5 Best Places to Vacation If You Have Teens

We all remember our teenage years—some of us more vividly than others. At 29 now, looking back, I remember I was both unsure of who I was and convinced I knew everything. I was curious, excitable and, above all, impressionable. The travels I embarked on as a teenager played a huge role in shaping who I am today.

That’s why choosing the right trip to take with your teens is so important. The world is full of incredible places, but with endless options, how do you decide? This is where we come in. Here are five of the best places to go on vacation with your teens!

Yellowstone

Yellowstone is iconic. With its geysers, mud pots and sharp peaks, this stunning location is a place we wholeheartedly believe everyone should visit in their lifetime. Consider the colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring. In pictures, it’s hard to believe something in this world could produce that color. And let me tell you—the photos don’t do it justice. On our Yellowstone Family Multi Adventure Tour, you and your teens will hike, bike, kayak and raft through the ancient parkland, experiencing its impressive geology and marveling at its natural wonders up close and in person.

Hawaii

Paradise. The thought of Hawaii evokes images of palm trees, beaches and mai tais. When Backroads thinks of Hawaii, we think of bike rides on old sugar cane roads, hiking through a volcanic caldera, kayaking and snorkeling over coral reef and surfing mellow waves. Hawaii is a true outdoor playground for all ages. Come see how the love of adventure and the aloha spirit blend on our Big Island Family Multi-Adventure Tour.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica, with its rainforest, jungle and beaches, is a landscape made for family adventure. On our Costa Rica Rain Forest & Pacific Family Multi-Adventure Tour, hike, bike, white water raft, surf and—a Costa Rica classic—zipline among the incredible scenery and unique wildlife this country is known for. Your teens will never forget seeing wild monkeys, sloths, toucans and more here!

Iceland

Volcanoes and glaciers—polar opposites that coexist in perfect harmony in the Land of Fire and Ice. On our Iceland's Glaciers & Coast Family Multi-Adventure Tour, your family will marvel at icefields perched atop lava rock mountains, hike across majestic glaciers and explore a volcanic island steeped in history. A highlight of this trip is venturing deep into Thórsmörk Nature Reserve in a classic Icelandic Super Jeep, offering an experience that teens love to tell their friends about.

Alaska

Alaska has an out-there, untouched feel. People call it the last frontier for good reason. See salmon run, hike near glaciers and kayak in cool waters on stunning seascapes. Look out for moose, sea otters, caribou and bears! With striking geology and a rich natural history like nowhere else in the United States, our Alaska Glaciers and Coast Family Multi-Adventure Tour promises an unforgettable family trip.