Taking Teenagers On Holiday To The States Or Canada

[rockyracoon]

We're thinking of taking the kids to the US or Canada for a holiday and was wondering what you could do with them of an evening as I know kids are not too welcome in drinking establishments. Usually we go on beach holidays where we have a couple of drinks after dinner in a local bar and the kids come with us, I don't fancy going straight back to our hotel room after we've eaten to sit and watch TV or surf the net.

Any ideas or advice?

Thanks :)

[boxtops]

Rocky http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=159&eng=CCUKSEM&kw=_cat:cruisecritic.co.uk&gclid=CMvSrrHLsMACFVMRtAodYHQAdg

[rockyracoon]

Thanks for the links, I'll have a look and let the kids have a read to see what they think.

If only all of life's problems were this daunting :)

[jno]

theme parks in the US are open till 10ish. Shopping malls usually till about 9. Plenty of outlet malls too if you're looking for lower prices; if memory serves, kids hoover up the stuff in these places. People do eat earlier than here but I've never had trouble finding somewhere at 8pm or later and there are endless restaurant options. You're right, they won't be able to drink alcohol, but most family restaurants will fill up your soft drink glasses for free all night.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks JNO, unfortunately I have unusual kids, they hate theme parks and have no interest in Florida or the like. Daughter will shop but OH and son would rather poke their eyes out :)

I just wanted to avoid being stuck in a hotel room by 10pm.

[Retrochic]

Why not go somewhere and hire a holiday home? Then you can sit out of an evening have a BBQ and drink to your hearts content? There are plenty of rentals in Canada -British Columbia on the West coast has lots to do, Alberta has very hot summers and unless you're into dude ranches or cowboy things pretty boring -ditto the rest of the Prairie provinces Ontario has some lovely places and a more temperate climate. Drinking laws in Canada are very strict - you are not allowed into a bar unless you are 18 or 19 in some provinces, not even to drink soft drinks.

[janbee]

Put them in kennels and you go off and have great time!!. Don't let your kids dictate. They won't like it but hey, that's what being a teenager is all about. Many places will welcome teenagers provided they behave and only have soft drinks. Wherever you go, have a lovely time. ALL of you. xx

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Retro, OH would see that as drinking indoors which he rarely does, plus I have absolutley no intention of boiling an egg let alone cook on a BBQ. I know it looks like I'm poo pooing some of the suggestions but throwing around 10k at a holiday means me making not too many compromises. ;)

[rockyracoon]

Janbee, our kids are always consulted about our holidays, there's nothing that will upset it more than a stroppy teenager, if they're happy, we're happy, plus there's probably not too many more holidays in the future, they'll be off doing their own thing.

[ummmm]

Rocky...aren't they old enough to stay in a hotel room by themselves?

[rockyracoon]

I'd do the ranching, I was looking at it the other day and it looks to be a great deal of fun, I got looked at like I had two heads when I suggested it. As I said, I've got 'unusual' kids ;)

[rockyracoon]

Well I think so Ummmm, but I'm not sure what the Americans will think of that. Is there any sort of age restrictions about leaving them on their own? If it was the UK I wouldn't hesitate and just have a couple of drinks in the hotel bar whilst they sit in the room Skyping and watching the telly.

[rockyracoon]

I do fancy Canada, but it gets back to the what to do with the kids later in the evening if they're not welcome in bars.

Son is a geek that rarely ventures off the internet and daughter is a Harry Potter nut, this is being addressed tomorrow with a trip to Warner Bros. Son would probably like an outdoorsy holiday as long as it's not too hot, daughter took all week to pluck up the courage to go on one of those big inflatable sofas that fly around whilst being dragged by a speed boat. She was gutted she didn't try it earlier in the week.

[rockyracoon]

Just reread that, kayaking near killer whales? I'd be terrified lol

[ummmm]

I only know what I see in films and they often leave their kids alone.

We're debating going to Germany. My German mate says kids are welcome everywhere. They don't even care if you put them to sleep in the corner of the pub :-)

(for the judgemental....my youngest will be 16)

[rockyracoon]

Son desperately wants to go to Germany as they can drink beer and wine from 14, cheeky sod. I have mooted doing 3 or 4 european cities instead of long haul, it might end up more interesting. I definitely want to go back to Munich when it's not freezing cold.

[Cathyhuns]

From my experience in US, we never had any trouble eating 8pm or later and never really had issues sitting in nice bars with the kids, provided we didn't try to buy them alcohol.

Re the Alaska cruise, we went cycle riding, snorkelling and train riding at stops - all of which went down very well with our teenagers (16 and 19). The short list also included kayaking, bear watching and fishing so there's plenty to keep teenagers / young adults happy.

[Retrochic]

Rocky this may sound inflammatory, but how do your kids feel about sitting in a bar all night while you drink? My young teen would be bored senseless. How do they feel about going away with you? Would they prefer to go on a holiday on their own geared to young people? Strings have to be cut sometime and its mad to spend megabucks on a holiday that is a compromise for everyone.

[jno]

what do the kids like doing, rocky? Beaches, museums, music, touring?