It is simple to travel with teenagers in the state of New York, since the state offers a wide variety of attractions suitable for Instagram, such oceanside ziplines, jet rides on the Niagara River, and museums. We have compiled a list of some of the most enjoyable activities that are suitable for teenagers in the state since it might be difficult to find something that everyone will like. At Howe Caverns, you and your family may find oneself 156 feet below the surface of the earth. On Long Island, you might attend surf lessons. In the Hudson Valley, you might stay at an all-inclusive resort. Continue reading for a list trips that are guaranteed to wow any adolescent in your household.
Manhattan
With its iconic monuments, world-famous museums, Broadway, and a plethora of other attractions, the Big Apple offers an almost infinite number of options for fun. You may make the Courtyard Midtown East your home base by taking advantage of the many connected room choices and the big suites that can accommodate up to five people. From the top of the Empire State Building, one of the most well-known buildings in the world, you can take in views that include the whole 360 degrees.
In the world-famous Central Park, there is certain to be something that everyone can enjoy. You may go ice skating on Wollman Rink, which also converts into pickleball courts in the summer, or you can take a walk. Both of these activities are enjoyable throughout any season. Teenagers who are infatuated with Instagram should make it a point to visit the Museum of Ice Cream, which is packed with an infinite amount of sugary treats and a multitude of picture opportunities that are worthy of being posted on Instagram, such as a pool filled with enormous sprinkles. As you explore the American Museum of Natural History, you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the natural world and the cosmos via its more than forty galleries.
In addition to walking the decks of a renowned aircraft carrier, getting an up-close look at a space shuttle, and entering the only guided missile submarine that is available to the public when you visit the Intrepid Museum (pictured), you will also have the opportunity to learn about the history of airplanes. You can’t make a mistake when you attend to a Broadway musical. Bring your adolescent to see a classic production such as “Six & Juliet,” “The Great Gatsby,” or any of the other classics.
Lake Placid
Guests staying at the Mirror Lake Inn may enjoy the fresh air, the toasty fireplaces, and the breathtaking views of the lakeside. There are family suites available, each of which has a kitchen, a living area, and two to three bedrooms. These suites are ideal for parties who are looking for comfort and convenience.
Spend some time out in the streets and explore the picture-perfect main street, which is lined with a wide variety of establishments, ranging from eateries to sports gear stores. Visit the Lake Placid Legacy Sites to learn more about this city that has hosted two Olympic Games. At the Olympic Center and Museum, you may first get an understanding of the history of the games, and then you can experience it for yourself by skating on either the indoor or outdoor ice skating rinks.
When you visit the Olympic Jumping Complex, you will have the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of ski jumping on the skyride or sky flyer zipline (shown). You may witness athletes soar as they exercise on-site if you are in the area between the middle of June and the middle of September. At Mt. Van Hoevenberg, you may ride the longest cliffside roller coaster in North America, or you can feel the exhilaration of bobsledding at the Bobsled feel, where you can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour! During the winter months, you may even take ski lessons at the summit of Whiteface, which is the sixth tallest mountain in New York. You can hike, drive, or fly in the Cloudsplitter Gondola to reach the summit.
Long Beach
Sandy coasts, busy boardwalks, and exciting coastal activities are all things that everyone enjoys. The Allegria Hotel, which has large suites and a rooftop pool, is the perfect place to give your adolescent a taste of coastal luxury. On top of that, the LIRR station is just five minutes away. After only a few steps outside the hotel, you will arrive to the Long Beach boardwalk, where you may choose to explore restaurants and the atmosphere of the seashore on foot or by bicycle.
Spend some time basking in the warmth of the sun and unwinding on the smooth, white sand beaches that this “city by the sea” has to offer. Throughout the year, you will have the opportunity to enjoy free live music, farmer’s markets, food trucks, volleyball, and other activities if you check the events calendar often. In order to broaden your horizons and experience something new, you may take a surf class with Skudin Surf, which provides courses for people of all ages. In order to ramp up the excitement, you should go to Jones Beach.
While visiting WildPlay Jones Beach, you may test your daring on the 40-foot freefall jump, climb through five aerial adventure courses, and zoom along with your family on the 700-foot zipline that runs parallel to the water (shown). In the event that you would rather keep your feet on the ground, you may attend a live music on the water at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater.
Saratoga Springs
In Saratoga, historic horse racing merges with excitement for the whole family! With features that are suitable for people of all ages, such as a pool, a miniature golf course, a water playground, a beach, an ice cream shop, and an outdoor theater, Saratoga Escape Lodges are the ideal place to start your vacation. Spending a day at the races is an experience that cannot be compared to anything else, so why not take your family to the famous Saratoga Race Course? Discover the mineral springs in Saratoga Spa State Park, and be sure to check the schedule at SPAC to see if there is a live show that you won’t want to miss.
There are two state-of-the-art simulators, a putting and chipping range, and a TopGolf simulator at PSG Golf, where you can try something new and challenge your family to a round of indoor golf. With trendy apparel stores, a candy store, handcrafted jewelry, a toy shop, and wonderful eateries like Druthers, which offers some of the greatest burgers and mac and cheese in the region, the downtown section of Saratoga is sure to be a hit with your adolescent child (it is ranked as one of the top main streets in the nation!). Kayak Shak is a place where you may hire kayaks, paddle boards, or a hamocraft, and you can spend some time out on the tranquil waters of Saratoga Lake on their services.
Highland
Rocking Horse Ranch in Highland, which was ranked as one of the 20 Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Teens Who Are Hard to Impress by Country Living Magazine, is where you will find a never-ending supply of entertainment experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. This family resort is open throughout the year and has more than simply horses. With hundreds of activities spread out around the 500-acre site, you can feel certain that your adolescent will remain interested in the experience.
Enjoy a wide variety of activities throughout the summer months, including bungee jumping, mountain tubing, and a whirlwind of activities such as sailing on banana boats and whizzing down the five waterslides. During the winter months, you may choose to either keep warm inside at the indoor water park or go outside to the winter fun park to engage in activities such as ice skating, snow tubing, skiing, or taking a sleigh ride through the snow woods.
After that, you may thaw at the El Dorado Hot Springs, which maintains a temperature of 98 degrees throughout the whole year. Enjoy three delectable meals every day, which are included in your stay, in addition to participating in fascinating activities. If you are interested in seeing the surrounding region while you are not staying at the resort, you can go to New Paltz and take a stroll along the Water Street Market and Historic Huguenot Street. Alternatively, you can go to Poughkeepsie and walk over the Walkway Over the Hudson, which is the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world.
Howes Cave
Bring fun for the whole family underground! You will arrive at Howe Caverns after traveling 156 feet below the surface of the earth over a complex network of winding and twisting rock passageways. This incredible subterranean experience is the biggest cavern in the northeast, and it is certain to catch the curiosity of teenagers who are difficult to impress.
Float down the river on an underwater boat ride or go on a guided walking trip to explore the lit caverns. Both of these activities are available. In addition, the HC Mining Company offers the opportunity to dig for stones and carve geodes by hand. Are you ready to take on a challenge? In the on-site escape room, which is designed to seem like an underground jail with the highest possible level of security, you will attempt to figure out how to escape.
Be sure to check into the Howe Caverns Motel, which is located just across the street, and let the good times roll! Not only will you have access to outstanding views of the Helderberg Escarpment, but you will also have the opportunity to purchase vacation packages that include excursions, hotel, eating, and other activities.
Include a visit to the Beekman 1802 Kindness Shop on your agenda if your adolescent is completely enamored with skincare products. You will be able to take a farm tour where you will get the opportunity to meet the goats, and the shelves are packed with cruelty-free moisturizers, cleansers, and serums that are specially created on the premises. Because ice cream is a favorite among all people, you should make it a point to visit the Cobleskill Diner, where you may indulge in the biggest ice cream cone in the state.
Ellicottville
The enchanting community of Ellicottville, which is surrounded by lovely mountains and sparkling lakes, is brimming with many opportunities for your adolescent to engage in activities that will keep them engaged. Start your holiday off right by staying at Holiday Valley Resort. There are three distinct housing choices available, including the Inn, the Tamarack Club, and over two hundred rental houses designed specifically for families that range from one to four bedrooms.
There are over sixty slopes at the resort that are available for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing throughout the winter season. In addition, the summer will be filled with hours of excitement at the Sky High Aerial Adventure Park, where the whole family will be able to traverse a variety of challenges, including hanging bridges, ziplines, and platforms, throughout thirteen different courses. For a thrilling experience that will take you to new heights, take a trip down the mountain coaster or ride in a chair lift to take in the breathtaking views from above. Another fantastic location for families that is open throughout the year, HoliMont offers a variety of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and adapted skiing, as well as terrain parks and a halfpipe.
During the summer months, you may hire bikes and compete in races of several levels at the mountain biking park. The tour should be finished with a leisurely walk around the downtown area’s Monroe and Washington Streets, where you may browse through a wide variety of local stores.
Rochester
There is something in Rochester that caters to people of all ages and interests. Find a comfortable place to stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites Rochester Downtown, where you can take advantage of the hotel’s indoor swimming pool and the proximity of the hotel to a number of popular sites, such as the Strong National Museum of Play.
Not only is this play-paradise suitable for young children, but it is also suitable for adults! Everyone may participate in the interactive exhibitions that are available, such as eGameRevolution, where they can play Guitar Hero or Super Mario 64, or the Hasbro Game Park, where they can play a board game that is scaled up to a gigantic size. Thrill rides, a traditional wooden carousel, and four roller coasters are just some of the attractions that can be found at Seabreeze Amusement Park, which offers a wide variety of activities that are suitable for the whole family.
At The Great Escape Room, you may put your ability to solve problems and crack combinations to the test by participating in escape adventures that are interactive, immersive, and timed accordingly. Do you have a teenager that is passionate about sports? With games beginning at the end of March and continuing through September, the Rochester Red Wings are a triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
Get ready to step up your game at Radio Social, which USA Today has ranked as one of the finest bars of the year for the year 2024. A 34-lane bowling alley, corn hole, ping pong, foosball, shuffleboard, a Middle Eastern restaurant, and a pizza and burger place are just few of the activities that are available throughout the day (up until 9 o’clock) that are suitable for families.
Alexandria Bay
Alexandria Bay offers a wide variety of activities for families to enjoy, including go-karts, mini-golf, and boating. Check into the Capt. Thomson’s Resort, where each accommodation has an own balcony and breathtaking views of the waterside. After you have settled into your comfortable room, you should take some time to visit the downtown area that is located on the river and is full with restaurants, souvenir stores, and other establishments.
Who doesn’t take pleasure in spending the day on the water?
Uncle Sam Boat Tours offers a boat trip that will take you to Boldt Castle, where you will have the opportunity to see the famous Rhineland-style castle that has 120 rooms. At the Alex Bay 500, you may compete against each other and challenge your family to a go-kart race.
The course is not only the longest in the state, but it also has a mini golf course and an entertainment arcade where you can play games. At the Bay Drive-In Theatre, you can round off the evening with supper and a movie. The theater offers two screenings and a dinner menu that includes home-style burgers, pizza that is freshly baked, and other staples from the drive-in scene.
Phoenicia
The Starlite Motel in Big Indian offers accommodations that are warm and inviting. In addition, there are homes with four bedrooms that can accommodate up to ten people, which are accessible for those who have a teenager who values their own personal space. Catskill Rail Explorers in Phoenicia will take you on a biking excursion through the mountains on the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad. This will be the perfect approach to introduce yourself to your vacation.
Belleayre Mountain is well-known for its slopes that are ideal for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing during the winter months. Bring out your adventurous side at Belleayre Mountain. Numerous activities, such as hiking, disc golf, gondola rides, and more, are sure to be a lot of fun throughout the summer. Are you ready to be amazed? Obtain a ticket to the Kaleidoshow that will be held at the Emerson Resort & Spa, which is home to the largest kaleidoscope in the world. Following that, you should go for a walk around the stores in Emerson.
Make it a point to purchase a kaleidoscope that was manufactured by hand and to purchase anything from the Kaleidostore. Meals at the renowned Phoenicia Diner are not only tasty but also worthy of being posted on Instagram, making it an absolute need to visit.
Niagara Falls
Create memories that will last a lifetime with your family and see the awe-inspiring beauty of the Falls at this revered location. At the Red Coach Inn, which has been awarded the AAA Three Diamond rating, you and your adolescent may make reservations for a two-bedroom suite that comes with a kitchen, a living area, and king and queen beds all in one convenient location. Visit the beautiful Niagara Falls and take advantage of the free roaming that is available on the premises (parking charges range from $5 to $10).
For an experience that will live long in the memory, consider going on a Maid of the Mist boat trip or going on a Cave of the Winds adventure. Both of these activities will provide you with a close-up view of the waterfalls. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours provide the opportunity to experience the thrill of high-speed jetting over Class V rapids on the Niagara River. Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours allow visitors to fly far above the falls itself.
You should take your adolescent to the Fashion Outlets in Niagara Falls if they are interested in keeping up with the most recent fashion trends. These outlets provide discounts on a variety of brands, including Adidas, Champion, Coach, Nike, and others. There are a number of public art installations that can be explored at Artpark, and you can also attend a live performance by well-known artists. Artpark is where art meets the outdoors.
