For many years now, I’ve prioritized travel as a way of connecting with my family. We’ve vacationed all over the U.S. and abroad, and now that my kids are firmly in their tween years, I’ve learned firsthand that the best family vacations with tweens must include a little bit of adventure, a little bit of relaxation, and a lot of room for individuality. With that in mind, here are the top vacation ideas for tweens that have been huge hits with my own kids.
Editor’s note: At FamilyVacationist, our recommendations are based on real travel experiences, in-destination expertise and interviews, and careful evaluation of verified traveler reviews. Learn more about our methodology.
1. Costa Rica’s car-free beach town, Las Catalinas
Always a popular family vacation spot, Costa Rica has experienced a renewed tourism boom in recent years. It’s easy to see why. The residents are happy, the beaches are beautiful, and the wildlife is abundant. One area of the country that’s particularly good for families with tweens is Las Catalinas, a car-free beach town on the Pacific coast. Walkable cobblestone streets connect to restaurants with fresh, healthy flavors (no chains here) and activities like workout classes and kayaking.
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Las Catalinas also offers a range of accommodations from condos to houses with pools. Monkeys swing in the trees above the ocean and agua frescas served by the infinity pool are incredibly refreshing. My family booked an excursion to horseback ride near volcanoes, zip line over gushing waterfalls, and bathe in natural hot springs. Costa Rica’s pura vida philosophy still resonates within us when we think of that family vacation, one of our very best.
2. New River Gorge, West Virginia
West Virginia’s New River Gorge, which became a national park in 2020, is an excellent whitewater rafting destination with many family-friendly options. With my tweens, I chose to stay at Adventures on the Gorge and raft the Lower New River. I was nervous as we encountered Class II to IV rapids, but soon my worries became pure exhilaration.
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Our happy-go-lucky guides made everyone feel comfortable, and both of my tweens had huge smiles on their faces all day long. Our rafting adventure wasn’t all adrenaline, either. There were calm moments when we floated in the warm water, jumped off rocks to swim, and picnicked on the beach. Adventures on the Gorge also offers zip lining, laser tag, swimming pools, live music, and other activities. I didn’t hear a single kid complain on this adventure.
3. Yellowstone National Park
Visiting Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, is a quintessential family vacation that’s probably best taken during the tween years. My family was lucky enough to visit Yellowstone both in summer and winter, so I can attest that the bubbling mud pots and steaming geysers are impressive any time of year. In summer, you’ll spend most of your time driving the figure-eight roads around the park, perhaps even experiencing a “bison jam” when the huge creatures stop traffic by ambling across the road.
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In the winter, those roads are shut down to all traffic except snowmobiles and snow coaches. My family zipped through the park on a Two Top Snowmobile Tour while snowflakes quietly blanketed bison, bears, and bob cats. I like to stay at nearby Big Sky Resort, where you can also ski, swim in heated outdoor pools, and dog sled during the colder months.
4. Riviera Maya, Mexico
Quieter than bustling Cancun, Mexico’s Riviera Maya offers tucked-away escapes at all-inclusive resorts brimming with abundant eats and family-friendly fun. My tweens and I stayed at the lush Azul Beach Resort and appreciated the ample activities like water polo, coconut painting, and beachfront yoga just minutes from downtown Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
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The location allowed us to take a day trip to the nearby six-acre Aqua Nick water park at Nickelodeon Hotel and Resorts Riviera Maya, where we felt like we were living inside a Nickelodeon show (complete with slime!). We also enjoyed swimming in cenotes near Tulum. My tweens are still absolutely enthralled with cenotes. My husband and I even enjoyed jumping off cliffs into the cool water.
5. Bar Harbor, Maine
My tween son and I visited Bar Harbor to hike around Acadia National Park and enjoy an overnight glamping experience at Terramor Outdoor Resort. Acadia is one of the country’s most-visited national parks, and the only one located in the northeast. Reaching up from the rocky Atlantic coastline, it is truly captivating and abundant with both history and natural beauty. It’s equally fun to watch the waves crash and splash at Thunder Hole and eat savory popovers at Jordan Pond House with your afternoon tea.
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Terramor’s tents are like private hotel rooms surrounded by the sweet scent of the outdoors. You’ll sleep in cozy beds and be able to shower and use the bathroom in your own luxurious tent. Breakfast and other meals are available at the lodge. My son and I loved lobstering with Lulu Lobster Boat Ride, where we could hold and examine different crustaceans before tossing them back.
We ate a ton of seafood. And on the drive to Acadia from Bangor airport, we stopped at Momo’s Cheesecake, where they offer endless varieties of cheesecakes and treats on the honor system. My son still talks about how you can walk in, choose what you like and leave your money in the box. Plus, the sweets were outstanding.
6. Sandusky, Ohio
If your tweens are into rollercoasters, Sandusky is a dream Midwest vacation spot. Situated on the shores of Lake Erie, Sandusky is home to Cedar Point amusement park, which boasts 18 world-class coasters and 68 total rides. Prepare to fly high on adrenaline riding Gatekeeper, the dive-bombing golden griffon that beats seven world records; or take it a little easier on Wild Mouse, a twisty-fun ride for those looking for something on the tamer side. Gemini, with side-by-side racing coaster cars, is one of my tweens’ all-time favorites, too.
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Stay at Kalahari Resorts for a water park and arcade-filled good time. My kids and their cousins were fully entertained from day to night with a wave pool, indoor and outdoor water slides, a burger joint, and chocolate shop. I was able to take advantage of the fitness center.
7. Universal Orlando Theme Park
Epic characters like Harry Potter and Minions come to life at Universal Orlando, which is far and away my tweens’ favorite theme park. The rides and attractions are so modern and mesmerizing, they have tweens going gaga.
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Other thrills around Orlando include air boat rides and a visit to Gatorland, where you can zip line over a swamp teeming with alligators. Stay at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel for early access to the parks and free shuttle rides. Or rent a home in Kissimmee for your own themed rooms and a backyard with a pool and a grill.
8. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells is the “Waterpark Capital of the World” and a place my tweens often request to visit. Whether it’s for a birthday, a break from chilly winter, or to tackle huge outdoor water slides, my crew knows that a visit to Wisconsin Dells is pretty much a guaranteed good time.
Based on my experience, I recommend Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Wisconsin Dells and Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort as the best accommodations to choose for middle schoolers. Not only do these hotels feature some of the country’s best indoor water parks (and outdoor water parks), they also host attractions like mini golf, ropes courses, escape rooms, bowling, arcades, and laser tag. If you stay at Wilderness Resort, don’t miss out on Take Flight, a full sensory flying ride that’s very popular with my tween kids.
