17 Amazing Vacation Ideas for Families With Teens

Planning a vacation with teens can be a lot of fun, but you do have to put some extra thought into your destination and activities. After all, teenagers tend to be a lot more adventurous than little ones, and they definitely require their own space and privacy.

Fortunately, some vacation ideas are practically made for families with teenagers - or they're set up in a way that makes traveling with teens more convenient or affordable. If you're planning a trip with older kids and looking for some fresh options, it can pay to keep the following destinations and trip ideas in mind.

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is a family-friendly resort in Nassau, Bahamas that has the perfect set-up for teens and adults. In addition to the largest casino in the Caribbean, the property features eight huge pools, water sports galore, a unique wildlife sanctuary and expansive room options for families. A stay in this property also gives you access to the adjacent Baha Bay waterpark, which boasts a 500,000-gallon wave pool, 24 slides, 2 uphill water coasters and plenty more to keep teens busy for days.

MSC Cruises is launching a brand new ship called the MSC Seashore out of Miami, Florida in late November 2021, and this ship has a ton of features for families with kids of all ages. In addition to a dedicated kid's club, teenagers have their own Teen Club for ages 12 to 17 and Teens Lab filled with technology and games. The ship itself also features huge cabins for families, six different pools, endless entertainment options and gourmet cuisine available 20 hours a day.

The United Arab Emirates city of Dubai is the host city of the largest World Expo, which invites global citizens to explore cutting edge technology, arts and culture through March of 2022. Participants include nations, multilateral organizations and educational institutions from around the world, and teenagers will get the chance to explore hundreds of booths with never-before-seen technology that will change our world forever.

Make sure to fly with Emirates, which is known for its luxury experience and family-friendly seating options. Also note that each ticket purchased with Emirates comes with a complimentary Expo pass.

Families who want to be the first to try out a new resort should check out the Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic. This all-inclusive property opens to guests on November 1, 2021, and it features gourmet dining at 10 unique restaurants and lounges, daily activities like pickleball, beach volleyball and cornhole tournaments, daily entertainment and huge rooms perfect for families. For example, the resort's Jimmy Buffett Suite features sleeping space for up to four, a separate kitchen, a living room and dining space for up to 10.

Just a 90-minute drive from New York City, Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark offers activities to keep the whole family happy and entertained. The indoor water park maintains toasty temperatures all year round, with 10 slides, a lazy river and water adventures galore. The on-site resort also features family-friendly room options, including suites with separate bunk rooms perfect for teenagers who need space. An indoor entertainment center also features a ropes course, rock climbing, an arcade, bowling and more.

If you think Las Vegas is only for adults, think again. From the spectacular shows to the ongoing exhibits and amazing resort pools, there is plenty to keep teenagers busy for weeks. You can take the kids to see the Blue Man Group or JABBAWOCKEEZ and you can test their limits on the New York, New York roller coaster or the Big Shot, a thrill ride at the Stratosphere. When you need a change of scenery, you can even take a side tour to Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon, both of which are within an hour's drive of the city.

Some travel companies offer tours targeted specifically to families with older kids, and this includes Backroads Tours. This adventure-themed travel company offers guided tours through the Caribbean, Europe and more with a focus on activities like biking, hiking and walking. For example, their Dolomites Family Multi-Adventure Tour takes groups on an epic biking journey through the mountains of Italy and Austria with extras like climbing lessons and wine-tasting classes for adults.

New York City is open and ready to welcome guests, and your teenagers would love to see the "Big Apple" for themselves. Consider a stay at the InterContinental New York Times Square in NYC, which is offering a Back to Broadway deal complete with half off their third weeknight stay, a Broadway history walking tour and a specially curated Spotify Broadway playlist. Take your kids to see Hamilton or Wicked and they'll never forget it.

Located about 45 minutes from Orlando, Florida, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers the perfect getaway for teenagers interested in science and outer space. Visitors here can see the Space Shuttle Atlantis, take part in the Shuttle Launch Experience or sign up for an Astronaut Training Experience. In the spring of 2022, visitors can also check out the Deep Space Launch Complex, which features a showcase of NASA and commercial spaceflight artifacts never seen before.

Families with teens can consider taking a trip with guided vacation company Trafalgar, which offers an array of exciting trips in destinations like the wild west of the United States, the rainforests of Costa Rica, Ireland and Italy. Families with teens can pick destinations and activities that make sense with their interests and hobbies, and Trafalgar takes care of all the details so families can enjoy their vacation without the stress of planning

Hands Up Holidays is a guided tour company that organizes luxury family trips with a volunteering component. These trips work well for teens because they help them learn how to give back and they facilitate meaningful interaction and cultural immersion. Voluntourism vacations through Hands Up Holidays can be booked in destinations like Peru, Belize, Zambia and more.

If you're looking to go slightly off the beaten path in Florida, don't forget about St. Augustine - America's oldest city. Along with the 42 miles of beaches found on Florida's historic coast, families with teens will find a Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park and a Crocodile Crossing park that leaves guests weaving through treetops right over the animals. Other sites to check out include the Spanish Military Hospital Museum, Old Jail and the Old Drug Store and Potter's Wax Museum.

Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina is the perfect destination for families with teens who love adrenaline-pumping winter sports, peaceful boat cruises and the great outdoors. This property is located close to all the casinos and action in the Lake Tahoe area, yet families can also get away from it all in private cabins with lake views. Guests can even book an airstream trailer for a more rustic experience.

Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos are geared to families, but they have more amenities for teens than most all-inclusive properties. For example, teens can enjoy unlimited water sports during the day and dance parties at the Beaches teen club each night. Beaches also offers unlimited PADI-certified scuba diving and full access to the Xbox Play Lounge. Best of all, all the family's food, drinks, and entertainment are included in the nightly rate.

If you're looking for a drivable destination from anywhere in the Midwest, don't forget to consider Louisville, Kentucky for your teen getaway. Here you'll find the Louisville Mega Cavern with over 17 miles of underground passageways with underground ziplines. Families with teens can also check out the Muhammad Ali Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and the Kentucky Derby Museum.

If you want to vacation with your teens without worrying about the details, a stay at the all-inclusive Planet Hollywood Cancun Resort could do the trick. This property includes all your food, drink and entertainment for one nightly price, and you'll have access to 11 world-class restaurants and 11 bars, huge pools, a lazy river and a gorgeous white sand beach. This property also features a Shipwreck Cove and Jurassic Splash Park, a FlowRider® surf simulator, a Labyrinth, a mini-golf course and a trampoline play park.

Are your teens absolutely obsessed with Hamilton? If so, you can take them back to where it all began in Nevis, a Caribbean island that sits just off St. Kitts. In Nevis, you can visit Alexander Hamilton's childhood home and learn about his earliest days. The Four Seasons Resort Nevis even offers an Alexander Suite named after the former resident, which features a separate living and sleeping area, a dining area and a huge terrace with ocean views.