father son camping trip near me

Father Son Camping 2024

Welcome to the Father Son Camping experience, where memories are forged and bonds are strengthened. Set amidst the serene backdrop of Nickerson Park Family Campground, our next adventure unfolds from August 1-4, 2024. This is more than just a camping trip; it’s an opportunity for fathers and sons to reconnect, away from the distractions of everyday life. A $60 non-refundable retainer ensures your spot in this unique journey. To maintain the purity of our experience, we kindly request all participants to adhere to four basic rules: no alcohol, no smoking, no swearing, and no electronics. Let’s embrace nature and each other, creating moments that will last a lifetime.

Interested in Joining Us?

If the idea of a bonding adventure with your son resonates with you, we’d love to have you on board. Kindly fill out the interest form provided below to let us know you’d like to be a part of this unforgettable experience. Once submitted, our team will get in touch with you with further details and the next steps. Let’s make memories together!

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15 Awesome Father Son Vacations That He Won’t Forget

Going on a father son vacation is a great way to build a stronger bond with your son. When you spend one on one time with your son it will create a memory that your son will never forget. By leaving the rest of the family behind, your son feel extra important and loved.

Your son’s age and interests will help to determine the type of vacation you should go on. I’ve put together a list of awesome father son vacations that the two of you will be talking about for years to come. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline pumping adventure, or to kick back on the beach, I’ve got it and everything in between.

1. Oahu, HI

There are many awesome islands to visit in Hawaii. My top pick for a father and son trip would be Oahu. I spent a summer working on Oahu and Kauai after high school. Oahu is known as more of the partying island and Kauai is known as the retirement island. If you looking for adventure and fun then Oahu is the place for you.

There is snorkeling, surfing, deep sea fishing, cliff jumping, shark diving, hiking, skydiving, and even a submarine. If you want more laid back sightseeing, then there is beautiful sites at every turn. The Pineapple Plantation, Pearl Harbor Memorial, Battleship Missouri tour, and the Polynesian culture center are just a few you could visit. You won’t run out of things to do on this trip. Make sure you don’t over do it and spend some time taking it all in with your son.

Meant 2 Dad Top Activity Picks

• Waimea Bay: Here you can swim, sit on the beach, jump of the 25ft. Waimea Rock into the ocean, or snorkel. Jumping off of the rock is a ton of fun. If you don’t want to jump it is entertaining to watch others take the plunge.
• Waimea Water Fall Hike: 3.5 Mile hike to some beautiful water falls
• Zip-line Tour from Climb Works
• Surfing on the North Shore with Uncle Bryan at surfnorthshore.com
• Turtle Canyon Snorkel Sail
• Submarine experience with Atlantis Adventures
• Learn about Polynesian culture and eat amazing food at the Polynesian Culture Center

2. Homer, Alaska

If your looking to live on the wild side then look no further than Alaska. I have never been to Alaska, but dream of taking my son there one day. I know multiple people that went to Alaska on a fishing trip and years later they continue to go back every year. Alaska offers huge beauty with expansive landscapes, glaciers, wildlife, and monstrous fish.

For your father son vacation you should check out the Halibut fishing Capital of the World, Homer, Alaska. Here you will be able to go deep sea fishing for monster halibut, salmon, and rock fish. Halibut here can range from 25 lbs to upwards of 400 lbs.

• Deep Sea Fishing with bighalibut.com
• Bike Riding at the Homer Spit
• Bear viewing tour with Alaska Bear viewing tours
• Horseback or ATV riding with Bear Paw Adventures
• Sea Kayaking and Glacier Hiking with Three Moose Kayak Adventures
• Dining and Art viewing in downtown Homer

3. Washington D.C.

What could be more patriotic than taking your son to our nations capital? Washington D.C. is a awesome destination for your father son vacation. The city is packed full of museums and historic landmarks that your son won’t forget. One of the great parts about visiting Washington D.C. is that most of the museums are free to enter.

• Lincoln Memorial
• The White House and the Washington Monument
• Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
• United State Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
• Arlington National Cemetery
• World War II Memorial
• Washington National Cathedral
• U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress

These activities are just the tip of the iceberg. All of the above activities are free admission. There are numerous other museums and monuments that you can go through that have free admission as well. You won’t run out of things to do on this trip.

4. Moab, UT

Moab is one of the top adventure towns in the world. It has everything including hiking, mountain biking, 4X4 trails, dirt biking, ATV, white water rafting, and beautiful stone arches. If you and your son want some thrill then this is the place for you.

• Book an Adventure with Red River Adventures . There you will be able to choose Whitewater Rafting, Rock Climbing, Utah Canyoneering, 4X4 UTV tours, and more.
• Arches National Park
• Dead Horse State Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Hummer tour, Jeep rental, Jet Boat Tour, Mountain Bike Tours, and more from Moab Adventure Center .
• Moab Giants Dinosaur Park

5. Williamsburg, VA

Williamsburg is the best of both worlds for the thrill seekers and history buffs. Here you will be able to step back in time to early America at Colonial Williamsburg. You can also trace the story of early America by visiting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and finishing up at Yorktown. Williamsburg is also home to Busch Gardens, which is hands down one of the best amusement parks I have ever been too.

• Colonial Williamsburg
• Busch Gardens
• Go Ape tree top adventures
• Great Wolf Lodge
• Virginia Beach
• Battleship Wisconsin Tour
• Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

6. West Yellowstone, MT

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most amazing places in the world. When John Coltera, member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, told people about Yellowstone no one believed that it was true. The geological features alone make the trip worth it. Although my favorite part about the park is seeing all the wildlife. West Yellowstone is the town located right at the West entrance to Yellowstone. Here you will be able to stay and eat while you enjoy your days in the park. The town features souvenir shops, I Max theater, and even a Grizzly Discovery Center.

• Grand Prismatic Spring
• Old Faithful Geyser
• Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
• Upper Geyser Basin
• Yellowstone Lake
• Guided Fishing Trip with Arricks Fly Shop
• Wildlife Viewing in Yellowstone- Best to go in the Spring or Fall. Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs – Great for Bugling Elk in the Fall. Tip- As you drive look for spots where professional photographers are grouped up. Bring a good pair of binoculars and a spotting scope . Also if you get an attachment for your spotting scope frome phone skope you can take sweet pictures right through the spotting scope.
• Grizzly Discovery Center

7. Outer Banks, NC

Enjoy the beauty of the barrier islands that make up outer banks. Here you will find relaxation and excitement. You can lay out on the beach and soak up the sun or you can fly through the sky with Kitty Hawk Kites. You can also stand at the place where the Wright Brothers first took flight. This is truly an amazing spot to visit with your son.

• Wright Brothers National Memorial
• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
• Book an Adventure with Kitty Hawk Kites
• Deep Sea Fishing with Rock Solid Fishing
• Horseback riding with OBX Horseback Riding
• View wild horses on a Hummer Adventure Tour
• Eat some tasty Carolina BBQ
• Be a beach bum

8. Jackson Hole, WY

Enjoy the old west in Jackson Hole. There is fun to be had in Jackson Hole year round. In the summer you can visit Grand Teton National Park, whitewater rafting on the famous Snake River, Fly Fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, covered wagon cookouts, and even an alpine slide. In the winter you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snow machine tours, snow tubing, dog sled tours, elk refuge sleigh rides, and snow coach tours.

• Grand Teton National Park
• Bar T 5 Covered Wagon Cookout
• Bar J Chuckwagon
• Whitewater Rafting with Barker Ewing
• Wildlife Tour with Teton Science Schools
• Hiking Tour with Hole Hiking Experience
• Jackson Hole Grand Adventure Pass
• Snow Kings Alpine Slide
• Fishing with Jackson Hole Anglers
• Town Square Shootout
• Antler Arches at Town Square

9. Orlando, FL

If your son loves theme parks, or is young enough that the magic of Disney is still real, then Orlando is the place for you. With Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Legoland you will have plenty of attractions to keep you busy. I went to Disney World when I was eight years old and I still have many fond memories of being there with my family. If theme parks aren’t your thing Orlando still has a lot to offer with places like the Kennedy Space Center.

• Walt Disney World
• Universal Orlando
• Legoland Orlando
• Kennedy Space Center
• Cocoa Beach
• Drive a race car at Daytona International Speedway

10. Lincoln City, OR

The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite places to visit. The mixture of lush green evergreen trees, pristine beaches, and waves crashing into massive rock structures is truly amazing. The Oregon Coast offers so many activities and is a great place to sit back and relax. Lincoln City is my favorite area to stay. It is in the middle of where all the action is and is home to Jay’s Fish and Chips which is the best hole in the wall fish joint on the West coast.

• Hiking God’s Thumb – This is a must do hike if you are staying in Lincoln City
• Drift Creek Falls Hike
• Deep Sea Fishing with Dockside Charters
• Crabbing in Alsea Bay
• Whale watching at Depoe Bay with Dockside Charters
• Eating ice cream at Tillamook Cheese Factory
• Sand boarding in Pacific City
• Surfing at Otter Rock with Pura Vida Surf Shop
• Tide Pools at Strawberry Hill- Here you will find tide pools with all sorts of sea creatures and a good supply of Agates
• Riding ATVs at the oregon dunes
• Eating at J’s Fish and Chips
• Eating at The Cafe on Hawk Creek
• Eating at Luna Sea Fish House
• Exploring Downtown Newport
• Sightseeing along Hwy 101

11. New York, NY

Traveling to the Big Apple with your son would be the ultimate city experience. There is so much to see and do that you will never be able to see it all in one trip. My advice would be to plan the trip really well before you go so you can make the most of your time. One thing to be careful of is not cramming to much into one day. You don’t want to burn out your son. Make sure its not go go go the whole time. This way you will have some time to relax and take in the beauty this city has to offer.

• 9/11 Memorial Museum
• Big Apple Helicopter Tour of New York
• Empire State Building Skip-the-Line Tickets
• New York Catacombs by Candlelight
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour
• New York CityPass
• Broadway Musical
• Time Square
• Bartering in Chinatown
• NY Slice of Pizza
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Washington Square Park
• Radio City Music Hall
• Yankee Stadium
• Central Park

12. Anaheim, CA

If your son is a fan of Disney then a great place to go on your father son vacation is Anaheim, California. The main attraction in Anaheim is Disneyland Park. There you will be able to bring the magic of Disney alive for your son. Although Disneyland is great, that is not the only thing to see around Anaheim. See below for our recommended activities during your stay in Anaheim.

• Disneyland Park
• Universal Studios Hollywood- Be sure to do the studio tour
• Skateboard lesson at Vans Skatepark
• Catch an Angels game
• Deep Sea Fishing or Whale Watching with Davey’s Locker
• Knott’s Berry Farm Amusement Park
• Surf Lessons from Cork Carroll’s Surf School
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour
• The Best of LA, Hollywood , Beverly Hills and Beaches from Anaheim tour

13. Nashville, TN

If your son is a fan of Country Music, then take him to Music City. One of the top attractions in Nashville is going down Broadway and listening to music in the bars and honky tonks. The best part about this is that the admission is free so you can go from bar to bar listening to great up and coming country artists. If you prefer more laid back atmosphere then check out the Bluebird Cafe. In Nashville there are also a lot of historical sites you can visit as well. This city is a lot of fun and would make a great vacation for you and your son.

• Broadway- If you want to jam to a lot of country music this is the place for you. Check out Legends Corner. The atmosphere there is not to loud, but lively at the same time. The perfect spot to sit back and enjoy some bands.
• The Grand Ole Opry – This was the radio show that put Nashville on the map as the Country Music Capital of the World back in the 1920’s. You can still go to concerts here as well. Book a ticket to a concert and you should definitely take a guided backstage tour .
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
• Johnny Cash Museum – Take some time to tour through the life of The Man in Black. The Johnny Cash museum houses the largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia that includes films, handwritten notes, letters written by Cash, and over 25 legendary costumes from The Man in Black’s career. Check out the Johnny Cash museums website here .
• Belle Meade Plantation Guided Mansion Tour – The Belle Meade Plantation was constructed in 1853 in a Greek Revival style. In the center of the plantation is the mansion. One of the craziest things about this place is the columns on the mansion are still visibly covered with holes from the Civil War.
• Ryman Auditorium- This is the place where Johnny Cash and June Carter met. Take a tour and check out a show on your trip. Here is a link to the Ryman Auditoriums website.
• General Jackson Showboat Lunch
• Taste of Nashville Walking Food Tour
• Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

14. Boston, MA

If you want to experience so many American history and sports places at the same time, then Boston is the place for you. This city is slam packed with historical sites as well as some top professional teams. Whether you go to watch a sporting event, or just take a tour of the stadiums, its worth the trip.

• Fenway Park Tour – Take a tour of the oldest ballpark in Major League history.
• Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum – This awesome floating museum is made up of restored tea ships full of interactive displays and actors reading to play the part and answer questions.
• Sightseeing Bus Tour – Experience all of Boston’s top historical attractions in a one day guided bus tour. Some of the stops include Cambridge Common, the Lexington Battle Green and the Battle Road Trail
• North End Boston Secret Food Tour – Try Bostons amazing food. On this tour you’ll sample seafood, italian dishes, and more. Along the trip you will also learn about the history of the area.
• Catch a Game – Boston has plenty of great sports teams that you can go watch on your visit.
• Skywalk Observatory- This observatory is situation in Prudential Tower and offers a sweeping 360 degree view of the city.
• Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop
• Boston Harborwalk
• Duck Boat Sightseeing Tour – Hop into an amphibious vehicle to experience the city by land and by sea.

I saved the best destination for last. Idaho is my home state and I love it here. If you are an outdoors enthusiast then this is the place for you. I could just pick one spot in the State so instead I’m going to give you different options based on what your interested in doing. One of the best parts about Idaho is all of the public land. Over 60% of Idaho is public land that belongs to all U.S. citizens.

• Backpacking Trip through the Sawtooth Mountain Range – I recommend the Alice to Toxaway Lake loop, or if your in for a longer hike then one of the best backpacking trips I’ve ever done is from Alice Lake to Redfish lake. It’s a little more than 50 miles to complete this hike. If you’re interested in a shorter hike then go to Redfish lake and take the ferry across the lake. From there you can hike to the Cramer Lakes. There is a little waterfall between Middle and Lower Cramer Lake that you can jump off of. But be aware that these are alpine lakes and the water is super cold.
• Backpacking Trip in the White Cloud Mountain Range – The Sawtooths have become increasingly popular over the years and rightly so for their beauty. However, if you want to hike in an amazing area that is less trafficked then check out the Boulder Chain Lakes or the Big Boulder Chain Lakes. I love the Big Boulder Chain Lakes and on this hike you will be able to hike to the highest elevation lake in Idaho Lonesome lake. Tin Cup lake is part of the Boulder Chain Lakes and it is stocked with Golden Trout.
• Fish the Snake River and Henry’s Fork – If you are into fly fishing, then spend a few days fishing the South Fork of the Snake and Henry’s Fork. Here is a link to some fishing guides that can help you out.
• Soak in Natural Hot Springs – Idaho is home to the most useable natural hot springs in America with about 130. Here is a link to Idaho Hot Springs where you will find information on hot springs across the state.
• Ghost Town Tours – Idaho has many Ghost Towns for you to tour around. A ghost town is an old mining town that everyone left due to the mines being shut down for one reason or another. Some towns to check out are Custer Historic Mining Town, Silver City Historical Area, Wallace Area, and Bayhorse Ghost Town.
• ATV Riding – With over 60% of Idaho being public land there are some epic ATV trails for you to ride on. Any one of the trips you pick an ATV trail will be close by. Plan on renting some ATVs and spending a day or two riding the trails. Here is a link to all of the ATV trails in Idaho.
• Rafting the Salmon River – This is a multi day guided tour of the Grand Canyon of the Salmon River. Rafting is a ton of fun and an experience you and your son will never forget.
• Hell’s Canyon White-Water Rafting Trip – This is a guided 3 day rafting trip through Hell’s Canyon. Including with this guided trip is hiking, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and white water rafting on Class III-IV rapids on the Snake River.

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LIfesong Wilderness Adventures

Wilderness Survival Training Adult and Teen Oregon

Father Son Survival Camp

Father-Son Survival Camp is an opportunity to spend time together exploring nature while learning outdoor skills. Both Father and son learn practical camping, woodcraft, and survival skills. Fun-filled with plenty of outdoor activities. It's true, there is nothing like camping with your son and spending this special time together. Join us for great fun and adventure in Oregon.

Father-Son Survival Camp

Book your spot today!

Ages: Children ages 8 to 13 with accompanying Parent Location: Oregon Date: June 17-20, 2024 Tuition: $1050.00

Read: registration policies before purchasing. buy by check, father son video.

Adventure for Father and Son

Camping skills are fun to learn. We will learn to set up tents, string a tarp. And use a carving knife safely, we will work on making fire from rubbing sticks together, track wildlife, fish, and learn to walk silent in the woods. Plenty of time to swim, study and eat interesting insects, learn tree and plant identification, and eat more bugs.

Camping Skills for children

Camp cooking is hot dogs and roasting marshmallows over a campfire. But there is much more to cooking outdoors. Armies march on their stomach and so do campers. We will learn simple campfire cooking while discovering several ways to prepare a meal outdoors.

• campsite location - safety
• survival shelters
• knife safety- use -wood carving
• fire making – safety and responsibility
• water – treatment, and filtering techniques
• wood containers

Father Son Camp

Even More Outdoor Fun!

• animal tracking - nature awareness
• wildlife behavior
• wild foods foraging
• campfire cooking
• crafting - string making
• hunting with sticks - no animals are taken
• leave no trace - how to shat in the woods properly

More Details

Children ages 8 to 13 are welcome with accompanying parent or adult

Medical Release for attending children. Please visit our Registration Policies page.

The Father Son Camp is held on a private property near the community of Oakridge, Oregon 97463

For your convivence Adirondacks, (are open ended shelters with bunks.), are available to sleep in. But do bring a tent.

Meals are not provided. Recommended gear and food list.

However, for your convenience, a group cooking and meal preparation and clean up area are provided.

You made it to camp and we’re excited you’re here! First thing check-in with Mark, your host, and head instructor for the duration. Then we will show you where we meet, your personal camp area, hand washing station, and the bathroom. Once you are set, head over to the main camp for orientation and meet your fellow campers.

Once everyone has arrived and settled in, we will gather together as a group and discuss most importantly, our safety protocols, meeting times, cooking and food preparation area, and more.

Morning round-up 7:30 am

Breakfast until 8:45 am

9:am our first day begins!

Reveille. Take a Walk to limber our bodies, buddy system, learn how to stay found. Get to know the camp.

Morning Calisthenics

How's Everyone Doing? Discussion. Safety Talk with Students and Staff.

Lecture and Demonstration (Skill(s) for the Day)

Knife Safety

Carve with your knife

Best Practices

Create Your Bow Drill

Wood selection

Start on next Skill/Project/Adventure

Emergency Fire Craft Application and Safety

tree & plant tinder

cordage-fiber

Learn fire for all conditions

One-match fire

Construct a fire lay

Plants and trees

Fire craft covers lots of information. Lessons and practice continues through the afternoon.

Dinner Break 1-1-1/2 hour

Evening  Community Time

Getting to know one another

Discussion of the days activities

Campfire stories

Safety concerns

9pm fall into exhausted sleep

Lights out 9pm and fall into restful sleep

Staff  is Mark J. Wienert owner and founder and your head instructor for the duration of the Father Son Survival Camp. Along with Lifesong Adventures great volunteer staff!

More reading on our Blog

• Wilderness Survival Instructor Mark Wienert
• Survival Skills Training
• Survival Trick
• Bear Grylls Desert Island

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Father and Son Bonding Experiences, Trips and Breaks

Bonding experiences, trip and breaks for outdoor lads and dads

Want to spend more time with your son? Looking for ideas? In this post, the latest in our series of 100 outdoor adventures to have with your kids before they grow up , we’ve 10 suggestions for lad and dad bonding in nature. Because while Pizza Hut is fun and gaming or shopping together is easy, tackling a challenge in the outdoors develops much deeper bonds and creates lasting memories. It’s hard not to appreciate your partner in crime when you are building a den, sleeping under the stars or conquering the world together. So consider getting out of your depth on one of these father and son bonding adventures, trips and breaks…

Why not ditch the pesky giggler and have a serious father-son experience?

Why get to know your son?

As many parents discover, the years fly faster as adulthood approaches. And while neglected work may prick your conscience, that’s nothing compared to how you will feel if you let the time with your kids slip through your fingers. We made a conscious effort not to let this happen; Stuart took the boys camping and canoeing when they were little, and we managed to squeeze in a year long adventure to New Zealand, Samoa and the US when they were toddlers. As I was heavily pregnant by the end of the trip it fell to Stuart to take them off on daily adventures and he continued long after we returned home. I have listed a variety of father son bonding adventures, trips and breaks below, based on his experiences with the kids and my own research. I am sure you will find something similar in your area. So standby for impromptu action ideas or carefully planned bonding suggestions…:

Waterfall father/son bonding experience at Kravice Waterfalls, Bosnia

10 Father-son bonding experiences, expeditions, trips and breaks

1 eat worms in the wild.

If you have a decent budget, and a yearning to travel together and be hunter gatherers then bushcraft expert Ben McNutt is your man. He runs a series of week long expeditions in exotic locations where you are taught to fed for yourselves. These include a tropical island in Panama and the desert of Namibia , where you track, trap and hunt every day. On a smaller, more affordable scale, Bear Grylls Survival Academy allows parents and kids the space to test themselves on their nature skills in a safe, controlled environment that still feels wild. So if taking your kids onto a mountain is a big step then you might prefer this half way experience. You can choose Bear retreats in the  highlands, moorlands, water, wilderness or woodland. The TV adventurer won’t be there himself, in case you were wondering, but his franchises follow his methodology and provide similar experiences. You are likely to be taught to make shelter, forage for food and be at one with the natural world. Bugs feature and you may well have to eat them. but don’t worry, our insects were the toasty rather than the slimy variety. We went as a whole family and some of us fared better than others; watch this video to see how we got on on and what you might expect.

For for a gentler introduction to bushcraft Woodmatters in the Lake District offers family camps where fathers and sons can mix in with family groups, “They are all in the same pot, having to make a shelter, eat around the campfire,” says Gareth Thomas who runs the experiences.

Read more: 

What are the benefits of father-son adventures ? Two outdoor dads give their opinions.

Check out my interview with Ben McNutt where he taught me how to make fire. 

Mealworm anyone? At Bear Grylls Survival Academy

2 Doing an assault course

Puzzlewood  in the Forest of Dean is  a great option for active adventure . The Forest of Dean Adventure company has a new assault course plus an Adventure Challenge, archery and a climbing tower. Alternatively we’ve always found Via Ferrata to be quite challenging. You could try hiring a guide and going climbing, or if you have little ones you can simply find a rock or outdoor climbing wall in a playground and start teaching them where to put their feet.

If you fancy assaulting a wall of water, the boys thought being shot out of a water cannon might be gentle and relaxing  fun; until they tried it. Check out this video of how Cam got on at Area 47 in Austria:

Read about our experiences tackling Via Ferrata at Mayerhofn in Austria.

Here’s one where we tried rock climbing in the Julien Alps in Slovenia.

Abseiling in Julian Alps Slovenia

3 Camp on a farm

Finding things that will interest your son is the key to a successful father-son bonding trip. Animals are a great common denominator and there are lots of overnight experiences on offer. If you like zoos and animal parks, many offer the chance to spend the night in the grounds. Whipsnade offers stays in the Lookout Lodges complete with torch lit walks. Forest Holidays have Forest Rangers to teach you spotting skills ad take you on night walks. At port Lympne The Aspinall Foundation’s conservation campus in Kent, you can take a sunset safari tour or go monkey feeding. You can stay in Tiger Lodge or ‘ The Bubble – an actual giant bubble with air con and a king sized bed. Oh and stars- you will likely see the stars.

Feeding the animals at campsite in New Zealand

4 Star gazing

Talking of seeing stars, star gazing isn’t something I’d ever thought of until I found myself on the top of Teide in Tenerife, looking at a moon so intense it hurt my eyes though the powerful telescope. Once you’ve started to spot constellations then it becomes addictive. Of course you can do it on your own doorstep, but it’s much more fun to make a trip of it. We enjoyed camping in Dubai on an overnight experience; once the sun went down there wasn’t much to do till morning apart from listen to camels snore and watch the stars twinkle in a chilly desert sky.

We grabbed a warmer night’s sleep on our star gazing mission to Durham. The North Pennines has more Dark Sky Discovery sites than anywhere else in the UK. The Dark Sky initiative is part of an international programme that helps encourage observation of the Milky Way or the constellation of Orion with the naked eye through protected sites. We stayed at Killhope Mining Museum in a yurt . On the wild moorland there was no shortage of darkness and while the stars stayed away early evening they shone in all their glory in the tiny hours past midnight. If you are lucky you might even see Orion through the magnificent waterwheel. There’s a small observatory too for prearranged spotting,

Flourite and dark nights in Durham  

Overnight desert camp in Dubai

Volcanic road trip of Tenerife

Desert Camp Sleepover Dubai Desert

5 Become James Bond

James Bond is always a winner with kids. You can create your own 007 adventure with a bit of imagination and a small budget. Transport is a good place to start; while you may not be able to parachute onto a Swiss mountain, most places with a decent river or lake can offer speed boat experiences. Hire one yourself or join a rib ride. We had fun on the Thames where a guide gently talked us through what we could see on the riverbank before instructing us to hold tight for a high octane return. We also did a rib ride adventure in Anglesey. In the Faroe Islands, public transport is heavily subsidized and we travelled cheaply by helicopter and speedboat.

You can do some spy training together too. Various providers offer day courses. If you are near Washington DC you can do a secret family sleepover at the International Spy Museum. Or follow one of the Treasure Trails Spy Missions around the UK.

Catching a helicopter on Mykines, Faroe Islands

Here’s how we got on in with our scooter spy mission Central London.

Check out our James Bond style day out in The Faroes

6 Have a Knight’s night

What boy doesn’t dream of being a knight; whether that’s conventional or Jedi? Indulge their passion for swords and dragons with a trip to a jousting match at a castle near you. Kynren, in the UK’s north east takes you on a theatrical journey through olde England with lots of horseback action. France’s Puy du Fou does the same with French history but on an even bigger scale and with more horses and a wild array of animals. Warwick Castle offers a range of sleeping options in their Knights Village, including knight’s lodges, fairy tale castle tower suites or a luxury Kings Tent with a four poster bed. All include two day priority access to the castle where you can enjoy the dragon slayer show together or attend a medieval banquet.

Kynren Show – where knight’s rule on a father-son bonding trip

Check out a spectacular summer night’s entertainment at Kynren.

7 Go to the edge

We’ve always enjoyed scaring ourselves silly. In Cebu we walked on the outside of a skyscraper in a unique attraction. But you don’t need to travel far. Simply find a clifftop to explore together. Or a ledge or edge of some kind. A walk to a lighthouse can be a good way to position yourself at the end of the land and tilt towards the sky. A waterfall can do the same job. Or go for broke and find an edge with a bungee or swing attached.

The edge of the Isles of Scilly. On the rocks at Old Town Bay, St Mary’s

8 Be surf dudes

Surfing is a great lad and dad bonding activity. You can take a course together or just grab boards and give it a go. We took a lesson in Portugal and also tried sand surfing in New Zealand where you push yourself down dunes on a boogie board.  And if you can’t find any water; I-Fly gets you surfing a wind tunnel. No experience necessary.

Family surfing in The Algarve

Dune surfing with toddlers on 90 mile beach in New Zealand  

Wind tunnel diving at I-Fly

Did he enjoy that? Well, it was cold but I think so…

9 Soup up the bikes

In our house Stuart has always biked with the kids. They haven’t always loved the idea, but we had no problem getting them out the day we put an engine on it . Check with the hire shop for any age restrictions.

Electric bikes for rent in Eifel Park Germany, Elektro-Fahrradverleih-Eifel

10 Upgrade your wheels

There are many different driving adventures you can take with either them or you at the wheel. We have taken adventures in cool cars as far afield as Dubai and the Forest of Dean. Children over 1.5 metres tall can drive a Mini Cooper at Goodwood. Sand dunes are truly awesome for an off road adventure as you can see in the following video:

Read about our off road jeep safari in Portugal .

We went 4WD Driving in Forest of Dean with Whitecliff 4WD School

About the author

Kirstie Pelling

Kirstie is the Editor of The Family Adventure Project. A professional writer and poet, she's the creative and journalistic force behind many of the stories and features published here. She's a co-founder and co-director of The Family Adventure Project and also works as the #poetinmotion producing and performing poetry for print, video and live performance.

what amazing trips and changes to grow. I wrote a book to that end for boys and found your site interesting.

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Best Father-Son Getaway Ideas in the United States

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From thrilling adventures in breathtaking national parks to engaging cultural experiences in vibrant cities, the best father-son weekend getaway ideas in the United States cater to all interests! Besides, what better way to bond as a father and son duo than by going on an epic trip? With an abundance of diverse landscapes, historical landmarks, and thrilling activities, there are endless opportunities for shared excitement and exploration. Take an unforgettable road trip along California’s stunning Pacific Coast Highway, witnessing breathtaking ocean views and stopping at iconic sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Or, if you both crave adrenaline-packed activities, head to Moab in Utah for thrilling off-road adventures amidst awe-inspiring red rock formations. Stay tuned to plan some quality time with Dad on these top father-son trip ideas!

Go on a Camping Trip

Camping is an excellent way to spend quality time with your son, surrounded by nature’s beauty! Plus, the United States has no shortage of camping destinations for a memorable father-son trip. Whether it’s Acadia National Park or Yosemite National Park , there are plenty of options available.

Pitching a tent and building a fire together can be an exciting experience for both you and your son. It’s also a great opportunity to disconnect from technology and enjoy each other’s company without any distractions. Exploring nearby hiking trails or going fishing in the nearby rivers is another fun activity that will keep you both entertained during your camping trip. Don’t forget to bring marshmallows for roasting over the fire!

While camping comes with its challenges, such as bugs and unpredictable weather, overcoming these obstacles together can make your bond even stronger. So pack up your gear, grab some snacks, and head out into the wilderness for an unforgettable father-son adventure!

Click here to shop the Top Gifts for Dads Who Love to Travel and Live Life to the Fullest ! 

Places in the United States to Take a Father-Son Camping Trip

If you want the ultimate father-son bonding experience in the United States, check out these fun camping ideas! If you’re searching for places closer to home, consider one of your nearby state parks. Alternatively, these national parks offer great camping experiences for fun father-son weekend ideas:

• Glacier National Park in Montana boasts majestic peaks, shimmering lakes, and lots of wildlife. Imagine pitching a tent while exploring over 700 miles of hiking trails together. You can find a reservation-only campground by Bowan Lake, or first-come, first-served ones in the Apgar Campground. 
• Yosemite National Park in California is where iconic granite cliffs greet you at every turn! Fathers and sons can hike through ancient sequoia groves or challenge their limits by rock climbing up El Capitan. There are campgrounds throughout the Yosemite Valley, particularly in the Upper and Lower Pines. They’re open from April through October with a reservation. 
• Acadia National Park in Maine boasts rugged shorelines dotted with picturesque lighthouses. These are perfect for bonding while kayaking along stunning coastlines or biking through scenic trails. The park has four campgrounds: Blackwoods, Seawall, Duck Harbor, and Schoodic Woods. 
• Grand Teton National P ark in Wyoming showcases peaks and pristine lakes, which create a picture-perfect backdrop for bonding moments. Explore breathtaking trails together or embark on a fishing expedition as you soak in the landscape! Some popular campgrounds here include the Signal Mountain Campground and the Colter Bay Campground, which also has an RV park. 
• Olympic National Park in Washington is a place where diverse ecosystems collide. Fathers and sons can explore lush rainforests, dip their toes into pristine coastal beaches, or hike along the mountainsides. For camping, check out the Fairholme, Kalaloch, Mora, Hoh Rain Forest, and Staircase campgrounds, which all accept reservations in the summer. 

Embark on a Road Trip

Hitting the open road with your son is one of the most classic and timeless father-son trips. Whether you opt for a cross-country journey or stick closer to home, a road trip allows for plenty of quality time and adventure. Outline your route ahead of time, but don’t be afraid to deviate from it if something catches your eye. Stop at quirky roadside attractions, try local cuisine, and take in stunning natural scenery.

Then, be sure to pack snacks and drinks for the ride, as well as some entertainment options like audiobooks or car games. Kids will love this road-trip packet we put together to keep them entertained! And don’t forget to snap plenty of photos along the way to remember this special trip together.

Pro Tip: Consider renting an RV or camper van for added comfort and convenience on longer journeys.

Use Expedia or Hotels.com to book your stay on your road trip!

Best Father-Son Weekend Road Trip Ideas in The United States

One of the best ways to strengthen the bond between a father and his son is by embarking on an unforgettable road trip, exploring the vast and diverse landscapes of the United States. The country offers an array of captivating destinations perfect for such adventures. Here are some options! 

• Vermont Route 100 serves as the perfect pathway for an outdoor enthusiast duo eager to embrace nature’s wonders. It’s an especially popular destination in the fall, when rolling mountains and charming towns with quintessential B&Bs look even more charming framed by the foliage. Stowe and Ludlow, two popular Vermont towns, are also along this route. 
• The Blue Ridge Parkway lets you traverse awe-inspiring stretches between Virginia and North Carolina, unveiling mountain ranges blanketed by vibrant foliage during autumn or bathed under sunshine come summer. Shenandoah National Park is a popular stop along the route. 
• The Pacific Coast Highway stretches from California to Washington State! Traverse rugged coastlines lined with dramatic cliffs. Then, stop at iconic landmarks like Big Sur or Muir Woods National Monument along the way!
• The Road 2 Hana is Hawaii’s most amazing coastal drive! This tropical paradise offers an epic journey. Expect to see beautiful landscapes, gorgeous waterfalls, and winding coastal roads that seem to unveil nature’s wonders at every turn. Be sure to stop at stunning beaches like Ho’okipa and Wai’anapanapa State Park! 

READ NEXT : Road to Hana, Maui with Kids – Exciting Half-Day Itinerary

Cheer on Your Favorite Team at a Sporting Event

Sports fans can’t miss a chance to attend a major event together! Whether it’s a baseball, basketball, football, or hockey game, cheering for your favorite team together can be a fantastic experience. Attending a sports event is also an excellent father-son bonding experience.

A day at the ballpark or stadium is a great way to spend quality time with your son while enjoying some intense competition! Whether you’re rooting for your home team or one that’s visiting, there’s always an electric atmosphere at any live sports event. You can share in the excitement as you watch professional athletes display their skills on the field or court.

Additionally, attending a game gives dads and their sons something to look forward to when looking for fun father-son weekend ideas. It allows them to plan ahead and bond over something they both enjoy. They can even make it a tradition by attending games regularly.

Best Places to Attend a Sporting Event in the United States

If you’re looking for the best father-son weekend getaway ideas in the United States, consider attending a sporting event together. Not only can this create memorable and cherished experiences, but it’ll be so fun to see your favorite team in action. Here are a few suggestions. 

• As the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, Fenway Park exudes history and charm, providing a unique atmosphere for fans to immerse themselves in America’s favorite pastime! Stepping into this historic baseball stadium feels like stepping back in time, with its traditional architecture and intimate atmosphere. 
• Yankee Stadium in New York City cannot be overlooked for a traditional baseball experience! This world-class facility showcases modern amenities. All the while paying homage to its predecessor through classic architectural elements like friezes depicting legendary moments from Yankee history.
• Wrigley Field in Chicago, home to the beloved Chicago Cubs since 1916, offers a truly nostalgic feel. From its ivy-covered outfield walls to its manually operated scoreboard, this legendary ballpark exudes charm and tradition – perfect for a father-son bonding experience. 
• Soldier Field stands tall as a monument to football greatness amidst Chicago’s skyline. Home to the NFL team Chicago Bears since 1971, this venue allows fathers and sons to bond over their passion for football while creating lasting memories!

Plus, You Can Add a Visit to a Sports-Themed Museum Together

Museums offer an excellent combination of education, entertainment, and quality time together. Whether you’re interested in the sport’s history or learning more about the players, they provide the perfect setting for quality time together. Wander through exhibits filled with various items that transport you back in time or delve into interactive displays that allow a hands-on learning experience. Either way, the beauty of museums lies in their ability to engage visitors of all ages by offering something interesting at every corner. They also foster curiosity, encourage learning opportunities outside of traditional school settings, and create lifelong memories centered around shared interests for both generations involved. 

Best Museums for a Father-Son Trip in the United States

If you’re searching for the best father-son weekend getaway ideas in the United States, consider visiting a sports-themed museum with your kid. This adventure can be an incredible learning experience filled with excitement and bonding opportunities. Here are some suggestions! 

• The NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an ideal destination for racing enthusiasts. Immerse yourselves in the history and culture of one of America’s most beloved sports while exploring interactive exhibits, and historic race cars, and even trying your hand at virtual racing simulations!
• The Harlem Globetrotters Museum , nestled within Atlanta’s vibrant cultural scene, captures all aspects of one of America’s most famous professional basketball teams. Fathers and sons can enjoy captivating exhibits featuring inspirational stories and behind-the-scenes footage.
• The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, pays tribute to one of America’s most beloved sports with its extensive collection of memorabilia. Fathers and sons can test their skills on various court simulations or marvel at jerseys worn by NBA greats like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson! 
• The James Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Lawrence, Kansas, is a lesser-known gem. It pays homage to Dr. James Naismith himself, the inventor of basketball, with its vast collection of artifacts chronicling his life and career.

Looking for more suggestions? Check out the National Baseball Hall Of Fame , The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum , the Pro Football Hall of Fame , or the College Football Hall Of Fame .

Use Getyourguide or Tripadvisor to book tours on your father/son trip!

Enjoy a Father/Son Fishing Trip

If you both enjoy fishing, consider a fishing getaway! In fact, a father-son fishing trip is a classic bonding experience that combines the joys of nature, adventure, and quality time spent together. The United States offers plenty of opportunities for unforgettable fishing trips, whether you prefer freshwater or saltwater fishing. Choose a serene lake, river, or coastal destination known for its fishing opportunities. It’s a great way to relax, bond, and enjoy the tranquility of nature. You can go on guided tours or plan your excursion with camping gear and tackle equipment. Fishing trips offer not just exciting angling but also scenic landscapes, wildlife sightings, and relaxation in natural surroundings.

While it may take patience to wait for the fish to bite, the shared moments of anticipation, excitement, and success are priceless memories that will last a lifetime. No wonder it’s one of the best inexpensive father-son trips in the United States!

Need to stock up on fishing gear? Browse The Ultimate Guide To The Best Family Travel Gifts 2022-2023 ! 

Best Places to Take a Father-Son Fishing Trip in the United States

Are you looking for the ultimate father-son getaway ideas in the United States? If fishing is your passion, then these five destinations will surely provide unforgettable experiences. Keep reading for the best father-son weekend adventure ideas in the United States!

• The Outer Banks in North Carolina offer a perfect combination of serene beaches and abundant fish species. Whether you prefer surf casting or casting from a boat, this destination has something for everyone! Then, discover more things to do on a father/son Vacation in the Outer Banks .
• In Lake Tahoe in California , crystal-clear waters and breathtaking mountain scenery create a serene backdrop for reeling in trout or kokanee salmon. Apart from fishing in this picturesque location, you can also enjoy various water activities such as kayaking or paddleboarding! In fact, there are tons of fun Summer Activities in North Lake Tahoe Kids Will Love !
• The Kenai Peninsula in Alaska is known for its world-class salmon runs and breathtaking landscapes featuring glaciers and fjords. This rugged destination will surely create lasting memories between fathers and sons! 
• Sanibel Island in Florida is a quiet paradise that boasts an incredible diversity of fish species, along with its charming seaside vibe that any father-son duo would appreciate. Plus, you can expect diverse marine life like snook, tarpon, and redfish that will challenge even seasoned anglers! 
• Lake Champlain, on the border between Vermont and New York , provides an ideal setting when looking for fun father-son weekend ideas. Plus, numerous species of fish waiting to be caught by eager anglers. Look out for the ​​trophy-sized bass!

READ NEXT : 17 Minnesota Lakes for a Fun and Relaxing Family Vacation this Summer

Learn Something New on a Historical Tour

Looking for the best father-son weekend getaway ideas in the United States that are both educational and memorable? Planning a historical tour with your kid should be at the top of your list! Embarking on such a journey not only allows you to bond with your child but also immerses them in fascinating stories from our nation’s past. It’s an opportunity for them to have hands-on experiences and learn about important events that shaped our society today. Whether you’re interested in American politics or discovering more about ordinary people who made extraordinary contributions throughout American history, there are countless opportunities for learning through travel!

Explore museums in Washington DC, visit historical landmarks in Boston, and learn about the country’s heritage together in Philadelphia. In addition to visiting famous cities, consider taking a road trip along the Civil War trail. Or, walk through Gettysburg National Military Park. These places offer insight into one of America’s most defining moments. 

RELATED : Best Washington DC Museums For Kids By Age

Best Places to Take a Historical Tour in the United States

When it comes to creating lasting memories and strengthening the bond between a father and son, few experiences rival embarking on a historical tour together. The United States offers a variety of destinations that shed light on its rich past, making it an ideal setting for such explorations. Keep reading to learn more! 

• Philadelphia , known as the birthplace of America, offers an incredible journey through history. Explore Independence Hall and envision yourself among those who signed the Declaration of Independence !
• In Washington DC, iconic landmarks such as the Capitol Building and Lincoln Memorial await. Immerse yourselves in American history by visiting world-class museums like the National Museum of American History , the National Museum of African History, and other free Smithsonian Institutions. There are so many amazing experiences in DC to plan an Exciting Washington, DC, Field Trip Itinerary For Families With Tweens and Teens .
• Boston, Massachusetts, is a city rich in revolutionary heritage! Walk along the Freedom Trail and retrace moments that shaped our nation’s destiny during the American Revolution. Plus, don’t forget about these 25 Amazing Things to Do in Boston with Kids .
• Williamsburg, Virginia, is home to one of America’s most well-preserved colonial towns! Step into Colonial Williamsburg and witness live reenactments showcasing everyday life from centuries past – kids will love seeing what it was like to be a Blacksmith or other professions! 

RELATED : Beyond Textbooks: Best International Destinations For Teens Obsessed With History

Get Your Thrills at a Theme Park Adventure

Why settle for an ordinary vacation when you can make extraordinary memories together? If you and your son love the thrill of roller coasters and other rides, a theme park adventure might be just what you need! From Disney World to Universal Studios, the United States is home to some of the best theme parks in the world, with something for everyone.

Plus, these parks boast exhilarating rides ranging from heart-pounding roller coasters to immersive 3D experiences that will transport you into mesmerizing worlds beyond imagination. Plus, some of these parks often provide exclusive experiences. Enjoy behind-the-scenes tours or meet-and-greets with favorite heroes straight out of storybooks or cinematic screens! 

Best Theme Parks for a Father-Son Getaway in the United States

Consider visiting a theme park for your next father-son getaway! These magical destinations cater to every interest, ensuring that both dad and his little one can indulge in their unique passions. Here are some suggestions! 

• Walt Disney World in Florida is the ultimate destination for families seeking magical fun! From exploring four enchanting theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom – to encountering beloved Disney characters at every turn, this beloved park offers endless entertainment for both fathers and sons alike.
• Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles is another popular choice. Here, you can experience rides based on blockbuster movies like Harry Potter and Jurassic Park , as well as see behind-the-scenes tours of famous movie sets.
• Cedar Point in Ohio, known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” holds an impressive record with 18 exhilarating roller coasters! The heart-stopping thrill of plummeting down steep drops or soaring through twists and turns will create lifelong memories. 
• Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles boasts over 100 rides, including more than 15 world-class rollercoasters like X2 or Twisted Colossus, which provide adrenaline-pumping thrills bound to leave every father-son duo grinning ear-to-ear.

RELATED : Best Themed Hotels In The United States For Families

Embrace Your Inner Cowboy on a Father-Son Dude Ranch Trip

A dude ranch vacation is the perfect opportunity to bond with your son while experiencing life on a working ranch! Set amidst breathtaking natural landscapes such as Montana’s Big Sky Country or Wyoming’s vast prairies, a dude ranch provides an authentic Western experience that combines fun-filled adventures with rustic charm.

Plus, at these ranches, you can engage in various activities such as horseback riding through scenic trails, cattle drives, fishing expeditions, and even learn how to rope like real cowboys. Picture yourself and your son spending days exploring nature on majestic horses, feeling the wind against your faces as you gallop across open fields together! Plus, another big draw is the chance to disconnect from technology and spend quality time together in nature. You’ll get to know each other better while enjoying campfire chats under starry skies!

Most dude ranches offer comfortable cabins or lodges with delicious home-cooked meals included in your stay. Many also provide opportunities for evening entertainment such as square dancing or cowboy poetry readings. No wonder dude ranches rank highly on lists for fun father-son weekend ideas!

Best Father-Son Dude Ranch Trips in the United States

A dude ranch provides the perfect bonding experience for fathers and sons! Explore rugged terrain together during exhilarating trail rides, test your skills at roping cattle, or even learn to master archery. These activities are sure to ignite an adventurous spirit within both of you. Here are some more suggestions! 

• The C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado, offers an unforgettable experience for fathers and sons to bond over their shared love of adventure. With a wide range of outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, fishing, and hiking, this ranch provides endless opportunities for quality time together. 
• Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, provides an epic desert escape! Here, you can explore the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert while participating in thrilling activities like mountain biking and rock climbing.
• The Resort at Paws Up is set against Montana’s stunning landscape, with majestic mountains and sprawling meadows. Plus, this ranch offers an array of exhilarating adventures, including fly-fishing and ATV tours.
• The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch , located in Saratoga, Wyoming, delivers an authentic Western experience through cowboy-themed activities such as cattle drives and trapshooting – perfect for fathers who want to instill some old-fashioned values into their sons while having fun together.
• Bar W Guest Ranch is nestled within the Whitefish Mountain Range of Montana. It combines scenic trail rides with kayaking trips on nearby rivers, providing a mix of nature exploration. 

Aim for a Hole-in-One at a Golf Resorts

A golf resort for father-son is an excellent way to bond over a shared love of the sport. Many resorts offer different courses, each with its own challenges and scenery. This allows both the father and son to improve their skills while enjoying some friendly competition. Plus, the atmosphere at these resorts is usually relaxed. This allows the opportunity to disconnect from technology and enjoy some quality time together.

Golf resorts often come equipped with luxurious amenities such as spas, fitness centers, fine dining restaurants, and swimming pools too. So you’ll have plenty to do after you’re done! And, if you need to sharpen your skills, a lot of golf resorts offer lessons from experienced professionals. Father-son duos can take advantage by learning new skills together. Whether it’s improving putting accuracy or perfecting swings off the tee!

Best Golf Resorts Ideas for a Father-Son Weekend Getaway

For golf enthusiasts seeking the ultimate destination, the United States offers an array of remarkable resorts that combine luxury with impeccable fairways. Here are some options for the best father-son weekend getaway ideas in the United States, including the best places for father-son trips!

• Pebble Beach Resorts , located in stunning Pebble Beach, California, is home to three different upscale hotels, including the Inn at Spanish Bay . With its iconic views of the Pacific Ocean and world-renowned golf courses like Pebble Beach Golf Links, this resort offers a perfect blend of luxury and relaxation. 
• Kiawah Island Golf Resort is located on South Carolina’s stunning Kiawah Island. Renowned for its beauty and challenging courses such as The Ocean Course, designed by Pete Dye, this resort provides an ideal setting to strengthen bonds while enjoying friendly competition! 
• Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is located in picturesque Bandon, Oregon! Here, nature blends seamlessly with man-made marvels as players can tackle courses such as Pacific Dunes or Old Macdonald while breathing in breathtaking panoramic views of rugged coastlines and towering sand dunes.
• The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features lush fairways set against a backdrop of majestic mountains, where legendary champions have made their mark over decades. 
• Sea Island Resort in scenic Georgia offers three exquisite courses – Seaside Course being one of its crown jewels – providing a luxurious setting elevated by Southern charm! 

Other Outdoor Adventures to Inspire Father/Son Trips

If you and your son are adventurous types, there are a plethora of outdoor activities to try in the United States. This could be sports or outdoor activities that you both enjoy, such as tennis or hiking. Find a destination that offers these activities and spend quality time bonding over shared interests! For example, consider white water rafting on some of the country’s most famous rivers. Another option is zip lining through canyons or trees for an adrenaline rush unlike any other. Or, take a hot air balloon ride over stunning landscapes and enjoy breathtaking views from high above.

Then, for those who love hiking, explore national parks such as Yellowstone or Yosemite with scenic hikes ranging from easy to difficult trails. You can also opt for rock climbing or bouldering at popular spots like Joshua Tree National Park or Red River Gorge in Kentucky.

Best Spots in the United States for Father-Son Outdoor Adventures

No experience can rival embarking on a father-son outdoor adventure! The vast landscapes of the United States present numerous opportunities for father-son getaway ideas, allowing them the chance to connect with nature while engaging in thrilling activities. Stay tuned for more father-son getaway ideas in the United States! 

• The great outdoors of America offers endless possibilities, and one perfect adventure that will surely bring you closer together is exploring the exhilarating ATV trails in Moab or Sedona . These iconic locations boast rugged terrains, breathtaking vistas, and heart-pumping excitement as you embark on thrilling rides through canyons and sandstone formations. They’re also fantastic for father-son hiking trips!
• Colorado’s whitewater rafting spots, like Clear Creek in Idaho Springs, are guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable experience. With roaring rapids set against stunning landscapes, this adrenaline-fueled activity promises a bonding experience like no other as you navigate through turbulent waters side by side with your son. 
• If skiing or snowboarding is more your style, there are three fantastic destinations that promise unforgettable experiences: Breckenridge guarantees epic slopes suitable for all skill levels; Jackson Hole offers heart-pounding vertical drops amidst breathtaking mountain vistas; and Steamboat Springs boasts famous champagne powder snow ideal for carving fun memories together on pristine slopes.

RELATED : The Ultimate Adventure Teen Bucket List: 11 Must-Try Extreme Sports and Where to Do Them

Happy Travels!

We hope you liked this list of the Best Father-Son Weekend Getaway Ideas in the United States! From camping trips to dude ranches, historical tours, and so much more, there is no shortage of enlightening experiences awaiting fathers and sons across America. Enjoy these best places for father-son trips! 

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are compiled from submissions submitted by the generous members of our Families Who Love To Travel community.

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2024 father & son adventure weekends, take this opportunity to introduce your son/sons to camp carolina while spending fun and rewarding time together.

Toss your smartphone, leave the office behind, and come spend a weekend at the best place on Earth.

You and your son will get the choice to try other awesome trips such as Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Fly Fishing, Rock Climbing, Tubing, and Hiking. If all that isn't enough, you will have free time to try out the waterfront and fill your evenings with a Night Hike, Dodgeball, and Campfire. 

This is a great way to introduce a first-time camper to Camp Carolina! It also gives the 1st-time parent an opportunity to meet the staff, see how we operate, and check out the facility! Most of the children who attend are just completing kindergarten through 5th grade, if your child is outside of those grades please give us a call. Our aim is to provide a fun, safe, and distraction-free environment that allows you to spend vital time with your son in the beautiful Western North Carolina region under the guidance of our trained and professional staff.

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25 Father-Son Trip Ideas In The U.S.

What’s a sure thing to strengthen your father-son bond? Traveling! And The United States is filled with incredible destinations that offer a range of activities and experiences which can be enjoyed together.

From exploring national parks and hiking trails to visiting famous landmarks and cultural attractions; just lounging on the beach or enjoying a fun day at a theme park can make for some cherished memories down the years. So here are some awesome suggestions along with their best features, so all you have to do is start packing the bags.

Theme parks (Orlando, L.A., Wisconsin)

Is there anything more exhilarating than the adrenaline rush of a roller coaster? The anticipation and excitement leading up to the ride, the surge of wind in your hair as you fly down steep drops, the shared screams and laughter as you navigate through twists and turns. How fun is that?

Thrilling rides, fun attractions, and delicious food all combine to make a visit to a theme park an unforgettable adventure for fathers and their sons. So here are some top picks:

1. Orlando, Florida

There may be things to do in Orlando other than touring theme parks, but let’s face it, they are the reason Orlando exists. Mainly you and your son will need to decide between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. And the first thing you need to know is that both of these behemoths are actually multiple parks in one. Walt Disney World features the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Land and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, plus two water parks.

The Universal complex includes Universal Studios Orlando and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, plus a water park. The Islands of Adventure Park is home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an iconic destination for children old enough to have read the books and watched the movies. Of course, you could opt for a slightly smaller theme park and visit Discovery Cove, Legoland or SeaWorld. Whatever your choice, you’ll never be at a loss for something to do in Orlando.

2. Los Angeles, California

The Los Angeles area rivals Orlando in its theme park offerings. You guys can travel to the classic Disneyland in Anaheim or its adjacent sister park, Disney California Adventure. Another option is Universal Studios with its classic Studio Tour and its 2016 addition, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Thrill seekers may be partial to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, with its array of roller coasters. Knott’s Berry Farm will appeal to those who want a slightly more low-key outing but one that still is loads of fun. Besides theme park adventures, you may be interested in other famed L.A. sights such as the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign, the Getty Museum, and the La Brea tar pits.

3. Wisconsin Dells

Photo Credit: sadie.parks

What kid wouldn’t love a trip to the Wisconsin Dells , known as the Waterpark Capital of the World? Some lodges have their own indoor water parks, or you can opt for one of the sprawling outdoor attractions, which have features suitable for kids from toddlers on up. The area has other kid-friendly attractions, including go-karts, miniature golf and the Country Bumpkin Farm Market .

While there, be sure to enjoy the natural beauty of the Dells, best relished by boat ride. If your son has never taken a ride on an amphibious Duck, that’s one way to see the sights, but a riverboat tour is a little more relaxing.

City adventures (Lousville, Kansas city, Washington D.C., Pheonix, New York, Chicago)

Cities can grant an exciting and enriching experience for both fathers and sons. Full of history and culture, they present a variety of activities that cater to different interests – sightseeing, visiting museums or parks, trying out local cuisine, attending sporting events, the possibilities are endless. So put on your exploring shoes and check out some urban wonders.

4. Louisville, Kentucky

Take a tour of the factory that produces the Louisville Slugger and visit the museum , too. Make sure to smile for a selfie with the two of you in front of the world’s largest baseball bat. Other Louisville attractions include Joe Huber’s Family Farm and Restaurant, the Louisville Equestrian Center and the Kentucky Science Center. You can try the Mega Cavern, a man-made cavern that runs under Louisville for 17 miles and has its own zipline.

You can enjoy Waterfront Park, a free facility known for its swing gardens. If your trip lands during the two weeks before the Kentucky Derby, you’ll be in town for Thunder Over Louisville, an annual event featuring hot air balloons, boat races, fireworks and lots of prime fun for fathers and sons.

5. Kansas City, Missouri

Famous for barbecue and jazz, Kansas City is also a great choice for a father-son trip. Little ones will be thrilled with Kaleidoscope, a free facility provided by Hallmark that offers art activities. There’s Wonderscope, which is a children’s museum, and a Legoland Discovery Center. Kansas City also has an excellent zoo and aquarium.

The Mesner Puppet Studio is a more unusual attraction but worth checking out. Older children and history buffs can call on the National WWI Museum and Memorial or take a short road trip to St. Joseph to see the Jesse James Home Museum. Known as “The City of Fountains,” Kansas City has both eye appeal and meatier offerings and should mean enough excitement for both fathers and sons.

6. Washington, D.C.

Every young American should visit their nation’s capital, and Washington has plenty of treasures to discover. The various museums in the Smithsonian system have made an effort to include kid-friendly activities in a number of places . For example, Wegman’s Wonder Space is an interactive exhibit in the American History Museum, and the Natural History Museum has an Insect Zoo.

The capital city also has a wealth of excellent, lesser known museums, such as the Newseum and the International Spy Museum . Check out the National Zoo and keep your eyes open for the many beautiful parks and natural areas sprinkled about. For some, riding the double-decker buses might be a once in a lifetime experience, and the hop on, hop off system lets you see the city’s famous monuments either from a distance or close up.

7. Phoenix, Arizona

This desert megapolis has the attractions that you expect in most large cities plus a couple of unique points. The Musical Instrument Museum is one. You don’t have to be a musician to enjoy this beautifully designed repository, which displays instruments from around the world. It also serves as a performance venue for a variety of artists. Mini Music Makers classes are provided for children from 1-4 years of age.

Phoenix’s second unique attraction is the Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum , which may have the world’s largest collection of firefighting equipment and memorabilia. If you’re in Phoenix in the summer, be sure to scope out the water parks, swimming pools and splash pads, because Phoenix is hot, hot, hot!

8. New York, NY

Visiting New York City with children can be a challenge, but don’t worry, there is a multitude of attractions to engage kids of any age. Of course, you guys will want to stop at emblematic locations such as Central Park and Times Square. The Statue of Liberty is generally a prime objective, though you might decide to just cruise by on the Staten Island ferry.

For top-of-the-world views, you can opt between the One World observatory, the Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and the classic Empire State Building. All three provide spectacular views. If your boy is 4 or older, Broadway shows can be a fun experience. Each season brings a number of choices that are suitable for kids.

If you want to introduce your son to the joys of museums, New York City is ideal. The metropolitan area displays six different children’s museums, as well as special kid-friendly exhibits in other venues. Of course, your trip needs to include the iconic American Museum of Natural History.

9. Chicago, Illinois

Any visit to Chicago with kids should include Navy Pier with its Centennial Ferris wheel. Willis Tower (the old Sears building) not only presents spectacular perspectives of the city but also a chance to stand on the Ledge, a glass box that extends over four feet out into the air, offering a uniquely thrilling view. Two great zoos, an aquarium and a planetarium make the Windy City a great spot for combining entertainment and learning.

Chicago is also an outstanding museum city, with the Art Institute, Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry leading the list. The metropolitan area is known for public art, with famous pieces by Miro, Picasso and Calder. Don’t miss Cloud Gate, also known as The Bean, and Crown Fountain, both in kid-friendly Millennium Park.

Historical places (Huntsvill, Williamsburg, Outer Banks)

Exploring historical sites and learning about the past together can create a shared sense of connection and understanding, as well as a lasting memory. Visiting landmarks, museums, or national monuments can also help to cultivate a deeper appreciation for our nation’s history and the sacrifices of those who came before us.

10. Huntsville, Alabama

Huntsville has one foot in the future and one in the past, and you might say it’s where history is either made or on display. Its most famous attraction is the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, which makes Huntsville a must-see destination for many families. The home of Space Camp, the center now presents a variety of space-themed camps for children and adults at all times of the year. Yet in Huntsville you never feel far away from the past.

History buffs will enjoy introducing children to living history at Constitutional Village, located on the site of the signing of the state constitution. If you would like a little natural beauty along with your history, check out Burritt on the Mountain , a mountaintop estate donated to the city which also features a historic park and lots of nature trails.

The Earlyworks Children’s Museum bills itself as the South’s largest hands-on history museum. Whether you want to rocket into the future or revisit the past, Huntsville is a perfect destination for a father-son vacation.

11. Williamsburg, Virginia

Advertised as the world’s largest living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg covers over 300 acres and features sites that will transport you back to the 18th century. A little-known fact is that you do not have to pay admission to visit Colonial Williamsburg.

You can stroll the streets, talk to the living history guides, hit the shops and enjoy a historic meal without paying admission. A ticket is required to enter some old sections though. Wondering where to hang your hat? You can stay onsite at one of Williamburg’s official hotels, choose a kid-friendly resort or find a more budget-friendly option.

12. Outer Banks, North Carolina

One of the most unique areas in the United States, the Outer Banks offers natural beauty, historical sites and five unique lighthouses. The Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk is a must-see. Roanoke Island Festival Park recreates the story of the earliest settlers in the area.

If your son is a horse-lover, don’t miss the wild horses that live in about four locations on the Outer Banks. You may be able to spot them on your own, but tour companies do a good job of keeping up with where they can be seen. With over 100 miles of shoreline, the Outer Banks also allows for plenty of beach action.

National parks and outdoor adventures/activities go hand in hand(Yosemite, Snake River, Florida Keys, Sleeping bear, Yellowstone, arcadia)

When it comes to outdoor adventures, few places can rival the beauty and excitement of national parks. You get to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in nature, allowing you to focus on some father-son bonding.

13. Yosemite National Park, California

Spectacular scenery will wow you, while the chance to participate in a variety of adventures will seduce you. Yosemite’s nearly 1200 square miles of beauty offers you and your boy lots of options, but you’ll have a few choices to make. Will you stay inside or outside the park? Lodging is limited inside the park, but staying outside means a lot more driving.

Of course, if you’re a camper, you’re in prime territory. Rent one of the platform tents in Yosemite Valley, or pitch your own. Even campsites fill up quickly, though, so make your lodging arrangements, whatever they are, far in advance. Also be aware that Yosemite is bear country. Campers must be extremely careful with their food, and children must be supervised.

Popular activities inside the park include fishing, birding, bicycling, hiking, stargazing and horseback riding. Rangers handle interesting programs and guided walks. And if you are inspired by those soaring granite cliffs, you guys can sign up for rock climbing lessons.

14. Snake River, Idaho

If the words “river adventure” pique your interest, consider a Snake River trip. These Idaho adventures come in several varieties, but your son will need to be around four or older to participate in most of them. Rafting is considered the highlight activity here, and most trips are half-day or full-day, though you can book a multi-day trip and sleep beside the river.

If whitewater rafting isn’t your thing, you can seek out calmer waters and fish, canoe, paddleboard or swim. The picturesque Shoshone Falls is also worth a visit.

15. Florida Keys, Florida

Are there any travel enthusiasts who aren’t fascinated by the Florida Keys? That string of islands dangling from the end of the Florida peninsula seems to promise adventure. And it can deliver. The Keys are a renowned destination for snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, boating and all manner of water adventures.

Animal attractions aren’t far behind. You can try the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key or the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. Don’t forget the Key Deer. You can observe and learn about these dainty herbivores at the National Key Deer Refuge . When you make your way to Key West, don’t forget to take a picture at the southernmost point of the United States and don’t miss the magical Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.

16. Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan

What is the most beautiful place in America? In 2011 viewers of Good Morning, America picked Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore over better-known locations. With sandy beaches, towering dunes, crystalline water and lush forest, this Michigan park is a feast for the eyes. It’s also an epicenter for fun activities.

The famous Dune Climb is the main attraction. Although it measures only about 260 feet, it can take up to an hour because the sand is soft and your feet will slide down a lot. When you reach the top, you will have a nice view of Glen Lake, and it will only take five minutes or so to get back down to the picnic area at the base of the dune. While in the park, you and your son can also kayak or canoe, hike or bike.

Don’t miss the historic Maritime Museum in Glen Haven, which tells the story of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and Coast Guard.

17. Yellowstone National Park

Like many American treasures, Yellowstone National Park has spectacular scenery, but two factors set it apart. No other park features the variety of thermal vents and pools that you can see in Yellowstone. Old Faithful is just the beginning! You can also enjoy colorful hot springs, bubbling mud pots and picturesque travertine terraces.

The second thing that makes Yellowstone unique is the variety of wildlife that can be easily observed. It’s practically guaranteed to see bison, elk and ground squirrels. There’s a moderate chance of seeing coyote, beaver, badger, porcupine and bighorn sheep. Quite a few visitors are lucky enough to see moose and bear. The park is also home to around 150 species of birds, including trumpeter swans and bald eagles.

18. Acadia National Park, Maine

With seven peaks and 158 miles of hiking trails, Acadia National Park is a dream destination for outdoors lovers. You and your boy can enjoy active sports like hiking, biking and rock climbing, or opt for more low-key pursuits like tidepooling and birdwatching. Everyone loves Echo Lake, which is warm enough for swimming.

Don’t miss Thunder Hole, where the waves crash into a small inlet and create a monstrous boom, but check for the best time of day to catch this phenomenon. (The views are awesome, too.) You can drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the spot in the United States first touched by the rising sun. Like most national parks, Acadia has excellent ranger-led programs, including ranger-guided bicycle and boat tours.

Beach resorts (San Diego, Seaside, Irvington)

Whether it’s building sandcastles on the beach, strolling along the pier, or indulging in fresh seafood, a father-son trip to a seaside resort can provide a fun and relaxing atmosphere for quality time together.

19. San Diego, California

“Sunny” San Diego has more than its share of major attractions. The local zoo is world famous, and just north of town there is a fantastic Safari Park. Other highlights include an aquarium, an observatory, a children’s museum and a science center. You and your son can hang out at the beach or go whale watching.

Don’t forget to circle SeaWorld on your itinerary, as it will surely be one of the main attractions of the trip. For something different, Belmont Park has a classic wooden roller coaster and lots of other rides in a beautiful beachfront location. Just in case that’s not enough, there’s Legoland just half an hour north of the city.

20. Seaside, Florida

Would you like to park your car and forget about it for days on end? You can do just that in Seaside , a pedestrian friendly community right on one of the pristine beaches of the Florida panhandle.

Visitors to Seaside can choose from a variety of immaculate cottages for their lodging and either dine out in a variety of top-notch restaurants or pick up all the fixings for deluxe dining at home. Central Square in the middle of town hosts nightly festivities, such as live music, outdoor movies and simple people-watching.

21. Irvington, Virgina

Photo Credit: samhughesfoto

Has your boy ever expressed any interest in sailing? How about learning yourself? This resort area located at the confluence of the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake not only has beautiful views but also offers several sailing schools. Other than sailing, you can take to the water in kayaks, paddleboards and canoes, or try any of the things Irvington is known for, like fishing, crabbing and tasting delicious seafood.

Live entertainment (Branson, Austin, New Orleans, Seattle)

One exciting trip idea to consider is visiting a place with live entertainment, such as music festivals, theater or street performances, carnivals, or even regular shows. It can be a great opportunity for fathers and sons to explore new interests and hobbies together. Cheer or sing along to your favorite bands, discover new artists, and learn about different musical genres together.

22. Branson, Missouri

When thinking of family travel, Branson may not come to mind, but this entertainment capital has a lot to offer father-son duos. Of course, there are shows of every variety, from the homeland musical revues that the area is most famous for, to comedy, animal shows and sheer spectacle. There’s no shortage of kitschy attractions like bizarre miniature golf courses. And don’t miss the world’s largest Toy Museum!

Nearby Table Rock Lake provides water sports and camping. Go underground for Talking Rocks Cavern or call on Silver Dollar City , a theme park with an educational twist. Christmas is an especially popular time to visit Branson, as many of the theaters provide seasonal programming, and millions of lights decorate the city. Winter or summer, spring or autumn, fathers and sons can have a ton of fun in Branson.

23. Austin, Texas

If your boy is older and a music fan, you’ll have no shortage of things to do in Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World. Some venues might not be available, but most restaurants, coffee shops and street corners offer up tunes. There’s even live music on the patio at Central Market, an upscale grocery store. And Austin’s charms don’t stop with music. Hike to the top of Mount Bonnell for a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding Hill Country. Visit Book People, the world’s largest book store.

In case your son is younger, be sure to drop by The Thinkery , the latest version of the Austin Children’s Museum. And no warm-weather trip to Austin would be complete without a call at Barton Springs , the three-acre, spring-fed swimming pool that draws both locals and visitors on hot days.

24. New Orleans, Louisiana

The Big Easy, known for jazz, Bourbon Street and a party-hearty atmosphere, is in many ways the opposite of a typical American city. Still, some of its unique attractions are appropriate for children.

Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World allows a behind-the-scenes look at New Orleans’ colorful parades. You and your son will get an up-close look at some of the floats and costumes and learn about the hours of work that goes into each.   Preservation Hall is the premier place to hear jazz, and it’s kid-friendly with no alcohol served.

A riverboat cruise is another uniquely New Orleans entertainment. Most feature onboard jazz music, and the Natchez also tunes up its calliope periodically. New Orleans also offers a trifecta for little naturalists with the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.

25. Seattle, Washington

If your son is a teen, Seattle just might be one of the best destinations for a father-son trip. First, Seattle has serious cred as the home of some of the coolest bands ever (Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Modest Mouse), and it still has a vibrant music scene. Second, it’s where the current coffee craze started.

In between caffeinating yourselves and catching some tunes, you and your boy can visit the Museum of Pop Culture , conveniently located next to the Space Needle. Seattle features a lively waterfront, and you can day trip to Mt. St. Helens or Mount Rainer.

No matter which destination you choose, planning is essential. Make sure not to overschedule, and allow for plenty of breaks. Remember, it’s not a race to catch as many attractions possible, but rather have fun and make fond memories together. Take plenty of pictures and make the trip about you two, because that’s what will make it special. Happy travels!

Related: 25 Father-Daughter Trip Ideas In The U.S.

25 Father-Daughter Trip Ideas In The U.S.

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

• Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
• Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
• Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

• Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
• Cost: USD $15.00
• Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

• Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

• Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
• Cost: USD $8.00
• Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

• Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
• Cost: Free to enter
• Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

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Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

• Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

• Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
• Cost: Free! 
• Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

• Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
• Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

• Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
• Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

• Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
• Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
• Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

• Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

• Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
• This museum is fun for both adults and children!
• Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

• A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
• Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
• The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

• Television and radio tower in Moscow
• Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
• Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

• The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
• Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
• Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

• Closed on Mondays
• Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
• The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

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Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

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Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1

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Father/Son Weekend

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Why Should He Have All the Fun?

When dads drop their sons off at camp for Opening Day, they often ask, “when can I go to camp?”

Father/Son Weekend is the time where boys (and dads!) can be boys!

Partnering with families to help boys develop into strong, healthy men is one mission of Falling Creek. A critical part of this journey is the relationship a son has with his father. A Father/Son Weekend is the perfect time for dads and sons in kindergarten through high school to spend quality time together.

The program is designed to promote the special relationship between a father and son through challenging, adventurous new activities, and the shared memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

Find our Father/Son Weekend Dates & Rates here.

Demands of work and school and all the activities that accompany both often hinder the nurturing of all kinds of relationships. This was a great weekend to get me refocused on what’s really important! Neal S. / Atlanta, Georgia

Imagine you and your son spending an action-filled weekend in the mountains of Western North Carolina! Do you like to climb? What about canoeing? Shooting a rifle? Have you ever tried a zipline? Do you like to relax and go fishing, or play ping-pong and foosball?

These are just some of the activities that you will participate in at Falling Creek’s annual Father/Son Weekends.

Father/Son Weekends are all-inclusive. Meals are served ‘family style’ in our Dining Hall. Accommodations are provided in our rustic cabins. Each cabin has electricity and a bathroom. You will be grouped with other families with similarly aged boys, or you may request to be in a cabin with another family you already know.

My son and I set off to Falling Creek Camp for the Father/Son Weekend to make a memory and to have some fun. What we encountered during those couple of days of activities, singing, and introspection was more than what we had expected. We returned home with a new bond and stronger relationship. The environment and atmosphere were such that we were able to move beyond the challenges associated with everyday life. It was an experience that set the conditions for a newfound relationship. One that can’t so much be described with words but with something that is only found in the heart. David M. / Evans, GA

We made so many unforgettable memories this weekend. Memories that can only be made while exploring the great outdoors together. Riding mountain bikes, zip lines, archery, canoeing, shooting guns, and playing all kinds of fun games together. The one-on-one time I get to share with my son is without a doubt some of the best moments of my life. Taking the time to get away from the everyday schedule, and spend time together in the woods is something that I think every father and son should do. As much as possible. I can’t say enough good things about the staff and overall operation at Falling Creek Camp. They run a first class operation, and their staff are absolutely great with the kids. I highly, highly recommend it for any family out there with young boys. The Father / Son weekend is a must do, and truly a bucket list adventure for any Dad. Ryan H. / Atlanta, GA

Additional Information

1. packing suggestions.

Be prepared for cool, sometimes cold, nights and possibly some cold days as well. Also be prepared for warm weather. An afternoon rain shower is common. Download our Father/Son Weekend Packing List .

2. Directions to Camp

There are two airports close to Falling Creek: Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP). Both have rental car providers and are approximately 45-minutes away from camp. Be sure to review our driving directions .

Please plan to arrive at camp between 5:00pm and 6:00pm on Friday. Our staff will direct you to the check-in table and to your cabin. The weekend begins with dinner in the Dining Hall and is followed by an evening program.

This was my first experience with Falling Creek and it was a path-changing experience. It is rare for me to have designated time to solely focus on being a good father. This weekend allowed me to see life through the eyes of a six year old boy who only wants to have fun, learn about life, and spend time with his dad. It re-centered me. I will strive to always be a good father and remember that I have a boy looking at me for instructions on how to grow into a good man. Edward M. / Houston, TX

View dates & rates for Father/Son Weekend along with Falling Creek’s other sessions. There’s something for everyone!

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31 Trips with DAD: BEST Father Son or Daughter Trip Ideas

Looking for fun places to go with your dad? The best father son trip ideas or epic father daughter trips for the weekend or Father’s Day? These AWESOME trips with dad include the USA, Europe and the world. Fishing, camping, golfing. Adventure and history. And drinking trips, too!

Now, a word of caution. Don’t pack a lot of expectations into any father daughter or father son trip. Whether you’ve had a great relationship, or a strained one, putting too much pressure on making it a bonding trip with dad is almost guaranteed to fail. Plan something you both enjoy, and just have fun. The best bonding happens when it isn’t planned.

Ready? Let’s go!

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1. Father Son Fishing Trips in ALASKA

When you think of an epic father son fishing trip, what comes to mind? I’m guessing Alaska! And man, does it ever look INCREDIBLE. Choose between remote fly-in options and a road trip, chartering as you go.

Kenai Peninsula is the most popular option for father son fishing trips to Alaska. Access it by car from Anchorage. Kenai River is famous for being the spawning ground for millions of pacific salmon. And the upper Kenai River is ideal for father son fishing trips in Alaska, because there are areas for all levels of fishermen. Book a fishing charter in Kenai or Homer, which is known for its halibut. 

Plus, there are SO many things to explore on and near Kenai Peninsula. Explore the glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park , and stay at a cabin near Exit Glacier. Fly out to Alaska’s “Emerald Isle” of Kodiak to explore the WWII defense installations at Fort Abercrombe State Historical Park. Stop at the ghost town of Portage, destroyed in the 1964 earthquake. And spend a night at the luxury Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood. 

Interested in a more remote fly-in fishing experience in Alaska? Consider King Salmon. King Salmon is a quiet, peaceful getaway on the Naknek River. Take a day trip to Katmai National Park for the best chances of seeing grizzly bears in the wild. There’s a lookout at Brooks Falls to watch bears catch salmon as they leap into the air! Plus, the area is known for its post-volcanic landscape and more awesome fishing.

The best time for a father son fishing trip in Alaska is mid-June to July. Perfect for a Father’s Day trip! Plan your trip with Travel Alaska .

You may also like: Best Virtual Tours of National Parks (including Kenai Fjords National Park)

2. MONTANA Fishing Trips for Father and Son

Looking for great fishing trips for father and son in the contiguous United States? (Or fishing trips for father and daughter, too, of course.) Montana is flowing with perfect places to take your dad fishing. My favorite place is Glacier National Park , with amazing scenery, too. The best fishing spots in Glacier National Park are Two Medicine Lakes and Lake McDonald. At Two Medicine Lakes, you can catch brook trout and rainbow trout between November 15 and September 15. Lake McDonald has lake trout and cutthroat. 

While in Glacier National Park, be sure to do the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road between West Glacier and St Mary. Go for a hike or two. Great places to stay are Lake McDonald Lodge , right on the lake. And Hidden Moose Lodge in Whitefish, about half an hour from West Glacier.

For more ideas for fishing trips with Dad in Montana, visit Only In Your State .

3. Epic Father Daughter Trip to NEW YORK CITY

My ideal father daughter trip to New York City would look a little different than the one I described in Best Trips with Mom . Fun places to stay in NYC with Dad include bustling Brooklyn or chill Staten Island. Depending on what experience my dad wanted from his trip to NYC. Each borough – and each area within the boroughs – offers a VERY unique NYC travel experience.

A trip with my dad to NYC would involve Lower Manhattan’s Wall Street, 9-11 Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. And while we’d have to see Times Square, I think he’d much more enjoy the outer boroughs over Manhattan. Like Staten Island’s small-town vibe and the historic Fort Wadsworth. And Brooklyn’s riverfront parks, bagels, pizza, rides and borscht.

Want to take a NYC virtual tour to plan your trip?  Check out Best Virtual Tours of CITIES .

Where is YOUR ideal place to stay for a father daughter trip to New York? Explore my 3-part series, NYC Areas Compared , to find out!

4. Father’s Day Fishing Trip in NEW JERSEY

Would you rather spend Father’s Day weekend on a father son fishing trip in New Jersey? You have a lot of great options! Serene lakes and streams in the woods. Deep-sea fishing charters , including daytime and overnight. 

For lakes and streams, great Father’s Day fishing trips in New Jersey include Stephens State Park and Allamuchy Mountain State Park. Both parks feature the Musconetcong River, with excellent trout fishing and lovely wooded countrywide. Other options include Penn State Forest, with lakefront cabins you can rent. And Bass River State Forest, well-known for great hiking, camping and fishing.

You may also like:  TIPS for Traveling with Aging Parents

5. LUXURY Father’s Day Getaway Ideas in FLORIDA

For a luxury Father’s Day getaway idea in Florida, you have to check out the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island . It has everything you could want. Golf, lounge with billiards, five restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub and spa. Bike rentals, tours and waterfront trails.

And then there’s Jacksonville, less than an hour away. This is definitely a fun place to go with your dad!

6. Yosemite National Park CALIFORNIA Camping Trips with Dad

Yosemite National Park in California USA is SO on my bucket list! Check out my Best National Parks Virtual Tours to explore and see why it should be on yours, too. INCREDIBLE hikes to cliff top views. Dipping your toes in gurgling brooks and looking over the top of plummeting waterfalls. Yosemite National Park would be such a fun place to go with your dad!

For epic camping trips with Dad, Yosemite National Park should be right at the top. Check out the full range of options available at the official National Park Service website. These include 13 campgrounds, including for tents and RVs. Plus lodge rentals ranging from rustic tent cabins to beautiful lodges.

Check out FUN Things to Bring Camping !

7. Father Son FISHING Trip Ideas in CANADA

In Canada, there are SO many awesome wooded rivers, creeks and lakes to throw in a line. Although I’m not really into fishing, the most beautiful spots I’ve read at (while others fished) are in the Rocky Mountains and nearby foothills. On Highway 3 from Lundbreck, Alberta, head west and pick your favorite spot! And then in Northern Ontario, you have tumbling waterfalls over the rocky Canadian Shield. In Thunder Bay, there’s even a spot named Fisherman’s Park!

Now, if you want truly EPIC fishing trips for father and son in Canada, head to one of the coasts. On the west coast, you have popular salmon fishing tours leaving right from Vancouver. Or, head to Prince Rupert in Northern BC for chartered halibut fishing trips . My husband’s gone on one and highly recommends it. 

Or, head to Eastern Canada. Prince Edward Island is known for awesome deep-sea fishing tours for tuna. And Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia has lots of salmon fishing tours available. 

You may also like: Things to Do in Prince Edward Island and East Coast Canada Road Trip

8. SCOTCH Tour for Father Son Trips in Europe

I highly recommend Scotland for father son trips. Even if you’re only occasional scotch drinkers, the people and land will blow you away. But a warning: after visiting Scotland, your scotch intake will DEFINITELY increase. Coming from one occasional scotch drinker to another!

Scotland is a breathtaking country. Its rugged coastline features castle ruins atop cliffs that plunge into the restless waves below. The interior has luscious rolling hills, broken up by rocky mounds and stone fences. Travel to the islands for more rugged beauty and beaches. 

And Scotland is, of course, full of epic stories of war and whisky smuggling. Plus, warm and friendly hosts, aka new friends.

My husband and I drove from Edinburgh to Dufftown to tour Speyside whisky distilleries . Then drove down Loch Ness to Glasgow. We spent the weekend visiting beautiful Islay and taking Islay whisky distillery tours . Unfortunately we didn’t make it up to the northern islands. Or do the famous scenic drive from Durness in the far northwest down to Ullapool. But it would be easy to add these into your road trip with Dad. 

A helpful resource for planning your father son trip to Scotland is VisitScotland.com .

9. Father Son or Daughter Trip to IRELAND 

After my husband and I drove through Scotland, stopping at EVERY. SINGLE. Distillery he could find, we flew to Belfast. Our road trip in Ireland included the jaw-dropping north shore. Both of Ireland’s incredible cliffs. Crumbling stone walls and crosses. And winding mountain roads near Dublin. Plus, a healthy amount of Irish whisky and Guinness beer. This would make a fantastic father son or daughter trip to Ireland.

The BEST part of our road trip on this island was the food and live entertainment at small-town pubs. Stay in the small towns as much as you can! One evening at the Doolin pub (near the Cliffs of Moher), an elderly woman stood and recited an old lore. It was AWESOME!! Plus, kids would fall asleep on the benches while the band accordion rocked the house. We felt like we were drinking with old friends! 

A great spot to stay with Dad in Doolin is the comfortable and classy Fiddle + Bow Hotel .

You may also like How To Plan a Road Trip You’ll LOVE in 7 Steps

10. KENTUCKY BOURBON Father Son Trip USA

Love Kentucky bourbon? Make the Kentucky Bourbon Trail your Father’s Day trip! With nearly 40 distilleries within 70 miles of each other, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy on a father son trip to Kentucky. 

A great place to start is in Louisville, and then make a round-trip to Cincinnati, Lexington, and Bardston. Louisville is the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, with a welcome center at the Frazier Museum. Up in Cincinnati, you’ll find intriguing German influence in their food and beer. And the perfect wrap to your Kentucky bourbon tour is Bardston, full of small-town charm and Bourbon Capital of the World.

A helpful resource for planning your Kentucky bourbon trip with Dad is KYBourbonTrail.com .

11. TENNESSEE WHISKEY + Adventure Trip Idea for Father and Son

Or, how about a Tennessee Whiskey trip for father and son or daughter?

If you only have a weekend, like on a Father’s Day trip, you’ll likely want to start in Nashville and make a loop to the distilleries in South Central Tennessee. Nashville has a great scene on its own, with a mixture of bigger names and small craft distillers. But you can’t really do a Tennessee whiskey tour without visiting the world-famous Jack Daniel Distillery, about 1.5 hours south of Nashville. And then you might as well visit the other craft distillers along the way!

To add a little adventure to your Tennessee whiskey tour, head east. East Tennessee includes Chattanooga, Knoxville and Hartford, known for their mountain biking and whitewater rafting. And Gatlinburg, of course, is also a great spot to access Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Add some fishing and camping to your Tennessee whisky trip with Dad! 

Want more details? Check out TNWhiskeyTrail.com . 

12. CRAFT BEER Tour for Father Son Trips in USA

I’m pretty sure you can have fun exploring local craft breweries pretty much wherever you go on your trip with Dad. In Canada, I can vouch for Calgary Alberta and Halifax Nova Scotia as rockin’ the craft brewery business! 

When you talk epicenters for craft breweries in the United States, it kinda depends on how you define it. California and Vermont have a lot. Portland Oregon has the most in one city. But per capita, you’re looking at Portland Maine, Boulder Colorado and Asheville North Carolina as securing spots 1, 2 and 3 (per Forbes ). So, pick a place you’ve never been to and have fun!

If you’d like a little more to go on than that, check out Cool Material’s Top 25 Breweries in USA .

13. Father’s Day Getaway Ideas in CALIFORNIA

An incredible Father’s Day getaway idea in California is Santa Monica Beach. This beach is hopping with fun things to do, including the famous Santa Monica Pier rides, colorful Venice Beach and restaurants, and cycling along The Strand bike path . Compare those muscles at Muscle Beach!

Casa Del Mar is the perfect place to go with your dad, right on Santa Monica Beach. It has an outdoor pool area overlooking the beach, two onsite restaurants, bar and live music on Sunday afternoons. Enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows, some with an ocean view.

14. SAN FRANCISCO Father Daughter Trips USA 

Now, my father son and father daughter trip ideas in California has to include San Francisco. San Francisco California is still on my list of places to visit in the USA, and to go with my dad would be awesome. There are SO many things to do in San Francisco we’d both love!

Here’s what I’d want to do. Alcatraz Island. DEFINITELY. A part of me might be kinda spooked to go, but not with my father! Take in a baseball game at Oracle Park. Stroll Golden Gate Park and NASA’s California Academy of the Sciences. Fort Point National Historic Site from the Civil War. Drive up Twin Peaks lookout. Wander the Sutro Baths ruins from 1896. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. And eat WAY too much seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Find great hotels for trips with Dad in San Francisco . 

15. Oahu HAWAII Trips with Dad 

For a warm, sunny beach vacation with Dad, you can’t get much better than Oahu Hawaii .

Before my parents met me in Maui, they had a stopover on Oahu. Looking back, I’m disappointed but I didn’t make that stopover with them. Seeing Pearl Harbor would have been a fantastic trip to take with my father. Then, you also have the Island Drive, pineapple plantations and cacao farms, and plenty of pubs and people-watching along Waikiki Beach. ATV Raptor Tour and ziplining through Jurassic Park in Kualoa Ranch. Awesome!

My favorite places to stay with Dad in Oahu are Halekulani and Turtle Bay Resort. Halekulani is a luxury 5-star resort right on Waikiki Beach. I love its live jazz lounge, large lanais and spacious rooms. Turtle Bay Resort is a quieter option on Oahu’s North Shore. It features luscious gardens and pools, two championship golf courses, ocean views from every room, onsite water activities, and surfing beach.

16. Best Father Son Trips to TEXAS USA

Trips with Dad to Texas USA can be pretty much whatever you want. Golf, BBQ and breweries. Incredible historic sites and museums. Camping, boating and fishing. Texas USA has a bit of everything!

Up there on my list for father daughter or father son trip ideas to Texas is Dallas. Dallas has the infamous JFK assassination site, Dallas Cowboys, Perot Museum of Nature and Frontiers of Flight Museum. Get a few fun pics running with the bulls at Pioneer Plaza in downtown Dallas. Pay tribute at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Then head to Deep Ellem for great food, drink and live entertainment. Hotel Crescent Court is a very cool places to stay with Dad in Uptown Dallas Texas.

Near Dallas, there are plenty of lakes and rivers perfect for camping and fishing trips with Dad. An hour away is Ray Roberts Lake State Park with a fishing pier and boat launch. Head to the eastern Isle Du Bois Unit for more private camping next to the lake. Another terrific option is Lake Mineral Wells State Park, within the greater Dallas area. Lake Mineral Wells State Park is known for great camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and rock climbing.

You may also like: Best GETAWAYS in Texas and FUN Things to Bring CAMPING

17. Epic Father Daughter Road Trip to FLORIDA KEYS

Take your weekend trip with Dad on the go, with an epic father daughter road trip to Florida Keys. It takes less than 4 hours to drive from Miami to Key West, but is packed with tons of fun things to do on the way.

Eat and drink at quirky spots. Feed a tarpon without getting attacked by pelicans. Stop at the giant lobster for artisan treasures. Honor those who died in the Category 5 hurricane in 1935 at the Hurricane Monument. Stroll beautiful beaches, take a fishing charter and book a sailing lesson.

Here are 50 fun places to go with your dad on your Florida Keys road trip .

18. CANYON Camping and Adventure Trips with Dad

Pretty great Father’s Day trips for fathers and their sons or daughters are the canyons near Las Vegas Nevada. You can easily make a weekend road trip to see the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Antelope Slot Canyon. Check out my 2-Day Canyon Road Trip with easy hikes at the four canyons and awesome places to stay. 

I recommend going to Grand Canyon North Rim because it’s much more peaceful compared to the crowds at South Rim. Grand Canyon North Rim has a great lodge and campground, and is absolutely beautiful. But there are few experiences you only get at South Rim. A helicopter tour, the Skywalk experience, and sheer cliffs. North Rim is more rugged, with lots of valleys and lookouts with near-360 views. But note that it’s hard to see the Colorado River below.

Also check out FUN Things to Bring Camping

19. Epic Father Daughter Road Trips in COLORADO USA

Does your dad like driving and sight-seeing? Mine sure does! And Colorado USA has some pretty epic road trips I’d love to take with my Dad.

National forests among rugged peaks. Canyons and waterfalls. Many enjoyable by car and easy walks. Here are some of my favorite road trips to take with Dad in Colorado:

• Colorado National Park Monument in northwestern Colorado, with massive monoliths rising from plateaus. This 21-mile route is the perfect detour, off I-70 and then Highway 340, between Fruita and Grand Junction.
• Peak to Peak scenic drive in north central Colorado through Rocky Mountain National Park. From Estes Park south to Black Hawk is 1.5 hours drive, plus stops. Travel south on Highways 7, 72 and 119.
• Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, central Colorado. This area has a few loop drives you can easily explore by car in a day. Make it more epic with plenty of stops at awesome lookouts and a few spectacular hikes.

Also interested in places to park and play with Dad in Colorado? Colorado has SO many highly-rated ski resorts within 4 hours of Denver. Top ski resort communities with fantastic hiking and pedestrian villages include Aspen and Beckenridge , 4 hours and 2 hours west of Denver respectively.

Use these 7 steps to plan a road trip you’ll both LOVE

20. EUROPE History Trips for Father and Son or Daughter

Top of the list for epic trips with my father is a Europe history tour. Both of us would be honored to visit and learn about momentous places in history. And war history, in particular. My brother is a war history buff, and for years we’ve talked about taking this trip to Europe.

If you have a list of history sites in Europe you want to see, you can definitely create your own Europe road trip itinerary. Driving in Europe is pretty similar to North America.

Or, for easy father son or daughter trips to Europe, find a great organized group tour. Trafalgar has put together some remarkable battlefield tours in Europe . Set foot on frontline WWI and WWII battlegrounds for yourself. Like Normandy beaches. Dunkirk, Gallipoli and the Somme. Ancient battlegrounds in Russia, too.

21. USA Civil War History Trip with Dad

American Civil War trips with dad would also be incredible. And much easier to take than trips to Europe. Perfect for a memorable Father’s Day trip idea.

As with Europe history tours, you could just make this a road trip with Dad. Make a list of the spots you definitely want to see, and plan it out. 

Or, join Trafalgar’s Historic Highlights tour . This amazing trip for father son or daughter trip takes you from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia. Visit Capitol Hill. George Washington’s home. Gettysburg and a haunted tavern. Epic.

22. CALIFORNIA Golfing for Father Son Trip Ideas

In the USA, you have no shortage of awesome ideas for golf trips with Dad. But Pebble Beach, California is EPIC. 

Literally within a 30-minute walk of each other are TWO golf courses at Pebble Beach ranked among USA’s top 10 (per Golf Digest’s Top 100 round-up for USA ). Cypress Point Club is known for its beauty, jutting out on a cliff over the crashing ocean waves. It’s members only, but if you’re lucky, you can come as a guest. 

Pebble Beach Golf Links is open to the public, and is no less beautiful and iconic, right on the ocean. The Walt Horton “Just Like Dad” statue is the perfect tribute for father son trips.

For more of the best golf trips for father and son or daughter, browse courses on Golf Digest . 

23. FLORIDA Golf Resort Trips for Father and Son or Daughter

Florida USA has some impressive golf resorts, perfect for father daughter or father son trips. Here are three of my favorite Florida golf resorts for trips with Dad:

• The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples Florida: An elegant 4-star, 5-diamond golf resort perfect for trips with Dad. Features two championship golf courses, one with free putting lessons. Plus, three award-winning restaurants including a pool-side grill, four tennis courts, and a free shuttle to the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort for spa and beach facilities.
• PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens Florida: A 4-star luxury resort with four championship golf courses and professional golf lessons. Plus, three restaurants, salt mineral pools and 19 tennis courts! In between rounds, you can even take a yoga class together. (My dad doing yoga would be so entertaining!)
• Cheeca Lodge and Spa in Islamorada Florida: This beautiful resort is a great option for dads who like golf and fishing. Features a 9-hole par 3 golf course, 525-foot fishing pier, three restaurants and a tiki bar. Plus, balcony views, six tennis courts, and a full-service watersports facility. Drive only twenty minutes to downtown Key Largo and Long Key State Park for more things to do.

Find more romantic getaways to Florida .

24. CANADA Golfing Trips for Father and Son

On Canada’s East Coast, Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island was called “the hottest island in golf” by Forbes Magazine . Cape Breton Island has seven 18-hole golf courses, including world-class Highlands Links and Cabot Cliffs. And Canada’s only authentic links course, Cabot Links. Cape Breton Island also has excellent fishing tours and distillery. A “life-changing” mining museum. And the largest reconstructed fort in North America, with the original rum recipe. An awesome trip for father and son!

Other notable areas excellent for golfing trips with Dad include the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and Toronto, Ontario. In Alberta, both Jasper and Banff have golf courses that rank in the top 10 of Golf Digest’s Best Golf Courses in Canada . And within 2-hours drive north of Toronto are 6 that make the top 15. I’d happily walk along at Devil’s Paintbrush Golf!

You may also like: Western Canada Road Trip and East Coast Canada Road Trip , both leaving from Toronto

25. Atlanta GEORGIA Father Son Trips USA

A pretty fun place to go with your dad is Atlanta, Georgia. “The City of Trees” has something for everyone. Including a skywalk, 40 feet above the forest ground!

Atlanta is a dream destination for history buffs, with many incredible museums. Visit the moving Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site and impressive Atlanta History Center and gardens. Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and Jimmy Carter Library, Museum and Gardens.

Other Atlanta attractions that might be of interest for trips with Dad include impressive World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta Botanical Garden and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The massive Georgia aquarium, now the third largest in the world (after Singapore and China), has a fantastic shark tunnel.

While in Atlanta, a great place to stay for father son trips is Omni Hotel at the Battery . Rooms have awesome views over Truist Park, perfect for baseball fans. And tons of restaurants, shops and entertainment steps away at The Battery.

26. GEORGIA Fishing Resort for Father’s Day Weekend

Want a fantastic fishing resort for your trip with Dad? Head to Georgia!

Here are three awesome fishing resorts in Georgia to spend your Father’s Day weekend:

• Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa in Young Harris Georgia: A fantastic 3-star resort in the North Georgia Mountains, with golf, restaurant, sauna, pools, tennis court and games room. And excellent fishing and hiking in the surrounding mountains.
• Callaway Resort and Gardens in Pine Mountain Georgia: A large, fun resort with a whopping 8 restaurants, Robin Lake Beach and water activities, golf, and plenty of games like shuffleboard. My dad loves his shuffleboard. Arrange a guided fishing trip to experience the best of Pine Mountain.
• Hotel Tybee on Tybee Island Georgia: A comfortable oceanfront hotel with beach, outdoor pools, balconies and seasonal tiki bar. And only a 3-minute walk to excellent fishing off Tybee Beach Pier, Tybee Island Marine Science Center and the Tybee Island city center. Explore the nearby historic Fort Pulaski National Monument, too.

27. Best Father Son Trips on TEXAS RANCH

Wouldn’t a Texas ranch be a fun place to go with your dad?! Wildcatter Ranch and Resort in north Texas is the perfect adventure.

Explore the 1.5-acre ranch on horseback or a guided SUV tour. Practice your aim at clay shooting or the archery range. Then finish off the day at the onsite steakhouse and saloon, and then the outdoor infinity pool.

Got sore muscles the next day? Head to the onsite spa!

28. Father Daughter JAZZ Trips

Experience some fantastic jazz on your weekend getaway with Dad. You can find great hot spots around the USA, but here are two of the best.

New Orleans, Louisiana is, of course, the birthplace of jazz. And its rich Creole, African, French and Spanish cultures make it one of the best places for music today. Explore clubs along Frenchmen Street, like The Spotted Cat Music Club and Three Muses. Check out the New Orleans Jazz Museum and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in late April to early May. Stay at The Roosevelt , a classy spot with a rooftop bar, lounge with live jazz and near Bourbon Street.

Seattle, Washington is also a fun place to go with your dad for jazz. My friend and I stumbled on fun jazz clubs just by wandering downtown, but popular ones include Tula’s Restaurant and Jazz Club, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley and The Triple Door. Seattle’s jazz history goes back to the Prohibition Era, with famous performers like Quincy Jones and Ray Charles. Visit during one of their many jazz festivals, the biggest being Earshot Jazz Festival in October and November. While in Seattle, stay at The Edgewater at Pier 67 with gorgeous knotty pine furniture and views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

29. JAPAN Adventure Tour for Father Son Trips

Japan is still on my travel bucket list, and would make an awesome adventure trip with my father. My overnight layover in Tokyo gave me a taste of this country’s phenomenal hospitality, like nowhere else I’ve experienced. Japan’s a wonderful blend of old and new, temples and skyscrapers, war history and high-speed trains. Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms and jungle. Awesome!

Organized group tours can take the stress out of visiting new countries. Especially when you’re unfamiliar with customs or how to get around. If this sounds good to you, check out Trafalgar’s tours in Japan for your father son trip or dad and daughter trip. It’s also helpful for getting ideas of things to do.

30. JORDAN Adventure Trip Ideas for Dad and Daughter or Son

I would LOVE to visit Jordan as a dad and daughter trip! Petra is definitely on my travel bucket list. Yours, too?! Plus, the Dead Sea and color-shifting desert sands. And then there’s Crusade-era sites. Roman theaters. Biblical history sites. For those of us who love experiencing history for ourselves, Jordan is a perfect father son or father daughter trip idea.

Interested in a group tour for father son trips to Jordan? Intrepid Travel offers a variety of small group tours in Jordan , led by local experts and open to various ages. This company is known for connecting travelers with locals through hands-on cultural activities, local charities and homestays. I LOVED traveling through SE Asia with Intrepid, and highly recommend them.

31. Best Father Son Trip Ideas to MUNICH

Last, but certainly not least, is one of the best father son trip ideas in Europe: Munich, Germany. Munich has pretty much any experience you could want. Epic soccer. Epic history, including awesome architecture and the nearby Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. It’s also near the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, surrounded by epic scenery, and gorgeous Rothenburg.

But possibly one of the biggest draws for father son trips (well, and father daughter trips, too!) is Oktoberfest. Laugh your heart out at one of the best beer gardens in the world, while pumping your arm along with an accordion. The beer mugs are bigger than my entire head! Oktoberfest takes place in mid to late September.

Find the best Munich tours at Get Your Guide .

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You may also like:

• Best Trips to Take with MOM   and  Best Trips with Friends
• GIFTS for Men who Travel for WORK   and   Unique RETIREMENT GIFTS for Men
• TIPS for Traveling with Aging Parents

Featured photo credit (fishing father and son): Barbara Jackson from Pixabay

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The 25 Best Father-Son Activities for Making Memories and Bonding

From camping to comedy shows.

The father-son bond is truly unique but just like any relationship, it takes work to make it special. Fortunately, we have a whole host of genuinely fun and sweet father-son activities that ensure meaningful bonding moments between dads and boys , whether you’re looking for a way to connect with your old man or something to do with your own kid. Read on and put in the quality time so you can reap the reward.

10 Father-Son Trip Ideas for Some Serious Bonding

1. Playing Video Games

Fire up the Nintendo or PlayStation console for some friendly competition or go head to head at Minecraft. The fun and exciting play boasts appeal that spans generations, so it’s a great way to bond.

Dads can relive their Boy Scout days while roughing it in the Great Outdoors with their sons. Set up the base camp, explore the hiking trails and then retire beside the campfire for a father-son chat.

3. Indoor Rock Climbing

For a mild adrenaline rush and an endorphin-boosting workout, indoor rock climbing can’t be beat. It’s also a great way to get active together in any season and might just run into a shared hobby.

4. Collecting Cards

“When my stepson got into Pokemon, I was so excited,” says Sean from New York, adding that “I had completely forgotten all about it. Collecting cards with him is totally our thing now and it makes me feel like a kid again, too.” Whether it’s Pokemon cards or baseball cards, this hobby has a nostalgic quality that’s just plain sweet and has stood the test of time for good reason.

Here, a quintessential father-son activity. Sit on the dock together or take a boat out on a nearby body of water for some leisurely conversation, quality time and the possibility of reeling in a whopper.

6. Playing Chess

For the more intellectual father-son duo, chess is an amazing hobby to pick up. Enjoy a battle of the wits whilst teaching your child about strategic thinking and good sportsmanship with an ancient board game that never gets old.

7. Lego Projects

If the child in question is into Legos, stop stepping on them (because, ouch!) and start building with them instead. Lego projects run the gamut from basic to seriously intricate and impressive, so it’s an easy way to share a teamwork experience, plus a finished product that’s sure to inspire pride in both parties. “My 4-year-old son is really into Legos and so am I,” says father-of-two Daniel from New Jersey. “At first he needed a lot of help to build stuff, but now he’s really confident and we can play together for hours. It’s something fun for us to do, for sure, but it’s also a great way to talk about what’s on his mind these days.”

8. Join a Fantasy Football League

Fantasy + sports is a winning combination, and one parent we spoke to who was already into the hobby can attest to it. When sharing his experience of fantasy football as a father-son bonding activity, Dan of New York says: “For one thing, I enjoy having a single member of my family who’s interested in my fantasy football team. Second of all, hearing my son’s questions and seeing his enthusiasm makes me both thrilled to share this with him and aware of how silly the whole thing is, which is good for my perspective.”

9. Surprise Mom With a Gift

If you’re going to give mom a little break while you spend some QT with your son, why not brainstorm some way to surprise her and make her feel appreciated? Dads win brownie points, sons learn about kindness and moms get a ‘just because’ gift that brings happiness. In other words, everyone wins.

10. Build Something

A shared DIY project might be the perfect way to connect with your son. It’s a hands-on activity that takes teamwork and teaches new practical skills. Build a birdhouse, or a treehouse if you’re ambitious—either way, the project is sure to bring you closer.

11. Go to a Concert

Research shows that music promotes bonding and seeing it live is always a memorable experience. Score some tickets to see a band that both parties like and you’ll have a father-son date for the scrapbooks.

12. Take a Hike

If a camping trip is too much of a commitment, try a hike instead. Find a nearby nature preserve or other scenic spot with hiking trails where father and son can enjoy some active time together; then, finish it off with a picnic lunch when you reach the summit (or just the end of the road).

13. Go to a Sporting Event

Nothing brings people together quite like rooting for the home team, and it’s decidedly more fun to do so when you’re witnessing the action from the stadium rather than a screen.

14. Do a Science Experiment

This one is particularly good for the elementary school crowd, since it promises to pique a child’s interest in the sciences and provides hands-on entertainment that often benefits from adult supervision. If you think your child would enjoy setting off a volcano eruption, making ice cream or learning about density with a DIY lava lamp, you can find those and other cool ideas here .

15. Take a Martial Arts Class

Learn the art of self-defense with your little one for a non-violent approach to fighting that imparts culture and teaches discipline. According to research , there are many benefits to this hobby for children, including improved self-confidence and diminished aggression, so it’s a pretty productive form of exercise on multiple levels.

16. Read Comic Books Together

Here, another nostalgic pastime that might speak to both father and son, and one that can evolve into a shared collecting hobby as well. Best of all, comic books are excellent for stirring the imagination, encouraging creativity and promoting literacy among kids who would otherwise be reluctant to read.

17. Play Laser Tag

This throwback activity appeals to adults and kids alike. It’s also stuck around for quite a long time—namely because it’s seriously fun. Plus, the teamwork required is great for bonding. If you can get a group of fathers and sons to join, the more, the merrier.

18. Go Bowling

Bowling is one of the friendliest and least competitive sports around, so it’s a great experience to share with a child. Sigmund from Illinois agrees: “I always loved bowling. When I introduced my son to it and he enjoyed it too, I felt so proud that we could share a hobby together. We even joined a league.”

19. Go to an Arcade

It’s a bit like playing video games, except it’s a livelier and more memorable experience than, say, sitting on the living room couch, and there are prizes involved too. Bottom line: Arcades are fun for all and definitely a top choice if you want to enjoy some gaming time with your kid.

20. Go Birdwatching

This one is great for fathers and sons who aren’t, well, very talkative. It’s a serene experience that will allow the duo to quietly enjoy a shared love of nature while spending time together looking at the fascinating avian life that the local park or nature preserve has to offer.

21. Practice a Sport Together

New Jersey dad Daniel tells us that one of his favorite ways to spend one-on-one time with his son is to practice soccer together: “My son isn’t very competitive and mostly likes to run around with his arms going in a windmill, but I don’t mind. I enjoy being active with him and it’s a great way to spend time together while burning off some energy.”

22. Barbeque Together

Grill masters with slightly older kids might consider sharing their passion for firing up the barbie . You can experiment with brining and dry-rubbing, along with a host of other cooking techniques that I can’t speak to, but Grill Dad certainly can.

23. Learn an Instrument Together

There’s possibly nothing sweeter than a father and son covering a favorite song after investing in some guitar lessons together. If you’ve perfected the chords and can sing the notes, post the video on YouTube, please. Hearts will melt.

24. See a Comedy Show

News to no one: laughter brings people closer. In fact, science says that people who laugh together like each other more. And, yes, stand-up acts are a bit of a gamble and sometimes miss the mark, but even when amateur hour doesn’t deliver the laughs, the father-son date will still be a memorable one.

25. Do a Puzzle Together

We suggest opting for a 1,000 piece puzzle or higher. The big ones are a slow grind, a commitment, which means shared activity can continue over a period of days or weeks, and be enjoyed in small doses whenever dad has a little time to spare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What other ways can you build a strong father-son bond, interestingly enough, a 2018 study published in parenting: science and practice indicates that father-son bonding is something that benefits from healthy multi-generational dynamics. don’t despair, though, if your boomer parent wasn’t quite as attentive as you would’ve hoped. while it does stand to reason that making peace with grandpa’s shortcomings might benefit your own brood, it might be helpful to know that the most important thing when forging a positive and enduring relationship with a male member of your own family is simply active involvement. that could look like participating in one of the many hobbies or activities listed above, or simply taking the time to put down your phone and help him with mundane tasks like homework. bottom line: the more present dads are, the better their relationships will be with their sons., how can your father-son bond stay strong over time, per the above study, keeping a healthy dynamic with your own dad can be beneficial to your relationship with your own kid. beyond that, being involved yourself with one of the many enjoyable activities we’ve suggested (or whatever floats your boat) is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a strong father-son bond over time..

91 Funny Father’s Day Quotes That Sum Him Up Better Than a Dad Joke

Freelance PureWow Editor

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

• Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

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It is important for men to be active in the development of boys in their life! We believe there is no better way to continue this important relationship than attending a fun 2 night retreat together. Father-Son Retreats are for dads or male mentors and boys in grades 1-8. They choose from fun activities and recreation to do together which may include games, swimming, archery, air rifles, shot guns, sling shots, zip line, or climbing wall in addition to other meaningful activities such as worship, Bible teaching, and good food.

This fun program, meals and lodging are at Camp Caraway with bunk bed style lodging in modern cabins (with heat and air conditioning). A limited amount of private hotel style bedrooms at our Conference Center may be available on a first-come first-serve basis upon request. Starting in Oct. 2021 lodging in our Conference Center is an additional charge.

COST: $340 for one parent and one child *$130 for additional family member

*Additional $75 fee to stay in private Conference Center room instead of Cabins

Summer Father-Son Retreat July 12-14, 2024

Please Note: Registration will close 2 weeks before the camp start date or when the session is full. Don't wait! Register today to secure your spot!

Fall Father-Son Retreat Oct 18-20, 2024

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Father daughter, parent child, family day retreat.

No retreats scheduled for 2024 at this time! 

We are offering a one day retreat for the entire family or any combination of Father & Child or Mother & Child. This retreat allows the family to connect in the beautiful North Georgia mountains.

Activities & Schedule

This year more than ever before families need an opportunity to pull away from the stress of daily life. We are providing a place to reconnect with each other and focus on what matters most. For this one day only Family Retreat we will be serving lunch and providing activities for you and your family to enjoy being together. Everything will be held outside and we will not be offering overnight accommodations. 

Dates & Pricing

• Cost: $100 per adult / $50 per child (7+) / $20 per child under 7

What Families Say!

Our family thoroughly enjoyed the adventure we shared together.  Our children are 8 and 6 years old and both loved the new experiences and the time with their camp staff.  We all learned to push ourselves a little bit outside our comfort zone and had a good time meeting and connecting with other families.  I recommend this weekend retreat to any family that would like to grow closer to each other and create fantastic memories.

My reasons for loving the camp run the gamut from the loving, phenomenal staff, worship time, breathtaking views- beautiful, serene property, the wisdom-filled speakers to the gluten free food they provided for our daughter with Celiac disease. Our family runs in a million different directions with entirely too many activities. We all have cell phones with constant texts and emails to return; we can feel disconnected to each other even living under the same roof. The 5 of us unplugged for a weekend!!! My husband, Steve, and I took away some GREAT parenting tips from one of the speakers that we have been applying since we got home. It’s hard to put in words what God revealed to me that weekend we were there together or how much I needed and enjoyed the time with my family. I HIGHLY recommend the family camp at Camp Highland!

Father Son Retreat

The Father & Son Breakaway has become a favorite program for Camp Highland because of the enormous relational impact we have seen in the guests. This retreat gives dads a chance to build their sons up through a weekend designed to engage the heart of a man.

Most sons are blown away by the fact that dad would dedicate an entire weekend just for them. Experience this weekend of adventure once and it will easily become an annual retreat for you and your son.

A typical weekend consists of structured time (including group adventure races, time spent together with child, and discussion sessions) and unstructured time (open time where our adventure elements, lakefront, and trails are available for use). Dads and children stay together in cabins with twin beds and use our bathhouse.

• Spring Father Son: April 12-14, 2024
• August Father Son: August 23-25, 2024
• Cost: $200 per adult / $100 per child
• Children Ages 7 – 16

What Father's & Son's Say!

The Camp Highland Father/Son retreat has been one of the best experiences of my life.  It has helped me to appreciate my dad, and helped me know that he’s always there for me.  The weekend is extremely fun, filled with adventure and amazing experiences.  The time in God’s word with a counselor and getting to spend time away with my Dad are  experiences I love and look forward to every year.

My commitment to my kids that we do father-son/daughter weekend the earliest they can attend has been one of the best decisions I have made as a father. The mentorship and care the counselors have with my kids, the fellowship with other fathers, hearing from someone further along in the parenthood journey, having time with your kid without the everyday distractions, and the overall emphasis Camp Highland places on spiritual growth through challenge & adventure for both the parent and child is invaluable.

Father Daughter Retreat

The Father & Daughter Breakaway is uniquely designed to speak value and purpose into the heart of a young women. This retreat gives dads the potential to send a resounding message to their daughters: your identity is established by the Creator and honored by your father. Come challenge yourself to be a part of this valuable investment.

  Most daughters are blown away by the fact that dad would dedicate an entire weekend just for them. Experience this weekend of adventure once and it will easily become an annual retreat for you and your daughter.

• Spring Father Daughter: April 26-28, 2024
• August Father Daughter: August 9-11, 2024

What Father's & Daughter's Say!

The investments I poured into my daughter’s faith and heart at Camp Highland while she was a little girl have proven to be an invaluable source of trust, confidence, and assurance in me now that she is a teenager.

The Camp Highland Father Daughter has changed my life. It taught me how to pursue a loving relationship with not only my AMAZING dad but my glorious heavenly Father too. I will definitely be going to the Father Daughter weekend every year no matter how old I get!

Parent Child Retreat

(No dates scheduled at this time. If you’re interested, contact us and we’ll keep you posted on any upcoming dates.)

Whether the Mom wants to get away with her son or daughter, or the Dad finds this to be the best weekend for his schedule, the Parent-Child retreat is an open weekend for moms or dads to spend a weekend with their child. Mom’s have often asked, “why isn’t there a weekend for us?!”, so this is it.

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The Family Vacation Guide

15 Father Son Trip Ideas in the US for 2023

posted by Charmaine Cortes on January 10, 2023 // last updated on January 25, 2023

Regardless of which side of the spectrum you are, the bond between a father and his son is quite strong. You can be a dad who likes to spend more quality time with his son or a boy who is hopelessly waiting for his father to come from work. Every father-son activity is magical, and visiting a place together can be another thing to cross out from your bucket list.

Whether sightseeing or engaging in an adventure, you will definitely become a lot closer and make a ton of exciting memories. Traveling with a young boy comes with worries which are why most people are skeptical about the experience, but when the boy becomes a teenager or more self-sufficient, he will appreciate everything you’ve done for him and never question your authority. Ultimately, the trip will definitely be worth the trouble. 

Now that you know how great of an idea a father-son trip is, let’s talk about the next and more challenging step, which is the destination. 

In our article, we will give you suggestions and father son trip ideas in the US for 2023. The destinations will not be in a particular order, which means you got to read our entire list. Maybe the closest and most fun location that is near you is at our last spot. 

The first thing before committing to a father-son trip is finding what the two of you have in common and what are your shared interests. That could be football, baseball, petting zoos, or aqua parks, or maybe you both like trail running, and you are eager to find the most challenging mountains. 

In our suggestions, you can find something for everybody. From hiking to eating a 3,000-calorie meal in a fancy restaurant, here are the best father son trip ideas in the US for 2023. 

Kansas City, Missouri

Disneyland, anaheim , grand canyon, arizona , orlando, florida , snake river, idaho , alaska , yosemite national park, california , nashville, tennessee , sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore, michigan , dallas, texas , yellowstone national park, new york , huntsville, alabama, louisville, kentucky.

From football to TV shows, Kansas City has become tremendously popular in the last couple of years. The first thing that comes to mind is that Modern Family episode where Cam and Mitch visit Missouri and engage in a ton of exciting adventures. If you have a cowboy side and like getting your hands and boots dirty, this location can be great for some father-son bonding. 

Popular sights

If you don’t like to ride horses and purchase a cowboy hat, then you can go to a football game and watch the magic of Patrick Mahomes. 

“I know I said you are too young for a beer, but here, take a sip of mine” – these words can only be said by a father when his happiness level is through the roof. What makes a man happy, you ask? Well, football, of course. 

Things to do 

From juicy barbecue to jazz music, Kansas city is great for a father-son trip. Without disclosing too many specific locations, Kansas is a funhouse of activities. Kaleidoscope is another great facility that has different types of art. You can visit museums, aquariums, and some unusual attractions like the Mesner Puppet Studio. 

If your son is a teenager and enjoys history, you can go to the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Located 30 miles south of Los Angeles, California , Disneyland is in Anaheim and is the Happiest Place on Earth. Whether you decide to visit the amusement park by car or plane, you will definitely have an unforgettable trip. 

Popular sights 

Disneyland is on everyone’s bucket list, especially people who live outside of the USA. We’ve seen this park in movies, TV shows, and in many entertaining forms. Regardless of age, everyone can have a ton of fun in Disneyland. From rollercoasters to Abraham Lincoln museums, this amusement park is perfect. 

Things to do

The relationship between father and son requires constant work and should never be neglected. A trip to Disneyland could be the perfect way to bond and talk about some hardheaded questions. 

Disneyland is 30 miles from LA, which means that the trip could be a week or two weeks long. By visiting this amusement park, you can unwind and recharge your batteries. 

If you are into sports, outside the park there is an amazing golf course on which you can play or enjoy a nice walk.

Oh, the Grand Canyon, Arizona , is the place that offers a one-of-a-kind view and an unforgettable experience. There is a huge reason why this National Park is so popular, and you can’t find anyone on the planet who doesn’t like to visit it. 

Being one of the most acclaimed trip destinations, the Grand Canyon is a perfect location for a father-son trip. The National park is over 1,900 square miles and promises an iconic sight once you get to the top. 

The canyon offers such great views, so you must have your camera with you. However, there is a downside. Because the Grand Canyon is so big, you will need quite some time to do everything you want.

Don’t let the sight overwhelm you and make you stunned. There is enough time to capture a photo from every angle.

Because the National Park is so large and people need to stay for multiple days, there are plenty of accommodation options. If you are interested in outdoor lodging, you can visit Zion View Camping or choose a hotel or a cabin. 

Regardless of where you choose to stay, you will have multiple opportunities to explore the park and go hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, or railroad sightseeing. 

You’ve heard it before, “I can’t wait to retire and go down to Florida where I can be in flip-flops all day and drive a scooter on a golf course.” But that doesn’t mean you should wait for retirement to visit this place. 

While it sounds appealing, to say the least, Orlando has a lot of worthwhile sights and is a great destination for a father and son. Other than visiting golf courses, Orlando has a number of parks. The parks are a great reason to get excited until you choose between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World . 

As we mentioned above, Walt Disney World has multiple parks in one. You can also visit the Magic Kingdom, Epcot , Hollywood Studios and other fun places. 

You can visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , which is an iconic destination for Harry Potter fans of all ages. 

Of course, if you need a smaller theme park that will not overwhelm you, you can visit Legoland or SeaWorld . It’s safe to say – in Orlando, you will never be bored. 

Nothing may strengthen the bond between a father and his son like fishing. Imagine you are out on the lake, there is peace and quiet, and you have nothing else to do but chat. Now, at first, you may start with something not so personal, but as time goes by, serious topics are bound to come out. 

If a “river adventure” sounds appealing, the Snake River is a great place to visit. Idaho has some weird locations that everyone should visit. The state is filled with some “crazy” and attractive places. Also, did you know that the sumo champion of America is from Idaho? 

Despite having a scary name, the Snake River is perfect for a father-son trip. There is only one rule, your son has to be at least four years old so that he can participate in the Idaho adventures. 

Rafting excursions are the most popular, but if rafting is not your cup of tea, you can enjoy calm waters, go fishing, swim, or rent a canoe. 

The best part about it is the Snake River trips are half-day, full-day, or multi-day. You can choose whichever adventure you like. If you decide on a multi-day trip, you can sleep beside the river. 

You can also visit Shoshone Falls if you have the time. 

If the cold doesn’t bother you, Montana is perfect for a father-son trip. Located in the Mountain West division, Montana is part of the Western United States. Close to Idaho, North and South Dakota, Wyoming , Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. By visiting Montana, you can see a lot of great places on your way up there.

On your way to Montana, you can stop in Saskatchewan. This place is the staple of country music, and if you know how to play guitar, showing up in karaoke bars with a teenager can be a lot of fun. 

Montana’s annual snow reaches 25 feet, but the view from a cabin is definitely worth it. The state has great fishing trips for some quality father-son time. 

One of the most popular places is Glacier National Park. The park has great scenery and some of the best fishing spots. 

Additionally, Lake McDonald is located in Glacier National Park together with the Two Medicine Lakes. You can pack your boots and go for a hike or two. 

Plus, you can get the most unique experience and stay in the Lake McDonald Lodge, which is right on the lake. 

Another icy and great place for a father-son fishing trip in Alaska . A list of the best father-son trip ideas would not be complete without mentioning this state. Alaska is an epic place filled with fun activities. If you are into fishing, the Kenai Peninsula is the perfect place for it. 

This place is famous for being the spawning ground for millions of pacific salmon. To explore the entire Kenai river, you will need a couple of months, and there are a ton of fun activities to engage in on your father-son trip. 

Also, you can explore the glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park. In the meantime, you can stay at a cabin near the Glacier and wake up to an amazing sight each day. 

You can engage in a bit of luxury and stay at the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood. On your way to Alaska, you can have a sneak peek at Portage. This town has no residents and was destroyed by an earthquake back in 1964. 

While in Alaska, take the time to visit the Katmai National Park and see live grizzly bears running around. You can watch grizzlies catch salmon at Brooks Falls. It’s an unforgettable experience. 

This park should be on everyone’s bucket list. Being one of California’s hidden gems, Yosemite National Park has amazing cliff-top sights. From books to plummeting waterfalls, a park is an extraordinary place for some father-son bonding.

Till now, we talked more about fishing trips and hikes, but if you are into hiking, this park is the place to go to. Yosemite National Park has more than 13 campgrounds. You can go there and rent a tent or park your RV and relax to the maximum. 

If you don’t have an RV or don’t like to spend the night outside in a tent, don’t worry. In Yosemite National Park, there are amazing and affordable lodges together with rustic cabins. 

This National Park is a lot more than an amazing valley. Yosemite is a shrine that makes people drop their jaws with beautiful glaciers. The High Sierra camps are nestled in the wilderness, and there is nothing but nature around them. Needless to say, you can find a lot of peace in these camps. 

Regardless of your interests, Yosemite National Park has something for every father and son. The land is around 1,200 square miles and has deep valleys, green meadows, and a lot of wildlife.

If your son is old enough to drink, a trip to Tennessee can definitely help you bond. Nashville is a nest filled with country musicians and plenty of alcohol. Imagine the road trip, both of you can wear a cowboy hat and put on Chris Stapleton on the radio.

Here’s an idea: you can visit the distilleries in South Central Tennessee for a one-day trip. If you don’t want to be tied down to one location, you can roam around the city and enjoy its beautiful sights. Nashville has great scenery filled with small craft distilleries and barbecues. 

The Jack Daniel Distillery is located about 1.5 hours south of Nashville, and the best part about it while going there is that you can visit a bunch of other craft distillers along the way. 

Don’t get the misconception that Nashville is only for the people who like to play music and drink whiskey. If you and your son are looking for a sporting adventure, you can visit Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Hartford. There is a ton of whitewater rafting, mountain bikes, and short but sweet trails. 

Like a cherry on top, you can visit Gatlinburg and go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The National Lakeshore is located in the lower part of Michigan and, in 2011, was voted as one of the most beautiful places to visit by Good Morning America . This spot hugs the South and North Manitou islands together with the northeast shore of Lake Michigan. 

The name gives it all away, but the park is so popular because of the giant scalable dunes of the Dune Climb. Also, there are a ton of beaches, like the Platte River Point, that flow right into the lake.

The National Lakeshore is a great spot for a father-son trip, but you can also bring the girls from the family and have an entire vacation. You can go on hikes on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and visit the Port Oneida forest, which is filled with 19th-century farmsteads. 

In 2011, Sleeping Bear Dunes shined a light on Michigan and was featured on Good Morning America over some locations that were unquestionably more popular.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a sight for sore eyes. It has towering dunes, crystalline water, lush forests, and sandy beaches, and for a father-and-son bonding trip, there are a ton of fun activities that will make the time fly. 

You and your son can hike, bike, or rent a canoe or something more challenging like a kayak. 

Now, at first, you may think, “all these locations are going to get me dirty and tired,” but in this article and in life, we like to focus more on things that money can’t buy. Therefore, we like to suggest father-son trip ideas that offer an unforgettable experience. 

Let us just say a bunch of words that will make you feel warm inside and make you reach for the travel guide and book a trip to Dallas immediately. The Mavericks, The Cowboys, Golf, Luka Doncic, BBQ, breweries, and museums. There is a lot more from where that came from if you decide to book a father-son trip in Dallas. 

Also, you can pay tribute to the Dallas Holocaust and visit the Human Rights Museum. If you want exceptionally tasty food, wine, and live entertainment, Deep Ellum should be your next stop.

Houston is a great spot for a father-son trip. You can go fishing, boating, camping, or visit some historical sites and museums.

Texas is awesome for a father-son or father-daughter trip. The state offers the infamous JFK assassination site, the Frontiers of Flight Museum, the Perot Museum of Nature, and much more. 

Dallas has a lot of lakes and rivers that are perfect for fishing with “dear old dad.”

This place will have you enticed by the first Google image. Yellowstone National Park is one of Earth’s best sights and has unique watercolors that are hard to forget. 

Yellowstone is an exceptional place for a father-son trip or maybe a honeymoon. A lot of people find the park romantic, and there are a ton of couple getaways. As you already know, America has more parks than we can count, but Yellowstone is slightly different. This park has thermal features and allows you to enjoy colorful hot springs and bubbling mud pots from beautiful terraces.

Another thing that makes Yellowstone a perfect trip idea is the wildlife that is around the most popular areas and can be easily observed. By going to Yellowstone, you can definitely spot a bison, elk, or at least some ground squirrels. Also, the chances are you will spot a coyote, beaver, badger, or maybe a bighorn sheep. 

Things to Do 

A small portion of visitors gets to see a bear or a moose. Because the park is home to a lot of wildlife, there is always a chance that you will spot an animal you haven’t seen before. 

Additionally, Yellowstone is perfect for bird watching and is the home of more than 150 bird species. Other activities that you can do in Yellowstone are watching geysers erupt, going on a hike at Avalanche Peak or Mystic Falls, rafting, paddling, or staying at the Historic Hotel. 

Let’s get out of the countryside a bit and talk about “The Big Apple.” If you are from the United States, then you probably have a general idea of how overwhelming New York can be. But, if you are from Europe and the only thing you have to rely on is TV shows like “Friends” or “How I Met Your Mother,” then you are in for a treat. 

New York is the concrete jungle where dreams are made, but it definitely asks for certain behavior. If you decide to visit this huge city, you must be aware of its fast-paced life, the traffic, and the overall crowd.

Since you are traveling with your son, New York has a multitude of attractions for both of you. You can enjoy a nice walk in Rockefeller Center, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, see a Broadway show, or just roam around Times Square and enjoy all the billboards and flashing lights.

When the trip begins, you should visit iconic locations like Times Square and Central Park. Depending on your son’s age, you can climb all the way to the Empire State Building. If climbing is too big of a challenge, you can cruise by the Empire State Building on a ferry. 

New York is the home of a lot of architecture, and there are some great views even at night. To check out top-of-the-world sights, you can climb on the One World Observatory, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, or, as mentioned previously, the Empire State Building. 

For all the little “Sheldons” out there who like to go on a trip with their dad and proceed to learn more about science, Huntsville is a perfect location for a trip. Basically, in Huntsville, Alabama , you can see what the past looked like while simultaneously taking a glimpse into the future.

The most popular attraction of Huntsville is the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Being the home of the Space Camp, this city offers a variety of space-themed parties for all kids and adults to enjoy. 

In Huntsville, you are always surrounded by some construction sights from the past. One of the most popular places is the Constitutional Village. At first sight, this Hall Park in Alabama looks like the place where Rick and the other guys were sheltered in the Walking Dead. But we guarantee you that you will have a blast. 

If you and your son are outdoor fellows, there are a ton of hiking and running trails in Alabama that can make you sweat and earn a big caloric dinner afterward. Whether you want a trip that skyrockets your fun levels or something that allows you to browse through history, Huntsville, Alabama, is the perfect location for a father-son trip.

Last but not least, Louisville, Kentucky , is the location you must visit if you are a baseball fan. In Louisville, you can take a selfie with the world’s largest baseball bat and take a tour of the factory that actually produces the Louisville Slugger. To take things even further, you can visit the museum and see how it all began. 

Kentucky is filled with attractions. In Louisville, you can find the Restaurant and Family Farm of Joe Huber, the Kentucky Science Center, the Louisville Equestrian Center, and much more.

A great tourist attraction is the Mega Cavern which is a man-made cavern under the city and runs for 17 miles. The Mega Cavern is filled with some interesting features and has its own zipline. 

Despite being a great place to visit, if you nail down the timing of your trip and visit Louisville before the Kentucky Derby, you are really in for a treat. 

Two weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby, the city hosts an event called the Thunder Over Louisville, which is perfect for father-son bonding. This annual event has fireworks, boat races, hot air balloons, and much more. 

There you have it, 15 father son trip ideas that can strengthen the relationship and build a much stronger bond. Every city is famous for something, and in America, there is no shortage of sports, restaurants, cliffs, museums, etc. All you have to do is find your cup of tea and book a trip with your son. Find common interests like sports, fishing, running, and climbing aboard the fun train.

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Charmaine Cortes

Things to do in Moscow for First-Timers

Updated December 14, 2017

// By Margherita

Last August, a dream came true for both myself and Nick – we visited Russia for the first time. We joined the 13-day Waterways of the Tsars cruise with Viking River Cruises, travelling from Moscow to St Petersburg (with some cool stops in between). Here’s our first post, with lots of interesting things to do in Moscow for first timers!

My Moscow Dreams

I’ve always liked to think that Moscow was my first trip ever. My father visited the (then) Soviet capital in 1986, and returned with a mini-bearskin hat and stories about that mysterious country – ‘a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma’ , as Churchill famously defined it.

My dad told me stories, and I dreamt. I dreamt the multicoloured domes of St Basil’s, the crenellated walls of the Kremlin, the metro stations – my dad described them as ‘real underground palaces, with marble and chandeliers’ – I even dreamt of visiting GUM, the legendary department store on Red Square, with luxurious stuccos and dusty, empty shelves.

Moscow fascinated me so much that I imagined I could see it from my bedroom window. Looking east, beyond the station of Milano Lambrate, I could see a dozen red, blocky apartment buildings, and imagined it was Moscow. Deep within myself I knew they weren’t Socialist high-rises, it was Milano Due, the utopic ‘city of the future’ built by Berlusconi at the dawn of the 1980s.

That is probably why when we first visited Moscow last August, the city looked familiar. Many people describe their first visit to New York as a kind of deja-vu, after having seen the city in so many movies. Moscow gave me exactly the same feeling. Because, in a way, I had already been there.

Not just through my dad’s tales and my own childhood daydreaming – but also through books. I walked alongside Dr Zhivago in the streets of post-revolutionary Moscow. I sat next to Anna Karenina as she travelled to the city. Most of all, I walked down the Arbat and flew over the roofs of the city with my namesake heroine, Margarita .

Yet, Moscow eluded us for years , until we finally landed at Sheremetyevo airport one hazy morning, after two aborted landings because of thick fog. From the very first minute, it felt familiar – yet surprised us in ways I couldn’t imagine. No book or photograph prepared us for the magnificence of the Kremlin cathedrals, for the dazzling beauty of the city at night, for the extravagance of the Metro stations.

If you follow our blog regularly, you’ll know that we rarely write about ‘must-sees’ – instead, we try to delve deeper and find unusual things to see and do in the towns we visited. However, as this was our first time in Moscow, we decided to focus on the essentials, and compiled this guide of things to do in Moscow with first timers in mind. (I’m sure we’ll be back to explore the city further)

6 Things to do in Moscow for first timers

1)red square.

Red Square is Moscow’s main landmark , and the place where – I guess – 99% of people begin their exploration of the city. Imagine my joy when we were about to cross the gates into the huge square that I had so often pictured in my mind.

I could glimpse the multicoloured domes of St Basil’s on the far side , but it wasn’t the sprawling expanse I knew – something was blocking my sight. Two huge grandstands for a forthcoming festival of military bands had been erected right in the middle of Red Square, taking up most of available space.

The rest of the square was packed with tourists, it was a very hot day, and I’m sure you can imagine my disappointment.

So, just a little piece of advice for you. If you want to see Red Square in all its sprawling magnificence , make sure there’s no event going on in the square – apparently, events happen very often. We got a couple of messages on social media from people that also found Red Square all blocked up because of concerts or other festivals.

Facing St Basil’s (or the grandstands, in our case), the right hand side of the square borders the Kremlin walls, and near there you’ll find Lenin’s Mausoleum . After having seen the embalmed corpse of Mao in Beijing and Uncle Ho in Hanoi, we were looking forward to visiting Vladimir Ilich – but sadly, we missed the opening times.

On the left hand side of the square there’s  GUM , the same department store that my dad had visited 30 years previously, finding it dusty and empty. During our visit, the afternoon light shone through the glass domed ceilings, over white marble floors and whitewashed walls.

Diners clinked glasses in cafés and the store windows were packed with luxury clothes and accessories. And of course, on the far side of the square, St Basil’s was as dazzling as ever, the five domes five different jewels over the sapphire sky.

A little curiosity for you – the ‘Red’ in Red Square has nothing to do with Communism. The word Krasnaya used to mean ‘beautiful’ in Old Russian, and got the meaning ‘red’ only in more recent times. So, Red Square is also Beautiful Square.

Red Square was a bit of a disappointment, but the Kremlin exceeded all our expectations. The word Kremlin means ‘citadel’ – myself and many others were convinced that the Kremlin would be a simple city palace, but it’s in fact a walled city within a city , with palaces, churches, gardens and two helipads so Mr Putin can get to work without needing to brave the horrid Moscow traffic.

The Kremlin feels like a place that belongs to a parallel world. Everything looks tidy and perfect. Guards in huge hats and manicured uniforms patrol the streets, whistling if you dare cross away from the zebra crossing – yet, strangely, it’s absolutely fine to climb over the Tsar Bell, the largest bell ever cast at a weight of 480 tons.

The Tsar Bell never tolled, and the Tsar Cannon standing right next to it, the largest cannon ever made, never fired a single shot. Go figure.

The most beautiful location in the Kremlin is stunning Cathedral Square , surrounded by several churches with glistening golden domes. We only had time to visit two – Cathedral of the Assumption , where the Tsars were crowned, and Cathedral of the Archangel , final place of rest of several tsars and their families.

3) Moscow Metro

The Kremlin has been the home of Russia’s rulers for centuries. During Communist times, the power was in the hands of the people (or at least, that’s what they were told). In the late 1920s, Stalin ordered the construction of a monumental underground system – a ‘Palace for the People’ , that would fulfil the need for propaganda and intra-city transportation at the same time, as Moscow grew non stop.

Nowadays, the Moscow metro is developed over 12 lines – one circular and 11 radial . An apocryphal tale states that when Stalin was shown the Metro plan, no circular line was contemplated. Stalin placed his teacup on the paper, leaving a round brown mark – naturally, the leader was praised for his brilliance, and that’s how the circular line was born. All lines are colour coded, and the circular line is brown.

The Moscow Metro is not only stunning to look at – it also works amazingly well, and it’s super cheap. It runs from 5 to 2 am, every 20 seconds in peak hour, and a single ride only costs 50 roubles and has no time limit. That means you can spend the whole day touring this stunning system of underground palaces, spending less than a euro.

Each station is decorated differently – no station signs are visible from inside the trains, so Muscovites can tell where to get off by looking at the station’s decoration. Some of the most stunning include Mayakovskaya on the Green Line, Ploshchad Revolyutsii on the Blue Line and  Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya and Kiyevskaya along the Circular (Koltsevaya) line.

I had read about the Arbat so many times in books , that I couldn’t wait to visit it for myself. It is one of the oldest surviving streets of Moscow , connecting the city centre with the boulevard ring. It was once one of the main thoroughfares into town from the West, before becoming home to the nobility first, then to artists and Soviet officials.

These days, the Arbat is not Moscow’s ‘Boulevard St Germain’ anymore – most of the mansions lining it were destroyed to stop Napoleon’s advance in 1812. There are actually two Arbats in Moscow now – the Old Arbat is pedestrian , so it’s still a wonderful place for a walk and some people-watching. There are several souvenir shops but being the heart of the tourist city centre, I’d give shopping around here a miss.

Towards the end of the street there’s an Alice in Wonderland themed cafe (a slice of Tokyo in the center of Moscow?) which could be an interesting spot for a coffee. Or you could check out New Arbat , just parallel, the home of administration and bureaucracy during Soviet times.

5) Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Even if you’re not one for churches, you’ll agree with me that the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a spellbinding sight , with its golden domes and white marble frame set against the sky, and the Moskva river flowing right on its side.

To make matters even better, the Cathedral has a really interesting history. It was erected in the 19th century, after the victory against the Napoleonic Army. A convent was evacuated to make room for the church, and one of the sisters – enraged after having been evicted – claimed that no building erected on that site will ever stand for more than 50 years.

The Cathedral was eventually consecrated in 1883 – and in 1931, 48 years later, it was demolished by Stalin to make room for the ‘Palace of the Soviets’, a monumental building that was going to be topped by a huge statue of Lenin. WW2 halted construction, and after Stalin’s death the construction site stood unfinished for decades – the gaping hole for the foundations was turned into the world’s largest open-air swimming pool.

The ‘current’ Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was built between 1995 and 2000. 50 kilos of gold were used for the domes. Will it last for more than 50 years? Only time will tell.

6) Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

If like me you’re a fan of Communist architecture and iconography , you’ll be spoilt in Moscow. In the past, we visited Communist sights in Warsaw , Vilnius and Bratislava – but really, they’re nothing compared to Moscow.

From kommunalka apartment blocks to Stalin’s Seven Sisters (huge 1930s skyscrapers housing hotels, apartments, offices and universities), from the Metro to statues and plaques everywhere, Moscow has plenty of relics from the Communist period – after all, it was the capital of the Communist world.

I could spend weeks touring all sights of Communist Moscow – to be honest, we are already planning a trip back for this very reason. If you only had time to visit one Communist sight, make sure it’s the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics . The entrance to the museum is in the base of the Monument to the Conquerors of Space , which is by far THE MOST AMAZING monument we’ve ever seen. I mean, check it out.

The museum itself makes for a very interesting visit for everyone interested in the space race. It houses the first satellite ever to be launched, the embalmed bodies of two space dogs, a full-scale reproduction of space station Mir, space suits and lots more interesting exhibits. We visited on a guided tour with Viking Cruises, which was a great idea as it was really hard to understand the function of some objects otherwise.

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics celebrates a time when people dared to look at the stars and dream that one day, we might actually uncover this great mystery. Sure, political implications (on either side of the wall) were behind it all, not some romantic dream – but 55 years from Gagarin’s first flight, space news are often relegated to the bottom of newspaper pages.

Perhaps we have way too many problems on this planet to worry about exploring others. Exploring the Museum, I wished that one day we’ll be able to set out and uncover the biggest mystery of all once again.

Moscow with Viking Cruises

We visited several of the sights mentioned in this list on tours run by Viking River Cruises as part of our Waterways of the Tsars cruise. The Kremlin tour, Moscow city tour (by public transport or bus – naturally we opted for the latter) and a traditional music concert were included in the tour price, but we also took additional tours to the Museum of Cosmonautics and around Moscow by night , both of which we enjoyed a lot.

Our accommodation was on the Viking Truvor , moored in Moscow’s North River terminal near   Rechnoy Vozkal station on the green line, making it possible to reach the centre in half an hour to explore the city independently. All meals are served on the boat, and transport to/from the boat is always provided during tours. Trust me, on a Viking cruise you won’t go hungry!

A great benefit of exploring Moscow with Viking were the excellent local guides , who shared their knowledge with us and gave us ideas on how to make the most of our free time in such a big, sprawling city. We spent three days in Moscow, but we are sure we will be back!

We would like to thank Viking Cruises for having welcomed us aboard the Waterways of the Tsars cruise.

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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Arbat Street and Arbat District in Moscow

Stroll Down the Street of History

Arbat Street, or Ulitsa Arbat, is also known as the Old Arbat (to differentiate it from New Arbat Street). Arbat Street once served as a main Moscow artery and is one of the oldest original streets in the Russian capital. The Arbat District, through which Arbat Street runs, was once a location where craftsmen set up shop, and the Arbat's side streets show evidence of their past with names that describe various trades or products, like Carpenters, Bread, or Silver. Arbat Street is within walking distance of the Kremlin, so it's possible to visit this free Moscow attraction when you visit the heart of ancient Moscow.

Arbat Street's Evolution

During the 1700s, Arbat Street began to be looked upon by Moscow's noble and wealthy community as a prime residential district, and it eventually began to be settled by some of Russia's most famous families and notable individuals. The famous Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin, lived on Arbat Street with his wife, and visitors can stop at a museum that preserves the house in his honor. Other famous Russian families, like the Tolstoys and the Sheremetevs, also had houses on Arbat Street. Fires damaged many of the oldest Arbat Street houses, so today its architecture is a mixture from different styles, including Art Nouveau.

It wasn't until the 19th century that Arbat Street gained a central location in Moscow because the city's prior development had meant that the street was on the outskirts until this time. Taking a stroll down this street, it is possible to imagine how Moscow might have felt during Pushkin's or Tolstoy's time, though now it is a highly touristed area that is congested with sightseers, buskers, and street vendors. Additionally, it was only in the 1980s that Arbat Street was closed to motor vehicle traffic and made a pedestrian street, so even Pushkin would have had to have dodged carriages and carts while taking a stroll outside his residence.

While Arbat street's significance lies in its history, Arbat Street today is a lively and interesting Moscow attraction. The Pushkin House-Museum, identifiable by a statue of the poet, can be visited--as the Father of Russian Literature, Pushkin deserves to be paid homage to at the sight of one of his former residences. One of Stalin's Seven Sisters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is on Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square. Other attractions include a monument to the songwriter Bula Okudzhava; the Melnikov House, built by constructivist architect Konstantin Melnikov; the Wall of Peace; and the Spaso House; and the Church of the Saviour in Peski.

Tips for Visiting Arbat Street

Some visitors to Moscow complain about the touristy nature of Arbat Street. Buskers and beggars take advantage of its popularity, and street vendors take advantage of deep pockets. Pickpockets may be hiding out on Arbat Street, so keep your personal possessions close. Arbat Street, despite its popularity and the way it attracts those who prey on tourists, is still a Moscow must-see sight . If you've never been to Arbat Street, take time to see it at least once. Over the centuries, it has worked its way into the Russian cultural psyche, which means you'll find it referenced by Russian artists, musicians, and writers.

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Parents of reporter Evan Gershkovich speak out 1 year into his Russian detainment: Exclusive

"I think if you let the pessimism in ... the game is over," his mother said.

This week marks one year since The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia on espionage charges while on a reporting trip.

A year into what the U.S. State Department has declared to be a wrongful detainment, Evan Gershkovich's parents say they are optimistic.

"We know that the U.S. government is taking Evan's case very seriously," his mother, Ella Milman, told "Good Morning America" co-anchor George Stephanopoulos in an exclusive sit-down interview.

"I think if you let the pessimism in ... the game is over," she said. "And our saying in the family is we're moving forward. Moving forward."

"And he says that he's fighting. He's fighting," she added.

Watch the full interview on "Good Morning America" Monday at 7 a.m. ET.

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The 32-year-old American was working as a reporter for the Moscow bureau of The Wall Street Journal and had been accredited by Russia's foreign ministry to work as a journalist when he was arrested on March 29, 2023, on espionage charges. Evan Gershkovich, the U.S. government and The Wall Street Journal firmly deny the allegations.

He has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. A Russian court denied his latest appeal on Feb. 20, extending his pretrial detainment through March 30, more than a year after his initial arrest.

In December, the U.S. State Department said that Russia rejected a proposal that would have included the release of Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan. Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently suggested that he could be open to a prisoner swap involving the journalist. In an interview with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson last month, Putin said he believed "an agreement can be reached" on his release.

His parents said they are encouraged by that.

"We were happy that both governments have expressed willingness to negotiate," his father, Mikhail Gershkovich, told Stephanopoulos. "We are confident that [the White House is] doing everything they can, and we want them to continue to do that."

Evan Gershkovich's parents both attended President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in February, during which the president said the administration is "working around the clock to bring home Evan" and other Americans being "unjustly detained by the Russians."

His father said the address was a sign that "everybody in the U.S. government -- the Senate and Congress and the White House -- are taking the freedom of the press seriously, and that's important."

"We're still holding up," Milman said. "We have President Biden's promise delivered to us personally, and in the State of the Union."

The Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker told Stephanopoulos she believes that their reporter will be eventually freed.

"Evan will be released, but it's complicated to get there," she said. "There are a lot of different people and governments involved. So I think, you know, we just have to be patient, and optimistic."

Tucker said their main focus has been keeping his story "front of mind."

"To remind people that an innocent journalist is behind bars, in prison, for doing his job," she said.

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Evan Gershkovich's parents said they have continued to write their son letters and receive updates on him from Lynne Tracy, the U.S. ambassador to Russia. He also sends his parents and friends gifts, they said.

"He remembers his friends' birthdays. We received flowers from him for International Women's Day on March 8," Milman said. "He really cares. He wants to thank people for their care about him, for keeping his story front and center."

His father has even been playing long-distance chess with him.

"He's teaching me," Mikhail Gershkovich said. "It's a friendly game. It's not a competition, and especially because he is so much better than I am at it."

"I will be just happy to play a face-to-face game of chess with him," he said.

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