Originally Posted by
Dan Druff
Thanks for all the suggestions.
However, most are not really viable.
Utah: Already have a 2018 trip planned there, seeing all five Utah National Parks.
South Dakota: Did this as part of a long road trip in 2013. Actually wasn't too impressed with South Dakota. Mount Rushmore was interesting, but the surrounding area was SUPER touristy (like to the point where it was a turn-off), and Custer State Park / Black Hills / Badlands were just okay. Ben doesn't remember any of this (he wasn't even 3 yet), but I don't have much of a desire to go back.
Cayman Islands: Was just there in November.
Havasu Falls: Looks cool, but wouldn't want to go there in the summer. Wouldn't it be super hot? Also, Ben isn't ready for any kind of backpack hike. We did do a 5.5 mile hike (no backpack -- at least not for him) which was moderately uphill half the way, and he barely got through it. So that was pretty much his limit. He was in good spirits until about the final mile.
Ben does really enjoy nature, so that's good. He's not one of those kids who needs "kiddie activities" on a trip, which is good, because those really suck for adults. As long as there's some kind of interesting natural feature to see, he's into it.