Anonymous wrote:Any resort ideas if we go that route? Maybe with riding? Thanks again for the fun ideas!!

Broadmore in CO Springs. When I was about 11 my father had a medical conference there and he took me (without mom or siblings). All sorts of great activities and so beautiful. (It was back in the day when medical conferences were like family vacations but I'd bet they still offer lots of options).

https://www.broadmoor.com/

I'd give her the city option (NYC) and the outdoor adventure/resort option and let her choose.

Absolutely NYC! I grew up outside of NYC and have SO many great memories of going into the city one-on-one with my mom around that age. Broadway shows, high tea at the Plaza, Ellen's Stardust Diner, walking through Central Park, Coney Island, American Girl Place (not sure if 11 is too old for that)...heck, if you have 5 days, you could even throw an overnight in at a nearby beach!

Chicago would be great as well. Have fun!

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely agree with NYC. Give her the true tourist experience including a Broadway show.

+1000

My 11-year-old daughter and I took the overnight train to Chicago (we had a sleeping room) and then flew home a few days later. We had a blast. Of course we like trains. It was an hilarious mix of people.

Anonymous wrote:Montreal! It's a 75 min flight from DC, but you feel like you're in Europe. Amazing food, art, culture. Science museum. Cirque du soleil. Plus some outdoor kid-friendly adventures. Plus underground shopping malls. I took my 9 year old girl there and she's made me take her back twice since then!

Love this idea to make it really special for your daughter. Personally I prefer Quebec City to Montreal.

Montreal! It's a 75 min flight from DC, but you feel like you're in Europe. Amazing food, art, culture. Science museum. Cirque du soleil. Plus some outdoor kid-friendly adventures. Plus underground shopping malls. I took my 9 year old girl there and she's made me take her back twice since then!

NY in late July can be very hot. I would do 3 days and 2 nights in the city and then a few nights in a resort outside of NY.

If you have been to NY though, why not pick another city? What about Quebec? Or Chicago? Or Austin (I know, hot as well) Or Boston?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here--Thanks for the city ideas! We've been to NY before but haven't done plays or anything like that since we were with her brother (short attention span!), so that would be really fun with her. She loves art, too. Seriously considering.

Any resort ideas if we go that route? Maybe with riding? Thanks again for the fun ideas!!

I am also a mother of an 11yo daughter, so I love this idea! As we live in NJ and go into NYC quite often, I'd highly recommend a Broadway show (currently playing and cute for that age is Aladdin, School of Rock, Groundhog Day and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). If you want a more resort-type trip, Mohonk Mountain House is lovely. It is in New Paltz, NY - a bit upstate from the city - but it is an old-fashioned lake resort with horseback riding, hiking, swimming, etc. - my 11yo loves it there. Have a great trip!

Same responder again... I just saw your daughter loves art. Mine does, too. Her favorite museum in NYC is the Met, but the MoMA and Whitney are wonderful, too.

Anonymous wrote:OP here--Thanks for the city ideas! We've been to NY before but haven't done plays or anything like that since we were with her brother (short attention span!), so that would be really fun with her. She loves art, too. Seriously considering.

Any resort ideas if we go that route? Maybe with riding? Thanks again for the fun ideas!!

I am also a mother of an 11yo daughter, so I love this idea! As we live in NJ and go into NYC quite often, I'd highly recommend a Broadway show (currently playing and cute for that age is Aladdin, School of Rock, Groundhog Day and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). If you want a more resort-type trip, Mohonk Mountain House is lovely. It is in New Paltz, NY - a bit upstate from the city - but it is an old-fashioned lake resort with horseback riding, hiking, swimming, etc. - my 11yo loves it there. Have a great trip!

OP here--Thanks for the city ideas! We've been to NY before but haven't done plays or anything like that since we were with her brother (short attention span!), so that would be really fun with her. She loves art, too. Seriously considering.

Any resort ideas if we go that route? Maybe with riding? Thanks again for the fun ideas!!

I don't think I'd go to CA if it's only a few days-save that for a longer trip. NYC would be great, or maybe Chicago.

One great thing about NYC is that there are so many books/shows set there. She'll likely know of things she wants to see or things will be familiar from repeated exposure. It's an easy way to pull her into the planning and maybe recreate an experience from a favorite book.

NYC if she likes food and cultural experiences. SF if she likes food and outdoor activities.

Absolutely agree with NYC. Give her the true tourist experience including a Broadway show.

I think NYC is fantastic for a one on one adventure with a kid. I have taken two long weekend trips there with my ten year old (who happens to love theater, so that probably helps) and they have been incredible.

Hi! My son will be at camp late July and I think its time for a first mother/daughter vacation with my 11 year old. Would be for about 4-5 nights, budget not really huge concern. Want to make it really special.

We are going to Maine and beach as a family in other parts of summer, so kind of thinking a great resort with lots of outdoor activities or a city trip like San Fran or NYC. She's not super girly, not super athletic, but up for anything. Would probably like to stay in US, but open to Costa Rica or someplace fairly easy to get to. Any ideas of specific places or adventures for us?

Thank you!