Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Looking for incredible destinations around the world for your next teenage family adventure holidays? We have 10 amazing suggestions for the best places to plan your trip in 2024. These teen travel ideas are sure to inspire your next family adventure.
The best destinations to visit with teens include somewhere beautiful with enough variety to keep your teens active and engaged. This might look a little different for each teen or family, but the suggestions below for teenage family adventure holidays and destinations are jam packed with gorgeous views, opportunities for adventure, and excellent culture and food.
Looking for ways to plan more adventures with teens, tweens and kids? Make sure to check out:
- 100 Incredible Adventures with Kids: Have Amazing Family Travel Experiences
- 20 Epic Teen Travel Experiences to have as a Family
- How to Have the Best Adventure with Kids at Every Age
See our top teenage family adventure holidays and destinations in no particular order.
Italy
Italy is one of the best travel destinations around the world. While it’s hard to see all that Italy has to offer in a short family holiday, there are so many options of great places to visit in Italy that there is truly something for everyone. Spend a week or two exploring Italy with your teen on your next family holiday.
We spent part of last summer exploring the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Venice and the Dolomites and have enjoyed trips to Lake Como, Milan, and the southeast coastline in the past.
What will teens love about Italy?
Teens will love the incredible culture and food. Our teens still talk about the delicious gnocchi, caprese salad and gelato. My teens also appreciated the variety of activities including visiting the beaches, touring Pompeii and other Roman ruins, and hiking in the Dolomites.
Top Experiences in Italy
- Beaches
- Food
- Hiking in the Dolomites
- Touring Roman Ruins
- Soaking in the countryside
Iceland
Iceland is hands down my sons favorite place to visit in the world. After spending a week in Iceland last year, he is already planning another trip for next year. Iceland is an incredible country with a dynamic landscape. The top activities and sites are formed from geothermal activity.
The best way to visit Iceland is on a road trip that takes you around the Ring Road. On this itinerary you will pass waterfalls, glaciers, canyons, black sand beaches and more.
What will teens love about Iceland?
Teens will love the wild nature of Iceland and the true feeling of grandeur that seems to greet you at every turn. There is incredible hiking in Iceland, but you can also visit many of the best sites on short walks. While our teens enjoyed spending a day in Reykjavik, the true highlight for them were the natural sites.
Top Experiences in Iceland
- Massive Waterfalls
- Puffins
- Geysers
- Hot Springs
- Gorgeous Hikes
- Northern Lights
- Volcanos
- Glaciers
Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands offer a variety of activities and scenery. As a chain of volcanic islands, each island offers something a bit different and you can get flight between the islands. From gorgeous drives, hikes through volcano areas and visits to waterfalls, Hawaii is an amazing destination. Learn about the indigenous people and soak in the sun.
What will teens love about Hawaii?
Teens will love the incredible island destination with beautiful beaches and outdoor activities. No matter how your teen likes to travel, you can find something for everyone on Hawaii. If your teen is excited for a relaxing beach vacation, find a resort and enjoy the pool and beach. If your teen loves National Park – visit one of the 2 National Parks on Maui and Hawaii.
Top Experiences in Hawaii:
- Beaches
- Volcanoes
- Snorkeling
- Whale watching
- National Parks
- Waterfalls
- Surfing
- Luau
Check out this complete guide to planning a trip to Hawaii.
Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks
There are many incredible US National Parks and many ways to link these parks into a great road trip. One of our favorite National Parks to visit with teens for a 5-7 day trip are Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. These parks offer a variety of experiences and a huge wow factor.
What will teens love about Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Park?
Teens will love the variety of scenery at these two US National Parks. It’s one thing to see a geyser in a photo or video, and another to see one in person. Yellowstone is one national park that lives up to its hype and my teens love both these parks. Grand Tetons offers a different experience than Yellowstone and you can get out and enjoy mountain hikes.
Top Experiences in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Park
- Geysirs
- Hot Springs and Pools
- Mountains
- Incredible Hiking
- Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
- Bison and other Wildlife
- Beautiful Rivers
See our top 10 National Parks to Visit with Teens.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an ecotourism hot spot and a great place to visit with teens, tweens and kids. Not only can you find gorgeous rainforest and beaches, but Costa Rica is an adventure sport destination. You can find zip lining, canyoneering, rainforest hikes and more adventure across the country.
We’ve visited Costa Rica multiple times and find it an easy and enjoyable place to visit.
What will teens love about Costa Rica ?
Teens will love the adventure of Costa Rica including adventure sports and incredible wildlife. If you’ve never visited Central America, Costa Rica is a the perfect destination to start with. Teens will love the variety of things – we recommend spending a week in Costa Rica and choosing 2 different destinations: visit La Fortuna and choose one of the many beach destinations.
Top Experiences in Costa Rica:
- Monkeys, Sloths, and other Animals
- Hot Springs
- Gorgeous Beaches and surfing
- Adventure Sports
- Volcanoes and waterfalls
See a Week Long Costa Rica Itinerary.
Slovenia
Slovenia is an incredible country and makes a perfect 1 week adventure with teens. Slovenia is a mountainous country with hiking trails and gorgeous mountain lakes. Our favorite parts of Slovenia included Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and the Bovec area in the Soca River Valley.
Slovenia is perfect for teens who enjoy outdoor activities and beautiful water (rivers and lakes).
What will teens love about Slovenia?
Teens will love the accessibility and adventure activities in Slovenia. Visit Lake Bled to swim, hike and bike, then drive around to Bovec in the Soca River Valley to white water raft or kayak or try canyoneering. While Slovenia is a popular European country to explore, it’s not a crowded as nearby Italy and teens will love the authentic mountain experience.
Top Experiences in Slovenia:
- Lake Bled
- The Mountains of Triglav National Park
- Soca River Valley
- Adventure activities
- Overnight hut trip in the mountains
- Exploring Ljubljana
- Gorges
See an epic 1 week Slovenia Itinerary.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is not just a beach destination (although it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world) but a mountainous island full of waterfalls, hiking, diving, snorkeling and more. Not only is Puerto Rico beautiful, but it is an easy and less expensive travel experience compared to other Caribbean Islands.
What will teens love about Puerto Rico?
Teens will love the easy travel to get to a gorgeous tropical island. Puerto Rico is truly a beautiful island with stunning beaches and scenery. If you teen enjoys the beach, you can spend the entire week of your holiday exploring different beaches, or check a bucket list activity off your list and go swimming in a bioluminescent bay.
Top Experiences in Puerto Rico:
- Incredible Beaches
- Old San Juan
- El Yunque National Forest
- Bioluminescent Bays
- Snorkeling and Diving
- Culebra or Vieques
See an Incredible Puerto Rico Itinerary.
Mexico
Mexico is a large Central American country that offers not just incredible beaches and food, but oodles of culture, historic sites, animals and cenotes. There are many great destinations in Mexico and if you live in the United States, flights to Mexico are easy. We’ve loved visiting different parts of Mexico, but if this if your first time visiting Mexico, consider the Yucatan Peninsula or Baja.
What will teens love about Mexico?
You teen will love exploring coastal towns for beaches, snorkeling and the food. You can find many incredible resorts in Mexico, but don’t forget to get off the resort to see Mayan ruins or try some adventure activities. Take a cooking class or search for cenotes for a swim.
Top Experiences in Mexico:
- Beaches
- Mayan Ruins
- Cenotes
- Wildlife
- Incredible scenery
- Food
- Adventure Activities
See a 1 week itinerary for the Yucatan Penninsula.
New England
We couldn’t resist leaving New England off this list of the best teenage family adventure holidays. Drive through the small historic towns of New England and stop off for chowder along the coast, or head inland for beautiful mountains, apple picking and leaf picking and a host of outdoor winter activities. New England has several fun and walkable cities including Boston, Portland, Providence and Burlington.
What will teens love about New England?
Your teen will love exploring New England. This varied region in the northeast corner of the United States offers beautiful drives and plenty of outdoor activities. If your teen loves food, shopping and art, there are come great cities as well as large towns that offers museums, restaurants and cobbled streets.
Top Experiences in New England
- Beaches
- Mountains
- Acadia National Park
- Skiing and boating
- History
- Many seasonal activities and incredible fall foliage
See a complete guide to New Hampshire in the fall.
Thailand
Thailand is an amazing Asian destination and should be at the top of your list of travel friendly and fun countries to visit with your teens. From incredible ruins and cultural and religious sites to gorgeous beaches and some of the best food you will ever eat, Thailand is a great destination to visit with kids of any age kids, but especially teenagers.
What will teens love about Thailand?
We explored Thailand when our oldest kids were just entering the teen years and loved every moment. Now our seasoned teenagers keep asking to go back and visit Thailand again. Thailand is an easy country to visit and seems to pulse with life with delicious food, impressive temples, and jaw-dropping beaches.
Top Experiences in Thailand:
- Exploring the night markets of Bangkok
- Beaches
- Limestone Karsts
- Snorkeling and diving
- The temples and ruins in Ayutthaya
- Elephants, monkeys and other animals
See our 2 week Thailand Itinerary
Looking for more inspiration on amazing Teenage Family Adventure Holidays? Check out our destinations page.
