Need some advice for my holiday to the US this summer

[farmgirl]

I know some of you can help me with this one. Planning a trip into the States this summer, will be crossing the border thru Montana. We have about a week or more to see all that we can see. A few items on our list is Mt. Rushmore and maybe Old Faithful. Any other suggestions of must see places or things to avoid would be appreciated. I have been searching all morning and am getting very frustrated with dial up! Is there any amusement parks that kids 10-18 would enjoy? I don't want this trip to be all scenary, would like some activities too. We will be hoteling it, so don't need to be near campsites. Thank you for any input you can give me.

[Babaloo]

someone told me Disney World is cool
but you may have to drive fast

[Juanito]

The closest amusement park I can think of is Lagoon in Utah and I wouldn't cross the street to go there. (I used to live 8 km away from Disneyland.)

You can rent mountain bikes near Yellowstone. And I think near Big Sky ski area and maybe near Glacier national park? Mountain bikes are cheaper than an amusement park and better exercise.

We (me, my wife, son, daughter, mother-in-law, step father-in-law) are going to Yellowstone in mid July. When are you going?

I think that some of the ski resorts in Montana may have an Alpine Slide open during the summer? Down here in Utah, Snowbird has many summer activities. (That's where my avatar picture was taken.) You can take the tram up to the top of Jackson Hole ski area and hike around.

Also, in Montana and in many other places, there's kayaking (just like Playa!) and white water rafting. You need reservations for some of the trips, maybe most of them?

We've had a dry winter here in Utah so I'm not sure how our rivers will be.

Will you go to Colorado? There's lots of peeps on this board from Colorado who could give you advice. I'm most familiar with Grand Junction. Wineries! Yeah!!

[farmgirl]

Not sure where we will get to, depends on what there is to do and how long it takes us on the way I guess. Would love to get to Disney, but would like more then 2 or 3 days there, so won't happen this trip. My kids have never been, the best amusement type thing they have been to would be Klondike days in Edmonton or Calaway park in Calgary, so they don't have high expectations.

[Juanito]

Depending on when you go, you may run into a state or county fair with carnival rides. But I have to imagine they could find the same thing in Alberta.

If it's an amusement park you're after; just head down Interstate 15 and go to Disneyland. Salt Lake City to Disneyland is about 12 hours, depending on if you have the will power not to stop in Las Vegas. (I certainly don't) You can also go to the beach while you're there. If you scuba dive and you have a thick suit, there's good diving off the coast over of southern California. There's also an amusement park called Knott's Berry Farm about 15 km away from Disneyland that has lots of rides.

You could also stop in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has roller coasters and a water park. I'm pretty sure that there are places to rent jet skis on Lake Mead.

It will be pretty hot down there in the summer, but you could go to Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National park in southern Utah. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is not has hot as the south rim and it's less crowded.

One of the posters on this board has some great pictures of Zion or Bryce. I would have to do a search.

[Juanito]

Now that's just funny.

Andiline lives 8 time zones away from Zion and Bryce. I could drive to Zion in 5 hours; and it would take a little longer to go to Bryce.

So who has the great pictures of Zion and Bryce? Of course!

[MWC]

Whatever you end up doing, I would advise that you run your trip through an internet mapping service first, to see how much driving would be entailed in any of your plans. Yellowstone to Rushmore might eat up more time than you think.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by MWC

Whatever you end up doing, I would advise that you run your trip through an internet mapping service first, to see how much driving would be entailed in any of your plans. Yellowstone to Rushmore might eat up more time than you think.

That is what I was thinking.

I would say do one or the other.

Do North and South Dakota, the Black Hills and Rushmore, or go to Yellowstone and back, stopping on the way in Waterton Glacier National Peace Park.

[MWC]

Originally Posted by Rissask

That is what I was thinking.

I would say do one or the other.

Do North and South Dakota, the Black Hills and Rushmore, or go to Yellowstone and back, stopping on the way in Waterton Glacier National Peace Park.

Great minds and all ...

Cuffedlinks lives very close to the Rushmore area, so if he doesn't chime in on this thread, you could try pm-ing him for info on the Dakotas.

Yellowstone could be combined with the Jackson Hole area, as well.

[Juanito]

Farmgirl, you may know this already.

But hotel rooms in Yellowstone book up very early. We checked about a month ago and there was pretty much nothing for when we wanted to go.

So we are staying in West Yellowstone. We are renting a townhouse over there.

MWC is right, you could also go to Grand Teton park. That's very nice. My wife & I rented a canoe and cruised around the lake and there are boat tours of the lake.

Jackson is also a nice place, MWC is right.

[roni]

The Pacific Northwest.
Check it out.

[MN Annie]

Of the places we've travelled, the Black Hills probably offers the most variety for all ages. There is great scenery, interesting history, and lots of attractions including water parks, train rides, caves, casinos, and at least one winery. We are headed there on Thursday for a long weekend.

Yellowstone is interesting to see at least once, and Glacier is one of my favorite national parks.

[farmgirl]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like Black Hills it is!! Likely a good idea to just pick one destination and see it all. Still not 100% sure when we are going, so can't really book rooms ahead, so Yellowstone is out. The Winery sounds very interesting!!

[Tommygurl]

We have spent the last 2 summers in Wyoming & Utah.....

Yellowstone is nice...I love Cody Wy...If you get a chance stay there a night & take the kids to the Cody night rodeo..Jackson Hole is nice...alot like Banff...pricey. We took the kids to Thermopolis Wy to the hotsprings & dinosaur museum. Salt Lake City is cool. Temple Square is really neat & The Hogle Zoo is beautiful!

[Tommygurl]

Yes Yellowstone is vastly overpriced & booked solid......We stayed at Coulter Village in a tent cabin for $40 a night. About 30 min from Yellowstone. Also stayed in Cody for $150 with no reservation. Never had a problem getting a hotel in Wy or Utah in the summer with no res.