Summer Vacation Ideas for Boys

Are they into baseball? A friend of mine is trying to visit every MLB stadium, so each summer he plans a trip through a region and hits all the stadiums & attends a game at each along the way. For example, in Chicago you could do Wrigley Field (Cubs), US Cellular Field (White Sox), swing up to Milwaukee for Miller Park (Brewers), and then perhaps along the way throw in some boating, fishing, exploring downtown Chicago, riding the subway, etc.

What about Chicago, San Deigo, New York or New Orleans? Or, if you like outdoors type stuff,how about the mountains like vail or breckenridge? you can hike or white water raft, etc.

We're taking our boys, they'll be 8 and 14 at the time, to Colorado this summer. We'll be staying in Colorado Springs. We're planning to visit Pike's Peak, go hiking, and white-water rafting. We love being outside, and don't like to plan too much. We want to have lots of down time, so that we can do things on the spur of the moment. Colorado Springs has lots of family friendly things to do, so we can decide what we want to do when we get there. The white-water rafting is the only thing we're definitely planning on doing. I love it!

Seeing that you're in the metroplex I would suggest Turner Falls, Memphis, Dinosaur Valley State Park. Have fun!

Why not find a lazy lakehouse, where you can maybe go fishing and boating. I know you said he didn't like the beach, but that is a little different, and would certainly keep boys occupied. You could make a campfire and cook that way. Boys love fire lol!!!! Hope you find something fun!!!

Yellowstone was our most favorite trip.
I love the lake house - fishing idea for boys.

Have you been to Colorado Springs or Yellowstone National Park? I grew up going to these places and loved them.

Camping
Rent a cabin on a lake

We aren't really doing a vacation, but I am sending mine to a Farm camp, sports camp (through the park district), music camp, he'll be on the swim team. He's 11.