Got teens? Then you’ve probably got issues. A lot of issues. One problem we’ll attempt to resolve in this article is finding the perfect family travel destination. Below, we’ll tell you about eight of the most popular suggestions on where to travel with teens. In addition to telling you where to travel with teens, we’ll clue you in on some apps that can really help you plan your trip. Whether your teen is a thrill-seeker or a beach bum, you’re sure to find one destination on this “Where to Travel with Teens” list that works for your entire family.
1. New York City
For teens that crave the excitement of big city life, Manhattan is the place to be. There are so many things to do, see, and eat in this incredible city that it’s impossible to name them all in just one list. A few of the must-sees are the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and the Ground Zero Memorial. While you’re here, why not book a classy hotel, take in a Broadway show, and dine at a fancy restaurant?
First-time tourists have no need to feel bewildered by NYC nowadays. There are plenty of topnotch apps online to help you navigate the Big Apple like a local. Be sure to download these apps to have a smooth travel experience in the City That Never Sleeps: Exit Strategy NYC Subway Map, Time Out New York, iTrans, and DINE.
2. Barcelona
On all lists of where to Travel With Teens in Europe, Barcelona always comes out on top. What is it about this Spanish city that so entices adolescents? Is it Antoni Gaudí’s stunning architecture, the spicy Spanish cuisine, or the picturesque weather? Honestly, it’s probably a combination of these three factors… and many, many more.
Be sure to visit the immense Sagrada Familia cathedral, the Old City, and La Rambla. If your teen loves amusement parks, you could even plan a day trip to Spain’s popular PortAventura World (about a one-hour drive away). Here are a few of Barcelona’s top travel apps to make your trip extra special: Barcelona Restaurants for iOS and Android, Gaudí’s Barcelona for iOS and Android, and The “Official Guide to Barcelona” for iOS and Android.
3. Walt Disney World
Android isn’t just for little kids anymore. This world-renowned Orlando amusement park has tons of attractions sure to keep your teen satisfied. In case you didn’t know already, Walt Disney World now consists of four amusement parks, two waterparks, a downtown shopping area called Disney Springs, and 34 resorts.
With both the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, the Hollywood Studios theme park has the best rides for adrenaline junkies. Water park lovers must plan a few trips to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach during their stay. If your teen is more into shopping and dining, explore Epcot’s World Pavilion, the Boardwalk, or Disney Springs.
Disney’s newest park, the Animal Kingdom, is home to the famous Expedition Everest rollercoaster and an incredible Avatar-themed area. Lastly, nobody’s too old to enjoy a nice stroll down Main Street USA with Mickey Mouse in the Magic Kingdom! Whatever you end up doing here, be sure you have the Walt Disney World app on your mobile phone to help you organize your trip.
4. Cruise Ship Excursions
More and more families are booking cruise ship excursions each and every year. To accommodate adolescent voyagers, almost all cruise companies have dedicated areas with fun-filled activities for teens. A few of the best-reviewed cruise ships for teenagers per Walt Disney World app include Disney Fantasy, Oasis of the Seas, Norwegian Breakaway, Carnival Sunshine, and Ruby Princess.
While your teens are enjoying some privacy with their peers, you’ll enjoy some quality time with your beloved at your ship’s numerous spas, restaurants, and live shows. All cruise companies have their own official apps nowadays, so be sure to do your research online and download the app you need for your specific trip.
5. Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells was recently awarded the top prize in USA Today’s list on where to travel with teens. This city in southern Wisconsin is home to some of the world’s best waterparks, including Kalahari Waterparks, Noah’s Ark Water Park, and Wilderness Territory. Besides water parks, you can go hiking around the famous rock formations, check out the entertaining Tommy Bartlett Show, and explore the upside down White House at Top Secret Incorporated.
There are also tons of shopping and dining opportunities downtown and in the Wisconsin Dells Antique Mall. You can download the official WisDells2Go travel app for free on both Apple and Android devices.
6. Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a great destination for teens that love hiking, camping, and the great outdoors. This resort town is located right next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most popular National Park in the USA. A few great things to see in this beautiful park include climbing up Clingmans Dome, visiting the Elkmont Historic District, and taking pictures of the powerful Abrams Falls.
Gatlinburg itself is famous for its numerous pancake restaurants, humungous Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, and the Gatlinburg Sky Lift. There are even museums here dedicated to the Dukes of Hazard and Hollywood star cars! Gatlinburg’s tourism department created an official travel app designed to help tourists. This app is simply called the Gatlinburg app and is available on Apple and Android products. So, for all the nature lovers out there, Gatlinburg is where to travel with teens.
7. Club Med
There are so many Club Med destinations and travel packages nowadays that cater to teens. Just a few sports your kids can take part in include skiing, horseback riding, scuba diving, and kite surfing. Most Club Meds now have teenage spas to help your teens relax and recharge while on vacation.
There’s also a teen-only club called the Password that has a video game lounge, a professional DJ, and a hot dance floor. The top three Club Med resorts for teens according to TripAdvisor are Club Med La Caravelle, Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, and Club Med Cancún Yucatán. For more information on this company, download the Club Med Resorts app onto your iOS or Android device.
8. Hawaii
Last, but certainly not least, consider booking a trip to the Hawaiian Islands. As you probably already know, there are six major islands that compose the Aloha State. For kids who can’t bear being too far from the “civilized” world, plan your trip in the island of Oahu. Oahu is home to Hawaii’s capital city of Honolulu, which has numerous popular destinations like Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor.
A few other islands that are good for teens include Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai. All three of these islands have tons of beaches, natural scenery, and volcanoes to explore. While you could travel to Molokai or Lanai, these last two islands are better suited for older travelers or honeymooners.
A few useful apps to download before heading to Hawaii include Hawaii WeatherNOW, GoHawaii, and Hawaiian Airlines Hawaii Here.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully this list helped you decide where to travel with teens this year. The best way to choose the ideal tourist destination for your family is to ask your teen what s/he wants out of a vacation. Take the time to listen to your teen’s interests so you can plan a trip they’ll never forget (for all the right reasons, of course). Whatever you decide, make sure the whole family is in total agreement before you book your plane tickets and begin your awesome vacation.