Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

First holiday abroad with kids…Florida/New York help

36 replies

Owlmum · 03/04/2024 21:17

I’m looking for some help, we want to take our 7&10 year olds away for their first holiday abroad. We are not beach people so want things to do.
so far the kids have come up with Florida (universal) but they are not fans of rides and New York but I’m not sure if that would be to crazy for the 7yr.
We only have 1 week in June so any suggestions would be welcome

OP posts:
TedWilson · 03/04/2024 21:22

Canada - so many options but I'd recommend the Banff area for exploring / nature / mountains / wildlife/ kayaking etc

Safari?

Rome for sightseeing.

HippyKayYay · 03/04/2024 21:22

do you know why they suggested NY? Do they want to go to a big city?

If you tell them what you/ they enjoy/ like/ are into we can probably make more sensible suggestions.

Do they like pools/ swimming? Or do they like walking and sightseeing?

karmakameleon · 03/04/2024 21:56

I wouldn’t take kids who don’t like rides to Universal. That would be a complete waste.

We’ve taken our DC to NYC twice, once when they were toddlers and more recently when they were similar ages to your two. Both times they loved it and there’s so much for them to do. But for us, both DH and I love NY and visit at every possible opportunity and it was a convenient stopover for holidays elsewhere in the US. If you only have a week I’d go somewhere closer to home unless you have a real yearning to go to NY.

Octavia64 · 03/04/2024 22:06

There are other things to do in Florida - Kennedy Space centre, gator land, beaches. But if they're not into rides it's an odd choice.

NY has lots to do for all ages.

lastdayatschool · 03/04/2024 22:14

If this is for the summer months, then please be aware that the whole length of the eastern USA from Florida to Boston and beyond is terrifically hot and humid during June,July,August.

Tetchy kids - and adults - in the middle of NYC really doesn't make for a fun week away.

backaftera2yearbreak · 03/04/2024 22:16

Just took my 14 year old to NYC. Best holiday I have ever had. There is so much to see and do.

Original poster
Owlmum · 04/04/2024 07:04

The kids have said New York because they really want to see the state of liberty. Universal was mentioned because of Harry Potter. I had thought a cruise?
we like swimming, sightseeing, walking and exploring, we don’t usually sit still on holidays in this country.
The trip is special to me, my GF passed away recently and left me money to do this so I really want it to be something memorable , something we wouldn’t do again

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 04/04/2024 07:08

New York will be so hot at that time of year. I have taken my kids there and they loved it, lots to do and see. Have your kids flown before? 7hrs is quite far if they aren't used to it.

What about Iceland? Lots to see and do including whale watching, visiting amazing scenery, volcano hikes and geothermal pools.

reluctantbrit · 04/04/2024 07:13

I wouldn’t do theme parks for a week in the US, especially not if they don’t like rides.

NY - hot, humid and really interesting. But I would maybe start a savings pot for this and go in October or May one year in 5-6 years.

If you can’t stretch to 2 weeks I would look a bit closer to home. If you don’t mind the temperatures, Iceland could be great or Sweden?

DelilahBucket · 04/04/2024 07:18

I wouldn't take them all that way for their first holiday for just a week. The flights and time difference will really impact them, and the heat!
There's loads of places you can go in Europe where there are things to do. What do you all like to do? We've had some fabulous holidays in France with DS.

Daisy03 · 04/04/2024 07:25

I wouldn't do Florida and New York combined if you only have a week, but maybe New York and somewhere closer such as DC or Boston. DC is great for all the museums and is a short plane ride or 4 hours by train from NYC.

Ellmau · 04/04/2024 07:33

I wouldn't go that far for just a week.

A PP's suggestion of Iceland is brilliant.

Or what about the Alps? Switzerland as you have the money to spend; somewhere near Interlaken is a good base for your first visit. Loads of things to do and stunningly beautiful.

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 04/04/2024 07:37

We went to Boston and NY last year - the things my kids loved were seeing everything they had picked up from American tv / you tube etc.

So going to target and getting a giant slurpee (or something) all the fast food chains.

My youngest actually preferred Boston as she said it was less manic. She is 12 - but I don't think you would need a whole week in the city itself.

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 04/04/2024 07:38

Just seen the other posts - agree iceland would also be a good choice.

Mine were 11/15 when we went and both loved it. Medium flight of about 3.5 hours. Loads and loads to do.

Radiatorvalves · 04/04/2024 07:45

We did NY and Florida when DCs were a similar age and they loved it. However we had 2 weeks. I think you’d be squeezing too much in with just a week. I’d opt for one… and it would probably be Florida. There’s Cape Canaveral and the Disney water parks. Plus beaches. Orlando would be too much for me for a week… but 3 days there and 4 days on the coast??

Radiatorvalves · 04/04/2024 07:47

Fwiw most of our holidays are in the French Alps. As a PP said, stunning in the summer and loads to do. Depending on where you stay probably a lot cheaper than the US (we were there last year and America was seriously expensive).

HippyKayYay · 04/04/2024 08:04

How about Lake Garda with a few days in Venice before or after?

HippyKayYay · 04/04/2024 08:05

Or Rome, as pp suggested?

Or Paris?

Could do either of those with a few days at beginning or end close by with a pool

twilightcafe · 04/04/2024 09:42

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 04/04/2024 07:37

We went to Boston and NY last year - the things my kids loved were seeing everything they had picked up from American tv / you tube etc.

So going to target and getting a giant slurpee (or something) all the fast food chains.

My youngest actually preferred Boston as she said it was less manic. She is 12 - but I don't think you would need a whole week in the city itself.

Same!
DS (15) loved NYC. DD (12) preferred Boston because it was less manic.
We went in July. Yes - it's humid. Just slow down and take things at your own pace. No need to rush around- you're on holiday!

And take lots of money - the USA is EXPENSIVE what with the exchange rate and cost of living.

BarrelOfOtters · 04/04/2024 09:45

A week in Florida or New York is OK - depending on time of year - it could be too hot to do very much except water parks in Florida and New York is a bit grim in summer. But I'd save it till you could do 10 days.

LipstickLil · 04/04/2024 14:35

There is no point going all the way to Florida to see Harry Potter at Universal if your DC don't like rides. Yes, there are things to see and do and just wander around, but if you aren't going to go on the rides then the whole trip is going to be a huge waste of money!

My kids have been to NYC several times, but we have family nearby. TBH, they didn't really enjoy it until they got a bit older. Our last trip we had 15 and 11 year olds and that was a success - particularly for the 15-year-old - but when they were younger they weren't that bothered. NYC is amazing, but it's a big, busy, noisy, hot, crowded city and it's better for older DC and adults really. Personally, I'd save NYC until they're a bit older.

A cruise is a much better idea!

PermanentTemporary · 04/04/2024 14:43

I would be absolutely furious if I'd said I wanted to see the Statue of Liberty and I was presented with Iceland as an alternative lol

Yes NY is hot and humid but it also has American air conditioning... i needed to get outside to warm up.

I agree though that I'd do just one place for a week.

If you're active and don't sit down much, that's perfect - NY is a wonderful walking city. I would put classic NY films like Ghostbusters on heavy rotation in the run up, and then would do Central Park, the Library, the Guggenheim, boat trip to the Statue of Liberty, Empire State, a Broadway show, a bagel with lox, all the classics. So jealous! Have an absolutely amazing time.

budgiegirl · 04/04/2024 15:13

How about a cruise out of NY? Best of both worlds, and you get to sail past the Statue of Liberty on the way out (assuming you leave from the Manhattan Cruise port)

PollyPut · 04/04/2024 15:22

@Owlmum I would suggest you look at an alternative time to go - not one week in June. There is jet lag to consider - it will be tricky when they get back. Can you find a better time of year to go when there is more time to get over the jet lag?

Also they will be getting hot in June

Anotherloverholeinyohead · 04/04/2024 15:26

Walking in Switzerland