Family holiday

I always find off the beaten path to be very rewarding, and that's what the TT forum is trying to impart.

I don't disagree necessarily ... but many of us (including myself as an Australian who has travelled a lot of the US, including out-of-the-way places like Redfish Lake Idaho , Bellingham and Ketchikan, Lassen Volcanic, etc) could run out a long list of stuff we like.

We can also add our oft-repeated prejudices, biases, and dislikes (go to LA Disneyland, not Orlando, Niagara Falls is a tourist trap, the Grand Canyon West Rim is too, etc). I do it too of course.

But there are two problems at least:

• the OP has a framework and constraints, and offering many alternatives way outside what they asked for might just increase confusion, and inhibit decision-making, and
• things that you (and me) might find interesting - such as a boat-trip from Bellingham to Ketchikan - might prove to them to be rather dull, and a real waste of a few of their limited and expensive days

I also think the advice provided often involves huge amounts of driving for a short period of activity or reward, and further, the activities suggested are either expensive, take a lot of time, take having some gear, are crowded, and require pre-booking well in advance. Practicality has to be in the mix.

These are major considerations for people who jump off an international flight with just 20 Kg of luggage. Camping - rather than a campervan or motels - is nearly always in this category for the tourist.

So these days I don't offer wildly different programs or agendas ... just what I think are basic improvements, with a particular focus on logistics (weather, transport, sleeping, etc).

And partly because I have been bitten a couple of times myself - taking advice from regulars on here, and winding up in places they enthused over mightily, but we found rather ordinary, or at least not special, or better than we have at home.

Anyway - we'll see what the OP comes back with - whether they are keen on their current plan, or are open to - say - dropping Orlando - and/or radically re-thinking their whole trip in other ways.

I've tried to keep in mind that there will be 3 children who need to be entertained. And if you don't know what you don't know, then you won't know, will you? Hence, our suggestions and urging to re-think their whole trip.
PS: Not just taking the ferry to Ketchikan for the Inside Passage views, but once at Ketchikan, a compact town for colorful, vibrant sight-seeing, history, fishing - a unique slice of USA (they already said they were considering a cabin in Washington) (and did not suggest the Puget Sound islands because they really are dull).

they already said they were considering a cabin in Washington

No - they're looking at a cabin outside Washington DC.

And if you don't know what you don't know, then you won't know, will you?

That's true up to a point, but travel is not a particularly difficult or intellectually challenging task ... there is a huge amount of readily accessible information out there ... even typing in "Ten Best Things in Podunk Indiana" will get you started.

Also - at least for Australians - the reason to visit the US is to see what we do not have, including the famous options ... and I think that's a good idea on a first trip ... keep it fairly simple and safe, even if it includes Disney Orlando in the hot season.

I think Yellowstone / Grand Teton - in fact all of WA, OR, ID, MT, WY are road-trips that are better done on a second or third visit ... when you have Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Disney, NYC, and DC out of the way.

Only the OP will know what it takes to keep the kids "entertained" and enjoying the trip ... but things like kayaking, fishing, mountain bikes, and so on ... plus camping in a tent ... well they can do all of those easily at home.

Anyway - enough from me on this - at least until we see where the OP is at after reading through the thread.

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your feedback. As for timeframe we are planning for 18-24 months away as of how expensive and how ocd I am with having things planned to perfection. There is an element of freedom I want to have and not be constrained to a strict itinerary but with the kids I think it is necessary.
I was always wanting to head north but wasn’t sure if it would occupy the kids enough, please don’t think I’m naive and saying some parts are boring I just am like someone said basing my ideas on how America is advertised to us. This is why I am on here and started this thread.
It’s clear to skip Florida which I agree with everyone’s reasoning plus I did want to go to San Diego aswell so maybe that whole coast of SF LA SD (sorry for saying San Fran) would be a good start. Drive that section is the obvious option in my eyes. I really want to experience the states and that’s why driving some is attractive to me.
Yellowstone is one I wanted to see but thought it might be too far out of the way.
One thing I should add which people are mentioning is the age difference of my children, it’s not a concern. I know my kids and they will embrace it and at times I’m sure some arguements but no different to here in Aus so I’d rather them arguing over what ride is next or who gets the top bunk in the cabin.
I do find Utah appealing but don’t know enough about if anyone has any input.
My brain is hurting because the options seem endless but no doubt is that we will have a wonderful time.

I must add I’d love to catch a game of football and basketball.
The cabin outside dc was just something I found on google when I looked up best camp grounds for kids. I know it’s cliche. I found one called jelly stone Maryland that looked fantastic. I know traffic might be terrible but I’m sure if it’s worth it then you just gotta grab the bull by the horns.

Everyone is interested in something different, so our opinions on where you should go are just that...opinions. I've never been to Oz, but I'm obsessed with the idea of visiting Darwin. I do digress. You should be able to find a game during your visit. American football will have started, and the Preseason for the NBA usually beings at the end of September with the season starting in the middle of October 16.

I hope that you and your family enjoy your visit.

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your feedback. As for timeframe we are planning for 18-24 months away as of how expensive and how ocd I am with having things planned to perfection. There is an element of freedom I want to have and not be constrained to a strict itinerary but with the kids I think it is necessary.

On all our North American trips (I usually say that because often they include some Canada), we book every single night - and we're just a middle-aged couple with no obvious OCD tendencies.

Mostly because September-October is still really busy, and some places have limited accomm available, but also because it is so much easier to research and read the reviews in the comfort of home when you have lots of time available.

Finding scarce accomm (even cabins etc) in an unfamiliar town at the end of a long day isn't much fun, and I would expect it would be even less so with three weary and hungry kids.

We generally book motels, but also youth hostel private rooms, and almost always book places that have free cancellation until very late, and don't touch your credit card until you front at Reception. That allows you some flexibility, if really needed.

I was always wanting to head north but wasn’t sure if it would occupy the kids enough, please don’t think I’m naive and saying some parts are boring I just am like someone said basing my ideas on how America is advertised to us. This is why I am on here and started this thread.

Heading north is okay (California > Oregon > Washington State > Glacier NP > Yellowstone NP > Utah > Las Vegas) - but I'm not sure I would do it on a first trip.

It’s clear to skip Florida which I agree with everyone’s reasoning plus I did want to go to San Diego as well

I'm not necessarily with the majority here ... you have six weeks, which is a good amount of time, even with a nice California / Las Vegas / Southern Utah road-trip, including San Diego Zoo and so on.

It seems to me that if you're committed to fly to New Orleans and then NYC/DC, then a stop in Orlando is not a bad option ... and you do have the time in my view. What are the kids' views?

so maybe that whole coast of SF LA SD (sorry for saying San Fran) would be a good start. Drive that section is the obvious option in my eyes. I really want to experience the states and that’s why driving some is attractive to me.
Yellowstone is one I wanted to see but thought it might be too far out of the way.

The suggested road-trip up-thread will certainly give you a feel for "America" seen from the bitumen - it's all very good.

Including Yellowstone NP / Grand Teton NP in September is an outstanding option ... but it requires good planning, and if you did it, at what cost to other options, and how will it re-shape the rest of what you wish to do?

I do find Utah appealing but don’t know enough about if anyone has any input.

Joe has provided solid input - after the Grand Canyon, several days of your road-trip can include three of the Big 5 national parks, plus much else.

My brain is hurting because the options seem endless but no doubt is that we will have a wonderful time.

All part of the planning fun! And given the parameters within which you're working, it would be really difficult to have a bad time.

Because you have time to plan and a planning personality, I would suggest that you (1) assume anything heavily marketed to you is either(1) some place where we wouldn't be caught dead going (West Rim, Route 66, Hollywood), or(2) always will be there (NYC, DC, Disney Parks, Grand Canyon). The "wouldn't be caught dead" are usually tourist traps or places that lost their appeal ages ago----I'm sure there are places in Australia that are like this---foreigners go there and you shake your head. A lot of stuff around Cairns struck me as being like that and friends confirmed it, which is why, despite the cost, I went toLlady Elliott island instead (that and the bleached reefs up North). There also is more than one way to do/see things and you've gotten that with the critique of Orlando.

You mentioned wanting to actually see the country and that does argue for including some non-obvious places and staying long enough in a few areas to do some exploring. One reason why I included the weekend events like local fairs was because they arean easy way to do that you can have an enjoyable day or possibly overnight trip from some conevntional, usually urban destination. Also, with a long trip, you will want to break things up and you'll need some time for laundry, shopping, and simple relaxation.

You're too early for basketball, but football will be everywhere. High school games are on Friday nights, occasionally Saturday afternoons. University games are on Saturday afternoons. Pro games mostly are on Sundays. Pro games will be expensive--the others should be easy to do, with the exceptions of some of the most highly rated teams. Texas is famously football mad, but you can find good teams and enthusiastic fans anywhere---look in the local newspaper (online or on dead tree media) and see who who is doing best and see them. Catholic high schools draw from wide areas and often have very good teams.

Look at the national park web sites and see what interests you. The idea that Yosemite or Yellowstone are second string seems kindof humorous to most us. Yellowstone is one place where you will see a lot of novel wildlife--I thought the SW parks were lacking---basically the same wildlife I can see within an hour of DC except they have elk instead of deer. The downside is that Yeloowstone closes doen relatively early and is far from other popular parks. I think Zion is skippable other than the Mt Carmel road. The fall has changing leaf colors in northerly areas, so if that's a novelty, consider that, esp. in the Northeast--famously in New England, but later in the fall in places like upstate NY or Pennsylvania. The Northwest has a different kind of forest scenery--more temperate rain forest.

If you're a planner, you might also think about how not to be stuck with 20kg of luggage/person--probably easier for you and your spouse. Start accumulating lightweight travel clothing that can "drip dry" over night---pants, shirts, briefs, basically everything but socks. It's expensive, so look for sales. This will cut down on weight and volume. Also, invest in compressable stuff sacks--also expensive, look for sales. You'll naeed some warm layers--high quality gear will made to fold up into a pocket. Again, expensive, so look for sales. You'll use this stuff over & over on future trips, long and short so look at it as an investment. Almost any consumable object--toiletries and such will cost less in the US. Bring as little as you need in the beginning. Pick one pair of shoes for the whole trip--even for men, shoes take up too much space in your luggae--flip-flops or cheap cloth shoes that collapse into small space can be your packable supplements.

Sooo many decisions, NOLA is more of an adult destination where Orlando is built for kids but think you'll all enjoy Kennedy Space Center, it's a cool place.
But as said, LA for the theme parks will do just fine and your going to DC which has the Air and Space Museum, try and eliminate close duplication of sights/places so you can spend more time enjoying the states.

If your traveling for 18-24 months where do you fly into and out of in the states, where do you go after the US? That will determine a lot of your route?

I agree that pretty much where ever you decide to go and for how long you'll have a blast and the weather in Sept.-Oct. is excellent in a good portion of the states, warm and dry overall.

Yeah, you'll go crazy with all the options and NP's in the US, at least your doing your homework and have plenty of time to plan and book your trip, 2020 I think,
But don't over analyze this trip it, just pick the places-things that are most important for you guys and don't over do it and burn yourselves out!.

Couple things:
Yellowstone is an option, just make it the first part of your trip, by mid September the weather starts turning cold/stormy and places start to close in that part of the country, winter comes fast. You would have to drop some places, like New Orleans .

For example you would need about 3 weeks or so for this trip, fly into Salt Lake City in early Sept. then Yellowstone, Jackson, Dinosaur NM, Southern Utah Parks, Las Vegas, Yosemite, San Francisco, the Coast and end in LA. for example, probably need about 24 days to enjoy. You cans see how fast ti goes but it would be a blast, great road trip and a huge variety of scenery the whole way,

Mid September through October is probably the best time of the year to explore and camp in for Utah, just saying.
Utah, IMO, is one of the most underrated states we have, amazing place.

When you get your dates down it should be fairly easy to get Football tickets, NBA starts in mid October. Almost all the cities your looking at have both, good time of year as well, not cold, although tickets are not cheap, overall.

A college game maybe a better idea, go to a Saturday tailgate BBQ parking lot party, lots of pageantry, good fun and overall cheaper than the pro's.

San Diego is kind of out of the way and a little repetitive of the coast and LA, you head south than back north.
42 days sounds like a lot but it will go fast, you don't have a lot of time to see places that are similar to other, IMO.

The more details of what you guys enjoy and want to see the better information you'll get, you have a diverse small Army!

Once you're "in country" and you're looking for event tickets, check out Vivid Seats for discounted tix - you can print out your own ticket - maybe hotel concierge can accommodate. They have concerts, sports in major cities.