Family Vacation and a National Park?

Chris Messineo

Chris Messineo

Veteran
I would like to take my wife and daughter (8 years old) on a week long vacation this summer to one of our wonderful national parks.

We have never been and are tenderfeet from New Jersey. Left to our own devices we would surely starve, drown, or be eaten by wild animals.

Any suggestions for a family friendly adventure, preferably guided, and with good meals we don't have to cook ourselves (my wife's number one request).

We would love for their to be a mix of exploring, hiking, rafting/canoeing, and perhaps horseback riding.

Any suggestions?

Chris
 
My favorite is Yellowstone, but only in the off season (right after Labor Day). Mega crowded during the summer (1/10 of U.S there, and half of Europe and Japan).

Grand Tetons just as scenic, but a little less crowded.

Grand Canyon also crowded, but a "must see" for any American. This would be my pick for your first foray out of the wilds of New Joysey.

Hike down partway into the canyon (too long for an 8 year old to go all the way). I've always wanted to take one of the mule rides to the bottom and stay overnight at the bottom.

You could also go see Hoover Dam while you're out there.

In August I'm probably going to go to Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park. Get some relatively cheap housing in CO ski country with all of the ski condos there. There is a guided bike ride along a river in Glenwood Springs, CO. They drive you upstream, then you bike back to the bike store. You can top that off with a dip in the outdoor "hot springs" pool. Like a giant hottub with trees and mountains in your backyard. Pretty cool. Take the cable car (or drive) to the top of Pike's Peak.

(edit) I see while I was typing that Mythfit and I agree!
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

We definitely have to see the Grand Canyon at some point. Summer might be too crowded, so maybe another time.

I will check out the Grand Tetons though.

Chris
 
Seriously check out the Eagle Cap Wilderness here in Oregon. The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is amazing. There is a town by the name of Joseph over in that area that I hear is pretty cool. I realize though that this is across the country from you, so it may not be possible. I don't know any east coast stuff, so I can't comment there. Anyhow, just an Oregon native vouching for the beauty of my state *tear*. There is a spot called Wallowa Lake that's supposed to be absolutely stunning. They call is the "Alps of Oregon"

http://www.fs.fed.us/hellscanyon/

http://www.josephoregon.com/joseph_oregon_home.htm

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PDX_DVX said:
There is a town by the name of Joseph over in that area that I hear is pretty cool...

There is a spot called Wallowa Lake that's supposed to be absolutely stunning.
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Sounds like you should check out Oregon yourself. :)
 
Youre completely right. I'm actually going to wollowa lake this summer. With school and all, my time as of late has been extremely limited. Guess I'll have to suck up the high price of gas these days and take a few drives the next time I get some time off....
 
Here's a kid's perspective: I saw Yellowstone, the Tetons, and the Grand Canyon as a kid about 8 years old. Yellowstone was most memorable and has the most variety of ooh-and-ahh sights---thus the major tourist traffic. The Tetons/ Jackson Hole remain starkly beautiful in my memory, now 35 years later. The Grand Canyon was boring. Stunning but boring after the first few views. Don't try to go to the North Rim from fall through spring -- it's closed.
 
See, this is what I can't wrap my head around... Chris, I've been to Grand Canyon twice, I celebrated my 21st birthday on May 15th and I am not even american. You only have to travel a couple of days by car (which would be an awesome trip on itself, trust me - I've gone Orlando - SF twice with my family, saw every southern state during the two weeks rides) and you're there... I'm not by any means jumping at ya, it's just something I could never get about americans: you, guys, really don't travel much; most never even go beyond the borders of their own state :undecided

So, yes, definitely Grand Canyon. An overwhelming experience - one of those places that make you realize you're just a mere bug on the surface of Earth, unbelievably beautiful, too... "Grand" totally fits here.

My other pick would be Yosemite. Also a gorgeous place, though you would have to travel even farther (but! you could stop by in Vegas :) and visit Universal Studios at the end of the trip - perhaps my favourite place in US, both of them; a must-see for any movie buff).
 
Vic,

America is big, it's not easy to see everything. :)

Seriously, I have only been to about 20 out of our 50 states and I still have a ton I still want to see. I need more vacation time. :(

Chris
 
Yep, I wish our vacations here were more like taking holiday in europe.... six weeks at a clip, is it? I had to have major surgery to get six weeks off from my job! :crybaby: Not a good trade-off, I assure you. But at least I got paid. heh!

I drove from Jacksonville, Florida to a place called Friendly, New York (an oxymoron if there ever was one! haha!!) to pick up a Harley my dad bought and trailer it back home. So, that was an interesting road trip....with my MOM! :Drogar-Dolar(DBG):
 
Chris, if you want to keep it on the East Coast, I would heartily recommend Acadia National Park in Maine (about a 10 hour drive from NYC, if I recall correctly). So gorgeous and so much to do. We camped and cooked our own meals when we went -- so I can certainly relate to your wife's request -- but Bar Harbor, just outside the park, is beautiful and has lots of restaurants. I can send you pics and contact info for sea kayaking, whale watching, etc., if you'd like -- just PM me.
 
Acacia National Park is one of the ones we were considering. Do you think there is enough to keep an 8 year old girl entertained there?

Chris
 
CMessineo said:
Acacia National Park is one of the ones we were considering. Do you think there is enough to keep an 8 year old girl entertained there?

Chris
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Hmmm... Well, there's definitely a lot to do, but it may not be the best place for an 8-year-old. We did a LOT of hiking, but much of what we did might have been too taxing for an 8-year-old. The park has lots of trails of varying intensity, but I don't know about 8... The sea kayaking -- we had double kayaks, but I don't know whether she would be big enough even to sit upfront... Whale watching and Bar Harbor she would love. The water up there is pretty cold, even in the lakes, so I guess whether she would enjoy swimming would depend on how intrepid she is... Sorry, I'm not much help here not having an 8-year-old myself...
 
The best thing at acadia was the whale watching. If you go, no matter how blazing hot out it is, bring a winter coat for the trip. Its freeaking freezing out where they go.
 
Just watch out on the hiking trails. They be a little scary as you can tell on my daughters face.

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yes this is straight down...
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at the top

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PUFFINS IN THE BACKGROUND!!!
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