Kid & Coe

21 Best Vacations for Teens

Are you looking to plan some vacations with teens this year? Teens are a great age to travel with but the key is finding a place they will love. Here’s my 21 great ideas for vacation with teens this year. 

Four teens walking with backpacks.

What to Consider When Planning a Family Vacation with Teens

While teens are a great age for traveling, they can also be a pretty opinionated. When you are traveling with babies, toddlers and little kids there are things to consider about the location and the lodging, but once you have teens there are totally new things to consider. With teens I think it’s most important to figure out a vacation that will interest them. Do they love hiking? Do they love cities? If you can find a spot that will interest your teen, you can plan a really memorable trip for your family. 

Why Opt for a Vacation Rental?

Now that I have teens, I love to look for vacation rentals where we will be traveling. For one, teens like their space. It’s not easy sharing a bathroom with a teen! They are also not so fond of sharing a bed or cramming in a hotel room with their little siblings anymore and a vacation rental gives everyone extra space. 

In addition, when we travel with our teens, we like to use it as a time to connect and spend family time together. A vacation rental with provide common space for game nights, a kitchen to cook meals together and often times your own pool. This all makes for a great space for binding with your teen.

City Vacation Spots for Teens

A teen girl looking at art in a gallery.

For many teens, big cities are really appealing.  There’s a plethora of activities and attractions, a great food scene and chances are they know something about the city. Just walking around, seeing the city, shopping and some street food is a great way to enjoy a vacation with teens.

London

I always tell people: London is the perfect first trip abroad for kids. For teens it’s even better. It’s a fabulous city for walking around, learning to take the Tube, and packed with history, plus it’s also a great place for teens to see shows. 

London Attractions for Teens:

Where to Stay in London:

New York City

“Start spreading the news, you’re leaving today. I want to be a part of it, New York, New York”…. Ok maybe don’t sing to get your teens excited for a trip (singing parents are extra cringy) but New York City with teens is sure to be a huge hit. We live just outside of New York City and my teens love spending time there. It’s an easy city to reach by plane (3 major airports) or train (Amtrak). Read our ‘Mom’s Guide to NYC‘ or view all New York City Vacation Rentals.

New York Attractions for Teens:

Paris

With the Olympics this summer, Paris is even more on the minds of so many teens. Add its popularity to the history, food and shopping, and you’ve got a great vacation spot with teens. 

Paris Attractions for Teens:

Where to Stay in Paris:

Los Angeles

If you really want to be a ‘cool parent’, just mention the idea of heading to LA to your teens! A Los Angeles vacation with teens is a perfect city trip any time of year due to the weather and you can add in a theme park trip too. 

Los Angeles Attractions for Teens:

Where to Stay in Los Angeles:

Rome

Italy is my favorite place to visit with my family and for teens I think Rome with kids is a must do. You get the food and culture of visiting Italy with the fun city vibe that teens love.

Rome Attractions for Teens:

Where to Stay in Rome:

Amsterdam

We visited Amsterdam because friends were living there. I couldn’t believe how much my kids loved it and we can’t wait to go back someday. For teens, the history is incredible to experience because they have learned about it in school (Anne Frank, World War II, etc). Since it’s a place where everyone bikes, there are boats to ride and great shopping, it’s the perfect city escape with teens. 

Amsterdam Attractions for Teens:

Where to Stay in Amsterdam:

Best Beach Vacations for Teenagers

Four teens sitting on a beach with the sea in the background.

Some teens love city life on vacation and some prefer to relax on the beach. Speaking of relaxing…. While beach vacations can be more work than rest with little kids, beach vacations with teens are a breeze. You can actually sit and read a book while they enjoy the beach! These are some of the best beach vacations with teens.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful place to visit. In addition to relaxing on the beach there are a few more activities to enjoy while in Puerto Vallarta with teenagers.

Attractions:

Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta:

Miami

If you are torn between a city trip and a beach trip, Miami is a good option. The weather is great all year long and there are so many things to do in Miami with teens on the sand and in the city.

Attractions:

Where to Stay in Miami:

Ibiza

It’s not always known as the best place for families, but we wholeheartedly approve of Ibiza with kids. For teens it’s even better – as they get older they can explore the vibrant nightlife for themselves and gather on beaches to watch the sun sets.

Ibiza Attractions for Teens:

  • Watch the sunset drumming at Benirràs beach
  • Visit the hippie markets around the island
  • Wander round the harbor in Ibiza Town

Where to Stay in Ibiza:

Puerto Rico

One of the best spots for a laid-back vacation with teens who like the beach. Get them outdoors for surfing, sailing, horse-back riding, snorkeling and paddle boarding,

Puerto Rico Attractions for Teens:

  • Spotting turtles at the Tres Palmas marine reserve
  • Snorkeling at the coral reefs around Desecheo island
  • Watching humpback whales from the El Faro lighthouse

Where to Stay in Puerto Rico:

Destin

Destin is a great part of Florida to visit with teens. There are great little towns to bike around, fun beaches and good combo of relaxing and giving them a little room to explore on their own in some of the smaller towns nearby.

Destin Attractions for Teens:

Where to Stay in Destin:

Crete

Visiting Greece is on the top of our bucket list for the next few years. Of all of the islands, one of the best with teens is Crete. Crete with teenagers is a great place to enjoy history and Greek culture while having a beach vacation.

Crete Attractions for Teens:

  • Visit the Cave of Zeus 
  • Greek cooking class 
  • Boat day 

Where to Stay in Crete:

Coastal South Carolina

Coastal South Carolina has lots of great places to visit with teens. It’s an easy spot to drive to if you live up and down the east coast with many spots right near I-95 and also a place to fly too with a number of airports to pick from. One of my top picks is a Hilton Head vacation with teens. 

South Carolina Attractions for Teens:

  • Rent bikes and explore Hilton Head 
  • Stay on Isle of Palms or Folly beach and enjoy Charleston too 
  • Horseback riding 

Where to Stay in Coastal South Carolina:

Winter Vacations

A skier jumping with the sun in the background on snowy mountains.

Winter vacations are my favorite type to take with teens. It’s during the school year so a nice break from hectic schedules and a break from school for them. Plus there are so many fun winter activities while traveling for teens. For winter family vacations remember to book flights far in advance as flight prices go up fast for winter breaks. 

Aspen

If your kids want to snowboard or ski, head to the Rocky Mountains. Each festive season, Aspen hosts the 12 Days of Aspen celebration in December, featuring fireworks, magic shows, ice skating and film screenings.

Aspen Attractions for Teens:

  • Ski at Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk or Snowmass
  • Take a Snowcat up the mountain for dinner 
  • Take a Powder Tour 

Where to Stay in Aspen:

Breckenridge

This pretty mountain town is known for it’s big winter season, with the popular Lighting of Breckenridge each Christmas, so there’s always lots going on to entertain teens.

Breckenridge Attractions for Teens:

  • Ski at Breckenridge Mountain 
  • Take a scenic gondola ride 
  • Try the Gold runner Coaster 

Where to Stay in Breckenridge:

The French Alps

If you want an amazing bucket list vacation with teens in the winter, consider visiting the French Alps. The scenery, the food, the skiing, all wonderful for enjoying with your teen. There are also so many things to do in the french alps for teens in addition to the obvious skiing. View all French Alps Vacation Rentals

French Alps Attractions for Teens:

  • Snowshoeing 
  • Dog sledding
  • Tobogganing

The Catskills

The Catskills is one of our favorite places to visit. There are so many cool little towns and my teens love it there in all seasons. The winter is magical and while you can still enjoy all the shops and restaurants in the different small towns, there are winter attractions too. 

Catskills Attractions for Teens:

  • Ski at Hunter Mountain Resort 
  • Cross country skiing various trails 
  • Snowmobiling

Where to Stay in The Catskills:

The Swiss Alps

Like the French Alps, the Swiss Alps is a wonderful bucket list winter escape with teens. You can even pop over to Italy for the day and see two countries in one. Plus, you can fly into Zurich and take the train up and Zurich is a really cool city for teens to explore before heading to the mountains. View all Swiss Alps Vacation Rentals

Swiss Alps Attractions for Teens:

  • Ski Zermatt Mountain 
  • Eat pizza the top of the Matterhorn Glacier
  • Ice Palace in Jungfraujoch

Park City

Park City Utah is a super cool ski town for teens. It’s known by teens to be hip because of the Sundance Film Festival and the restaurant scene is excellent and “cool” for teens. Great skiing plus a cool vibe will make for a great place to spend some time in the winter with your teens. View all Park City Vacation Rentals

Park City Attractions for Teens:

  • Ski at Park City Mountain Resort 
  • Visit the Utah Olympic Park
  • Snow Tubing at Woodward

Near Theme Parks

You’re really never too old to experience the magic of theme parks. I’ve found that teens are even more excited about visiting theme parks than younger kids. They know all the cool things you can do there, are big enough for all the rides and for the parents: you don’t have to be as nervous about the large crowds. 

Planning a vacation around a theme park is sure to make a teenager happy. It’s even better to pick a location to stay that you can visit more than one park on the trip. 

Orlando

Orlando is sure to be a hit with teens. You can enjoy the sunshine and swimming and visit so many great theme parks while there. You may have visited Orlando with them when they were little but going back with teens will be a blast – so many more rides and parks to explore! 

Orlando Attractions for Teens:

  • Walt Disney World Parks 
  • Universal Studios and Harry Potter 
  • Discovery Cove 

Where to Stay in Orlando:

San Diego

Another great place to visit with theme parks nearby is to plan a trip to San Diego with teens. You can do a few days in San Diego exploring the city, some beach time and then some theme park days. 

San Diego Attractions for Teens:

Where to Stay in San Diego:

Book a Teen-Approved Family Vacation

Ready to book an awesome vacation with your teens? Talk to them! See what might interest them in a vacation and then head back to this list. There’s something cool for all teens. Then head to the destinations page or browse our Best for Teens collection and pick a vacation rental that will be comfortable for your family to kick back and relax and enjoy the vacation you’ve planned.

  • https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/east-hampton/the-renfrew-lane-residence
  • https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/north-carolina/the-cabana-cornelia-residence
  • https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/copake/the-copake-lake-house-residence
  • https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/de-goudkust/the-beatrixpark-residence

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Rebecca Evans

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