As your children get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to find vacation destinations that keep them entertained and are also considered “cool” or “bright”. It seems like teens these days would rather use Facebook and text their friends all day then spend time with family. If your kids look a bit like our son, they probably think he’s old-fashioned and limit his style a bit. Our son is already 15 years old and I swear he ate the little boy we used to have and left us this tall, hairy, deep-voiced one :). As my wife and I struggle with the fact that our son is growing into a wonderful young man, we really don’t want to give up that precious family vacation. Gone are the days when he loved Mickey Mouse and couldn’t wait to see Shamu the whale, but we moved on to other things and discovered that we can still have a good time as a family.
When searching for a great teen vacation destination, there are a few things to keep in mind. Teens love things that keep their bodies and minds entertained and they also want to see other teens around. If your children are years apart, you may want to consider allowing your teens to bring a friend with them. This provides a companion but can also help limit the continual texting they do. Here are some great teen options you might want to consider that should keep your body and mind moving.
beach vacation
Beaches offers an incredible number of activities for families and teens alike. My family loves three beaches in particular: the Outer Banks, Destin Florida, and South Padre Island. I know there are many others, but these have been our favorites.
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are a great place to bring a family. There are not only many hotel and resort options, but also several excellent campgrounds. Teens can fish, take a surf lesson, rent a jet ski, or visit a lighthouse. When we were there, you could even have a small nightly bonfire on the beach with a permit.
Destin Florida is one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. The water is clear and more like what you would see in Cancun. In addition to your normal beach activities, the city of Destin also has a lot to offer. Teens can enjoy parasailing, boating, and even water parks within the city. There’s also great nightlife in Destin that your teens will love.
South Padre Island is one of our favorites and we have been back almost every year. The island is connected to the mainland through a long bridge or causeway. The island hosts some of the biggest spring break parties, but during the summer the place is geared towards families. There are miles of beaches offering teen volleyball nets, banana boat rides, jet ski rentals, and just plain sun. There is also a large pirate ship that has fantastic rides during the day. And yes, your teens will love it!
Cruise Holidays
Cruises are by far one of our son’s favorite activities. Cruises these days are completely geared towards all age groups and teenagers are no exception. Cruises allow your family to spend time together, but they also give your teens a chance to get away from you. Almost every cruise line offers programs for kids, including a teen center that typically offers video games, hangouts, organized dances, and even a few scavenger hunts. Since cell service is provided at a cost through the cruise ships, we don’t even allow our son to bring her phone. No phone! How will he survive? Guess what, he found a lot to do and didn’t even miss it.
Washington D.C.
Really? Yes, Washington DC is a great place to take teenagers. As teens begin to study American History in school, they’ll find that they really enjoy seeing things like the Declaration of Independence and the Smithsonian Museum. My son was beside himself when we took him to the Air and Space Museum. Washington DC requires a lot of walking and is best for children who have the stamina to walk several miles each day. If you contact your state representatives, you can get tickets to enter the gallery and view the congress in session. My son wasn’t sure at first, but he found it very interesting. There are also plenty of places to sit and people watch. No matter what your teen is, I think they’ll think DC is cool.
Yellowstone National Park
Last but not least, Yellowstone National Park is a great family vacation. The sites are beautiful and wildlife is abundant. We actually camped in an RV in West Yellowstone and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Any teenager who likes to hike or climb will love the options available in Yellowstone. It can be as physical or relaxed as you like. We chose a spot in the middle and walked through many of the sites and spent several days driving through the park. Remember, Yellowstone is huge (over 3,400 square miles) and can take several days to see. We found that spending time with our son to plan our activities ahead of time ensured that we visited the teen fun options.
Remember…
Remember that your children will not be home forever and it is important to spend quality time with them, especially when they are teenagers. Spend some time planning and listening to what they like to do. Involving your teen in the planning gives them some responsibility for the trip and makes the overall experience better for everyone.
