Summer vacation with teenage boys??

[Wishing on a star]

So, my question is... where does everyone go that has teenagers .... At least at Atlantis they could watch tv and play cards. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

I don't know if 'where' is your question or issue....
If your boys can go to some of the places mentioned, and still be bored and only want to watch TV... That seems like an issue within your boys, not really 'where' you go.

It sounds like your boys are more content to stay home, play video games, hang with their friends, etc..... I think that can be a common issue with teens.

Have you ever really asked or presented it to them like that????

Me, I love to travel and go do and see things.
My son, he is easily overwhelmed with travel, so for him, not so much...
I can see one day were it might be a real alternative to travel without him?????

PS: For now, my son really likes the beach... he could just play in the sand and surf and be happy...
The one vacation that we have taken that our son really liked, and sounds like might be exciting and motivating for your kids, is Sedona-Grand Canyon. We did the Pink Jeep Tour, which definitely lived up to it's motto... 'You gotta do it!". There is just SO much to keep them occupied and active and enjoying this spectactular area. I can recommend this very much.

 

[jam217]

If they enjoy baseball or a particular team, could you build the vacation around that and visit that city. For example, this summer my son and I went to San Diego. We did the usual touristy stuff but I also included 3 Padres-Dodgers games. It made both of us happy.

 

[PatsGirl]

Surfing in Costa Rica? and of course, the rainforests and other nature things there as well.

I had the same problem with DS when he was a teen and started leaving him at home. DD is just starting It makes me sad because she has been my travel partner for the last five years, just her and I exploring the world. She has already vetoed MANY ideas for our big trip next spring. I started with a 4 week cross-country adventure which I thought she'd love and she says to me "you truly want us to spend 28 days together, just you and me, in hotel rooms and campgrounds, maybe you should rethink that plan" I count myself lucky though that she has a great sense of humor and common sense, something her brother lacked from the time he hit preteen years

 

[Pakey]

When my boys were that young, all they wanted to do was go snowboarding. So we did winter vacations in Colorado, Utah, Lake Tahoe.

 

[Promomx2]

We usually end up at a beach. Every year we go to somewhere different for the 4th of July. This past year ds15 was just got interested in nascar (which dh and I are totally into) so I took advantage and we went to Daytona race, and ds went fishing, surfing lessons and a military airplane museum (his idea). I love the beach so I have days on the beach and dh just likes to relax and watch tv, so he has the tv. The only problem is that ds wants to bring a friend along and I know that he will get bored with the friend after a few days. We did spend 2 days at the Wdw beach club for me and dh. We look at vacation as a compromise.

 

[DawnCt1]

Having had four boys, we have spent a lot of time vacationing with teenage boys. Our best vacations have included San Francisco, to Muir woods, Napa valley, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, the Big Sur, Heart Castle, etc, etc. One big circle of 1500 miles in 9 days. They LOVED it. Another vacation, DS#4, niece and nephew; LA, Anaheim, Disneyland, Universal, Wild Animal Park, San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, the coast, all in 8 days. They LOVED it. When my nephew complained that he didn't get to "sleep in" (up by 7 am each morning) I told him he signed up for the wrong tour. Hawaii is always a huge hit. Lots to see and do. Hanging out, video games, etc is what you do AT HOME!. Any kid who is bored on a cruise needs to get a summer job on a tobacco farm. (Thats a Ct. thing)

 

[Mkrop]

I don't know if 'where' is your question or issue....
If your boys can go to some of the places mentioned, and still be bored and only want to watch TV... That seems like an issue within your boys, not really 'where' you go.

It sounds like your boys are more content to stay home, play video games, hang with their friends, etc..... I think that can be a common issue with teens.

Have you ever really asked or presented it to them like that????

Me, I love to travel and go do and see things.
My son, he is easily overwhelmed with travel, so for him, not so much...
I can see one day were it might be a real alternative to travel without him?????

PS: For now, my son really likes the beach... he could just play in the sand and surf and be happy...
The one vacation that we have taken that our son really liked, and sounds like might be exciting and motivating for your kids, is Sedona-Grand Canyon. We did the Pink Jeep Tour, which definitely lived up to it's motto... 'You gotta do it!". There is just SO much to keep them occupied and active and enjoying this spectactular area. I can recommend this very much.

The Pink Jeep Tour is what we did out of Vegas to the Grand Canyon. At first my son was like, really a pink jeep????? I told him to buck up camper, Mom is surronded by men, so if all I get is a Pink Jeep he can deal. He laughed and our tour guide was really nice and he had fun.

 

[geffric]

definitely consider a cruise.. my teens were very happy with the teen programs at DCL. They made lots of friends,hung with them, slept late, stayed out even later.. only time we saw them was at dinner...

this being said.. for the last 2 years we have taken friend of the little one..younger not little ( he is 17 now) and they did warp tour in orlando, universal and disney.. loved DTD..

The plan was in 2011 to not take a family vacation at all, and DH and I would do the wonder cruise to alaska after they left for college.. no way..., both boys wanted to do alaska and cruise on the wonder.. so we moved the vacation up..

 

[SpecialK]

My boys are 13 and 15. They must be easily entertained because they love renting a cottage on a lake and spending the week fishing and hanging out. We play games, have campfires and watch movies in the evenings, maybe take one or two days to explore the surrounding area.

Doesn't sound like much, but it's really relaxing and good family time.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am thinking that we did different Jeep tours.....
Unless you went extreme 4-wheeling (Jeeps outfitted with 'monster' suspensions and tires) over Sedona Red Rock country, and the highest cliffs and rocks you could imagine...

Believe me, I found out just how bad my 'touch of vertigo' really Is!!!!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

There is a really nice RollerCoaster famous amusement park in Ohio called Cedar Point. We've never been but it's on our to do list in the near future. the places is famous for having the most roller coasters anywhere. My DH has cousins in Rochester NY who go all the time who say it's fantastic.

We are also kicking around the California amusement park idea for next year. DH and I did it alone years ago and are now thinking our almost teen kids would love it.

I have a very close friend with 3 boys and their favorite trips involve camping and things like Jet Skis, fishing, quads, off roading, paintball and quads. her boys are 12,16, & 18.

 

[Mkrop]

I am thinking that we did different Jeep tours.....
Unless you went extreme 4-wheeling (Jeeps outfitted with 'monster' suspensions and tires) over Sedona Red Rock country, and the highest cliffs and rocks you could imagine...

Believe me, I found out just how bad my 'touch of vertigo' really Is!!!!!

I am sure they are different based on where you depart from, we departed from Las Vegas and what part of the Grand Canyon you go to, we went to the West Rim. We did off road it because that was how the entrance to the GC was laid out. We were bouncing all over tha place but it doesnt sound as intense as yours. Tour Buses were going that way although none of us could figure out how.

We walso walked on the Skywalk which Ds thought was really cool as well.