Family vacations aren’t only a way to get away from your regular daily routine, but they’re also a chance to build memories, strengthen relationships, and experience new things together. Planning a family vacation with teens can feel tricky since they’ve moved on from kid attractions, but also likely won’t love things adults think are great. Luckily, there are plenty of family vacation ideas that teens will love, helping them stay engaged and entertained.
Whatever type of vacation you choose, remember that the best vacations for teens involve them having some level of independence on these trips, so mix a fair amount of autonomy with family time. From quick road trips to longer international adventures, you can build bonds while exploring new places, food, and cultures with these family vacation ideas.
Here are the best family vacation ideas that teens will love, with options for every travel budget.
Benefits of Family Vacations
Traveling as a family offers chances to reconnect while relaxing and having fun. This bonding time will bring your family closer together, lasting long after the vacation ends. It also allows for shared experiences for teens and parents to gain new perspectives and explore together.
You can make travel awesome for your teens by considering their interests and letting them help plan your family vacation.
Road Trip Vacation Ideas
Road trips are one of the best summer family vacation ideas, especially with teens. Along the way, you can make some cultural stops at museums, historic sites, and other locations.
You can let your teen choose songs for the playlist, or take turns on music apps like Spotify so everyone can enjoy their favorite music. Teens can also help pick snacks and plan stops along the way. You can also play a fun game of Would You Rather for bonding and laughter during the ride.
Scenic Drives
Visiting scenic areas where the drive is bound to be unforgettable often costs a little more, since there are bound to be tourist attractions along the way. It’s often worth it to see the beauty of the world around you.
College Town Family Vacations
If your teen is undecided about college or excited to explore, planning a road trip around visiting and exploring different towns can make a difference in their decision. It can also give them a taste of the independence they’re so close to, mixed with essential family time.
Beach Road Trip
If you live within a couple of hours of the ocean, road trip to the beach can be an affordable family vacation that teens will love. Take your beach gear and hit the road, with plenty of fun built into the trip, with water and sand being all you’ll need. If you’re on a budget, you can drive in the morning and drive back the same day so you won’t need to spend on a hotel!
Foodie Road Trips
If your family likes trying new food or unique restaurants, map some of these out in your road trip route. When deciding, make sure to pick fun places for teens or let them choose so of the stops.
Great Lakes Tour
The Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior) are an unforgettable experience that your teens will never forget. You can choose from camping, luxury resorts, waterfront stays, and everything in between.
While you’re there, the whole family can enjoy kayaking, boat tours, and viewing lighthouses. If you live in or near Michigan, this trip can be a budget-friendly vacation idea for families.
Amusement Park Trips
Done right, planning a trip around visiting multiple amusement or water parks (or even just one) can be a mid-range family experience. However, if you choose hotels over camping and eating at the amusement park over making your own food off-site, it can move into the splurge-worthy category.
RV Adventure
Renting an RV can be expensive, but it’s a great way to travel across multiple states with built-in lodging. You can check out local RV rental spots to see if it is within your budget and something you’d be interested in!
International Travel Vacation Ideas for Families
If you have the chance to travel abroad, it’s the perfect way to expose teens to new cultures and experiences. It’s a family vacation idea that may not resonate with little kids but will create unforgettable memories for your teens while providing educational benefits.
Mexico or the Caribbean
You can find plenty of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico or the Caribbean with teen lounges and water sports. It ensures fun for everyone in the family, and you’ll have the perfect place to relax each day.
Lisbon or Prague
These European cities are affordable travel destinations. They’re also full of engaging, interesting things for teens to do – from exploring history to embracing street art and exploring tourist attractions.
Japan
Heading to Japan offers plenty of cultural learning, history, and teen-friendly attractions. It’s the place to go for a perfect blend of modern fun, balanced with deep traditional roots for everyone to find interest in.
Australia or New Zealand
You’ll get both outdoor adventure and vibrant city life all in one place if you travel to Australia or New Zealand.
European River Cruise
A river cruise is the perfect way to visit different historic cities without repacking, and you can also enjoy the river as you travel from place to place.
European Train Adventure
Visiting Europe is fun when you take a train and visit different cities, like Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin. You can often find family passes to make this option more affordable.
Costa Rica
A family vacation in Costa Rica means enjoying a blend of beaches, rainforests, and wildlife. If you want to experience adventurous fun like zip-lining, surfing, and participating in eco-adventures like zip-lining, whitewater rafting, kayaking, snorkeling (and so much more), it moves into the splurge-worthy family vacation category.
African Safari
Teens will never forget the wildlife encounters they experience on an African Safari. They can look for elephants, lions, giraffes, and more on guided safaris.
Outdoors and Adventure Vacations for Families
Outdoor and adventurous family vacations combine excitement, nature, and family bonding. While exploring adventurously, your teens will build confidence while creating life-long memories.
Ski Trips
Many family-friendly ski resorts offer lessons for beginners, so any skill level will have fun on this family vacation.
Disney World or Universal Orlando Multi-Park Adventure
Visiting Disney World or Universal for multiple days can get expensive, but it’s well worth it for a fun, splurge-worthy family vacation.
Glamping Resorts
Glamping is a newer trend that is quickly gaining popularity. You can enjoy all the outdoor fun related to camping while sleeping in hotel-level comfort. There are many glamping sites out there that provide you access to the outdoors without having to do all of the set up and tear-down work of normal camping.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
With the show Outer Banks popularizing the area, teens will be excited to visit. Your family can enjoy adventurous activities like kiteboarding, surfing, dune climbing, and kayaking, while relaxing and making memories.
Family Cruise Vacation Ideas
Cruises allow you to bundle food, lodging, and entertainment into one price, so you won’t have to worry while on the trip. Cruises for teens have opportunities for independence, with teen clubs and activities.
Alaskan Cruises
You can’t beat the glacier hikes, whale watching, and adventurous excursions you can experience on an Alaskan cruise. It’s a mix of wilderness, wildlife, and luxury travel that the whole family will love.
Mediterranean Cruises
Taking a family vacation on a Mediterranean Cruise means sampling Europe without stressing about lodging or traveling between locations.
Luxury Family Cruises
Choosing luxury cruise lines often means bigger cabins, gourmet food, and more amenities.
Expedition cruises
You can go big and choose an expedition cruise that sails to Antarctica or the Galapagos for an experience no one in your family will forget.
Budget-Friendly Family Vacations
You don’t have to spend a ton to go on a family vacation with teens. There are many budget-friendly options, including:
National or State Parks
Camping at a National Park is an affordable way to explore through hiking and outdoor adventure. If you opt for lodging instead, it may bump this idea into the mid-range area.
Small-Town Getaways With Teens
Booking a getaway in a small town within a couple of hours’ drive of your home can sometimes be the best family vacation. You can relax and let loose while enjoying local food, antique shops, festivals, and small-town charm.
Volunteer Vacations
You can explore the world on a budget by engaging in meaningful volunteer vacations abroad. It’s perfect for teens because they can understand the meaning behind giving back, all while visiting places they’ve never been before.
Camping or Backpacking
Both of these options teach teens responsibility as they help set up tents, build a fire, cook outdoors, navigate trails, and build resilience. You can enjoy hiking, fishing, campfires, and anything else you can think of, while making memories together.
Lake Getaways
When vacationing at a lake, teens can enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sometimes even cliff jumping. Lakes are great because they have fresh water, which makes it more pleasant for swimming compares to seas and oceans.
Short Caribbean Cruises
When looking for affordable cruises for families, a short Caribbean cruise may be the way to go. It’s also an ideal option for first-time cruisers who don’t know if they’ll enjoy the experience long-term.
Off-Season Cruises
When you don’t travel during peak times, you can save money and enjoy a less crowded experience.
Recap: Family Vacation Ideas for Teens
Family vacations are the perfect opportunity to create memories and bond, no matter where you go or how much you spend. There are plenty of family vacation ideas spanning all interests, so focus on choosing something your family will love. Teens can play a helpful role in choosing family vacations, and it helps keep them engaged and excited.