Teen-tested, parent-approved: 10 vacation ideas that will actually excite your teenagers
Teenagers can be difficult to please, as any parent of teens can tell you. Moody moments and eye rolls are hard enough to handle during everyday life, never mind when you're trying to have fun as a family on vacation. So, if you're looking for trip ideas that will help shift your teen from an apathetic adolescent to an enthusiastic explorer, keep reading. These teen-approved family vacation spots come recommended by parents of actual teenagers who saw their own kids give the destinations a thumbs up.
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1. St. Petersburg, Florida
It might have once been called “God’s waiting room,” but this city on Florida’s Gulf Coast is definitely more trendy than tired these days. It’s a favorite spot for my teenager, who’s spent hours combing through the city’s many record shops and bookstores, fueled by plenty of iced coffee along the way. The St. Pete Pier is another must-visit spot, offering great people-watching, dining options, and views of Tampa Bay.
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St. Pete’s is a great place to get in touch with your artsy side, with museums dedicated to glassworks, Western art, arts and crafts, and surrealist master Salvador Dalí and hundreds of murals adorning walls throughout the city. It’s also got a lively food scene, urban parks for connecting with nature, and lots of good shopping. And if you need some sand and surf, St. Pete Beach is just about 12 miles away.
▶ Where to stay: Known for its iconic pink façade, The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection offers historic charm, modern amenities, and a location that puts you within walking distance of both the water and a lot of the action downtown.
2. New York, New York
New York City is always the stuff of teenage dreams, from the lights of Broadway and Times Square to the oh-so-fashionable shops on Fifth Avenue and in SoHo. You can see where shows like Saturday Night Live are filmed on an NBC Studios Tour, take a walking tour of Taylor Swift’s favorite haunts, or taste your way through neighborhoods like Chinatown or Little Italy on a food tour. And, of course, that’s in addition to iconic attractions like the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Central Park.
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“I never liked going to New York City until I brought my teen with me,” says Rob Taylor, founder and editor of 2TravelDads. “New York City is an incredible place for teens to see cultural icons in action, in person. The family experience of a Broadway show or seeing Van Gogh’s Starry Night up close was a refreshing moment of connection with our teen. New York might seem like a cliché destination, but with a teen, it’s its own experience.”
▶ Where to stay: Located in Midtown near many of the city’s must-dos, Luma Hotel Times Square will impress teens with its modern style, an on-site restaurant serving Neapolitan pizzas and house-made pasta, and a robot butler named Alina.
3. Yellowstone National Park
Parents might be drawn to the country’s first national park because of the popular same-named TV series. But teens will also enjoy a visit to the mostly in Wyoming natural wonder with more than two million acres to explore by foot, bike, or horseback. Old Faithful’s a big draw, of course, as is wildlife like bears, bison, and elk.
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“Teens who love photography (or just want to level up their social media game) will find endless inspiration in Yellowstone’s landscapes,” says mom of two Melynda Coble Harrison, who runs the sites TravelingMel and Yellowstone Trips. “And with ranger-led programs and visitor centers packed with hands-on exhibits, they might even learn something along the way. Whether you’re hiking through a canyon, watching steam rise from a geyser, or just taking in the views together, a trip to Yellowstone is one your family won’t forget.”
▶ Where to stay: You can camp at the park or stay at one of the Yellowstone National Park Lodges. There are also lots of glamping options near the park like Wander Camp Yellowstone and Under Canvas West Yellowstone.
4. Seattle, Washington
The birthplace of grunge makes a great getaway for teens and their Gen-X parents. The Pacific Northwest city has cool neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, where trendy coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, and thrift stores are easy to find, and spots like Volunteer Park blend art and nature (and offer plenty of Instagrammable photo ops). This part of the country is also known for its glassblowing prowess, and teens and their parents can make their own memorable souvenirs at the Seattle Glassblowing Studio.
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The Museum of Pop Culture is also a major hit with teens, with exhibits focused on everything from Nirvana to horror movies. “My daughter not only enjoyed the modern pop culture exhibits with artifacts from movies and TV, she also read through the entire Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana exhibits,” says Tonya Denmark, a mom of two and publisher of Detail Oriented Traveler and USA Road Tripping. “While in that area, we explored Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Space Needle. She also enjoyed the electric energy coming from nearby street musicians and artists.”
▶ Where to stay: Tech-forward Astra Hotel Seattle offers amenities like a robot butler, an on-site coffee shop, and a rooftop bar with views of the Space Needle, plus a great location for exploring the city.
5. Savannah, Georgia
Known as one of the most haunted cities in America, Savannah will definitely appeal to teenagers who have a spooky side. But even if that’s not their vibe, there’s still lots to do here that teens will love, from searching for cool souvenirs made by Savannah College of Art and Design students, alums, and faculty at shopSCAD to sampling the city’s many delicious desserts. And speaking of desserts, Savannah’s also the birthplace of Girl Scouts and its founder, Juliette Gordon Low, and the related historic sites are must-visits for any mom or teen who was or is a Girl Scout.
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“Savannah is an easygoing, history-packed city that teens will love exploring,” says mom of two Samantha Kuhr, who writes the blog My Travelling Circus. “Ghost tours, cobblestone streets, and Forsyth Park make it feel like you’re stepping into a movie. The quirky shops on River Street are great for browsing, and the food is delicious.”
▶ Where to stay: Stay at boutique hotel Andaz Savannah and you’ll enjoy a central location and amenities like a pool, fire pit, and on-site restaurant serving shrimp and grits, hot honey chicken, and other Southern comfort food.
6. Finger Lakes, New York
Teens who appreciate the great outdoors will feel right at home in the Finger Lakes region of New York. There are all kinds of natural wonders to admire in this 14-county area stretching between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border, from the 19 waterfalls at Watkins Glen State Park to the scenic vistas at Letchworth State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” But the area’s also got a rich history that’s on display at spots like the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and an artsy side visible at places like the Corning Museum of Glass.
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“The Finger Lakes region of New York is a cultural touchstone for our family, and we returned year after year to ground ourselves,” says FamilyVacationist contributor Dave Parfitt. “The glacier-cut lakes were formed in the Ice Age and are surrounded by hills, waterfalls, and wineries. Colleges and universities such as Cornell, Hobart & William Smith, and SUNY Geneseo bring art and culture to the region, and quaint towns and villages like Ithaca, Geneva, and Corning provide fantastic dining and lodging.”
▶ Where to stay: Teens and parents will appreciate a stay at The Lake House on Canandaigua, which offers a scenic setting, guest rooms brimming with Scandi style, and amenities like a heated lakefront pool and complimentary yoga and meditation sessions.
7. Los Angeles, California
Movie stars, beaches, high-style shopping options—Los Angeles is a magnet for teens. And though parts of the Los Angeles area were recently devastated by wildfires, visiting other spots can be a way to help support the area’s recovery. Maybe that means catching a game at the Los Angeles Clippers’ new arena or visiting the GRAMMY Museum, which offers free admission for anyone 17 and under. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Griffith Observatory are both celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2025, with special programming to go along with that.
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“My kids loved Los Angeles when they were teens, so much so that they both moved there as young adults,” says FamilyVacationist contributor Allison Tibaldi. “As it’s so sprawling, we spent our time focused on one or two neighborhoods each trip. Little Tokyo was a favorite: It’s very walkable, with ramen shops, Asian bakeries, and a great record store.”
▶ Where to stay: Teenagers will love the oh-so-cool vibe, outdoor ping pong tables, and proximity to the ocean and legendary Abbot Kinney Boulevard at The Kinney Venice Beach.
8. Kauai, Hawaii
Teenagers might recognize Kauai from movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jurassic Park. You can see some of the sites captured on film in person by taking a movie tour of the Hawaiian island, a popular way to cover a lot of ground and admire the stunning scenery.
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That’s just one adventure you can have here, where other options include hiking in Waimea Canyon State Park, surfing lessons on Poipu Beach, snorkeling at Lydgate Beach Park, or ziplining above Kipu Ranch. A boat tour of the Nāpali Coast is also a memorable vacation activity (but proceed with caution if you’re prone to seasickness). And if your teenager loves coffee as much as mine does, a self-guided tour of the Kauai Coffee Estate followed by some free samples will perk them up (literally).
▶ Where to stay: Sheraton Kauai Resort sits on the beachfront in Poipu and within walking distance of outfitters offering surfing lessons, restaurants like Brenneke’s Beach Broiler, and spots like Poipu Beach Park, where you can watch green sea turtles come out of the water at dusk to rest on the sand.
9. Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California
Whether it’s sunny or snowy, teens and their families will find plenty of activity in Lake Tahoe. Jet skiing, parasailing, hot-air ballooning, ATV tours, cross-country skiing, and sleigh rides: The options for enjoying the freshwater lake and its surrounds in the Sierra Nevada Mountains are almost endless.
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“If you are looking for a destination that offers outdoor adventures in abundance, head to Lake Tahoe,” says Kirsten Maxwell, a mom of three and travel expert at Kids Are A Trip and Groups Are A Trip. “Our teens loved taking a self-guided raft along the Truckee River, paddling a clear kayak out on the lake, mountain biking the Flume Trail, and exploring the abandoned Donner Pass tunnels. In the winter, don't miss an opportunity to ski and snowboard, fly down a tubing hill, or have the thrill of a lifetime on a dog sled tour. No matter the season, Tahoe has something for even the pickiest teens!”
▶ Where to stay: Book one of the cabins at Zephyr Cove Resort and you’ll enjoy multiple bedrooms and a kitchen, plus easy access to the lake and all kinds of outdoor activities like watercraft rentals, horseback riding, and snowmobiling.
10. Chicago, Illinois
You’d need several days to see all the teen-friendly sights in Chicago, like Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Chicago Sports Museum, and The Art Institute of Chicago. An architecture boat tour on the Chicago River also tends to be a hit with both teens and adults, and Skydeck Chicago on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower definitely offers a memorable vacation experience.
“For a teen-friendly U.S. city escape, Chicago is fantastic,” says My Travelling Circus’s Kuhr. “It’s easy to get around, packed with cool attractions and has some of the best food (deep-dish pizza, anyone?). Teens will love visiting The Bean, riding to the top of Willis Tower, exploring the museums, and catching a game at Wrigley Field. Plus, the lakefront and riverwalk give a great mix of city life and outdoor fun.”
▶ Where to stay: Art meets science at Hotel EMC2, Autograph Collection, where robot butlers Cleo and Leo deliver snacks, on-site Archive Lounge serves up Sicilian pizzas, and rooms feature a retro-cool gramophone amplifier for playing tunes.
Teen-tested, parent-approved: 10 family vacation ideas that will actually excite your teenagers originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.FamilyVacationist.com andTourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using theFamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and selectfamily vacation ideas,family vacation spots,all-inclusive family resorts, andclassic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop coversguided group tours and tour operators,tour operator reviews,tour itinerary reviews andtravel gear recommendations.If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.