It was a 10 hour train ride but we enjoyed it! Lots to see and not as tiring as driving. You could do New York, Washington and then a coastal break in Georgia or South Carolina to be the relaxation part.

The best thing in the US is the great outdoors.

Not in August, though.

We had 3 weeks. We flew direct to New York and spent a couple of nights there then flew onto California. San Francisco, Yosemite and then down the coast road to Santa Monica via Monterrey and Santa Barbara. We then went to the Grand Canyon via Las Vegas. Good mix of natural wonders and tourist tat! It was our one and only amazing family holiday of a lifetime and we still talk about it 5 years later.

What made it special were little touches. We had a stretch limo pick us up at New York Airport and listened to Frank Sinatra and similar on the way in. We went and watched the LA Dodgers baseball. We stayed in a log cabin in Yosemite. We flew over the Grand Canyon then sailed through it then visited Antelope Canyon.

Interestingly none of us liked Las Vegas despite staying in the Bellagio.

I hate the heat BTW but it wasn't too bad. Las Vegas was baking even at midnight but San Francisco, Yosemite and most of the coast was fine.

It depends on your coast, Seneca!

I was in DC last August and it was so hot and humid, so I agree with a previous poster that it probably wouldn’t be the best destination.

I’m from Oregon and would recommend it enthusiastically. I’d probably consider starting in San Francisco and then going north. You could drive along the coast, or you could go through central Oregon and stop at Crater Lake. The Bend area is fantastic for outdoor activities, including mountain biking, white water rafting, hiking, etc, and there’s loads of good food. It will be hot but dry, so not uncomfortable. You could then go west to Portland and carry on up north to Washington.

Another idea would be to base a trip around Lake Tahoe. It’s absolutely one of my favourite places and there’s loads for teens to do there. Also easily enough reached from San Francisco.

I also think Yellowstone is worth a visit, but agree that it gets very busy during the summer months.

I hate hot weather, Titus. We always head to lake region of Western New York for most of August.

My sister lives in the Pacific Northwest. That's a beautiful part of the country.

Yes, the Pacific Northwest is glorious, Seneca. The dream is to get back there one day. Until then, we’ve got a possible move to Rochester, NY next year, but I’ve got myself in a bit of a panic about the snow.

Great ideas, thanks. Hadn’t even considered an internal flight and doing NYC before flying to West coast so that’s something to think about.

Not keen on hot and humid combined with lots of sight seeing so maybe Washington’s out. I can do dry and hot but don’t like getting all sweaty.

Whiteroseredrose: I think something like your trip would appeal most to my teens. Sounds amazing. Although having never been to the US before I’m already planning future trips in my mind for after this big one so am taking all ideas on board!

"Great ideas, thanks. Hadn’t even considered an internal flight and doing NYC before flying to West coast so that’s something to think about".

I would actually visit the West Coast first and then flying back from NYC.

Echoing Atilla, I'd start with the west coast then end the trip with a couple of days in NYC before heading home.

Having lived in D.C. for a few years I can confirm August is a grim time to visit. Applies to NY too really but somehow I never found that as bad.

And with apologies to Attila for the misspelling....