Where in the USA?

[Spacemoon]

We really want to take the kids to the States. DS8 is obsessed with America and DD5 is obsessed with watching films set in New York. Because of the cost and the kids ages at the moment we are looking at saving up and going in about 3 years, which would make the kids 11 and 8.

We all really want to go to New York, but have had a lot of advice from people who have been saying it's too much/too busy/not enough to do for kids of that age and to take them when they're teenagers or go alone (not an option as we want to go as a family and wouldn't leave them more than a night anyway!)

Other places we've thought about are Florida, Hawaii and LA, but we are open to other ideas.

We like a bit of everything and tend to be explorers - the kids are only 5 and 8 at the moment and are already really good explorers, can walk for miles and have done lots of busy city breaks in the UK with us, so busy days wouldn't be a problem like it would be for some kids. We like good food, museums, sightseeing, cities, nature and general exploring of new places. We love being on the go and only ever really have 1 day maximum relaxing on holiday.

For those who have been - do you agree that New York is out of the question? If not, how many days would you recommend staying with kids of that age? If you have been to any of the other places mentioned, which would you recommend? Or if you've been anywhere else as a family in the states, where? and could you tell me a bit about it?

Thanks x

I’ve only done a couple of days in New York as it was a stopping off point, and that was before kids. You could do a few days there and then head north into New England for scenery and beaches - Boston is an interesting city to visit and Maine has some great rugged landscapes. Or south to Washington for some great museums and down into Virginia for history.

I think if you want to go to New York, go to New York. I will admit that I didn't go there with children - maybe start another thread with 'NYC with children 8-11' in it. But really, what could be better? Your kids both want to go!

I was told I would hate New York, that it was too much, too dangerous etc before going 1000 years ago (in 1990) and I absolutely loved it from day 1. It is the ultimate city and I found it so civilised most of the time, with an exciting edge, sure. So much to see and do.

I personally adore America in the spring. Look carefully for the American spring holiday dates - museums etc will be very busy at those times, but tbh these days booking in advance is a good idea anyway, and likely there will be more kids' activities on. If you can, try to go a little but before or after their spring break so you get a few quiet days!

I've found in recent years that accommodation tends to be cheaper if booked well in advance. But do get details by ringing the hotel in advance - the US can be oddly old-fashioned with more shared bathrooms etc.

Agree with PP re Washington DC, amazing museums! And then the Shenandoah National Park. Do a few days in NY first.

As for family trips... I took ds to California in the spring 4 years ago when he was 15. Glorious road trip up the coast. I still think for the younger age I would choose NYC.

We’ve been to New York with 10 & 13 year olds

Florida with all ages up to 13

LA with 7 and 10 year olds

and San Francisco with 8 and 11 year olds and I would say any of them have loads of amazing things to do and you would have an incredible time.

If you wall want to go to New York, do it. We did 5 days and couldn’t fit in everything we wanted to do, those ages would be great.

wtf who is saying there is not enough to do in New York?? If your kids are most interested in new york then just go there, it's also the easiest to get to.

If you did want to break it up a bit you could take the train down to DC for a couple days, the museums and sightseeing there are also amazing for kids that age

We had a great time in NY with 9 & 10 year olds!

Top of the Rock
Museum of Mathematics
Lego store
Walk the high line
Central park ice cream
Natural History Museum
USS Intrepid
Boat ride to sail past Statue of Liberty
Walked Brooklyn bridge for great pizza and ice cream

we then drove to Washington which was also great, but you'd have no problem in NY!

I agree that NY would be a fine holiday for your family. I’d look into going in the autumn when English kids have a break from school. Or spring would be good weather wise. Summer will be hot and humid.

Follow mommy shorts on instagram. She raises kids in NYC, always lots to do. You might look at her older posts. Or search her blog for ideas.

we took ours on a 2 centre trip, Washington and NYC at about 2, 12 and 9. We drove between them and stopped in at Baltimore for crabs and Philadelphia. they loved it. Especially NY. We were there over Xmas/NY. Took the older two to see Lion King. Did the ferry past the statue, High line, Central Park, top of the rock. China town, Brooklyn Bridge, saw the fire house from Ghostbusters. Didn’t end up getting to any museums, they just loved walking around the city.

My children cycled along the Hudson River
Boat trip to Ellis Island
Excited to get to the top of the Empire State
Attempted yoga in Central Park
Saw a show on Broadway

Fab week then on to DC

New York is great for kids! Take them to a show, do Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Florida is a wasteland I'd never go there (some people like the theme parks but Disneyworld is pretty tired).
LA - now there's a place I wouldn't take kids.
Washington DC is a good shout - my kids loved the zoo and the aerospace museum.
Boston of course - beautiful city, kids could do the duck tour (amphibious bus) and the aquarium and planetarium, Freedom Trail plus theatre/museums/young vibe.
Santa Fe - totally unique and kids can learn about the Native American culture.
Never been to New Orleans but always wanted to go.

I love the US for holidays- just come back from california - but I don't think its something I would pick with kids till they were about 11 - even NYC - I don't think our son would really have appreciated it till around 11 and he would have moaned about the amount of walking! (That may be just him though) . I'm not keen on Florida- but it probably is better suited with younger children if you want a bit of relaxation mixed in

11 and 8 are good ages but I’d also strongly consider Chicago (so long as it’s the summer!) or DC with kids of those ages. Florida not sure I get the appeal unless it’s to do Disney, or go kid free to party in Miami. Vegas is also a really good one to do with pre-teens, obviously they can’t gamble but I’d honestly say that’s the least good bit and there’s just so much to do.

Maybe an East Coast road trip. There is plenty to do in NYC but it is expensive to stay. However, if you rent a car can easily get to other places - Boston, Vermont, Cape Cod, New Haven, Rhode Island, Philadelphia, Washington DC etc... all very drivable from NYC and would allow you to see a little more of the states.

I'd recommend a 3 city trip: Washington DC, Philadelphia and NYC. Loads to do for all ages and each city has its own vibe. Plus, you can travel by train between the 3 and avoid boring highways with lots of traffic. Nobody's spoken about Philadelphia yet, but it's a super fun city. Amazing local food (cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, water ice), history (liberty bell, story telling benches at the Constitution center), see the murals, catch a Phillies baseball game, run up the Rocky steps, and the art museum and the zoo are superb

@marthawashington got to be honest- I thought Philly and Washington were both nothing special at all . Would be disappointed if I had been there on holiday The old bit in Philly is tiny . Chicago I thought was much nicer - as was Pittsburg

Wow, thank you all for the amazing advice!!

NYC really was our first choice and we have let negative comments get to us I think, so it's lovely to hear so many positives! I really like the idea of combining in DC or Boston etc and the east coast road trip would be an amazing idea as we do love a good road trip and getting to see as many places as we can!

Thanks also to those who suggested what time of year to visit - we had been thinking of the autumn, but hadn't even considered spring so will look at both and see what works best for us.

Cheers everyone ❤️

We were in Boston and then Washington in April this year, with other places in between. Boston was super chilly (and wonderful). DC was 30 degrees (and wonderful) and we had to buy DP some shorts and an extra t-shirt...

So maybe autumn would be even better. I do love spring though. Can't forget the hillsides of wild cyanothus in Cali.

Been to NYC multiple times, there's so much to do with/without kids, you could fly out to NYC, spend a few days there and then head down to Washington DC on the train or Philly (or both- easily done by train), stay a few days in each and then fly out to one of the parks and back home from there. If it's too much, I would do NYC and one of the parks (Yosemite, Utah, Arizona).

Boston is a lovely city with lots of interesting history. Also well positioned for branching out into New England. Cape Cod is beautiful and has lots to see and do.