Trip ideas w/ teens? Help me!

[MKCP5]

So we are trying to figure out a family week in August. We live in the Boston area. I am trying to keep my budget to about $2000. or $2500 We have done Disney several times, and it would be fun to go again, but I think with a 16 and 14 yo we are looking for a new adventure. We have thought about Universal, but I am concerned that the crowds will be awful with HP just opening. Would love love love to do Discovery Cove, they have ALWAYS wanted to go there, but that would bump my budget to about $3500 or more

Airfare $1200
Discovery Cove $900
Car for a day/taxi 90.
Hotel w/ free dining $1400.

Let me just say upfront we are not snobs, but don't want a super budget hotel. We like to spend a couple of days in our resort and like great pools, etc.

We are open to driving the Northeast area--Montreal? Kings Dominion?

Help me guys! I KNOW you can come up with some great ideas!

 

[drcmk]

In your area, Smugglers' Notch has a teen program.

How about a relaxing week at a beach town like at the Outer Banks or Bethany Beach in DE? Get a nice condo with a pool.

My family always finds lots to do exploring a new city like Chicago or San Diego.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We drove out to Buffalo, NY for a baseball tournament last year. (You could easily fly, also.) We wound up having a great time and would go again in a heartbeat (even though it's about a 10-12hr ride from Boston). We spent a couple of days at Niagara Falls, had lunch on the shores of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario on different days, visited some historical sites in the area (Underground Railroad site and Old Fort Niagara), hit a Canobie Lake type amusement park, visited the Baseball Hall of Fame on the way back, and more. There's a lot to do out that way. And it didn't break the bank, either. Have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[MKCP5]

In your area, Smugglers' Notch has a teen program.

How about a relaxing week at a beach town like at the Outer Banks or Bethany Beach in DE? Get a nice condo with a pool.

My family always finds lots to do exploring a new city like Chicago or San Diego.

I will check Smugglers. We LOVE the NC beaches, but at this age they will get bored after a couple days. I could lay there and read forever!!!

 

[MKCP5]

WOW!!!!!! Smuggleers for 7 nights in a 1 BR is $3839.00 with taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disney always is a better deal!!!!!!!!!!!

Still looking though--send your ideas Thx!

 

[mrsklamc]

Ok, let me just say- Discovery Cove is SO worth it, if you can swing it.

 

[MKCP5]

Ok, let me just say- Discovery Cove is SO worth it, if you can swing it.

Really? I am agoniziing over this. We have ALWAYS wanted to go. I know the $$ are big, but the 2 people I know who went said it was the best vacation $$ they ever spent

 

[barbmouse]

Definitely Discovery Cove! We have done it and love it!! It is a great day...all inclusive. You also get tickets for several days (can't remember exact number but it's a lot) to go to Sea World or Busch Gardens Tampa. We prefer Sea World. My kids did DC when they were 11 and 14. It was a great vacation. We like to throw in something Dsiney when we don't actually do Disney. That time I think we did do one day at Magic Kingdom but sometimes we will do a dinner at Ohana or the Hoop Dee Doo Revue.

Hope that helps!! I wouldn't trade the pics of my kids with the dolphins for anything! It was great. It is also less if you don't swim with dolphins....may the kids could do it and you and dh watch. Then the nonswimmers tickets are less but include everything else. We will probabaly do DC again at some point because it was a blast.

Hope this helps! I'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

 

[klacey1]

What about Busch Gardens VA/Colonial Williamsburg?
If you really want Discovery Cove, I'd say do it and look to where you can cut at home so you can afford it.
We're going to US/IOA in August and really don't think the crowds will be unbearably awful.

 

[Cindy B]

I've been lucky enough to do Discovery Cove TWICE and it is worth every penny.

Remember with your discovery cove pass, you do get either a 7 day pass to Sea World or a 7 day pass to Busch Gardens as well. (You may even be able to combine the two.. not sure about that).

Heres another tip. Pay for your Sea World parking at Discovery Cove-- when I did this, I bought a parking pass for $10 for the 7 days instead of $8 or so each time.

Your kids will love it. We had a fantastic time and may even do it a third time.

 

[barbmouse]

OMG!! I forgot about Aquatica when I was giving you info on Discovery Cove. It was not opened when we were there but it is now an option as one of the additional parks you can choose. My kids would love that and yours are a great age for it! You can choose one other park with unlimited admission during your stay which makes DC a great value IF you use the other park. I'm pretty sure you pick one and can't do all three but I would vote Aquatica.We did Sea World when we did DC and went at least 21/2 days. I'm not sure everyone is aware of the second park deal but when you figure it into the cost of DC tickets it really is a good deal. Go on the DC website for info. Their website alone makes me want to go! Anyway, check it out.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Last summer, we went to Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Water Country, Jamestown area of VA. It was a nice trip. We alternated every other day with historical areas and theme parks/water parks. Kept the kids interested. Busch Gardens has some awesome roller coasters for the teens, mine rode the Griffon about 8 times one day. We were surprised that BG wasn't that crowded in mid-July. On the way home, we stopped at the Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum that's in Virginia. If you need a place to stay and are interested in condo accommodations, we rented points from Ken Price at vacationupgrades.com for the Wyndham Governor's Green. The 2bed/2bath was only about $100/night. We love Ken Price, I have rented from him about 4 times now for Orlando's Bonnet Creek resort and this summer for a property in Branson.

 

[HeatherC]

How about Myrtle Beach, SC? Plenty to keep everyone entertained.

We are actually heading from Mass. to Hilton Head Island, SC for two weeks. Plan on biking the bike paths, visiting the beaches, relaxing and touring Charleston and Savannah. Never been to this part of the country yet, so we are really looking forward to it.

If you want closer, how about Lake George? Plenty to do there as well. And they also have Six Flags and the Great Escape water park.

Have fun whatever you decide!!

 

[klynn]

So we are trying to figure out a family week in August. We live in the Boston area. I am trying to keep my budget to about $2000. or $2500 We have done Disney several times, and it would be fun to go again, but I think with a 16 and 14 yo we are looking for a new adventure. We have thought about Universal, but I am concerned that the crowds will be awful with HP just opening. Would love love love to do Discovery Cove, they have ALWAYS wanted to go there, but that would bump my budget to about $3500 or more

Airfare $1200
Discovery Cove $900
Car for a day/taxi 90.
Hotel w/ free dining $1400.

Let me just say upfront we are not snobs, but don't want a super budget hotel. We like to spend a couple of days in our resort and like great pools, etc.

We are open to driving the Northeast area--Montreal? Kings Dominion?

Help me guys! I KNOW you can come up with some great ideas!

I just sent you a PM