Post: #1

Due to some nonsense my 11 year old nephew is not going to school this semester, thus I want to take him on a trip. My nephew is born in the USA, but has lived in Tahiti his whole life. Thus, he's very polynesian, and a little timid. He does like football, and cars. I' d like to take him somewhere in the US, and do some educational stuff. I can get away for two weeks early/mid October.

Before I share my thoughts, can you guys provide me with some ideas, please?

I'm open to everything, as long as it does not involve fishing, boats, the ocean, any theme parks (except Colonial Williamsburg because that place fucking kicks ass) redneck urine water parks, or aquariums. I'm open to snow.

Preferably these ideas should include an NFL game, a baseball game, and a NASCAR race. And I need hotels not airbnb because I need people to watch him some nights as Uncle Kona loves the ladies, and the ladies love Uncle Kona.

Think back to when you were eleven, and tell me what you'd want to do, but please be mindful of the no-go list.

Mahalo in advance.

Aloha!

Post: #2

When I was that age I wanted to go on road trips with tourist traps, or go to arcades. Maybe stop at Dave and Buster? Though I guess arcades are not what they once were.

What I really enjoyed back then was stuff like the Grand Canyon, Garden of the Gods, etc. I always wanted to do that drive on the Pacific Coast Highway too. Also tours of big, impressive caves, panning for gold, stuff like that.

Post: #3

Take him to the Ukraine.

Post: #4

When I was 11, I used to love visiting family in Boston, and it checks most of the boxes on your list.

Tons of historic and educational things (the city has a lot of cool kid-friendly museums), tons of pro sports teams, not a major fishing or beach destination, and you're just a short trip from places like NYC and Maine. New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NASCAR) is about 1.5 hours away.

I used to get a kick out of riding the subway when I was that age too.

New England (and the Pacific Northwest) are probably the furthest from Tahiti in terms of climate and environment as well, including the snow.

When I was 11, I used to love visiting family in Boston, and it checks most of the boxes on your list.

Tons of historic and educational things (the city has a lot of cool kid-friendly museums), tons of pro sports teams, not a major fishing or beach destination, and you're just a short trip from places like NYC and Maine. New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NASCAR) is about 1.5 hours away.

I used to get a kick out of riding the subway when I was that age too.

New England (and the Pacific Northwest) are probably the furthest from Tahiti in terms of climate and environment as well, including the snow.

If you're planning to go before the end of MLB season, you'll also be catching the start of the NHL and NBA seasons. I'm not a big hockey fan but the games were always fun as a kid because of the atmosphere and fights, and the Bruins have a big fanbase. I'm guessing Tahiti doesn't have much ice hockey either.

Post: #5

(09-21-2017 11:40 PM)Kona Wrote:  Due to some nonsense my 11 year old nephew is not going to school this semester,

Kid gets expelled, gets to go on vacation.

That what it sounds like anyway.

Post: #6

As an underdog pick, Denver might fit the bill. Should be a reasonable flight, too.

You've got NFL, MLB (over pretty soon), tons of hikes, stunning mountains nearby, and ski resorts with snow. The culture is unique, albeit a little different.

Colorado girls aren't known for being the cream of the crop, but they're cute, usually pretty fit, and fairly easy to bed.

Charleston, SC and Austin, Texas would be cool spots to see in the USA, too.

Post: #7

Two weeks in California in October, you can show him Los Angeles and a few national parks. Death Valley, Yosemite, and Joshua Tree would be a mind-expanding road trip for a kid who only knows a tropical island. Scottsdale and Vegas are incredible, but that's for when he turns 21 and can fully appreciate whiskey and tits, so the Grand Canyon might be a little too ambitious.

For what it's worth, taking myself to New York at 19 and somehow getting laid with a 29-year-old finance exec was my first real eye-opener about the world outside of my poor little country town. I have a bias toward "make sure this kid gets a taste of the big city".

Post: #8

I would say Cali because geographically it's one of the greatest places on the planet (in my opinion, and I've only been there once), but since he's coming from a warm beautiful climate already...

Take him to a big city. One of my regrets of childhood and early adulthood was never seeing a major city.

Chicago has lotsa 'murica...big city, midwest, all major sports, outdoors if you get out of the city. You get a great downtown city feel, but it's not so huge and difficult to get around as NY. You can hit up Northwestern or University of Illinois (cool stadium) or wherever within a few hours drive of the city for a college football game.

Damn, just reading Denver as a suggestion. That's a good one.

Good for him not being in screwal for a semester and exploring the world with his fav uncle. Probably will be one of the best things for him, possibly a life changer.

Post: #9

I would say the mountains of West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

But only because I have never been there, and want to go in the autumn on year.

Looks like some good motorcycle mountain loops, which were my favorite thing to do with my dad when I was 11. Hit some twistys and lunch in a backcountry pub.

Post: #10

Los Angeles and the state parks nearby are fun. Lots to do, but again there's a lot of pay for play tourist stuff.

Boston has been mentioned, also which is a fun historical city but outside of the city New England is a miserably boring craphole. You can see everything you need to see in 3 to 4 days and every museum is again pay for play. The freedom trail is an excuse to drag out what really is a few hours of "sites" to see.

New England beaches are rocky and frigid. Ironically, people living there can mostly be described as such.

Why not take him to Washington DC? All of the museums are free, you get to see all of our government's buildings, our nation's capital, and the weather is generally better than NYC and Boston in the fall. Far more educational if you ask me!

Post: #11

Boston, City of Perpetual Champions for Nephew and Uncle - Visit TD Garden home of NHL Bruins and NBA Celtics, Fenway Park home of MLB Red Sox and Jillian's home of Red Sox before and after parties on Lansdowne Street back side of the Legendary Green Monstah Wall - one huge floor - large Pool and Beer Hall and one Huge Floor latest Arcade Rides and Games intended to keep Boston Uni Mega Geeks and kids and their uncles entertained, Also Boston Duck Boat Tour past Museum of Science on Charles river unique perspective of history of Boston and a good Feeling of what it is to be a Champion on a Duck Boat Parade, they will let nephew drive the duck boat in the river with selfies on Uncle's Smart Cell Phone then see Boston Museum of Science - very kool and same good for Uncle and Nephew and then Train from Boston's South Station to Patriots Park at One Patriot Place Foxborough, MA 02035-1388 | 508.543.8200 http://www.gillettestadium.com/venue-information which also has a full Draft Kings Fantasy Football lounge with plenty of hostesses to give out fantasy football practice training and big football women jugs hugs for uncle.

Then after 4 or 5 days of being championed out - cheap flight and hotel deals in Vegas Baby yes the Hawaiian 9th Island that will overstimulate both nephew and uncle - as for nephew Vegas had a family friendly building boom for years with plenty to do for kids then realized they were not resonating with their core Global audience and got back to What Happens in Vegas - Stays in Vegas baby - so plenty to stimulate both Nephew (Magic Acts, Ventriloquist Acts, shows to entertain both Nephew and Uncle) - plenty of well-endowed ladies to look after nephew and other well-endowed ladies to take care of uncle... Of course Plenty of Brochures from City of Champions and Hub of the Universe with 300K Uni Students Boston and plenty of "Family Friendly" brochures from Vegas keeps Uncle Kona out of Hot Water with Nephew's parents for dropping by Vegas on the way back home for some innocent magic shows for nephew and plenty of Magical Female rest and relaxation talent for Uncle Kona... Aloha braddah.

Post: #12

Well thanks for all the tips....

Just to be clear, my nephew wasn't expelled. The schools require a student with a foreign record to be held back a year, and spend the first semester of that year at some type of school where they lump the ESL kids in with the retards. We thought it was stupid to have his first impression of american school kids as drooling helmet wearers. So he'll just go to a private school after Christmas.

As far as the trip goes, my plans aren't set in stone but they go like this:

Nonstop overnight flight from HNL to JFK. The way I see it, a bad airport experience could ruin the whole trip. This way, we get to sleep in those lay down seats, and arrive ready to go. Hawaiian airlines is always on time.

After spending a few days in NYC, I'll be watching baseball playoff schedules. We could go to Boston, as red Sox have already clinched a!spot. He's never been on a train, so I want to go on that Acela express thing.

From there I want to take him to Washington DC. Spend maybe a week going to the Smithsonian and the white house, the National Policy Institute, and all the other stuff.

Are the congressional gallery tickets still free? Do I need my corrupt DUI lawyer to call Tulsi Gabbards office?

Also, I went under the capitol building on little trains when I was a kid and loved it. You go to a cafeteria and eat Senate Bean Soup. I want to do that.

Then I want to get a car and drive down to Norfolk VA via Colonial Williamsburg. Look at jar of leaches. I love that place. Norfolk is just because we got family and friends there, but I'll take him a across the Chesapeake bay bridge, thats an experience.

After that i we could consider the educational part over and fly on southwest to Kansas city for a few days to see thishttp://www.kansasspeedway.com/Tickets/Ev...-Race.aspx

Maybe another flight to Vegas forma few nights then back home from there. I may be able to get the gambling bug out of me in kc, but I doubt it.

Again, thanks for your help, this should bring my little buddy out his shell and teach him that not all Americans have lazy eyes and need horse therapy.

Please advise.

Aloha!

Post: #13

Cali nyc miami or mid west for girl
Id say nyc

Post: #14

Boston-NYC-DC or LA-Coast-San Francisco-Yosemite would be top notch. For childhood memories road trips.

A cheaper, rugged, less bustling, non-coastal road trip could be Vegas-Hooverdam, grand canyon-bryce-zion-utah-yellowstone.

There's a ton of option. Damn I wish I was American... You guys have all the good stuff. (stuck up here in the arctic)

Post: #15

Sorry to ruin your plans, but:

Take A Look at the Greatest and Greenest Lawns in America

Post: #16

^^ Keep in mind zoysia will be brownin October.

And wow... I was just walking and looking on the internet about staying at the Watergate hotel. They have a very deceptive website. I guess true to their history. If you don't put the codes!in all the way the room is double the price.

Aloha!

Post: #17

I wouldn't do Vegas with a kid. There's not enough to do there imo. If you want true gambling without the Vegas, I'd suggest taking the kid to Poconos, Parx Casino, Harrah's in Philly or a Delaware casino on the way to DC/Williamsburg. They have race tracks at each of those so it's something you can do with your nephew. I have a younger cousin myself and we gamble together on the races with family all the time. It's a great experience for them and it's a great bonding activity while having plenty of table games for the adults later in the day.

If baseball is your priority, the east is good with this. Boston and Washington are already in and I don't want to jinx this, but the Yankees should be hosting the AL Wild Card game and look very good to make it to the divisional round, so they could be a third option. If you're looking for train rides though, New York to DC is just as convenient on Amtrak as it is up to Boston while putting you less than two hours from Williamsburg. I'm not sure how much time you have but if it's limited, I'd recommend this option. If it's not, than Boston is honestly worth it for Fenway alone as it's by far the best baseball stadium of the three.

East coast football also has plenty of options. Metlife Stadium is about two train stops away from Penn Station in NY for the Giants and Jets. I wouldn't do the Patriots since it's pretty far out of the way of Boston. Philly could be a great option too if you want to combine a city visit and gambling while taking in an Eagles game. Their fans are hardcore, stadium is in a very convenient location to Harrah's, and it's a fantastic tailgate spot with fan atmosphere. Baltimore and Washington are options too but I wouldn't recommend them when you have NY and Philly available for this.

I know you don't like parks too much but for casual theme park goers, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is an unbelievable experience. Plenty to do and appreciate with it if you're not a coaster guy. Each section is themed to a country in Europe so you can be wordly with your nephew, especially if you've been to Europe before.

The western US is not really my forte compared to the east, but I wish you luck whatever you're looking to do.

Post: #18

I don't know what your plan is in Vegas, but I'll be in and around that area in a few weeks. I'm planning on going into Utah so I can visit Zion National Park and climb Angel's landing. It's two-three hours away from Vegas. I don't know how advisable it is to have an 11 year old do that hike as it looks intimidating, but that doesn't mean he has to go all the way up. There are a few other hikes in that park which are supposedly impressive, but that's the one that I want to do.

Post: #19

An 11 year old kid wants to go to Disneyland or Disney World, Six Flags, Universal Studios. Things that are fun for kids.

Post: #20

I think he will have the time of his life in Boulder. He can ride the bicycle trails all day, go to the parks, no crime, no pollution, no racism, 45 min bus ride for $3.50 to Denver, he can see the rockies, broncos, avalanche, and nuggets. He can go to the CU game in Boulder.

I brought my 11 year old nephew about 10 years ago, he still talks about it. Boulder is a good place for kids.

Post: #21

(09-22-2017 07:15 AM)MKDAWUSS Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 11:40 PM)Kona Wrote:  Due to some nonsense my 11 year old nephew is not going to school this semester,

Kid gets expelled, gets to go on vacation.

That what it sounds like anyway.

Sounds like he beat up some rednecks at a theme park, and then had to run through the aquarium and go down a waterslide to get on his boat and escape. It was pretty much the Tahiti version of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and now "Uncle Phil" must protect him from these influences.

Post: #22

The Appalachians, visit some living history places. See how people mined, farmed, hunted smithed, etc. in the old days with little technology and no outside help.

Post: #23

Thanks again for the advice...

Right now the only guarantee is NASCAR in Kansas. That's the thing my nephew wants most, after a little steering of course. I've got mhim convinced theme parks suck, so I'm happy.

I need to get this all set up by the end of the week.

Aloha!

Post: #24

You have to remember that this is a young kid, not an aging grandma interested in looking at gardens and rolling hillsides in Appalachia(to be honest I am from there and its not that interesting at all, the scenery pales in comparison to where he is from, the food mostly sucks, and its painfully boring). He is going to be bored to tears if you take him to any of these places. Think about when you were his age, I would want to strangle myself on a trip like that. Basically he wants to be where the girls are. The mall was pretty much all I cared about. So pretty much anything that resembles a mall. Dont worry, you can still have a good time.

I am also familiar with Pac Islanders/Hawaiin's coming to the US for the first time. California is the best transition for them, as always.

Here are my suggestions;

LA - Santa Monica pier and beach, Lakers/NFL/Dodgers/NHL, Universal Studios, California Adventure, the beach.
NYC - Times Square, Statue of Liberty, etc
Boston - for the history
Washington DC - for the history

And thats about it. Kids his age don't appreciate nature and scenery, especially if its worse than where he lives.

Post: #25

Vaun, 11 year olds aren't trying to game lizards yet. I don't think Kona can lose with NYC, there is enough for everyone to do. If you are really trying to treat the young lad, you can do Disney with him and then you (Kona) can spend your nights trying to game the tourists. There are a lot of Europeans in Orlando during September so you might be able to procure some otherwise obscure flags.
Florida, however, may not give you the best view of what the American public is. You would get a better version of that further up the coast on the East side.

As previously mentioned, there may not be enough child focused activities for him to do.