Suggestion for Rome (or day trip) away from crowds?

I can empathize with your son. The crowds at times can be crushing...

While in Rome last fall, we went to the Borghese Gardens in order to get away from the crowds. Think of the Borghese Gardens as Rome's "Central Park." What a relief to have acres and acres of shaded grounds with various activities - renting scooters, pedal cars, bicycles, carts, etc. It's a wonderful place to escape the crowds.

Other park alternatives are the Aqueduct Park Appian Way Regional Park.

Borghese Gardens or Ostia Antica. Both can be done on your own using public transit. Just google them and see if either of them interest him. In fact, it would be easy to do both in one day.

How about Ostia Antica? Very easy to do on your own.

Thank you so much. I should have mentioned that we do have Ostia Antica planned. (We also have the Colosieum at night and breakfast at the Vatican.)

Grazie!

We plan to day trip to Tivoli from Rome, the gardens are supposed to be beautiful!

Tivoli is a great suggestion and the gardens at Villa d'Este. Certainly not crowded like the Colosseo!

Aqueduct Park is also excellent. You can even rent bikes there. Details in the R.S. book.

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions! I booked a half day cooking class that is outside of Rome. My son has mentioned several times that he really liked our driver for Lucca and Tellaro. He was excellent, but I think part of what my son liked was not worrying that I would get us lost! (I am admittedly bad at reading maps, but I do have my iPhone and we have always gotten where we need to be in plenty of time.) So I decided something with hotel pick up and drop off would be good.

We do have a couple of afternoons with nothing currently scheduled so I will keep your suggestions in mind for those.

Grazie!

If you want one more option for a half-day out, you might considering visiting the catacomb of Priscilla. They are in a modern, quiet(er) part of the city, and an easy ride by city bus. It's still the city, but more breathing room than the tourist center, and it's interesting to see that there is more to Rome than ancient buildings. Not a whole lot of people visit those catacombs, so it's relaxing, and fascinating.

Go to Tarquinia, North of Rome. Direct train from Rome. He Will live to discover and go down the painted Etruscan tombs. ( Necropoli)The Tarquinia museum is very interesting. When I went last year it was not crowded at all. There is also Tarquinia mare, may be you could go for a swim?

Orvieto is a little over an hour away by train. They have tours of the Etruscan caves underground. Might appeal to a 12 year old. There is also a funicular to ride to get to the top of the city. Another possible appeal.

"Somehow he failed to connect that the big tourist sites he said he wanted to see are also going to be crowded."

To be fair, people far older and more experienced than your 12 year old have made the same mistake.

No specific suggestions, but I hope you all find what you're looking for.