5 Epic Adventures for Families with Teenagers

Planning a family holiday with teens does not come easy. Your teens are still too young for adult fun, yet too old for activities geared towards easy-to-please kids. But don’t fret – there are so many destinations out there that are ideal for families with teens. Some are places you have probably been before, while others are off-the-beaten-path. From India to Tanzania, America, Ireland, and Australia, check out this list of the best destinations for epic adventures with your teen

India 

India is now much easier to explore than in the past. As long as you plan your trip well and don’t go too far off the beaten track, especially when visiting for the first time, India is a beautiful country that your teens will love exploring. There are plenty of family-friendly hotels across the country, and the sights and sounds are truly extraordinary. Above all, India offers an incredible array of fun activities for your teens. 

Most of the country’s popular attractions are concentrated in the North, such as the iconic Taj Mahal. The best way to explore this part of India is to take the “Golden Triangle” tour, starting in the capital city of Delhi, taking you to Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located and into the Pink City of Jaipur before going back to Delhi. 

In southern India, Kerala and Goa are the best places to visit with your teens. While Kerala is famous for its tranquil backwaters, which you can explore on a boat, Goa is renowned for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife.

Tanzania 

Big game, comfortable lodges, and a true African wilderness – Tanzania is an ideal destination for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday with your teens. It’s home to nature sanctuaries offering you the chance to witness a wide array of African games. But aside from being a popular destination for luxurious Tanzania safaris, the spice island of Zanzibar is also famous for its white sandy beaches. Thus, Tanzania is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a family holiday that combines safari adventures with a relaxing beach holiday.

Taking a safari is one of the best things to do in Tanzania with your kids. Aside from seeing wild animals, you can also visit a local village and witness everyday local life in this part of the world. Venture inland to explore the Mikumi National Park, which offers fantastic opportunities to spot buffalo, elephants, and large herds of antelope. Head to the foot of the Uluguru Mountains, where you’ll find the Colobus monkeys and other interesting wildlife. 

Take your teens to discover Zanzibar, an exotic spice island famous for its beaches and a range of water sports activities. Get them to try kitesurfing, windsurfing, snorkelling, kayaking, and other fun activities geared towards active teens.  

America

When heading to the United States with your teens, take them to the Southwest, home to vast canyons, surreal rock formations, and giant trees, offering the perfect backdrop to an active holiday. 

The Yosemite National Park in California is a place of superlatives. It’s home to the tallest waterfall of North America and groves of giant sequoias, the largest tree in the world. Further east, your teens can get a taste of the Wild West, where they can saddle up for a cowboy-inspired adventure through the canyons and deserts of Arizona or Utah. 

Meanwhile, the Bryce Canyon National Park is brimming with otherworldly spires and majestic waterfalls, a great place for a refreshing dip. Arizona’s Grand Canyon, the most impressive rock formation, will be the highlight of your adventure in the States. Admire the vast tranches of rock from above on a helicopter ride or a thrilling adventure through the transparent Skywalk, guaranteed to make your family holiday truly unforgettable.

Ireland 

Ireland offers stunning scenery, a rich history, and vibrant cities, not to mention a lively nightlife that you may be able to enjoy with teens in tow. The Guinness is great, but the locals are even better – friendly, laidback, and are even more welcoming to families with kids. Largely rural and diverse in its landscape, the Emerald Isle is taken straight out of a fairy-tale book featuring cliché-inducing scenery – rolling countryside, scenic mountains and lakes, and several miles of sandy beaches. 

Dublin is a great base for exploring Ireland. Small yet perfectly formed, the Malahide Castle is worth exploring for its tragic history that could appeal to the darker side of your teens. The Newbridge House and Farm should be next on your itinerary, with its cutting-edge playground, incubators with fluffy chicks, and fun animal feeding activities. If your teens still have the energy to burn, take them to Sugarloaf Mountain, which has plenty of scenic hiking trails. 

For more thrill, sleep in a tent instead of the usual hotel. Go camping with teens in Cork, which has excellent camping sites. Because it’s so vast, it’s pretty easy to find wild places to camp for the night. There are various campsites close to the beach and fabulous glamping options.

Australia

From stunning beaches to tropical rainforests and bustling cities, Australia is a magical place and a great destination for families with teens. The country is vast, so it is best to stay in one area and take your time to explore it with your kids.

If you only have time to explore one state, make it New South Wales. Sydney, the capital city, has plenty of great beaches and many attractions to explore, from the Opera House to the Harbour Bridge and the Royal Botanic Garden. If you got more time to explore, venture northeast to Queensland. This vast state features a lush and tropical landscape and is home to one of the world’s best conservation zoos and the famous Great Barrier Reef. 

For families with active teens, head to the Northern Territory, where they can walk on the red soil of a massive camel-studded desert. A trip to Uluru or the Ayers Rock is also a must-do!