Traveling with Teens // Where to Go

There is no doubt that traveling with teenagers who may prefer staying at home with their friends or stuck playing on their smart phones can be challenging. Choosing the right destination is key. These ten locations are very rewarding and fun for families with teens!

Oahu, HI

Waikiki is one of the best places to learn how to surf with its long breaks, sunshine and gorgeous beaches. In between lounging and people watching, teens can shop or head to the North Shore for a glimpse of the famous massive waves.

Wisconsin Dells, WI

It's no surprise that the "Water Park Capital of the World" is a hit with the teen set. We're talking 50ft slides with launch capsules plunging riders straight down, 4-D movie theaters watched from pools and all sorts of mind-boggling thrills for the entire family.

 New York City, NY

Between shopping 5th Avenue, giant slices of pizza, landmarks and even visiting sites from famous TV shows like Gossip Girl, the excitement of NYC is a teen dream.

 Jackson Hole, WY

The outdoorsy teen will love being near two of the most scenic national parks: Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Hike, bike, go fly-fishing, stand-up paddle board and catch a glimpse of Old Faithful. There's just so much to do here.

Park City, UT

Snowboarding and skiing draw teen interest in the winter, however, Park City is a four season destination. Go hot air ballooning, river rafting, golfing, mountain biking and more after the snow melts. Mom will love the spas and Dad should pack his golf clubs.

 Maui, HI

Some of the nation's most beautiful beaches await in Kaanapali. Lounging on them in between water sports is a must as is a breathtaking sunrise at Haleakala volcano, even for a sleepy teen.

 Chicago, IL

The excitement of a big city is alive and well in Chicago, a city full of teen food favorites like big hot dogs and deep dish pizza. Not to mention there are seven sports teams to watch live.

 San Diego, CA

 This city by the ocean makes and excellent teen vacation any time of the year. Beaches offer plenty of opportunities to learn how to surf, kayak caves and relax in Southern California sunshine. Mix in some culture at the Balboa Park museums. Their close proximity to each other are perfect for short attention spans.

Orlando, FL

Teens will probably love Hollywood Studios most out of the Disney parks for thrill rides like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Universal Studios is another favorite with its roller coasters and City Walk entertainment, dining and shopping area. Or, hop over to water parks like Disney's Typhoon Lagoon or Wet-n-Wild. Orlando is definitely not just for little kids.

 Gatlinburg, TN

Your teen will love soaring over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a zipline or paddling the thrilling white water rapids below. Ride the Aerial Tramway to the summit and even ski in the winter at this scenic mountain resort destination that's also affordable.

Top Memorial Day Vacation Destinations

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. For those who live in Alabama, we tend to flock to the beaches of Alabama and Florida. While the beach is a great location for the holiday, there are dozens of other wonderful and family friendly locations to get away to. 

These locations are easily accessible no matter where you are in the U.S. 

Palm Springs, California: Wonderful Summer Weather

Palm Springs has nonstop sunshine which makes it a perfect location for Memorial Day weekend! You will find shops, acclaimed restaurants, gorgeous hotels and even outdoor adventure. Palm Springs is a great place to hike, mountain bike or go rock climbing. The Joshua Tree National Park is a great place to hike! The Palm Springs Air Museum hosts the Flower Drop & Air Fair, so make sure to stick around for that! Over 3,000 red and white carnations are dropped from a B-25 Mitchell bombers in honor of all those who have given their lives for our freedom. 

Washington, D.C. : Full of Patriotism

Washington D.C. is the most patriotic place to celebrate the holiday. There is a parade and plenty of special military ceremonies. The Arlington National Cemetery hosts a wreath-laying ceremony on Memorial Day, men in uniform march in the National Memorial Day Parade and the U.S. Navy Band does a special performance. A great patriotic destination!

Las Vegas: Parties by the Pool

Las Vegas is incredibly busy over Memorial Day weekend, so if you like pool parties this is the place to be! Parties are held around many resorts' elaborate pools with DJs, drink carts, bottle service, cabanas and much more! The pools at Caesars Palace and The Tropicana Las Vegas are the hot spots! 

Charleston, S.C : Art with a Southern Hospitality 

Memorial Day is always a fun time in Charleston. From the opera, theater, jazz, visual arts and much more! The Spoleto Festival is always held for two weeks during this time of the year! Enjoy the delicious food at local restaurants and grab some homemade ice cream downtown!

Columbia Gorge, Oregon: Wine tasting on the river

Over Memorial Day weekend, over 30 wineries host open houses. There is usually live music, outdoor activities and great food! A must for the wine lovers!

New York City: Fleet Week

From May 21st through the 27th, you will be able to see military band concerts and aerial demonstrations! Your will also be able to tour the ships at Pier 92 in Manhattan and at The Sullivans Pier in Staten Island. Get the family together to watch the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade!

Atlanta, Georgia : Fireworks and Jazz

The Atlanta Jazz Festival is held from May 23rd through May 25th and is one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country. The festival usually brings in over 200,000 people, so it is a grand event! The festival is kid friendly and has tons of activities like face painting and balloon art!

Let us all not forget the meaning of this holiday. Thank you for all the troops and veterans who fight and have fought for our freedom. 

Disney World // Best Hotels

Disney World is the place where dreams come true. I have only been twice, both times when I was young. But I am dying to go again as an adult! Everything there is magical. You become a kid again and watching the happiness in the eyes of children is priceless as they meet their favorite characters. The theme park is not the only place to experience the magic. The resorts are famous for their activities, pools and dining! 

There are twenty-six resorts on the Walt Disney World property run by Disney. Which means there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing where to stay. There a many different price ranges, atmospheres and themes. 

When I went to Disney World we stayed in the Grand Floridian Resort. The resort has a Victorian era feel with intricate and soaring architecture. It is beautifully decorated and is home to some of the finest dining in Disney World. You can have breakfast with your favorite Disney characters, attend a tea party hosted by the Mad Hatter and Alice and also have snacks with the Disney Princesses. Perfect for adult and children alike! I remember the amazing pool with water slides and and the Seven Seas Lagoon beach pool!

For the animal lovers, the Animal Kingdom Lodge is an ideal place to stay while vacationing to Disney World. Animal Kingdom gets you up-close-and-personal with the animals and it makes you want to never leave. Luckily, you don't! Animal Kingdom Lodge is built in a horseshoe shape with rooms looking out into a 46-acre savanna of zebras, giraffes and many other types of free-roaming animals! The resort also features an 11,000-square-foot pool with a waterslide surrounded by a canopy of trees and palms. Gives it an African feel! Enjoy award-winning dining and supervised children's activities! 

For a more New England feel, a stay at the Yacht & Beach Club will be fitting. This hotel is actually two resorts connected together by three lagoons with a pirate ship waterslide. The Yacht Club has a lavish New England seashore hotel look while the Beach Club is more New England beach cottage. Both resorts have a wonderful water recreation area and mouthwatering family-friendly dining! These resorts are in walking distance to Epcot!

The BoardWalk resort is an Atlantic-style resort. You can stroll along the boardwalk lining the hotel and find funnel cakes, carnival games and even a dueling piano bar! You will find there is so much to do at this resort! You can grab a hot dog while you walk along the waterfront or sit down at a fine dining restaurant. The options are endless! Also a short walk to Epcot! 

The newest resort at Disney World is the Art of Animation. There are four distinct themed sections: Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. Each section has artwork from the movie and themed rooms. It is home to the largest pool of all the Disney resorts. The plunge pool is inspired by Finding Nemo and even has underwater speakers. The resort also hosts movies under the stars so you can watch a nighttime Disney movie outdoors in the Courtyard. Starting at just $110 per night this is a perfect resort for families with smaller children! 

Now with all this being said, I want to go to Disney World! Who is in?