We all know it may be laborious to discover a trip vacation spot within the U.S. that has one thing to supply youngsters. It’s straightforward to seek out actions and points of interest that cater to children and adults, however what about these adolescents who’re in search of mature issues to do and participate in age-appropriate cultural experiences?
Over the previous few years, we’ve been touring everywhere in the USA to seek out locations that our two teen daughters love – and there have been many locations that they adored!
Their standards for the proper vacation spot is to have a wide range of actions, distinctive cultural experiences, enjoyable leisure, and alternatives for exploration and training.
Our daughters even have a private need to discover distinctive locations which have artistic and artsy vibes, iconic landmarks, and nature and out of doors adventures are a bonus!
We’ve talked to our teenagers and selected our high locations within the USA for youngsters that tick all these containers after which some. For those who’re trying to take a trip with the kids, listed here are some worthy contenders to contemplate…
USA Locations to Go to with Youngsters
NYC, New York
To kick issues off, we’ve got to begin with our teen women’ favourite metropolis within the U.S. – New York Metropolis. There is no such thing as a metropolis that’s extra vibrant and colourful than The Large Apple.
It’s a metropolis that gives one thing for everybody, from iconic landmarks such because the Statue of Liberty and Instances Sq. to world-class museums, dazzling Broadway Theater performances, and stylish artwork galleries.
Our daughters have been to NYC a couple of occasions, however they nonetheless take pleasure in going again to exploring new districts. On our final go to, they cherished doing a meals tour of Greenwich Village, consuming in Little Italy, and discovering all of the finest locations to eat. We’re planning our subsequent New York journey for this Fall. It is going to be simply Kalyra and I and he or she is planning the journey with a give attention to Broadway reveals and the MET!
My women additionally love wandering across the trendy artwork museums such because the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork, and soaking within the views from New York’s many vantage factors.
Though they’ve been plenty of occasions, bike driving by Central Park remains to be a crowd-pleasing exercise.
Christmas in New York can also be iconic, although consider me it may be demanding should you’re not ready – however youngsters find it irresistible. The environment is energetic and infectious, and it’s a bucket checklist second that they may discuss for years to return.
Learn extra: Issues to do in NYC with teenagers
Oahu, Hawaii
Aloha! I don’t suppose there’s a state within the USA that’s extra culturally totally different and distinctive than in Hawaii. To not point out it’s a tropical paradise that has unbeatable nature, wonderful wildlife experiences, and loads of alternatives to have adventures and study new issues. My women don’t cease asking to go and it’s a particular cease for us on our manner again to Australia to see household.
Of all of the islands in Hawaii, Oahu is our favourite and is a paradise for youngsters. From browsing from the seashores in Waikiki to mountain climbing up volcanoes to see scenic viewpoints, in case your teenagers like to get open air, that is the place to do it.
The colourful metropolis of Honolulu can also be a client’s paradise and has a great deal of cultural experiences to get entangled in, from hula dancing classes to Polynesian luaus.
You too can go to the historic Pearl Harbor, a spot that wants little introduction, the place teenagers can see and study in regards to the results of warfare from a brand new perspective. The Polynesian Cultural Heart can also be a fantastic place to seek out instructional and immersive experiences.
There are additionally loads of alternatives to get out of your consolation zone in Oahu, from scuba diving to zip-lining to swimming with dolphins – it’s the proper mixture of journey, rest, and tradition, making it a super vacation spot for youngsters.
Los Angeles, California
Full disclosure, our teenagers aren’t raving followers of Los Angeles, however lots of their associates find it irresistible they usually can see the enchantment. It truly is a metropolis that you simply both love or hate. Though Kalyra is contemplating school in LA!
There’s no argument that Los Angeles is iconic and identified for its numerous vary of points of interest, however it’s also possible to discover non-touristy issues to do as properly. You possibly can’t go to LA with out snapping a selfie with the long-lasting Hollywood Signal, discover your favourite actor’s handprint on the Stroll of Fame, and tour the film units at Common Studios.
It’s not all about films and celebrities although, LA additionally has stunning seashores, teenagers would really like Santa Monica or Venice Seaside probably the most since they’ve an adolescent’s vibe, with skate parks, curler skating alongside the promenade, and nice surf.
Los Angeles can also be a hub for music, artwork, and tradition, and whereas it’s not big on museums, it has so many dwell music venues and shows of road artwork to discover.
With its mixture of distinctive leisure and iconic landmarks, Los Angeles is a vacation spot that youngsters would like to go to, a minimum of as soon as of their life.
Orlando, Florida
One other bucket checklist vacation spot for teenagers is Orlando Florida, which is clearly for Walt Disney World and Common Orlando Resort – a mum or dad’s nightmare, a teen’s delight!
Orlando is world-famous for its theme parks, so in case your teenagers love thrilling rides and adrenaline-fueled actions, dwell reveals, and interactive experiences, then Orlando has sufficient to ignite their sense of journey and preserve them entertained.
In addition to the theme parks, Orlando has a vibrant downtown space with fashionable retailers, eating places, and leisure venues.
As a result of Florida has a year-round, subtropical local weather, it’s a vacation spot you possibly can go to year-round and benefit from the metropolis’s out of doors actions comparable to water sports activities, zip-lining, and river tubing.
Orlando can also be not too removed from the seaside and different sizzling locations in Florida, and you can simply tie in a few days in Clearwater close to Tampa for some white sands and surf.
We’re additionally probably visiting right here later this yr as my teenagers gained’t cease asking to go to Disney World. UGH! I’d reasonably Europe!
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is one other metropolis that has a novel mix of tradition, historical past, and out of doors journey.
There are some iconic points of interest to see, such because the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf, however there are additionally loads of alternatives to get off the overwhelmed path and off the primary vacationer path.
San Fran has many numerous neighborhoods with fashionable retailers, scrumptious meals, and vibrant road artwork. Kalyra purchased her first pair of Doc Martins from Haight Ashbury! I couldn’t have bene extra proud!
For those who love the outside, it’s also possible to go mountain climbing in Muir Woods, biking throughout the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, or admire the views from Presidio Park.
San Francisco could also be a metropolis, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel so metropolitan and has so many hidden gems to see and probe for youngsters.
San Diego, California
One other metropolis in California that appeals to youthful crowds is San Diego, which is the proper mix of seaside vibes, out of doors actions, and numerous points of interest.
From browsing at stunning seashores like La Jolla and Mission Seaside to exploring the world-renowned San Diego Zoo to stepping again in time at the usMidway Museum, there’s one thing for everybody.
Foodies will love exploring the neighborhoods like Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy which have fashionable retailers and family-owned eating places, the place they’ll take pleasure in scrumptious meals and study extra in regards to the native lifestyle.
San Diego can also be near Torrey Pines State Pure Reserve and Balboa Park that are out of doors lover’s playgrounds – the proper locations to go mountain climbing and exploring nature.
There’s additionally this laid-back environment and an adolescent’s vibe that appears to resonate with teenagers.
Orange Seaside, Alabama
For those who’re in search of beachy locations for youngsters that don’t include the worth tags of California, then head to Alabama to the tropical shores of Orange Seaside, which is thought for its stunning white sand seashores, heat Gulf Coast waters, and a variety of water sports activities.
Teenagers can attempt their palms at parasailing, jet snowboarding, windsurfing, and extra. They will additionally exit on dolphin cruises or attempt one thing extra enjoyable like paddleboarding – if you wish to get out on the water, there are many methods to have enjoyable within the solar and waves.
Orange Seaside isn’t a hot-shot vacation spot with all of the glitz and glamor of Los Angeles or New York Metropolis, nevertheless it has a laid-back, easy-going vibe and many enjoyable points of interest like small-town, native amusement parks, mini-golf programs, and go-kart tracks that may give your teenagers’ fond reminiscences to look again on for years to return.
Plus, each summer season they’ve a tremendous music competition, Hangout Music Pageant proper on the seaside, that I’m certain youngsters would love.
Carolina Seaside, North Carolina
In the case of seashores within the USA, we really feel that North Carolina’s seashores are the most effective – after all we could be biased since we moved to NC in 2003.
Our eldest teen visited Carolina Seaside with associates some time again and got here again saying how a lot enjoyable she had. She cherished it for its laid-back coastal environment and pristine seashores which are excellent for swimming, browsing, or taking part in seaside sports activities like volleyball and Frisbee along with her associates.
Plus, should you’ve seen the Summer season I turned Fairly, Season 2, you’ll acknowledge the small amusement park the buddies spend the day at. That is Carolina Seaside boardwalk! Effectively if these teenagers had been having a enjoyable day collectively, you realize your teenagers will!
Because it faces the Atlantic Ocean, the waves are a bit stronger right here, so in case your teen is admittedly into browsing you’ll discover the most effective waves right here.
Carolina Seaside State Park can also be the best place to go seaside tenting, and sunsets from The Carolina Seaside Boardwalk are iconic.
With its mixture of seaside actions, out of doors adventures, and laid-back dwelling, Carolina Seaside is the proper enjoyable trip vacation spot for teenagers.
Wrightsville Seaside, North Carolina
One other seaside city in North Carolina our teenagers love is Wrightsville Seaside, which additionally has pristine seashores which are excellent for swimming, browsing, and water sports activities.
Wrightsville Seaside is a superb place for teenagers to study to surf, because it’s the birthplace of browsing in North Carolina, or take pleasure in a sport of seaside volleyball. It’s a small metropolis with a laid-back vibe and charming environment and doesn’t have big-ticket points of interest, however extra distinctive, small-town amusements.
It’s not glamorous, it’s not making an attempt to be the subsequent large vacationer vacation spot, and that’s precisely why we prefer it. It’s additionally very secure and feels very community-orientated like everybody seems to be out for one another.
It additionally has distinctive boutique retailers, inexpensive eating places utilizing domestically sourced, contemporary elements, and charming beachside cottages was trip leases. There’s lots to like about Wrightsville Seaside.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Pageant, California
When you have older teenagers, then it could be time for them to take pleasure in a music competition as a trip! Our eldest daughter has The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Pageant in Indio, California excessive on her bucket checklist.
Coachella has reached iconic standing and is named one of many largest and most numerous music festivals on the planet.
The competition incorporates a stellar lineup of widespread and rising artists throughout varied genres, and little question a few of your teenager’s favourite musicians and artists could have dwell performances annually.
The competition’s vibrant and inclusive environment, together with its artwork installations and interactive experiences, make it distinctive and memorable for teenage music fanatics.
The competition’s fashion-forward tradition and movie star sightings are additionally one other good purpose why teenagers love going to Coachella!
All Issues Go Pageant, Maryland
A competition our teen cherished was All Issues Go in Maryland, which is far smaller than Coachella at simply 20,000 folks, and is thought for its numerous lineup of artists and thrilling environment.
The competition presents a mixture of widespread and up-and-coming musicians throughout varied genres and is a superb place to find new music and luxuriate in dwell performances.
With its numerous music lineup and full of life environment, the All Issues Go Pageant is a perfect first competition for youngsters who love music and leisure.
Kalyra even made an look within the promotional advertisements for this yr’s All Issues go Pageant. (see above) They caught her on digicam racing by the ticket gates to say a spot near the stage for her and her pal!
Seattle, Washington
Our “wild card” metropolis that we expect youngsters love is Seattle, identified for its vibrant city environment and numerous cultural scene.
A few of the most iconic points of interest in Seattle are the House Needle, Pike Place Market, and the Museum of Pop Tradition, nevertheless it additionally has an abundance of nature websites to discover, from Puget Sound, identified for its whale-watching excursions, and the encompassing Cascade mountain ranges.
Seattle is a metropolis with a bohemian, artsy vibe, nevertheless it’s additionally surrounded by mountain climbing trails, parks, and the gorgeous Olympic Nationwide Park, making it such a various metropolis with a lot to discover. It’s this range and eclectic combine that makes it probably the greatest locations for teenagers within the US.
Here’s a 5-day itinerary for Seattle.
Chicago, Illinois
After all, we are able to’t miss Chicago off this checklist, a metropolis identified for its vibrant city power, numerous cultural scene, and big selection of points of interest.
Teenagers love exploring iconic landmarks like Millennium Park and Navy Pier, and strolling the Skydeck at Willis Tower, in addition to procuring alongside the Loop, identified for its fashionable boutique retailers and road artwork.
Chicago additionally has world-class museums, such because the Artwork Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Trade, in addition to boasting a full of life music scene.
In case your teen is into sports activities, Chicago is dwelling to a number of the finest sports activities golf equipment within the nation, together with the Chicago Bulls basketball group and the Bears soccer group. See extra concepts on issues to do in Chicago and a mom daughter Chicago getaway.
Washington DC, Maryland/Virginia
Washington D.C. is someplace that every one youngsters ought to go to a minimum of as soon as to study in regards to the wealthy historical past of the nation and to see the long-lasting monuments which are identified everywhere in the world.
From exploring the White Home, the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, and the monuments on the Nationwide Mall, there are such a lot of alternatives to study in regards to the nation’s historical past and authorities.
It’s additionally dwelling to The Smithsonian museums, together with the Nationwide Air and House Museum and the Nationwide Museum of American Historical past, that are identified to be the finest museums within the nation.
If it’s training you’re after, Washington D.C. is the place to be. We had a beautiful Thanksgiving trip in Washington DC.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Not many individuals consider Las Vegas as a spot to go to with youngsters, however I’d argue that it’s a vacation spot the place you can begin mature conversations with them in regards to the results of playing and extreme consuming.
After all, you possibly can keep away from the debauchery of Vegas if you wish to, and there are such a lot of issues to do in Vegas with teenagers, you simply must know the place to look.
Vegas is well-known for its world-famous reveals, live shows, and performances by famend artists, and by no means underestimate the expertise of strolling alongside the long-lasting Las Vegas Strip and seeing dazzling shows in entrance of the beautiful resorts and themed inns.
With all of the dazzling lights, distinctive museums, and experiences, Vegas is a one-of-a-kind place that the entire household can take pleasure in.
It’s additionally a fantastic base to get out and discover a variety of outside adventures comparable to mountain climbing or horseback driving in Crimson Rock Canyon, seeing rock formations in Valley of Fireplace State Park, and even taking a day journey to the Grand Canyon.
With its mixture of leisure, nature websites, and distinctive points of interest, there may be a lot to see and discover in Las Vegas.
Aspen, Colorado
Lastly, should you’re in search of a mountain vacation spot to go to with teenagers, then a visit to Aspen, Colorado needs to be on the playing cards.
The city presents world-class snowboarding and snowboarding within the winter, which cater to all ranges and experiences, whereas in the summertime, these trails turn out to be stunning mountain climbing and mountain biking trails.
Whereas snowboarding is unquestionably the primary purpose to go to Aspen and it’s extra generally considered a winter vacation spot within the USA, the city itself is quaint and charming, with native artwork galleries, boutique retailers, and a full of life small-town environment.
With its combine of outside actions, beautiful landscapes, and small-town appeal, Aspen is a perfect vacation spot for teenagers wanting a pure escape over a metropolis break.
A substitute for Aspen, which is extra inexpensive and ideal for teenagers is Snowmass, Colorado. It’s solely twenty minutes from Aspen, so you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in all that it has to supply!
Last Ideas
So there you’ve got it, these are our high USA locations that present alternatives for youngsters, whether or not they wish to study historical past, and artwork, or expertise totally different cultures.
We hope that this checklist has a vacation spot that speaks to your teen and offers you some concepts for the place to plan a household trip within the USA.