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

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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!