• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Traveling Dad

TravelingMom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • Book a Trip
  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Book a Trip
  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search
  • Traveling Dad
  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin
You are here: Home / Family Vacation Destinations / Top Destinations in the U.S. to Visit Before Your Kids Leave for College

Top Destinations in the U.S. to Visit Before Your Kids Leave for College

June 21, 2019 //  by Catherine Parker//  14 Comments

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Table of Contents[Hide][Click to Show]
  • Best Vacations for Teens
  • Why Travel as a Family
  • Where to Start? A National Park 
    • 1. Yellowstone National Park
    • 2. Yosemite National Park
    • 3. Mount Rushmore 
    • 4. Grand Canyon
    • 5. Redwoods 
  • Changing Gears to Urban Landscapes
    • 6. New York City 
    • 7. San Francisco, California
    • 8. Boston, Massachusetts
    • 9. Washington D.C.
  • Teens Worship the Beach
    • 10. Florida
    • 11. California
  • Mountains Call the Teens Too
    • 12. Colorado
    • 13. Lake Tahoe 
    • 14. Disney a Top Teen Destination

We all want our teens to have a quality education. But it’s important to remember that the world is their classroom. Before they’re off to college to hit the books, hit these top destinations in the U.S., some of the best vacations for teens.

Best vacations for teens. San Francisco.
The U.S. offers some amazing destinations for teens. Photo Credit: Pixabay

Traveling Mom uses affiliate links and may receive a payment if you use our links. Thanks for your support.

Best Vacations for Teens

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, Black Hills,
Mount Rushmore National Memorial glows late afternoon sun. Photo Credit: South Dakota Department of Tourism

Why Travel as a Family

As the National Parks TravelingMom, I’m all about the iconic destinations that our national parks offer and other top travel destinations in the U.S. Since I’ve driven my kids across the continental U.S., we’ve stopped at nearly every destination that appeals to families. I’ve got over 70,000 miles with three kids in an overpacked SUV. Where some people see insanity, I see adventure in these top destinations in the U.S.

As a former flight attendant, I’ve traveled to more places than I can remember. I went where my airline sent me, excited to explore a new destination on a layover.

I never thought about the teaching moments traveling allows. Then I looked down at my tiny baby and said, I’m going to show you the world.

Just like buying diapers and paying for hospital bills, traveling takes time and a financial commitment. So I refined my quest and decided to show my babies their home instead – the U.S. I started close to home and added destinations every summer. It took 10 summers but we saw 49 states.

What I’ve learned along the way, besides the best truck stops for families, is that kids can be better travelers than adults if given the chance. They will drop their devices and explore with a curiosity that’s contagious.

We, as parents, don’t have as much time as we think. It sounds like a cliché but time flies when you’re raising kids. So don’t be the parent who wakes up on the morning of high school graduation, wishing you had shown your baby the world, too.  Yes, traveling with your family is important, so here are my vacation ideas for best vacations for teens.

Best vacations for teens. Yellowstone National Park
Explore the geologic wonders of Yellowstone National Park with your family. Photo Credit: Pixabay

Where to Start? A National Park 

North America does the epic landscape really well. And the National Park Service parks attract visitors from around the globe — and it is also one of the bet vacations for teens. Really.

Parks might be busy in the summer but nothing compared to Disney. Just arrive at the park before 9 a.m. to get in and grab a parking place.

1. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, located in northwest Wyoming and 320 miles northeast of Salt Lake City, tops my list for summer vacation. Old Faithful Geyser and Old Faithful Inn offer must-sees. Kids love animals so drive through Hayden or Lamar Valley for bison, bear, elk or even wolves.

Give Yellowstone at least four days and I prefer a week. Be prepared to picnic for lunch since the food service isn’t conveniently located near iconic sights or hikes. Don’t miss out on the huckleberry ice cream.

Best vacations for teens. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park offers epic landscapes in California. Photo Credit: Pixabay

2. Yosemite National Park

In the central Sierra Nevada mountain range of California and 200 miles east of San Francisco, Yosemite offers a convenient location and epic landscapes. But what’s the difference between the top two national parks?

Yellowstone is about its geothermal features, like geysers and mud pots, and the mighty mammals, like bear and bison. Yosemite offers an epic mountain landscape that even an amateur photographer can capture. The Yosemite Valley offers waterfalls, wildflower meadows and mountaintop vistas that inspire everyone, including Ansel Adams and naturalist, John Muir.

3. Mount Rushmore 

Mount Rushmore National Monument in southeast South Dakota and 380 miles north of Denver, Colorado, is an image that most Americans know. To experience the magnitude of the sculpture, stand in front of it. Don’t think of Mt. Rushmore as a quick road trip stop. Be sure to make time for The Black Hills of South Dakota, where Mt. Rushmore resides. The Black Hills offer several days of western family adventure, including rock climbing, water sports and ziplines.

4. Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona and 215 miles north of Phoenix, offers another bucket list destination for families. During the summer, the south rim seems like the international terminal of JFK with visitors from around the globe. Stay for a few hours or stay for a few days. The Grand Canyon offers hikes and views for everyone in your SUV. And I still stop every time I drive across northern Arizona. Teen friendly activities include white water rafting or kayaking, reservable through outfitters.

5. Redwoods 

Redwoods National Parks offer trees so big everything in its shadow seems small, even teen drama. I found redwood locations sprinkled throughout the west coast with several different varieties of trees.

My favorite park is located north of San Francisco at the Redwood National and State Parks, close to the border of California and Oregon. Redwoods grow in Yosemite and Sequoia national parks as well. Best family-friendly activities include horseback riding and biking, available through outfitters.

Best vacations for teens. New York City
New York City offers a top destination for teens. Photo Credit: Pixabay

Changing Gears to Urban Landscapes

Kids have tons of energy, so head to the top cities of the United States for a getaway. Grab a metro card and explore by mass transit. With your maps app, it’s easy. Even better, get the teens to navigate. Here’s the best vacations for teens in big cities.

6. New York City 

New York City packs energy that falls flat for younger kids, but teens possess the stamina for urban trekking at its finest. I lived in NYC for two years, but I didn’t introduce my kids to the metropolis until they were out of strollers and could walk all day without whining.

In a city that never sleeps, travel lessons abound. Use the subway to get around, a must-have skill for teens who will be exploring on their own in a few years. In my experience, the skills I learned in New York City helped me navigate any urban city around the globe, including Tokyo. From parks to museums and shopping to snacking, New York City offers a week of teen fun.  And don’t forget a Broadway show.

7. San Francisco, California

San Francisco, another urban center, offers a vibrant culture and postcard landscapes with a mellower West Coast vibe. It’s easier to navigate by public transportation, like the famous street cars. It offers American icons too, like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, a favorite for teens. Explore San Francisco by foot to see all the unique neighborhoods.

8. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston offers a maze of American History that has to be walked to be understood. Start in Boston Common, the park in the center of the city, and find the red line painted on the sidewalk. The Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile urban trail, will walk kids and teens through the American Revolution.

9. Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C., is another destination for older kids that offers history, culture and some of the best museums in the country, many of which are free. As the center of government, Washington is a must for future lawyers.

Best vacations for teens. Florida Beach
The beaches of Florida offer amazing sunsets and white sand. Photo Credit: Pixabay

Teens Worship the Beach

Think all the turquoise water is at the all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, like the Turks and Caicos, or Mexico’s Riviera Maya? Not at all! Find white sand a road trip away. And what teen doesn’t love the beach, that’s why it’s one of the best vacations for teens.

10. Florida

The Florida beaches along scenic Highway 30A top my list for amazing places to relax. Teens will appreciate the beach even if they don’t build sandcastles in a ruffle-bottomed swimsuit anymore.

This area offers bike paths for teens to explore and beach towns packed with hang-outs like ice cream shops and juice stands. That, along with water so blue you think it’s the Caribbean, makes this site a teen favorite. Best of all, it can be rolled into a road trip to Orlando’s theme parks like Universal.

Before your teens head off to college, these are the must-do travel adventures to have! Read our suggestions for the best vacation USA destinations with teenagers from coast to coast. #TMOM #Teenager #USA | TravelingMom | Family Travel | Travel with Teens
Photo Credit: Jupiter Images on Image Pro

 

11. California

Southern California has been a mecca for the young at heart since the dawn of TV. The beaches of SoCal created a culture that teens still crave.

Be the cool mom and sign your teens up for surfing lessons in Los Angeles or San Diego. Check out the piers and board walks, both packed with fun. Your teens might even decide that the SoCal tops their college wish list too. Don’t forget Disneyland’s Star Wars attraction or hit the water parks.

Best vacations for teens. Mountains.
The mountains of the western U.S. offer lots of family fun throughout the seasons. Photo Credit: Pixabay

Mountains Call the Teens Too

The mountains, real mountains, are best appreciated in the western U.S. And as a family travel bonus, mountains offer superb destinations for every season. For the outdoor activities, it’s one of the best vacations for teens.

12. Colorado

Colorado’s  Rockies tops the continent with over 50 peaks over 14,000 feet. Climbing a fourteener might be more than your teens can conquer. But Colorado offers an array of outdoor sports for families, like hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, rock climbing, ziplining and hot springs. The mild summer temperatures offer a respite when most of the U.S. is sweating through their shirts.

Winter offer world-class sports, like the teen fave, snowboarding, and skiing. Keep your kids having fun with the old mom and dad longer and plan an annual ski trip. College students will flock home for the holidays if mom and dad pick up the tab for a ski trip.

13. Lake Tahoe 

Lake Tahoe, east of San Francisco in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, offers Olympic snow since it hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. I love Tahoe for its mellow California vibe that attracts moguls and boarders alike.

During the summer, Lake Tahoe offers a crystal clear lake for water sports, yoga retreats and an epic hiking trail, the TRT, the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Best vacations for teens. Walt Disney
Take a Disney trip before the kids head off to college. Photo Credit: Pixabay

14. Disney a Top Teen Destination

My final teen destination is Disney. My advice: take them. It’s an American institution. If your family isn’t crazy about all things Mickey and Minnie, limit your time at the park to a day or two.

DisneyLand in California offers better year-round weather and other family-friendly destinations besides theme parks, like the beach. Disney World, in Florida, offers a city dedicated to all things Disney.

Teens love the thrill rides but can still snuggle up with a nostalgic character from their childhood for a picture. Bonus: they can roam the parks safely on their own while parents sample and explore nearby.

The bottom line is – the country is big, time is short, and travel will benefit your teen in all areas of life. So make an investment now that will pay off in your child’s future!

We’ve been there and we want to help you get there too.

Sign up for our weekly newsletters!
FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Family Vacation Destinations

You May Also Like

  • The gorgeous wildlife at Acadia National Park
    How to Explore Acadia National Park with kids
  • Situated in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is known as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 
    11 Best Places in the Eastern United States to Visit with Kids
  • Learning and having fun can go hand in hand when you visit Charleston. It's one of the best things to do when you visit.
    Top 10 Family Spring Break Vacations
  • 101 Travel Tips for College Football Weekends - Make sure to get out there and see the game!
    Travel Tips for College Football Weekends
  • things-to-do-in-barcelona-with-kids-walking the streets
    Ideal Things to Do in Barcelona with Kids and College Kids
  • The ultimate list of Disney World rides for kids and grandparents!
    Best Disney World Rides for Grandparents and Kids
Previous Post: « 5 Great Family-Friendly Restaurants in Cape Cod, Massachussetts
Next Post: 13 Free Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids Sacramento Skyline. free things to do in Sacramento»

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

14 Comments on “Top Destinations in the U.S. to Visit Before Your Kids Leave for College”

  1. Cindy Richards, Empty Nest TravelingMom says:
    October 6, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    5

    Reply
  2. MB Miller says:
    July 23, 2018 at 5:52 pm

    Appreciate your article! I’m curious as I’m planning a very last minute summer vacation with my two teen boys (13 and 15) who couldn’t be more different and wondering if you think LA area or NYC is better option. We live in Colorado so getting plenty of mountain time but debating which one to go do in late July/early August. Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Catherine Parker Catherine Parker, National Parks TravelingMom says:
      July 23, 2018 at 6:52 pm

      Well compared to Colorado both destinations can be hot and sticky in the summer. A rental car isn’t needed for NYC but one is needed for LA. More walking in NYC, more driving in LA traffic. LA has the beach and for your kid’s ages, surf lessons. LA also has San Diego about 3 hours south, another great family destination. NYC focuses on museums (the art museums in the US) and the theater, like Broadway shows. I will attach my 3 day itineraries for both LA and NYC. I have done both with kids and great time at both. https://www.travelingmom.com/family-vacations/los-angeles-family-vacations/3-day-itinerary-for-los-angeles/ https://www.travelingmom.com/family-vacations/new-york-city-family-vacations/3-day-itinerary-for-new-york-city/ Hope this helps! Reach out with more questions.

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    May 18, 2018 at 5:37 pm

    5

    Reply
  4. Pingback: 2 Day LA Itinerary for families | Where to go in LA with Kids | Carful of Kids
  5. Pingback: 13 Top Museums for Kids in NYC | NYC for Families | Carful of Kids
  6. Pingback: 4 Day NYC Itinerary | Exploring New York City with Kids | Carful of Kids
  7. cory says:
    March 25, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    nice article..One suggestion is that I would wait until at least they were 8-10 years old as they may not remember the trips. A few years ago, I took my 14 year old son and 20 year old daughter and my wife on a 15 day trip and covered 9 national parks, many of which you mentioned. The trip of a lifetime as we hit several Diners. Drive-ins, and Dives along the way as well.

    Reply
    1. Catherine Parker Catherine Parker, National Parks TravelingMom says:
      April 6, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      Thanks for stopping by! We always keep our memories alive with photos and talking about our trips.

      Reply
  8. Angela says:
    March 5, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    I love traveling with my teens. Its so fun!! They are wanders themselves. My daughter is a so excited to go see California this April. Thank you for the tips:)

    Reply
    1. Catherine Parker Catherine Parker, National Parks TravelingMom says:
      March 5, 2018 at 2:55 pm

      Teens LOVE California! Hope you enter your trip.

      Reply
  9. Ginger bressler says:
    July 31, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Fantastic article. You covered all of the major attractions, and, there were places for youngsters to enjoy as well as teens.

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says:
    February 28, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    4.5

    Reply
  11. Catherine Parker, National Parks TravelingMom says:
    February 27, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    5

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Trending Posts

Off Season at Walt Disney World: Does it Really Exist?
2828

Off Season at Disney World: Does it REALLY Exist?

2050

Getting To, From and Around Disney World: Essential Transportation Guide

The Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom night show.
1459

Disney’s Animal Kingdom After Dark: Complete Guide for Families

death valley
905

7 National Parks a Road Trip Away from LA

646

Places to Explore near Garner State Park

Footer

Categories

  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2019 Traveling Mom · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.