Places to vacation with teenagers
Melbourne, Australia
By Lanie from Let’s Make More Adventures
Whether your teen is a sports enthusiast, foodie, artist, music lover, or all of the above, Melbourne, Australia is a fun location with plenty for teens to do day and night.
Melbourne is known for its street art which can be seen in the many laneways throughout the city. Melbourne’s laneways are the perfect backdrop for photographs.
Queen Victoria Market is a popular spot for both fresh and prepared foods. A 2-hour market foodie tour makes for a fun lunch. Dessert lovers need to check out the bakery windows full of cakes and slices on Acland Street in St. Kilda. On the weekends, Grazeland has just about every cuisine imaginable, plus live music and other entertainment.
Teens can view Melbourne from above at Melbourne Skydeck and even walk on a clear floor at “the edge” or participate in a virtual reality “plank” that makes them feel as though they are right on the edge of the building looking down at Melbourne.
Getting around Melbourne is easy on the public trams, including the free tram that runs through the center of the city. Teens who want a little bit of independence can ride the tram alone to meet up with their families throughout the day.
Depending on the season, AFL, AFLW, rugby, soccer, or cricket matches are played in stadiums throughout Melbourne.
Another place to check out at night is the Ice Bar. Despite being the largest ice bar in the southern hemisphere, the Ice Bar is not large. It is, however, lots of fun. Teens can order a drink at the bar made out of ice and play air hockey on a table made of ice.
For teens who want to get out of the city for the day, or even longer, The Great Ocean Road is gorgeous and full of hikes, beaches, and beautiful views.
Teens prefer their space and privacy, and a hotel such as the Lancemore on Crossley Street provides a 2-bedroom family room with separate bedrooms and bathrooms. The Lancemore is centrally located and near public transportation.
Wasaga Beach, Canada
By Erie from Everywhere Ontario
If your teens are beach crazy but heading south isn’t on your radar, then Wasaga Beach might just be the summer family getaway for you. As the world’s longest freshwater beach and just over an hour from the metropolis of Canada’s biggest city, Toronto, Wasaga Beach is absolutely booming in the summertime.
This party town has tons of things to do, from beachfront restaurants to skydiving to nearby Scenic Caves and the luxurious Scandinave Spa. It also boasts some of the most Instagram-worthy sunsets and provides almost endless sandy shorelines for long family walks on the beach.
While you will find plenty to do at the beachfront, Wasaga Beach also has beautiful hiking trails and canoe/kayaking/SUP rentals along the Nottawasaga River. It might be one of the busiest and best beaches in all of Canada, but it won’t let you leave without getting a taste of the great Canadian outdoors.
While Wasaga Beach has lots of mid-range hotels, the most common way to stay at the shore is to rent a cottage, and the town is absolutely filled with rentals close to the water. If you’re looking for a more upscale accommodation, you will enjoy options like The Westin and Blue Mountain Resort in the nearby ski village of Blue Mountains.
Wasaga Beach has lots to offer any beach-crazed teens (and their parents!) and thankfully shouldn’t break the bank in doing so.
Essaouira, Morocco
By Jenny from Explore Essaouira
Perched on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, just a three-hour drive west of Marrakech, Essaouira is a great place to visit with teens as its safe to allow them some independence, has great activities on offer due to the beach location, and importantly for them, the WIFI is good for keeping in touch with friends back home.
There are some fantastic things to do in Essaouira, and active teens will enjoy taking surf lessons or even kite surfing lessons. Indeed Essaouira, coined as ‘Morocco’s Windy City’ is one of the best places in Africa for kite surfing due to the strong winds blowing off the Atlantic. There is also quad biking along the beach.
Importantly for parents, Essaouira’s traffic-free Medina (old town) is much more relaxed compared to say Marrakech. Following a grid pattern and being compact, it’s very difficult to get lost, and there are no mopeds brushing past at speed. Essaouira is very chilled and laid back, and the sellers in the souqs are not pushy at all. So, parents, this is the place to let your teens have some independence by letting them wander on their own, while hopefully avoiding any extra grey hairs for you.
There are a handful of high end hotels outside the Medina (Hotel Le Médina Essaouira Thalassa, Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa). But for that authentic experience, try one of the many superb and reasonably priced Airbnbs in the Medina. This will give the whole family space to spread out, and allow teens their own rooms. This also means that you have the best local restaurants on your doorstep, and can send the teens out each morning to get fresh bread, eggs, and fruit for breakfast. Although if the teens are craving cereal, there’s a Carrefour Supermarket on the main road out of town, selling Western food items.
Lake District, England
By Paulina from UK Every Day
If you are looking for the best family vacation with teenagers that offers plenty of activities and incredible views, look no further than the Lake District in England. An exciting holiday that includes climbing the highest English mountain, Scafell Pike, or checking out Infinity Bridge, 610m above the ground, to name just a few of the Lake District attractions.
This part of England has some of the most beautiful mountains and lakes. Teenagers can enjoy many water sports such as canoeing, paddleboarding, or swimming in the biggest lake in Lake District – Windermere.
There are also plenty of amazing waterfalls to explore such as Aira Force or Scale Force Waterfall. If you are looking for an adventurous holiday with teenagers, try Ghyll scrambling. This exciting activity includes climbing through mountain steam in small groups.
Another popular attraction is rock climbing or visiting an impressive cave near Rydal Water. With such an abundance of options, you will keep your teenager busy during the whole vacation.
Lake District is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, so make sure to find accommodation as early as possible. For instance, you can try glamping or camping, which is an amazing option to wake up with beautiful views of mountains.
Seoul, South Korea
By Erica from Travels with Erica
Seoul is one of the best destinations to visit with teens. There is lots of history, culture, and food to keep your teen entertained and engaged on your vacation.
One of the must-do activities in Seoul is visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace and taking a free guided tour to learn about the palace’s history and significance. There is a Changing of the Guards ceremony at 10 am and 3 pm most days, and you don’t want to miss it.
If your teen loves theme parks, you can take a day trip to Everland and ride a wooden rollercoaster.
Seoul is extremely safe, and if your teen wants some freedom and to get away from you for a while, you can allow them to wander through Myeongdong or Insadong alone knowing they’ll be safe.
Be sure to indulge in the food in Seoul. It has some of the best street food and restaurants in the world. One restaurant you can’t miss is OsegyeHyang located in Insadong. It is a vegan restaurant that serves traditional Korean foods and is one of the few restaurants in Seoul where you can try vegan/vegetarian Bibimbap.
The tourist attractions in Seoul are spread out, so you’ll need to rely on public transportation a lot of the time. The best area to stay in if you want to walk to a number of tourist attractions easily is Myeongdong. It’s central, and you can walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insadong in less than 20 minutes. A great hotel to stay for families traveling with teens is the LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong.
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
By Delilah from Our Travel Mix
Rarotonga, the largest and most popular destination in the Cook Islands, is a remote, tropical island in the South Pacific Ocean. Getting away to a paradisiacal island with teens is always a great idea, and Rarotonga is one of the best.
The allure of Rarotonga is largely thanks to its laid-back, island lifestyle. Activities on the island revolve predominantly around the idea of alternating between sipping cocktails, lying on the beach, and snorkeling in the crystal clear water. It’s really all about forgetting about the real world and relaxing.
If you or your teens are looking for a little more adventure, however, you can choose from a few exciting activities such as Raro Buggy Tours, diving, or hiking to The Needle.
It’s also worth noting that Rarotonga is extremely safe, with very minimal crime. Due to the size of the island (small enough to walk around in a day), it’s also pretty hard for teenagers to get up to mischief.
Rarotonga accommodation covers all kinds of travelers, with cheaper options tending to be a bit more dated and lacking in modern amenities, and luxury resorts offering private pools and beachfront bungalows. On the cheap end, you’d be impressed by Rarotonga Backpackers. Castaway Resort is a solid mid-range option, whilst Te Manava is one of the best luxury resorts on the island.
Lake Tahoe, California
By Rasika from Bae Area and Beyond
Lake Tahoe is a popular vacation destination for both locals and tourists alike. Lake Tahoe is situated in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and in between California and Nevada. It’s known for its crystal clear water and breathtaking views, which are enhanced by its proximity to the snow-capped mountains.
Lake Tahoe offers so many activities that it is impossible not to find something that interests you! From skiing and snowboarding on the slopes to hiking through nature trails or even just relaxing on a beach chair with a good book – there’s something for everyone here!
You can also spend your time exploring nature by biking along Tahoe East Shore Trail, one of the best bike paths in the country. Or if you prefer more excitement in the water, then try kayaking or parasailing on Lake Tahoe.
The best tip when visiting Lake Tahoe is to make sure you’re packing layers. The weather can get unpredictable with one day being sunny and the other day being windy.
There are many great places to stay near Lake Tahoe including hotels, resorts, and cottages. If you want a luxurious hotel experience then check out The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa And Casino. This four-star resort has all the amenities you could ever want including restaurants, hot tubes, a heated pool, a spa, and an on-site casino!
Maui, Hawai
By Jordan from The Homebody Tourist
With a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, Maui is the ultimate destination to visit with your teenager! After arriving in paradise, check in to your hotel and spend your first night relaxing and adjusting to the time difference. You will not have any difficulty finding an epic hotel or condo right on the water! For a good beachfront resort, check out Kaanapali Alii by Hyatt Residence.
On day 2, convince your teen to wake up early for the adventure of a lifetime: a road trip along the Road to Hana. The Road to Hana features over 600 turns and 59 bridges through the lush Maui rainforest. Along the drive, you will pass by so many roadside waterfalls, tasty food trucks and stands, black sand beaches, and even get to hike through a bamboo forest (to a massive waterfall!).
During the rest of your vacation, be sure to check out the amazing landscape at IAO Valley, the wildlife during a snorkeling trip to the Molokini Crater, the views while hiking the Waihe’e Ridge trail, and of course squeeze in a couple of relaxing beach days.
If you are looking for even more adventures, you can take a surfing lesson, take an ATV ride through the Maui mountains, or hike on top of Haleakala (a shield volcano in East Maui).
Your teen will definitely appreciate the blend of adrenaline and resting during your Maui vacation.
Los Angeles, California
By Paula from Paula Pins the Planet
Los Angeles is the ultimate U.S bucket list destination with scenic beaches, fiery sunsets, and the iconic Hollywood area. You’ll find plenty of great attractions within this city ranging from fantastic museums to hiking trails, so there’s something for everyone.
Some of the most popular places to visit include the Hollywood Sign, Griffiths Observatory, Sunset Boulevard, and the Walk of Fame. You can even take a small road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway or explore many of the city’s food markets.
For the ultimate Los Angeles itinerary, you NEED to visit the top areas of the city including Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach. These neighborhoods are home to the most beautiful beaches in Los Angeles, and some of the best activities.
If you’re heading to LA with teens there are plenty of great theme parks too including Universal Studios, Disneyland, and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Paramount Pictures Studios is another great place to visit if you’re traveling as a family!
No matter what time of year you visit, it’s a good idea to purchase the LA city pass – especially if you’re wanting to keep costs low. The pass includes over 35 activities/attractions and can save you up to 55% on ticket prices.
Hiring a car is one of the best ways to get around LA as the city is HUGE. Public transport services are efficient, but many of them don’t reach certain areas so keep this in mind before your trip! However, there is a great metro system if you’re staying in downtown LA, Chinatown, or the Hollywood area.
For first-time visitors, downtown LA is the best place to stay and there are plenty of great accommodation choices including Hotel Indigo and Freehand Los Angeles.
Utah
By Jessica from Uprooted Traveler
A road trip around the five U.S. National Parks of Utah is sure to be a hit with the whole family- even hard to impress teens! Each of the parks has a unique landscape and a variety of activities, from low-key to adrenaline-pumping, to satisfy everyone.
For example, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique and colorful rock formations, called hoodoos, formed by millions of years of erosion. Take a hike down below the lip of the canyon, like along the Navajo Loop Trail, to admire the hoodoos towering above.
For a slightly more adventurous trail, consider the iconic Narrows hike in Zion National Park, where you’ll hike literally through the chilly waters of the Virgin River through a slot canyon, as the walls soar overhead.
If the kids are looking for something that will really get your adrenaline going, there are plenty of thrilling activities to be found in and around Utah’s national parks, from whitewater rafting down the Colorado River in Canyonlands, spelunking in Capitol Reef, or trying your hand at via ferrata in Zion.
If you’re not within driving distance to the parks, your best bet will be flying into either Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, renting a car, and then exploring the parks from west to east (Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches).
On your final nights in the quirky town of Moab for your visit to Canyonlands and Arches, consider a stay at the Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa, where you can recoup after a day of adventures by listening to live music around the nightly bonfire. On your last day, take a quick dip in the pool before you make the drive back to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, where you can start planning your next adventures back to Utah!
Glasgow, Scotland
By Moumita & Sankha from Chasing the Long Road
Home to some of the best family-friendly activities, Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, is one of the best places to travel with teens.
One of the main Glasgow tourist attractions is the iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Here you will discover a remarkable collection of 8000 objects in many galleries, ranging from priceless Renaissance art objects to armories.
Glasgow is famous for urban street art murals by local and international artists. Searching for these colorful street murals all around the city is very exciting, you can also join a walking tour. You can hire a bike for the day to explore many beautiful parks and gardens in this city.
Head to the famous Riverside Museum on the bank of River Clyde. Here you will find an intriguing collection of transportations from many different eras. From skateboards to vintage cars, baby-strollers to model ships, there are many interesting exhibits that will keep the teens engaged. Take a stroll along the recreated old streets of Glasgow and learn about the history.
While you are here, don’t miss the adjacent Tall Ship. Hop on board the restored historic ship to learn its thrilling stories around the globe.
Also, Glasgow Science Centre is not too far from here. Teens can easily spend half a day at the science center browsing through different exhibitions.
From Glasgow, take a day trip to Loch Lomond National Park. Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake by surface in Britain and a top attraction in Scotland. It’s a popular place for hiking, camping, cycling, and water sports.
The Jurys Inn Glasgow and Maldron Hotel Glasgow City are some excellent choices to stay near the city center.
Tokyo, Japan
By Melissa from Parenthood and Passports
Whether you’re traveling with teens or younger children, visiting Japan with kids is an incredible experience for the entire family. Teenagers will particularly love the bright lights and allure of Japan’s capital city, Tokyo. With its arcades, anime and kawaii culture, and trendy teen fashion districts, Tokyo is one of the best destinations in the world to visit with teens. In fact, the Harajuku district of Tokyo is known as “Teen’s Holy Land” in Japan. With cutting-edge fashion at reasonable prices that teenagers can afford, this district is a must-visit for trendsetting teenagers.
For the teenagers addicted to their video games and smartphone apps, the tech district of Akihabara in Tokyo is a stimulation of the senses. Home to 4-story arcades where even the urinals in the men’s restrooms are equipped with gaming systems, the district is like stepping into a real-life video game.
But beyond the fun, fashion, and games, Japan offers a unique cultural lesson that teens are the perfect age to appreciate. Visit any of the temples around Japan to learn about Buddhism, Japanese values and customs, and the history of this wonderful country. Visiting Japan will be a trip your teenagers will remember and cherish forever!
The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo is located directly adjacent to the central train station, Tokyo Station. Making it a convenient hotel to stay in when exploring the city.
Rome, Italy
By Joanna from The World in my Pocket
Rome is a fantastic vacation destination in Europe to visit with teens. There are so many things that they can learn, but also fun things to experience.
For teens who are passionate about history, a visit to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill is a must. After learning about the Roman Empire, teens can have a chance to dress up as gladiators and practice their skills in fighting in the arena, at the Rome Gladiator School. Here they can also visit the museum dedicated to Gladiators. It’s a perfect fun activity for children and teens.
The Vatican is another great place to visit as a family. There are dedicated tours of the Vatican specifically aimed at children and teens, to transform the visit into a fun, learning experience. The views from the cupola are also breathtaking, so don’t miss out on climbing up there. Near the Vatican, you will find Castle Sant’Angelo, where families can see how Rome changed over the past 2000 years.
Another great thing to do in Rome is to experience the traditional Roman cuisine. Families can take a cooking class together and learn how to make Rome’s most famous dish, pasta cacio e pepe. Even the fussiest teen will enjoy eating this delicious vegetarian pasta dish.
A hotel recommendation is B&B Santa Maria Maggiore, a 20-minute walk from the Colosseum and 30 minutes from Fontana di Trevi