Teenagers. Inaffectual and often buried in their phones, they’re not always the easiest to travel with. Getting their attention can be an endeavour. Keeping it is quite a bit more taxing. Yet, parents constantly strive to find that one thing that keeps their teen entertained, especially on family vacations.
If you’re planning on traveling with a teenager, know that your concern is understood. Only certain activities and experiences can really keep teenagers engaged. Though there’s no science behind figuring out what works and what doesn’t, the following should offer the entertainment value needed to get them to finally look up from their phone.
Brave a Ghost Tour
The Jennie Wade Birthplace House in Gettysburg – Copyright US Ghost Adventures
History may not necessarily pique the interest of the typical teen, but history reframed through a spooky ghost tour is sure to do the trick. With haunting experiences in virtually every state across the nation, including Alaska and Hawaii, a ghost tour is almost always available. Rain or shine, they explore the eerie happenings of a city’s most haunted locations, such as the Welty House found on a Gettysburg ghost tour or the Colonial Park Cemetery of Savannah.
Expect unsettling stories of murder, war, and tragedy, and introductions to the ethereal entities manifested from them. A ghost tour is an opportunity to walk the line between realms, to spot a shadowy figure in a window or feel an impossibly cold chill on the back of your neck. It’s a way to make memories and share something deeply personal with an age group that tends to stray from family time.
From visions of the persecuted at Salem to the sinister apparitions of the Hollywood Sign, a ghost tour is your ticket to appealing to your teen in a unique, entertaining, and unforgettable way. Who knows. Maybe they’ll even come home with a new appreciation for history. At least, history with a side of spectral exploration.
Explore Stunning National Parks
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Contemporary media wants to paint teenagers as lazy and aloof. More accurately, they just may not see reason to be outside in a city or suburb they’re already quite familiar with. Perhaps a change of scenery will inspire them to put down the phone.
Consider stopping at a national park, allowing them to witness Mother Nature in a way that they may never have. Heading to Northern California? Yosemite National Park is a spectacle that even the most distracted teen will pay attention to. Hovering closer to the North Carolina/Tennessee border? The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is awe-inspiring, and a gateway to fascinating U.S. history with sordid tales of the Gold Rush.
From the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado to the Arches National Park in Utah, there’s a stretch of government-owned, undeveloped land in virtually every state. Even Hawaii. While you can typically explore these wonders on your own, notable locations like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon will have guided tours you can take for a safer, more structured journey. Your teen may also feel like a VIP in the great outdoors with opportunities for “exclusive” encounters with wildlife.
Adventures in the Great Outdoors
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While national parks are great for exploring, much of the United States is primed for adventure. Whether you’re on the shimmering Daytona coast or on the fringes of the vast Mojave Desert, thrilling excursions await. Due to the varied ecosystems across the nation, the outdoor experiences available to you and your family will differ, sometimes significantly.
Visiting Las Vegas and need to find a family-friendly activity? Try four-wheeling through the dunes of the Valley of Fire State Park. Spending a few days in Southern Louisiana? A swamp boat tour is exciting and may even come with an alligator sighting or two. Even a metropolis like Manhattan is not far from sailboat excursions on the Hudson or tubing on the Navesink River.
Expect to see your teen’s eyes widen when you say you’re going ziplining in Moab, Utah, or snorkeling off the Florida coastline.
Embark on Unique Walking Tours
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Yes. Telling a teen that you booked a walking tour is often the quickest way to earn an eyeroll. However, it depends on the walking tour you pick. Some can be on the dry side. Others focus on far more unique aspects of the nation, from its era of piracy to the contemporary superhero craze.
Which walking tour you choose will depend on two things: The city you’re traveling to and your teen’s interests. If they’re a big movie buff and you’re in New York, you may consider the New York City Superheroes Tour: Marvel & DC Comics Origins, which visits iconic locations in pop culture history. What young teen wouldn’t want to stand outside the facade of The Daily Bugle? Just as exciting as superheroes are pirates, and St. Augustine offers a fun way to learn about the nation’s history with swashbuckling and privateers.
Foodies can have their experiences, too, especially if they’re traveling to Los Angeles for the Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour. Enjoy an introduction to the local flavors of Southern California and become immersed in the Italian culture infused throughout the aptly named beach. Care for a touch of history that’s sure to intrigue any socially aware teen? Consider the Williamsburg Black History Experience if you’re in the area.