Florida Vacations

Florida Vacation with Your Teen

I have one that's 18 and one that's 22. I know how hard it is to plan a vacation that will please this age group! They are too old for "kids activities and groups", too bored of the usual family vacation...so now what? The what has to be adventurous, totally cool, different from anything in the past and something they can brag about to their friends. When teenagers aren't happy, no one's happy!

Florida has always been a favorite spot for family vacations. There are plenty of activities to satisfy all age groups. Most hotels and resorts have programs for kids ages 5-12, but what about teens? Listed below are Florida hotels & resorts that offer something for teens as well as younger children.

Florida Hotels & Resorts for Families with Teens

Amelia Island Plantation (Amelia Island) - More like a town than a resort, Amelia Island Plantation is Florida's premier AAA-Four Diamond destination island resort on 1350 acres, located less than a half-hour drive from Jacksonville, with three golf courses, twenty-three tennis courts, nature trails, kayaking expeditions, biking, a full-service spa, shops, and restaurants. The Teen Explorers program, for kids ages 11 to 19, includes off-property excursions for mini-golf, bowling, pizza and a movie, or on-site basketball, beach soccer or bonfires.

South Seas Island Resort ( Captiva Island) - This plantation style resort is set among lush mangroves and palms at the north end of Captiva Island and has just completed a multi-million dollar renovation. Newly opened lagoon pool and cabana complex, featuring a new expansive sun deck, two signature pools (one zero-entry), a Jacuzzi / spa , lavish fountains and landscaping, and private cabana units. A newly opened Game Room features virtual reality games. Captiva Teen Club provides entertainment such as kayaking, beach volleyball, teen Cinema on Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00 p.m, carnival day and more. (877) 205-1293.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort (Destin) - Nestled on 2,400 acres of spectacular beach and bayfront, eight miles east of Destin, this coastal community features 1,700 accommodations situated within 30 distinctive neighborhoods providing a diverse range of options for your vacation. Teen and ‘tween-friendly activities include outdoor concerts and movies, shopping, and seasonally, the Sooper Slide waterslide and rock-climbing wall. Phone: 800-622-1038.

Hawk’s Cay Resort, Duck Key (Florida Keys) - Experience an elegant 177-room inn with a Caribbean flair and 60 acres of island fun. A full service marina. Award-winning restaurants. A saltwater lagoon. Activities include; championship fishing, diving, parasailing and a panorama of watersports fun, chill out in cool pools or melt away in a sauna or whirlpool. The Cove, with TV, video games, ping-pong, air hockey, frozen non-alcoholic drinks, dance floor and karaoke, is just for ‘tweens and teens. The resort also offers teen-specific activities, such as teen fishing and teen fright night. The Indies Spa offers teen massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, for kids ages 10-17. Phone: 800-432-2242.

Colony Beach & Tennis Resort (Longboat Key) - Located on exclusive Longboat Key, Florida, this is a tropical beachfront resort just off the coast of Sarasota that features all-suite accommodations. This resort offers teen programs(LBK/FLA), tennis, and lots of watersports. Teens can enjoy cookouts on the beach, volleyball, tennis clinics, miniture golf, bowling trip to the mall, skating and even a trip to Tampa's popular water theme park, Adventure Island. The Colony's watersports center has a variety of fun water toys including hobie cats, windsurfers, kayaks, aqua cycles, boogie boards, rafts and snorkel sets all available for rent. For more information call (800) 4-COLONY.

Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate (Orlando) - This luxury resort has two world-class golf courses, a European-style spa, and two pools including a family pool with a 125-foot waterslide, lazy river, and a zero entry end. Family activities include tennis and pitch-and-putt golf. Teen and ’tween-friendly activities include golf, tennis, volleyball, and tennis and scuba lessons. Also, the resort offers teen pool parties during spring break and summer vacation. In 2005 this resort won "The Best of Yahoo!" in six different catagories: Luxury, Spa, Romance, Pools, Families and Wired. 800-843-6664.

Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach - Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach offers 210 guest rooms, including 13 suites, featuring private, furnished balconies with views of the ocean or the Resort’s beautifully landscaped garden and pool area. The game room for teens has a large-screen television, video games, pool table and foosball. Other activities include fishing, horseback riding, sea turtle watching, and water sports. Phone: 800-432-3442.

TradeWinds Island Grand (St. Pete Beach) - AAA four-diamond, family-friendly resort that's a 20-acre playground on tropical St. Petersburg Beach with miles of white sandy beach. Offers spacious family-style suites. There’s a three-story waterslide, quad-bungee trampoline, and beach “toy box” with Frisbees, sand pails, shovels, floats and boogie boards. Teen and ‘tween-friendly activities include teen dance parties, glow-in-the-dark volleyball and mini-golf, and volleyball tournaments.

*Call the hotel or resort to confirm activities that are available for the time that you will be visiting.