S/O: must visit with teens out west

[Anonymous]

S/o from another thread, we’ve reached as far as Yellowstone but haven’t been farther West than that. Also with teens, and would like to do a bucket list. I didn’t grow up in the US, so did lots of travel after getting to the DC area as an adult and 95% of that was on the east coast and a few places Midwest.

Have San Diego on my to do list, and would love ideas for must dos with teens.

[Anonymous]

There are so many great options. My teen & tween LOVED Sequoia & Yosemite last summer. The Utah National parks are also great, as is the Pacific NW. And Alaska is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are so many great options. My teen & tween LOVED Sequoia & Yosemite last summer. The Utah National parks are also great, as is the Pacific NW. And Alaska is amazing.

Yes, and Glacier NP, Mt Rainier, Olympic NP, the San Juan Islands. All great summer trip options, much less humid and usually colder than DC or places out west further south.

[Anonymous]

Thanks pps, will look into these for next trips!

[Anonymous]

I would pick San Fran over SD as a must.
Yosemite
Grand Canyon or Zion
Someplace “western”—-southern Arizona, Santa Fe, San Antonio, or up north to Wyoming or Montana

[Anonymous]

Just came back from our trip with two teens 13, 16. We went Last Vegas, 2 days on strip, RedRock national Park, Hoover dam, grand canyon South rim, antelope canyon (lower). Kids voted Antelope Canyon absolutely the best experience followed by Grand Canyon hike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just came back from our trip with two teens 13, 16. We went Last Vegas, 2 days on strip, RedRock national Park, Hoover dam, grand canyon South rim, antelope canyon (lower). Kids voted Antelope Canyon absolutely the best experience followed by Grand Canyon hike.

How long did you do all of this? If I only have 5 days, what would you recommend I be sure to hit from here. Fly to Phoenix, Grand Canyon and antelope canyon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just came back from our trip with two teens 13, 16. We went Last Vegas, 2 days on strip, RedRock national Park, Hoover dam, grand canyon South rim, antelope canyon (lower). Kids voted Antelope Canyon absolutely the best experience followed by Grand Canyon hike.

How long did you do all of this? If I only have 5 days, what would you recommend I be sure to hit from here. Fly to Phoenix, Grand Canyon and antelope canyon?

Not PP, but we did a similar trip flying in and out of Vegas. Antelope Canyon was really cool (and the guides will take your phone and take some amazing pictures). The Grand Canyon hike is also fun, just don't go too far down like we did, as the hike up will be filled with complaints.

[Anonymous]

Too late for this year but I’d do a trip to the National Western Stock Show and rodeo. If you can get there early you can see the cows paraded downtown. https://kdvr.com/denver-guide/what-to-know-about-the-2025-national-western-stock-show-kick-off-parade/amp/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too late for this year but I’d do a trip to the National Western Stock Show and rodeo. If you can get there early you can see the cows paraded downtown. https://kdvr.com/denver-guide/what-to-know-about-the-2025-national-western-stock-show-kick-off-parade/amp/

Wow! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would pick San Fran over SD as a must.
Yosemite
Grand Canyon or Zion
Someplace “western”—-southern Arizona, Santa Fe, San Antonio, or up north to Wyoming or Montana

If you like watching homeless guy pooping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too late for this year but I’d do a trip to the National Western Stock Show and rodeo. If you can get there early you can see the cows paraded downtown. https://kdvr.com/denver-guide/what-to-know-about-the-2025-national-western-stock-show-kick-off-parade/amp/

Wow! Thanks!

I think it happens in places I. Texas too but I grew up in Denver and have fond memories of it.

[Anonymous]

Last summer we did San Francisco/Oakland (wanted to see the A's play before they left Oakland), Monterrey, and Pinnacles National Park. Pinnacles was really cool and we even saw California Condors on a hike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too late for this year but I’d do a trip to the National Western Stock Show and rodeo. If you can get there early you can see the cows paraded downtown. https://kdvr.com/denver-guide/what-to-know-about-the-2025-national-western-stock-show-kick-off-parade/amp/

Wow! Thanks!

Fort Worth is also very similar and cool — they drive longhorn cattle down the Main Street at least twice daily.