USA family holiday - ballpark figure on how much?

[Arcadia]

We went around US for 5 weeks early last year (with a 4 year old and almost 2 year old). 20K would have been our total spend I think.

I didn't like NYC. I found it hard to get around with the pram and the subway. It was freezing though, so we didn't want to walk too much. I also just found it limiting for kids, because they weren't as into the adult things we wanted to do (like 9/11 memorial and empire state building).

My favourite city for the kids was actually Washington DC. They have so many free museums, we were there 2 weeks (for my study) and they were never bored, and DH took them to a different museum every day. There are also great day trips to historic houses etc which was fun.

DO NOT DROP HAWAII. Sorry but if cost is an issue, find savings elsewhere. Hawaii was seriously fun for our family. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian village. I would go back every year if we had the money. It is also a brilliant way to break up the long trek home.

[meow]

We spent a week in NYC when the kids were about 18 months and 4 and we really enjoyed it. We stayed about 1/2 way between central park and Times Square so we could walk to those and we had a fun time visiting the Natural History Museum, Central Park Zoo, playgrounds in the park, carriage ride around the park, Toys-R-Us and all the bright lights of Times Square. We went up the Rockerfeller Center and the kids weren't loving it but they didn't mind either and we enjoyed the view. We caught the subway once to go down and look the Statue of Liberty and they enjoyed the ride and running around the waterfront. The only real issue for us is that is was really loud and pretty overwhelming so we went out most mornings then spent most the afternoon hanging out in our teeny little 1 bedroom apartment and chilling out.

[MummyNaomi]

DO NOT DROP HAWAII. Sorry but if cost is an issue, find savings elsewhere. Hawaii was seriously fun for our family. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian village. I would go back every year if we had the money. It is also a brilliant way to break up the long trek home.

Good advice thanks. I do really want to go there, sounds like it would suit everyone's interest

[surprised]

I second the do not drop Hawaii. Where else have you got planned?

I've heard that Las Vegas is pretty seedy full stop, not just off the strip.

How exciting!

[Cassius2]

oh it sounds like it's going to be fun!

One thing to keep in mind is that if Nan comes it might change what type of accommodation you can book. Ie standard rooms might not necessarily accommodate for that many people.

We really enjoyed Las Vegas with our 2 small kids (4 and 1). that said, it really was seedy lol. BUT, we mostly hung out around the strip and ate lots of icecream and mostly, in all honesty enjoyed the SUPER CHEAP accommodation. like, we were paying only US$30 a night for a 4 star fully equipped apartment that was poolside AND it included dinners! you can't beat that value man lol!

I wouldnt drop hawaii either. everyone that i have spoken to that has gone there has just fallen in love with the place. it is also quite affordable (well, as someone booking from the US...what with the US economy what it was in 2012 they were struggling to get people to spend money to go there!).

could it form part of your stopover?