Anonymous wrote: Have you asked them what they would like to do? What about Disney/Universal? They are a good age for that and there is tons to do.

It's ok to go to a theme park, even if you've gone to Europe

Yep, go to Disney and blame it on your MIL.

Have you asked them what they would like to do? What about Disney/Universal? They are a good age for that and there is tons to do.

It's ok to go to a theme park, even if you've gone to Europe

It sounds like you might enjoy a break from traveling. Or you could shift towards city activities. I also might recommend the controversial, a theme park.

Anonymous wrote:This is the biggest 1st world problem.

Every time I read a post like this it makes me realize how stupid and spoiled so many rich people are.

Personally I've found that watching prairie dogs and whales is very similar.

Anonymous wrote:Traveling international aside from quick trips to Mexico, Costa Rica and right now isn't really an option next few years with work.
I feel like the kids have done a lot and every place seems to have the same activities: swim, eat out, horseback ride, kayak, paddleboard, hike, some cultural craft, whale watch, jet ski, canoe, rinse and repeat.
Destinations: Maine, Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard, Oregon, WA State (San Juan Islands + Seattle), Vancouver, NYC, DC, Miami, FL Keys, San Diego, LA, Carmel, SF, Dallas, Bahamas, Austin, Houston (Space center), New Orleans, Carolinas Coast, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Grand Canyon, Costa Rica, West Texas, alaska, mexico City, big island, maui, Boston, Philly, Rhode Island, Idaho.. it all just feels the same. Would you stop travel for a while? any suggestions? kids 9 and 11.

Really, REALLY curious how you pulled off whale watching on your trips to Idaho or the Grand Canyon. Anyways, it seems like you have picked about a million destinations that are either 1) American city, or 2) nature. So yeah, you're either eating out and exploring a city that's pretty similar to every other American city to be honest (DC, NYC, Boston, Philly, Dallas, SF.... I mean they're very different but they're all just US cities, variations on a theme if you will), or you're doing the water sport/ land sport combo. You can be way more unique than that. Stop trying to pack in a bunch of activities when they are the same activities you always do. "Oh, we're in a new location, let's go find out where we can kayak or go for a trail ride". You're in a rut. Why not just explore, and "live like a local" as they say?

Also you're a troll because do you really take 5 vacations per year with your kids all over the country?

Maybe rent a submarine and take them to the Titanic? That should be exciting.

You don't sound very creative. We've taken a number of vacations and they are very rarely the same.

You need to take them to Europe so they can get bored of art museums in big palaces and cathedrals.

Jeez, how did you have time for all that??

We typically go one place for a week and really see it. So yes we hike and horseback ride if those are on offer, and we also go to museums and weird little tourist attractions, and we rest or go to the pool. Sometimes we get a place with a kitchen and buy groceries we're unfamiliar with at the local market. If the area is known for something my family really enjoys (e.g., snorkeling or horses) we will do that multiple times at different places within the area. We have been to a tiny fraction of the destinations you have.

If you or your kids are bored of all those places and activities then you are very hard to please and I don’t know what to tell you. Everything doesn’t have to be novel. I can kayak somewhere I have kayaked before and still marvel at the beauty of nature. But I can also sit on my deck with cheap wine looking at the stars and enjoy that too. It’s almost like you are collecting destinations like trophies or something.

Your kids are old enough that can incorporate history tours (battlefields, monuments, landmarks, museums, theaters, etc) into your itinerary.

You don't have to go over the top with historical stuff and keep it kid-friendly, but all the places you listed have a ton more to do than your genetic rec activities.

Are your kids into sports? Have you ever seen a Red Sox game at Fenway, for example?

This is the biggest 1st world problem.

Are you saying you have been to over 30 locations in what has to be less than what, 6 or 7 years if the 9 year old was old enough to participate?

Traveling international aside from quick trips to Mexico, Costa Rica and right now isn't really an option next few years with work.
I feel like the kids have done a lot and every place seems to have the same activities: swim, eat out, horseback ride, kayak, paddleboard, hike, some cultural craft, whale watch, jet ski, canoe, rinse and repeat.
Destinations: Maine, Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard, Oregon, WA State (San Juan Islands + Seattle), Vancouver, NYC, DC, Miami, FL Keys, San Diego, LA, Carmel, SF, Dallas, Bahamas, Austin, Houston (Space center), New Orleans, Carolinas Coast, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Grand Canyon, Costa Rica, West Texas, alaska, mexico City, big island, maui, Boston, Philly, Rhode Island, Idaho.. it all just feels the same. Would you stop travel for a while? any suggestions? kids 9 and 11.