From oceanside ziplines to Niagara River jet tours to Insta-worthy museums, it’s easy to travel with teens in New York State! It can be tricky to find something to please everyone, so we’ve rounded up some of the state’s best teen-friendly activities. You and the fam may find yourselves 156 feet below the earth’s surface at Howe Caverns, taking surf lessons on Long Island, or staying at an all-inclusive resort in the Hudson Valley. Read on for 11 family vacations that are sure to impress any teen.
Historic horse racing meets family fun in Saratoga! The perfect getaway begins at Saratoga Escape Lodges with amenities for all ages like a pool, mini golf course, water playground, beach, ice cream parlor, and outdoor theater. There’s nothing like a day at the races so take the family to experience the historic Saratoga Race Course. Explore the mineral springs at Saratoga Spa State Park and check the calendar at SPAC for an exciting live performance. Try something new and challenge the family to a game of indoor golf at PSG Golf with two state of the art simulators, a putting and chipping range, and TopGolf simulator. Saratoga’s downtown is sure to please your teen (it’s rated one of the best main streets in the country!) with fashionable clothing boutiques, a candy store, handmade jewelry, a toy shop, and delicious restaurants like Druthers which has some of the area’s best burgers and mac and cheese. Spend some time out on calm waters of Saratoga Lake with Kayak Shak, where you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, or a hamocraft.
Highland (Hudson Valley)
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Endless entertainment and everlasting memories await at Rocking Horse Ranch in Highland, rated one of the 20 of the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Teens Who Are Hard to Impress by Country Living Magazine. This four-season family resort has more than just horses. Throughout the 500-acre property, you’ll find hundreds of activities that are sure to keep your teen’s interest. In the summer, enjoy all kinds of activities from zooming down the five waterslides and cruising on banana boats to bungee jumping and mountain tubing. In the winter, stay warm indoors at the indoor water park or venture outdoors to the winter fun park for ice skating, snow tubing, skiing, or a sleigh ride through the snowy woods. Afterward, defrost at the El Dorado Hot Springs (pictured) which stays 98 degrees year-round. Delight in three delicious meals a day included in your stay along with exciting events. If you’re looking to explore the area outside of the resort, head into New Paltz to stroll the Water Street Market and Historic Huguenot Street, or make your way across the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world in Poughkeepsie, the Walkway Over The Hudson.
Howes Cave (Central New York)
Photo courtesy of Howe Caverns
Bring the family fun underground! Travel 156 feet below the earth’s surface through a labyrinth of twisty, turny rock corridors to Howe Caverns. This unbelievable underground experience is the largest cavern in the northeast and is sure to pique the interest of hard to impress teens. Get to exploring the illuminated caves on a guided walking tour or float down the river in an underground boat ride. You can also mine for gems or cut into geodes at the HC Mining Company. Up for a challenge? Try to figure out Howe to break out of the on-site escape room, which is themed as an ultra-max security underground prison. Let the good times roll and check into the Howe Caverns Motel right across the street! Not only will you have supreme views of the Helderberg Escarpment, you’ll also have access to packages combining tours, lodging, dining, and other activities. If your teen is obsessed with skincare, add the Beekman 1802 Kindness Shop to your itinerary. The shelves are stocked with cruelty-free moisturizers, cleansers, and serums made on-site and you can take a farm tour where you’ll get to meet the goats! Everyone loves ice cream so be sure to stop at the Cobleskill Diner where you can enjoy the state’s largest ice cream cone.
Rochester has something for every age and every interest. Settle into the Hampton Inn and Suites Rochester Downtown, where top attractions like the The Strong National Museum of Play are just a short walk away and there’s an indoor swimming pool. Speaking of the Strong, this play-paradise isn’t just for little kids! There are interactive exhibits for everyone like eGameRevolution, where you can play Super Mario 64 or Guitar Hero, or jump into a giant-sized board game at the Hasbro Game Park. Rip-roaring fun awaits at Seabreeze Amusement Park with four roller coasters, thrill rides, a classic wooden carousel, and plenty of experiences for the whole family. Put your problem-solving and combination-cracking skills to the test at The Great Escape Room with interactive, immersive, and timed escape adventures. Got a teen who loves sports? The Rochester Red Wings are a triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals with games running from the end of March through September. Get your game on at Radio Social, rated one of the best bars of the year for 2024 by USA Today. During the day (until 9pm) it’s all family-friendly fun with a 34-lane bowling alley, corn hole, ping pong, foosball, shuffleboard, a Middle Eastern restaurant, and pizza and burger joint.
Phoenicia (Catskills)
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Cozy rooms await at the Starlite Motel in Big Indian. Plus, if you have a teen who enjoys their personal space, four-bedroom houses that sleep up to 10 people are also available. Kick off your getaway on a pedaling journey through the mountains on the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad with Catskill Rail Explorers in Phoenicia. Tune into your adventurous side at Belleayre Mountain, well-known for its slopes for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in the winter. The summer also promises tons of fun with hiking, disc golf, gondola rides, and more. Ready to be wow-ed? Snag a ticket for the Kaleidoshow at the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope at the Emerson Resort and Spa. Afterward, take a stroll through the Emerson shops. Be sure to grab something from the Kaleidostore and get a handmade kaleidoscope. The famed Phoenicia Diner is a must-stop with meals that are as delicious as they are Instagram-worthy.
Fresh air, cozy fireplaces, and stunning lakeside views can be found at the Mirror Lake Inn. Family suites are available with 2-3 bedrooms, a kitchen, and living room, and are perfect for groups seeking comfort and convenience. Hit the streets and wander the picture-perfect main street filled with everything from sports apparel to delicious restaurants. Get to know this two-time Olympic city at the Lake Placid Legacy Sites. Learn about the history of the games at the Olympic Center and Museum and then experience it yourself on the indoor or outdoor ice skating rinks. Head to the Olympic Jumping Complex and feel the thrills of ski jumping on the skyride or sky flyer zipline (pictured). If you’re around from mid-June to mid-September watch athletes soar while they train on-site. Zoom down North America’s longest cliffside coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg or experience the rush of bobsledding at the Bobsled Experience, reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour! Hike, drive, or soar in the Cloudsplitter Gondola to the peak of New York’s fifth highest mountain, Whiteface, and in the winter, you can even take ski lessons.
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Boating, go-karts, mini-golf, and more are in store for the family in Alexandria Bay! Check into Capt. Thomson’s Resort where every room has its own private balcony and stunning waterside views. After you settle into your cozy suite, take some time to explore this downtown on the river filled with boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, and more. Who doesn’t enjoy a day out on the water? Book a boat tour with Uncle Sam Boat Tours and journey out to Boldt Castle to explore the iconic 120-room Rhineland-style castle. Go head-to-head and challenge the family to go-kart race at Alex Bay 500. Not only is the course the longest in the state, but you can also game in the amusement arcade and play mini golf. End the night with dinner and a show at the Bay Drive-In Theatre with two screenings and a dinner menu that features homestyle burgers, fresh-baked pizza, and other drive-in classics.
Ellicottville (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Nestled among enchanted mountains and dazzling lakes is the charming village of Ellicottville, packed with endless adventures to keep your teen occupied. Kick off your vacation at Holiday Valley Resort. There are three different lodging options, the Inn, the Tamarack Club, and over 200 rental homes with one to four bedrooms, perfect for families. In the winter, the resort’s 60+ slopes open up for skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing. The summer also promises hours of fun at the Sky High Aerial Adventure Park, where the family can navigate an array of platforms, hanging bridges, ziplines, and obstacles on 13 diverse courses. For high-flying thrills take a ride down the mountain coaster or admire the stunning scenery from above in a chair lift ride. HoliMont is another great all-season family destination with skiing, snowboarding, and adaptive skiing, terrain parks, and a halfpipe in the winter. In the summer, rent bikes and race down the mountain bike park for all levels. End the trip with a relaxing stroll through downtown’s Monroe and Washington Streets and peruse a plethora of local shops.
Long Beach (Long Island)
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Who doesn’t love sandy shores, lively boardwalks, and beachside adventure? Give your teen a taste of oceanfront luxury at the Allegria Hotel with spacious rooms and a rooftop pool. Plus, it’s just five minutes from the LIRR. A few steps outside the hotel will lead you to the Long Beach boardwalk where you can explore restaurants and seaside ambiance on foot or bike. Spend some time soaking up the sun and relaxing on the white sandy beaches of this “city by the sea.” Be sure to check the events calendar to catch free live music, farmers markets, food trucks, volleyball, and more throughout the year. Try something new and get out on the water for a surf lesson with Skudin Surf, offering lessons for all ages. Turn up the adventure and head to Jones Beach. Zoom alongside family on the 700-foot zipline (pictured) that runs parallel to the ocean, climb through five aerial adventure courses, and test your bravery on the 40-foot freefall jump at WildPlay Jones Beach. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, catch a live concert on the water at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater.
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Create everlasting family memories and discover the wonder of the Falls at this iconic destination. Get comfy at the AAA Three Diamond award-winning Red Coach Inn, where you and your teen can book a two bedroom suite, complete with a kitchen, sitting area, and king and queen beds. Head over to the breathtaking Niagara Falls and roam the grounds for free (parking costs between $5-10). For a truly unforgettable experience try a Maid of the Mist boat tour or put on poncho and get an up close view of the falls on a Cave of the Winds adventure. Go high-speed jetting through Class V rapids on the Niagara River with Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours or soar high above the falls on a Rainbow Air Helicopter Tour. If your teen likes to stay up-to-date on all the latest fashion, visit the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls with discounts on brands like Adidas, Champion, Coach, Nike, and more. Art meets the outdoors at Artpark, where you can explore several public art installations or catch a live performance from big name artists.
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Iconic landmarks, world-renowned museums, Broadway, and more, the opportunities for fun are endless in the Big Apple! Make the Courtyard Midtown East your homebase with spacious suites that sleep up to five people and options for connecting rooms. Experience 360 degree views from above at one of the world’s most famous skyscrapers, the Empire State Building. The famed Central Park is sure to have something for everyone. Take a relaxing stroll during any season or go ice skating on Wollman Rink which also transforms into pickleball courts in the summer. The Museum of Ice Cream is a must-stop for Instagram-obsessed teens, filled with unlimited sweetness and tons of Insta-worthy photo ops like a pool filled with giant sprinkles! Uncover the history of the natural world and the universe through more than 40 galleries at the American Museum of Natural History. Add some aircraft history to your trip at the Intrepid Museum (pictured) and walk the decks of a legendary aircraft carrier, get an up-close look at a space shuttle, and enter the only guided missile submarine open to the public. You can’t go wrong with a Broadway show. Bring your teen to an iconic performance like Six, & Juliet, The Great Gatsby, and more.
Don’t forget to post photos of your New York adventures on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter with #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!
