10 Cool Spring Break Vacations for Families with Teens and Tweens

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This Post: 10 Cool Spring Break Vacations for Families with Teens and Tweens

Written by: Kristal Leon

Ready to survive spring break with your teens? Well… don’t sweat it. It doesn’t have to be all eye-rolls and groans! Why not shake things up a bit this year by embarking on the ultimate family adventure? 

So, forget the passports (at least on this trip); it’s time for a road trip with the family! Pack your bags and prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience that’ll make memories your family will cherish forever – even if your teen doesn’t realize it just yet.

In beautiful East Tennessee lies a charming, family-oriented city nestled among the Great Smokey Mountains – Gatlinburg! This 10.1 square-mile paradise has been providing families with unforgettable vacations for more than 100 years, and it’s no wonder why.

From the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Sky Lift Park (an open-air chairlift ride that takes visitors up 1800 feet to enjoy spectacular views of the mountains) to countless outdoor adventures including hiking, rafting, and fishing and nearby amusement parks, your teens will never get bored here. Whether you want an adrenaline rush on a rollercoaster or you’re in search of a one-of-a-kind experience, there’s something for everyone – all wrapped up in this gorgeous little town!

Things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

If you’re looking for an amazing, Instagram-worthy getaway with your teens, look no further than Sedona – a small but wondrous desert paradise. From mind-blowing rock formations to hikes and tours that are perfect for the entire family, there’s something here to spark everyone’s inner explorer!

Insider Tip: Make sure to check out Slide Rock State Park. There is so much to do, from tubing down the creek, cliff diving, or just soaking up the sun on rocks along one of nature’s best swimming holes.

Things to do in Sedona, Arizona

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting trip to remember with your teens, head over to San Diego! Home of “America’s Finest City,” it’s chock full of amazing experiences just waiting to be had! Hop on the rollercoasters at Belmont Park Amusement Park, jump behind the wheel at Miramar Speed Circuit Indoor GoKarts, or get up close and personal with exotic animals from around the world – there is something for teens of all ages here!

Explore further by taking in some baseball history via a guided PETCO park tour, zoom through SeaWorld® San Diego, or visit USS Midway Aircraft Carrier – guaranteed thrills galore!

Things to do in San Diego, California

Looking for something to get the family off their phones and out having fun together? Myrtle Beach is just what you need! From heart-pumping activities, like waterparks or go-karting, to a relaxing chill day at the beach, there are so many things to do that’ll make everyone in your teen/tween gang happy. So don’t worry about whether they’re bored – it’s going to be hard not finding something awesome (and age-appropriate) to do down here.

Pro Tip: Check out Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures. Your daredevil can soar through the air and race their way down a 600-foot zip line with amazing views overlooking both the Boardwalk and the glittering blues of The Atlantic!

Things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Take an adventurous mini-vacation and leave your comfort zone behind! Lake Geneva, just two hours from Chicago, is close enough for a quick getaway but feels like an entirely different world. Zipline over the 100 acres of trees at Canopy Tours to really bond with your teen or spend the day at Timber Ridge Lodge’s 50,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor water park. You can also take a pleasure cruise on the lovely Lake Geneva with Lake Cruise Line and get your fill of spectacular views, delicious ice cream treats, and fun facts about houses lining its shore. 

You won’t need much time or money to enjoy this unforgettable adventure that will show you and your teen how amazing life can be outside their bubble.

Things to do in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Feel like a VIP on an unforgettable Segway tour of Washington, DC. Snap some snaps in front of the White House, the Capital, or the city’s famous monuments, and challenge your family to see who can take the best selfie! Get your culture fix at exciting museums such as the National Museum Of Natural History or International Spy Museum (aka heaven for James Bond fans!).

Got an aspiring media mogul? The Newseum is sure to inspire with its displays – plus, it has its very own interactive broadcasting studio. Sure, Washington D.C. is brimming with amazing history, but there are also tons of exciting things to see and do for families with teens and tweens!

Things to do in Washington, D.C.

For teens looking for an adventurous getaway, Santa Fe has something special in store. From scavenger hunts and whitewater rafting to horseback riding with Santa Fe Mountain Adventures or off-roading tours to Diablo Canyon, your teens won’t be bored here. Get an extra dose of excitement from the Adventure Center at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado for guided hiking and biking…or art appreciation on historic Canyon Road. And don’t forget about Saturday mornings spent discovering local treats at one of America’s oldest Farmers’ Markets.

Things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Get ready for your teens to brag about their awesome spring break in Clearwater, Florida! They’ll experience the fun and beauty of a gorgeous white sandy beach- one of America’s highest-rated beaches. In the evenings, they can take part in Pier 60’s nightly festivities with stilt walkers, magic shows, and live music. And if that isn’t enough thrills, there are plenty more activities like snorkeling or even a dolphin-watching cruise dreamt up by Dream Catcher Explorations.

Plus, Busch Gardens, which offers plenty of rides and thrills, is only 45 minutes away, and Orlando, home to Disney World and Universal Studios is only two hours away. Clearwater truly has it all!

Things to do in Clearwater, Florida

Spring in Scottsdale offers a unique opportunity for the family to come together as adventurers and enjoy an amazing trip. You can tackle single-track trails at Pemberton Loop, conquer Camelback Mountain, scale Papago Park’s epic rock formation, and ATV across the desert with Green Zebra Adventures. To top it all off, there’s nothing more magical at night than visiting Desert Botanical Garden, (just a quick 20-minute drive to Phoenix), where cacti seem to dance on their own under music-filled lights. And when you need some downtime after your exciting explorations, check out the majestic Camelback Mountainside views at Mountain Shadows Resort.

Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona

Fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of your everyday life? Then Southern Utah is just what you need! With amazing state and national parks such as Kodachrome Basin State Park and Zion National Park, there’s plenty to explore. And, when you visit in the spring before everyone else arrives, you’ll have more room for kayaking with the kids at Sand Hollow or zipping around on ATVs at Coral Pink Dunes – plus a visit to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab might be filled with furry surprises, too!

Things to do in Southern Utah

About Kristal Leon:

Kristal is a military wife and mom and the creator of A Sailors Wife Blog.  She created A Sailors Wife as a resource for parents and spouses of both Military and non Military families. You can follow Kristal on Facebook here. 

If you enjoyed reading, “10 Cool Spring Break Vacations for Families with Teens and Tweens,” you might also enjoy reading: 

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