<p>I’d like to take my son on a trip this summer but am indecisive about where to go. He is in the second year of professional school, mid 20’s and works very hard. This may well be the last summer he has free time so I’d like to treat him to a vacation. He is a bit hesitant–I think primarily because he doesn’t want me to spend the money but it’s my money and that’s what I want to do! I’m a bit concerned that he will be bored hanging out with just “lil ol’ me”. Would like something that will be of interest to both generations, maybe some ‘night life’ for him after I’m pooped out. I want to present him with 2-3 options and let him make the final call. Cruising? Vegas? A beachy place would be fun, but we’d want more to do than just beach/boardwalk. I’ve thought about a city as well with maybe a big league baseball game. I realize it’s difficult to plan a trip for unknown personalities, but thought I’d throw it out there. Suggestions?</p>
<p>As a guy (albeit nearly 50), I’m afraid that going anywhere with nightlife or girls in bikinis, being with mom would be awkward. </p>
<p>Are you outdoorsy at all? A Yellowstone/Tetons trip might be nice.</p>
<p>First, if I were you I’d want to fully sure that your S is interested in going on a trip and if so, how much time he would like that to encompass. A weekend? A week?</p>
<p>I’d say an adventure with a group so there’s not too much togetherness. </p>
<p>A rafting trip down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon, a backpacking trip in the Sierras with a group outfitter, that sort of thing.</p>
<p>I did a Washington DC trip with my mother when I was in my early 20’s. it was for a long weekend. I wouldn’t have wanted to do a whole week-most twenty something’s don’t want to use up their vacation time on a trip with mom.</p>
<p>We’ve done the type of vacations recently where we’ve rented someplace in the mountains or the beach. My S felt free to come and go as he pleased, and generally a friend or two shows up with him. I think he would feel stifled by a whole week with just his parents and younger sisters.</p>
<p>I have two suggestions. A cruise could work, but I’d suggest a short time frame. Side trips, fitness opportunities, on-board entertainment should keep you both busy but not in each others’ pockets. As you suggest, OP, there would be opportunity for night life on his own. Or, is there a class/workshop that you would both be interested in? Cooking, perhaps? Everybody loves a good cook! Maybe a skill your son would like to acquire? I have a friend who swears his wife married him because he could cook! Just a thought.</p>
<p>My girlfriend took her son to Napa for a weekend of wine tasting and great food. I believe that they were gone…4 nights? Not an inexpensive option. Cruises are a fantastic option…but I would check into "non hurricane areas. Some of our friends did a transatlantic cruise (reposinating) and it was cheap…and they threw a few ports in Europe.</p>
<p>I’d take him to Europe. Or Yellowstone, especially if you and he enjoy hiking.</p>
<p>A cruise would be one option. An all inclusive resort would be another.</p>
<p>If you go on a cruise, go for four days. You will have time together, but he will likely meet other young folks on the boat. We recently went on a 9 day cruise and had four 20-somethings with us. We had dinner with them every night and they joined us for some trivia games during the day. They had a whole gaggle of new young friends they spent the evenings with…and went into the ports with. It was so good, we are thinking of taking out two kiddos on a cruise.</p>
<p>I say go to London - there is art, history, shows, something for everybody of any age.</p>
<p>Something that includes a new experience for at least one of you. A segway tour of a city, a river rafting trip (always fun), scuba/skin diving (even if on a cruise). Something active mixed with a good dinner afterwards to discuss the results! Something out of the ordinary–a concert or show that would appeal to both of you (Blue Man group comes to mind). It doesn’t need to be a long period of time–I think memorable may be more important. A good day at an amusement park is fun too – you do it when they’re little and it can be more fun when they’re grown.</p>
<p>Not sure I’d just present him options and have him comfortable to decide especially if he doesn’t want you spending the money–you decide your first choice and see what reaction you get–if negative you can give your next best option.</p>
<p>I went on a 4-day cruise with my 23-yr old son as a college graduation present before he started a new job. Just the two of us, mom & son.</p>
<ul>
<li>Not such a good idea for mom & son to share a small cabin together.</li>
<li>Not such a good idea for a 23-yr old man to be with his mother.</li>
<li>Not such a good idea for a mom to be with a 23-yr old man & spend most of the trip explaining that she is NOT a cougar, that this really IS her son. :eek:</li>
</ul>
<p>If I were to do it again, I’d do a group tour in a foreign country. Outdoor activities also appeal to me, but I know that this middle-aged woman cannot keep up with a 20-something young man.</p>
<p>I’d love to go on a wine tasting tour with one of my kids. Not the sort of thing my H would enjoy but the kids would. 12rhm18, lol! Not something I would think of.</p>
<p>The fun part of an outdoor adventure is that a middle aged woman cannot keep up with a 20-something! But if you’re game for the adventure, you have one at hand who is hopefully willing to show mom that he can take care of all those “manly” things and realizes mom maybe isn’t the total stick-in-the-mud he grew up with.</p>
<p>My son would be thrilled to do a road trip to famous baseball parks! We’ve seen games in LA, Arlington, Houston and MN together as well as some minor-league ball (and I’ve been to see the Braves in Atlanta). I could see a road trip to St. Louis and KC, maybe? Or to see the two Chicago or NY teams? That way, there’s one big thing on the schedule each day, and the rest of the time you can sight-see as the feeling strikes.</p>
<p>Baseball stadiums are a great idea–as long as YOU like baseball too!</p>
<p>Machu Picchu in Peru is a spectacular experience. Great 4-5 day trip that doesn’t involve jet lag. Many tours are pricey but can easily be done independently if you like to plan trips. We did it with our teens and all of us loved it. If you have any interest pm me or sign up for South American Explorers Club.</p>
<p>I don’t really have a suggestion but I think it is cool that you are doing this if he is also into it. </p>
<p>I opened your thread because I am going on a trip with my 26 year old this June. She is graduating grad school and going to Argentina for three weeks before she starts her new job. She possibly has a friend to go with her for one of the weeks, and she was to go with her 24 year old sister for about 11 of the days. But her sister had to opt out at the last minute before reservations were made for flights because she was cast in a show in NYC. My older one likely would have just gone alone for those two weeks. I flippantly suggested to my 26 year old that I could go instead and she was really into that idea and we just booked it yesterday. She is very well traveled (more than me). I have spent one week alone with her in Europe, driven across the country with her the two of us, spent a week on Cape Cod just the two of us, and traveled a bit around northern CA with her one week and so have sorta done this before but this is for longer. I was shocked she was into my going with her and I don’t know when I will be able to do this again and so it is really cool. I hope you get to do something too.</p>
<p>My son really wants me to take him to NYC and see as many shows as we can possibly fit in.</p>
<p>I know a mom who took a cooking class with her son in Europe.</p>
<p>Do you share interests? My DD and I share a ton of interests and like to travel together. My DS, not so much. Be sure your son’s hesitation is really about money, and not the squick factor of spending that much time with mom and that he is too polite to say.</p>