Publication date January 13, 2022
8 Family Vacation Ideas That Can Finally Get Your Teen To Look Up From Their Phone
One of the most important areas to score when it comes to parenting is giving your kids amazing vacations every year.
But they don’t necessarily have to be expensive. I mean, if you think back to your childhood, what seems more important is spending some quality time with your parents, right? So, these vacations need not necessarily be expensive but should definitely be wholesome. And teenage kids are all about experiences instead of simply chilling with a book and holiday destinations across the USA have fantastic options for you to choose from.
Here are 10 vacation ideas for families with teens. Take your pick and off you go!
Honolulu, Hawaii
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Hawaii is a terrific place to start if you're looking for a place to take a teenager on vacation because it manages to strike the right mix between being a cosmopolitan city and a tropical paradise. In the area surrounding Oahu, there are just enough teen-friendly city activities as well as outdoor wonders.
You could engage in family-friendly activities such as hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, or half-day tours of Oahu's top attractions (such as the Pearl Harbor Memorial), or simply visit Waikiki Beach, where you can chill with a tropical drink and get that beautiful tan while the kids get their adrenaline pumping with local surfing lessons. Better still, follow in the footsteps of the Hawaiian Royal Family and go outrigger canoe surfing!
Glen Rose, Texas
The picturesque Glen Rose region is laid-back and sure to be a favorite destination for kids who love to learn while on vacation - with rocky slopes, hiking and bike paths, and even preserved dinosaur prints, all within the 1500-acre Dinosaur Valley State Park. You can also visit the neighboring Dinosaur World for extra dinosaur-related entertainment, including a trail with prehistoric creature models and a wealth of knowledge about these enigmatic beasts.
To see more modern species, visit the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and take a drive around the park, where you'll see parrots, gazelles, bison, and giraffes. Glen Rose may not be as popular with the older kids, but if they're anything like Ross Geller and share his passion for dinos, they'll love Glen Rose.
Long Beach, California
When it comes to choosing a beach for a family vacation with teenagers, there isn't much room for error! At the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, kids will thoroughly enjoy interacting with sand tiger sharks and seeing sea lions, tropical fish, and other marine life up close and personal.
You can even sign up for food tours for the best of cuisine; this one might well be a hit with the entire family because, after all, who doesn't appreciate food? You could also take a family Segway tour or visit Rancho Los Alamitos' historic restored gardens and ranch home.
Long Beach isn't far from Los Angeles, so when you've made the most of your beach vacation here, travel over to LA for some more teen-friendly action, such as excursions to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Hollywood!
Sandusky, Ohio
If your teen enjoys roller coasters, a vacation to Sandusky will give you plenty of options; the Cedar Point Amusement Park has a rollercoaster for any speed preference! Another wonderful idea is to rent jet skis and explore Lake Erie in a unique way or stick to the traditional method and stroll along the Sandusky Bay Pathway.
Pay a visit to the Manor Thrill Center, which features eerie entertainment, and see the kids' cheeks light up with fear. Plan a trip to Lake Erie Fear Fest in October and challenge the kids to go! You might also go to Sandusky's fun museums, such as the Merry-Go-Round Museum and the Sandusky Maritime Museum.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a no-brainer when it comes to amazing family getaways that also appeal to the teenager's tastes since it is home to some of the best family-friendly activities. They may have outgrown Mickey and Minnie, but the exhilarating roller coaster rides here will more than compensate! Swimming with dolphins, parasailing, and jet-skiing are all enjoyable activities to do at Disney World Resort, SeaWorld, and Universal's Islands of Adventures; you can also take an airboat ride through the Everglades for some fun family time.
It's tempting to dismiss Orlando as a kids-only destination, but the city offers a variety of teen-friendly activities; there are plenty of places where teens will enjoy themselves, such as Gatorland, where they can meet the gators, Discover Cove, go-karting destinations, and iFly Orlando.
Park City, Utah
Head to Park City, a destination that a sporty, energetic family is sure to appreciate, for some absolutely fantastic mountain biking, skiing, and moose-spotting! At the Utah Olympic Park, go zip-lining or bobsledding, or take a guided mountain excursion. You could perhaps visit the Red Rock Brewery in the downtown area for some delectable pizza and burgers.
The numerous lovely cabins available in Park City appeal to teens, with amenities such as hot tubs, outside decks, and views that will have the "likes" coming in on Instagram and Facebook, latter of which any teen of today will find difficult to pass up! The neighborhood is also littered with escape rooms, each one more difficult than the last – these are the ones to visit.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells is the "Waterpark Capital of the World," with a slew of indoor and outdoor adventure parks like Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park, Timber Falls Adventure Park, Noah's Ark Waterpark, Circus World, and Timbavati Wildlife Park — the list is seemingly endless.
Take a boat tour down the Wisconsin River to see the Dells' rock formations, or get your adrenaline pumping by zip-lining through the woods and exploring the area's natural beauty. Apart from these, there are attractions like Wizard Quest, Wild Fun Zone, Knuckleheads Trampoline Park, and Kalahari Resorts and Conventions.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Don't let Charlotte's pleasant weather and clear skies deceive you; the area's Carowinds Amusement Park is home to some of the world's most terrifying and exhilarating roller coasters, including the Carolina Cyclone, the Intimidator, and the Afterburn. The US National Whitewater Center, which has rope courses and zip lines, is a great place to go for additional high-octane action.
Visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame if you're seeking some interactive entertainment. Take a Charlotte city tour for an overview of the city; these trips include stops at popular landmarks such as the Bank of America Stadium, the beautiful architecture of the 4th Ward, and the BB&T Ballpark. Another must-visit spot with your teenagers is the Big Air Charlotte, the area's best trampoline park.
What was that one vacation destination that your teenage kids enjoyed the most? Let us know in the comments below.
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