Family Vacations with Tots, With Teens
Parents with kids under five years old have a special set of needs when traveling, and also some nice opportunities for travel not tied to a school schedule. CLICK ON THE "UNDER-FIVES" folder, below. Meanwhile, Family vacations with teens can be a tricky business. Your teen increasingly wants independence, and time with peers; meanwhile, you long for trips together while there's still time. The good news is, there's much that teens can enjoy...
Top Resorts for Teens
Teens can be a picky and tricky age to please, but some resorts that offer kids' programs are making special efforts to keep the family happy once the kids are teenagers.
Teens can be a picky and tricky age to please, but some resorts that offer kids' programs are making special efforts to keep the family happy once the kids are teenagers.
Passworld - Club Med feature for teens and tweens
Teens can be a picky and tricky age to please. Many resorts set up a "teen center" with videogames and hope for the best. Not Club Med (all-inclusive resort brand with outstanding kids' programs): several Club Med resorts have Passworld themed place to hang out, with cool activities; and Club Med Punta Cana also has "The Ramp", teens-only giant skateboard ramp with lounge underneath.
Teens can be a picky and tricky age to please. Many resorts set up a "teen center" with videogames and hope for the best. Not Club Med (all-inclusive resort brand with outstanding kids' programs): several Club Med resorts have Passworld themed place to hang out, with cool activities; and Club Med Punta Cana also has "The Ramp", teens-only giant skateboard ramp with lounge underneath.
Dreams Resorts - Teen Center
"Dreams Resorts" is a brand of family-friendly all-inclusives in Mexico and the DR. In addition to kids clubs for ages 3 to 12, some Dreams properties are adding a Teen Center.
"Dreams Resorts" is a brand of family-friendly all-inclusives in Mexico and the DR. In addition to kids clubs for ages 3 to 12, some Dreams properties are adding a Teen Center.
Ritz Carlton Hotels & Resorts
This upscale brand is making a special effort for teens."Our Space" for ages 13 to 19 has "teen concierges"; teen room with laptops, game systems, movie theater, air hockey, etc.; activities from bike hikes to night sports to pizza and movie nights. Some locations have teen-pleasers such as surf lessons. (And for younger kids, there's Ritz Kids Clubs.)
This upscale brand is making a special effort for teens."Our Space" for ages 13 to 19 has "teen concierges"; teen room with laptops, game systems, movie theater, air hockey, etc.; activities from bike hikes to night sports to pizza and movie nights. Some locations have teen-pleasers such as surf lessons. (And for younger kids, there's Ritz Kids Clubs.)
Top Things to do in New York with Teens
Now your kids are older, you can enjoy some urban pleasures with them: mix'n'match sightseeing, shopping, shows, fun restaurants. In NYC, it's exciting to be in a Great City with kids old enough to know it's a Great City. Movie tours, speedboat trips past the Statue of Liberty, a museum that brings history to life-- here are ten ideas for teen vacations.
Now your kids are older, you can enjoy some urban pleasures with them: mix'n'match sightseeing, shopping, shows, fun restaurants. In NYC, it's exciting to be in a Great City with kids old enough to know it's a Great City. Movie tours, speedboat trips past the Statue of Liberty, a museum that brings history to life-- here are ten ideas for teen vacations.
Teen Vacations: Theme Parks
Theme parks can be a super choice for teen vacations. About's guide for Theme Parks covers parks of all kinds including waterparks, scary Halloween events, and other fun for teens. In Orlando, Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park has top thrill rides.
Theme parks can be a super choice for teen vacations. About's guide for Theme Parks covers parks of all kinds including waterparks, scary Halloween events, and other fun for teens. In Orlando, Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park has top thrill rides.
Teen Vacations: Snow Holidays
Ski resorts have plenty to please all ages: most teens will probably opt for snowboarding, but there's also skiing (including new-style skiing that's "cool"), cross-country skiing, tubing, etc. Most ski resorts have special programs for teens; Smugglers Notch in Vermont even has two teen centers.
Ski resorts have plenty to please all ages: most teens will probably opt for snowboarding, but there's also skiing (including new-style skiing that's "cool"), cross-country skiing, tubing, etc. Most ski resorts have special programs for teens; Smugglers Notch in Vermont even has two teen centers.
Snowing / Boarding: Top Teen Programs and Teen Towns
Pretty much any ski mountain these days is sure to have cool programs for teens; but Kidznsnow.com -- the excellent snow vacations site-- picks some outstanding ones. See also Kidzsnow's picks for Top Teen Towns.
Pretty much any ski mountain these days is sure to have cool programs for teens; but Kidznsnow.com -- the excellent snow vacations site-- picks some outstanding ones. See also Kidzsnow's picks for Top Teen Towns.
Volunteer Vacations
"Voluntourism" is a trend: many people want to "do some good" during vacation-time. Several organizations will set up "volunteer vacations" for families with older kids. In most cases, you'll be paying substantial amounts for your voluntourism; also, you may find that the real benefit will be the maturity and expanded horizons of your teen-- but that's a good thing, right?
"Voluntourism" is a trend: many people want to "do some good" during vacation-time. Several organizations will set up "volunteer vacations" for families with older kids. In most cases, you'll be paying substantial amounts for your voluntourism; also, you may find that the real benefit will be the maturity and expanded horizons of your teen-- but that's a good thing, right?
Best Cruises with Teens
Cruisemates.com has a whole section on Cruises, for teens, with articles about what's new on different ships plus tips by teens who've cruised.
Cruisemates.com has a whole section on Cruises, for teens, with articles about what's new on different ships plus tips by teens who've cruised.
Outdoor Multisport Trips
"Family adventures" is a buzzword for multi-sport escorted tours in the great outdoors offered by a handful of companies. Stay at great places, eat well, all with no hassles on your part. High-end, but the benefits are many.
"Family adventures" is a buzzword for multi-sport escorted tours in the great outdoors offered by a handful of companies. Stay at great places, eat well, all with no hassles on your part. High-end, but the benefits are many.
White Water Rafting
One word, for white water rafting: exciting! Pick the level of adrenalin your teen will want: rivers come in several Classes. Click above to see a company with trips in Utah, Colorado and Idaho, including multi-day family adventures; West Virginia is another great rafting spot.
One word, for white water rafting: exciting! Pick the level of adrenalin your teen will want: rivers come in several Classes. Click above to see a company with trips in Utah, Colorado and Idaho, including multi-day family adventures; West Virginia is another great rafting spot.
Spelunking: Underground Wilderness
An introduction to exploring caves, with a state-by-state list of great places to enjoy caves. Could be cool for teens!
An introduction to exploring caves, with a state-by-state list of great places to enjoy caves. Could be cool for teens!