UPDATED JUNE 2025. Traveling with teens can open up their world to new locations, different cultures and more. As teens become more independent, these vacation spots will not only help you come together as a family, but build confidence they need to eventually explore the world on their own.
At Get Away Today, we know the best vacations for teens might surprise you (and them), but our team not only recommends them to clients, but visits these locations regularly themselves—and with their teens!
Image Courtesy of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Let Teens Do Disney Different
If you’ve been traveling as a family since your teens were small, you’ve likely spent a vacation or two at Disneyland in California and/or Walt Disney World in Orlando.
Now is the perfect age to bring them back—because being a teen at Disney is SO different from what they might remember.
Need help convincing your teen or yourself that Disney offers the best vacation spots for teens? Here’s a few reasons you should consider Disney again:
- Teens live for the nightlife and Disney Parks know how to do it right, especially when the parks stay open until midnight during the summer and on weekends. When the little kids head off to bed, wait times are shorter and teens can enjoy some of the best roller coasters and thrill rides at Walt Disney World.
- Disney also hosts various After Dark events throughout the year. Your teens will love staying out even later with After Hours at Disney World or during Disneyland After Dark “nites.”
- Another option to make a splash during your Disney World vacation is H2O Glow, an after hours event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon waterpark.
- Teens will be your tech wizards at the theme parks and their skills are much needed. Give them our guides to Lightning Lane, Virtual Queues and even let them plan out the best foodie spots at places like EPCOT or with mocktails and small bites at California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival.
Best Cruises for Teens
This vacation idea isn’t exactly where you’re going but how you’ll get there. Cruising is absolutely perfect for families with teens because:
- It’s the best time to splurge a little for mom and dad with a balcony or ocean view room, then book a nearby interior room just for the teenagers. And yes, our cruise experts can help make that happen!
- Teen only hang out spots on most cruise lines make it perfect for your kids to have a space all to themselves. We recommend Royal Caribbean Cruises for teen hangouts and their abundance of onboard waterslides and activities.
- All your food is included. If your teens love to snack and enjoy endless dining options, a cruise will totally make for a memorable experience. Most dining is included in your cruise price upfront. Not only does it help you stay within your budget, no one can ever complain that there’s nothing to eat!
- Excursions teens will love can be planned as a family or let the teens take the reins and choose which activities they’d like to experience once you pull into port in places like the Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica and more than 300 destinations around the world!
Image Courtesy of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
All Inclusive Resorts for Teens
Since we just mentioned the major plus of having all your food included on a cruise, it’s natural to explore more all inclusive resorts on land. If you’d rather travel to your destination and call it good, we love a good all inclusive resort.
Some of our favorite, vacation-ready resorts include:
- Fiesta Americana Cozumel
- Any of the Beaches Resorts
- Azul Hotels in Riviera Maya
Make It The Best Vacation with Teens Ever
No matter where you choose to go, our team has put together a few more tips to make it not only the best location, but the best vacation with your teens—period.
1. Include Them in the Planning
A family vacation should include activities the whole family will enjoy. Teens will have stronger opinions on where to go and what to do as they age. Embrace that! Let your teen help in the planning process, and they'll be more likely to be engaged on the trip.
Think about your teen's current favorite things. Are they a history buff? If so, consider traveling to historic locations to help make history come alive, like Old Town San Diego, a top pick of ours.
Is there a book they love to read over and over again? Seeing the setting of their favorite story can stick with them forever. We’ve never met a Harry Potter fan who wasn’t wowed by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.
2. Let Them Bring a Friend
If you have a teenager without siblings close in age, consider letting them bring a friend on the next family trip. Their social lives become more important to them as they age so inviting a friend could be the perfect solution.
3. Schedule in Free Time
While family togetherness is the top priority on a family vacation, kids may need more alone time once they hit the teenage stage.
When making the daily itinerary for the trip, be sure to include downtime where your teens can do their own thing. Whether that's time to text and get in touch with friends back home, go to the hotel gym on their own, or have the room to themselves to read or watch TV. Teenagers will function much better during planned activities if they're also allowed to have their space.
4. Keep Things Active
Sometimes as an adult, what sounds like the ideal vacation is lying around on the beach all day with a book and a beverage. However, teenagers tend to get easily bored. Including activities to get the whole family moving will help burn all your kids' excess energy. While younger kids will be content with a playground or the hotel pool, more adventurous activities may pique your teenager's interest. Consider renting bikes, hiking, or booking time to play water sports.
Traveling with Teens: Vacation Q&A Guide
Q: Why is traveling with teens such a valuable experience? A: Traveling with teens helps them grow more independent, build confidence, and experience new cultures and destinations. It also gives families a unique way to bond during an important stage in a teen’s life.
Q: What makes Get Away Today a trusted source for teen travel ideas? A: Our team regularly visits and recommends teen-friendly destinations—not just to clients, but with their own families—so every suggestion comes from real-life experience.
Q: Is Disney still a good vacation choice for teens? A: Yes! Teens experience Disney Parks in a whole new way. It's a completely different adventure from when they were little.
Q: What makes Disney Parks great for teens?
- Nightlife at the parks: Teens love the later hours during summer and weekends—some parks stay open until midnight!
- After Dark Events: Special after-hours parties at Disneyland and Disney World offer exclusive entertainment teens love.
- H2O Glow Nights: These after-hours events at Typhoon Lagoon are perfect for water-loving teens.
- Tech-savvy park planning: Let your teens take charge with tools like Lightning Lane and Virtual Queues. They're also pros at tracking down the best snacks and drinks like mocktails at EPCOT or the Food & Wine Festival.
- Staying on-property: Teens appreciate the ease and perks of being close to the parks in themed hotels with cool amenities.
Q: Are cruises a good vacation option for families with teens? A: Definitely! Cruises offer independence, structure, and fun—all in one place.
Q: What makes cruises ideal for teens? A: Book an ocean-view or balcony cabin for parents and a nearby interior cabin for teens. Plus, teen-only hangouts and activities onboard—Royal Caribbean is especially great for this. Don’t forget food is included and unlimited (a major win for teen appetites!).
Excursions offer freedom—teens can help choose activities in places like the Bahamas, Mexico, and Jamaica.
Traveling with teens can be enjoyable for everyone with the right planning and coordination. Just remember to be flexible, check in with your teen for feedback and adjust as needed along the way.
And of course, our team is here to help! Let your Get Away Today vacation expert help plan your perfect vacation. Whether you’re headed to our favorite theme parks, Hawaii, Mexico or on a cruise, we’d love to help you get there! Book online or call our agents at 855-GET-AWAY.
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