you might want to look at Drowsy Water Ranch, IF your kids like horses even just enough (and you guys too). Our daughter was horse crazy at age 9, so we took a chance on a week at DWR even though we weren't riders. It was amazing--we had a two bedroom hotel room, but some families get their own cabins. Adults can zipline, hike, ride, golf, hot tub, swim. Kids go with their own age groups on rides, then hang out at the playground, fish, learn rodeo skills, campfires, etc. It was idyllic. Oh there was rafting too, not too hard at all. Evenings were campy square dancing, singing, etc. Met some amazing other families.

This past summer with old teens we went to Switzerland--Zurich, Luzern, and Wengen. Amazing. Ride the gondolas and trains around, take some short hikes, go see caves, rent ebikes in Lauterbrunnen--beautiful and decent food too.

California? You can mix in the urban and cultural easily with stunning nature. Maybe drive btw SF and LA?

Northern Italy and Switzerland. Beautiful nature but also cultural.

Croatian coast.

Sicily

Australia

Japan - walk in bamboo forest and get right back to city by train

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we went to Jackson, Tetons and Yellowstone, this is what we did that was not lining —
Tetons science school animal viewing
Horseback riding in park
White water rafting in Jackson
Rock climbing park in Jackson
Western shootout show in Jackson
Junior ranger science badge stuff in Yellowstone. We also bought one of those those thermometer guns you point at the ground and it tells you how hot tj grojnd was.
Alpine coaster at snow long resort
Pools at hotel in Jackson
Some of this stuff was especially cool because of the scenery so if that doesn’t spark joy for you, it might not be worth it.

OP here and this sounds pretty enticing

I'm a new poster, and I'll add
Jackson Rodeo,
Astoria Hot Springs (they have regular temp pools too)
Dornans for pizza near the airport and amazing views, plus a super short trail to the river lined with wildflowers.

The wildlife viewing in Yellowstone impressed my 13 year old who feels meh about nature generally. If any of you like birds, it was really cool to see species we don't have here and tons of hummingbirds.

We had an amazing time in Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor Maine.

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to broaden my family's vacations/experience by doing something other than tropical islands and major cities.

DW and I are considering a national park vacation but we don't really LOVE the outdoors. We've been camping a couple of times and it's been fine but not incredible.

Are we just not an outdoors family or will the right experience change our perspective. What's a good destination that will wow us or get us hooked?

For reference, we've hiked the Shenandoah and Smoky Mountains. DW and I have visited Iceland. We've enjoyed, but not life changing and I don't want to commit resources to "fine".

Why did you not like Iceland? What activities did you do while there? Was it a "point and shoot vacation" where you drive to a site see a view snap a picture move to next?

I think most people who enjoy nature vacations enjoy the scenery, but also like physically active vacations. I love national park vacations because we get out and hike to see incredible views you can't see from the side of the road. I like the physical challenge of hiking and moving. I love ski vacation because I am physically moving and working on a skill.

After rafting in the grand Tetons and sightseeing in Yellowstone, my daughter enjoyed driving in a wagon train to a BBQ (with cowboys and Indians, on horseback).

It sounds like you aspire to being a different type of family than you are. That sounds performative.

I myself find nature to be beautiful, unpredictable and relaxing. If you don’t , then you probably won’t enjoy it. I hope you have not ruined it for your children too.

If you want to try again, I would avoid camping, which can be hard for even the nature-drawn.

Stay in a nice lodge in a national park (which must be booked far ahead). Go on ranger led activities—such as an evening campfire where you learn about bears or the park’s indigenous roots. Get active, such as rafting down a river that overlooks the Tetons, or exploring lava flows in Hawaii.

But one or both if you need an attitude adjustment, because if you approach natural beauty with no sense of curiosity or awe, don’t bother.

Anonymous wrote:When we went to Jackson, Tetons and Yellowstone, this is what we did that was not lining —
Tetons science school animal viewing
Horseback riding in park
White water rafting in Jackson
Rock climbing park in Jackson
Western shootout show in Jackson
Junior ranger science badge stuff in Yellowstone. We also bought one of those those thermometer guns you point at the ground and it tells you how hot tj grojnd was.
Alpine coaster at snow long resort
Pools at hotel in Jackson
Some of this stuff was especially cool because of the scenery so if that doesn’t spark joy for you, it might not be worth it.

OP here and this sounds pretty enticing

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they would like the Smoky Mountains. Stay in one of the touristy towns like Sevierville, go to Dollywood, do a little hiking, go to one of those dinner shows?
There's also white water rafting in West Virginia. Or stay in Asheville, NC, do a little hiking and go to the Biltmore Estate.
also, when you went to Shenandoah did you visit Luray Caverns? Most kids think caves are pretty cool.

You can also see an interesting breed of humans in that area.

Indeed! It is full of Trump-loving Jesus freaks and the average BMI is probably around 35. Also, if you are vegetarians, there’ll be very little for you to eat. Please be cautious if you are LGBT or POC.

So much ignorance in your post.

PP here. My family has actually been there. It was really like that. The Smokies are gorgeous though.

When we went to Jackson, Tetons and Yellowstone, this is what we did that was not lining —
Tetons science school animal viewing
Horseback riding in park
White water rafting in Jackson
Rock climbing park in Jackson
Western shootout show in Jackson
Junior ranger science badge stuff in Yellowstone. We also bought one of those those thermometer guns you point at the ground and it tells you how hot tj grojnd was.
Alpine coaster at snow long resort
Pools at hotel in Jackson
Some of this stuff was especially cool because of the scenery so if that doesn’t spark joy for you, it might not be worth it.

Joshua Tree was a lot of fun for my kids who rebel against hiking and don’t really “get” enjoying scenic views. Lots of rock scrambling, short hikes, and cool vegetation to look at.

What about something like Mesa Verde where you’re seeing history along with nature?

Don’t force a square peg into a round hole…especially when paying for it. There is nothing wrong with not enjoying outdoor vacations. Do what you enjoy. I don’t enjoy outdoor vacations either, so I wouldn’t do anything suggested.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they would like the Smoky Mountains. Stay in one of the touristy towns like Sevierville, go to Dollywood, do a little hiking, go to one of those dinner shows?
There's also white water rafting in West Virginia. Or stay in Asheville, NC, do a little hiking and go to the Biltmore Estate.
also, when you went to Shenandoah did you visit Luray Caverns? Most kids think caves are pretty cool.

You can also see an interesting breed of humans in that area.

Indeed! It is full of Trump-loving Jesus freaks and the average BMI is probably around 35. Also, if you are vegetarians, there’ll be very little for you to eat. Please be cautious if you are LGBT or POC.

So much ignorance in your post.

Anonymous wrote:You already know you're going to be disappointed, not sure why you want to waste your time and money.

If you're going to do it, pick a place that has an established town with amenities that you will like. Jackson WY is right next to Grand Teton NP, you might like Bar Harbor and Acadia in Maine, Everglades are an easy trip from Miami, etc. Many of the major parks are very remote, I wouldn't recommend that for you.

Instead of these, I would do the Pacific Northwest where beautiful nature is just a part of your vacation. No offense to Jackson Hole or Bar Harbor, but there isn't a lot to do there that isn't nature focused. Go to Vancouver or Seattle and then spend several days in the San Juan Islands or Olympic or Mount Rainier. Mix it up with museums, good food, etc.

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to broaden my family's vacations/experience by doing something other than tropical islands and major cities.

DW and I are considering a national park vacation but we don't really LOVE the outdoors. We've been camping a couple of times and it's been fine but not incredible.

Are we just not an outdoors family or will the right experience change our perspective. What's a good destination that will wow us or get us hooked?

For reference, we've hiked the Shenandoah and Smoky Mountains. DW and I have visited Iceland. We've enjoyed, but not life changing and I don't want to commit resources to "fine".

I love seeing the outdoors but have zero desire to sleep outside on the ground. Lake Tahoe is amazing. Lots of places to stay indoors and enjoy the outdoors comfortably. Yosemite is another option, stay at the Ahwanee. You can spend a week going through Yosemite.

Colorado Springs is nice too, stay at the Broadmoor. Rent a car. There is a train a day trip by car that goes through a gorge, I think it’s called Royal Gorge. Hike or walk through Garden of the Gods rock formations, take the train up to Pikes Peak.