Spring Break Vacation Spots for Teens

Beach Alternatives

• When you think of spring break and beaches, your mind may conjure up images of partying, scantily-clad young adults. While these are certainly realities in many popular tourist beaches, there are other options if you schedule activities accordingly. Jetpack Adventures, in Key West Florida, offers a water-powered jetpack adventure for your older teen that may represent the most exciting and unusual ocean adventure available. Strap on this jetpack and a fly 30 feet in the air, powered by water-propulsion and escorted by a boat. Teens 14 through 17 can indulge, with parental consent, in this aquatic adventure. For the more mellow teen, try a cruise tailored to teens. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line all offer specific cruises with teens in mind. Carnival includes a poolside Seaside Theater cinema screen for your teen to get his movie fix. Royal Caribbean provides an ice skating rink, rock-climbing wall, miniature golf course and a section of the boat marked "teens only." Norwegian Cruise Line features a teen-only club/disco along with an arcade among the amenities aimed at the teen traveler.

Shopping Trip

• The Mall of America is located in Bloomington, Minnesota. This cavernous shopping center is home to more than 500 stores, an amusement park with 25 attractions, a 1.2 million-gallon aquarium and eight acres of skylights providing much of the center's light.

  For the more affluent teen, Beverly Hills, California offers an extreme shopping experience. The "Golden Triangle," anchored by the famous Rodeo Drive, includes luxury stores frequented by movie stars and professional athletes. Consider nearby Two Rodeo, a European-themed shopping district decked out with cobblestone roads and themed street lamps. Don't let the Old World charm fool you -- this district also features such glamorous stores as Versace and Tiffany & Co. among its shops. If you want the Beverly Hills experience for your teen without the monstrous price tags, consider the Westside Pavilion. This three-story mall includes more than 150 stores, two anchor department stores and a movie theater for a typical teen shopping experience with a Beverly Hills flair.

Amusement Parks

• Amusement parks can be a thrilling teen spring break destination. Take Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. This park includes 16 roller coasters including the Wicked Twister, the Mantis and the sky-high Magnum XL-200. The Top Thrill Dragster, arguably the fastest roller coaster in the world, reaches speeds of over 120 mph. Branson, Missouri's Silver Dollar City theme park features a unique 1880s atmosphere and proclaims this theme proudly in its thrill rides. Take the Outlaw Run, for example. This coaster is considered to be the world̵7;s first and only double barrel roll on a wood coaster. It also holds the title of the steepest drop on a wooden coaster at 162 feet high and a shocking 81 degree incline. The Fire In The Hole coaster uses the story of the Baldknobbers, a local vigilante group, to set the mood for a dark and thrilling indoor coaster experience. The park includes more than 30 rides and countless adventures. The owners of Silver Dollar City also offer the nearby White Water water park in the heart of Branson. This park includes a large wave pool and several slides designed to keep you cool and entertained in the warm spring months. Branson, Missouri, is also known for its dozens of music and variety show theaters sprinkled throughout this family-friendly community. Go-Kart tracks, miniature golf courses, zip-lines and other attractions are common in this Ozark Mountain tourist mecca. The community is also home to high-quality, relatively low-priced retail and outlet shopping malls within its borders.

Extreme Sports

• Take your group of teens white water rafting in the Grand Canyon. Western River Expeditions will take your group on an unforgettable rafting tour of this natural wonder for trips ranging from 3 days to a full week. This professional guide service requires a signed waiver for teens under 18 unless they are experiencing the event with parents or guardians. The service offers varying levels of rapids tailored to differing skill levels. If your teen is SCUBA-certified, take him on an all-inclusive diving trip offered by Sandals Resorts. Dive at Emerald Bay to visit pristine reefs and a sunken ship, or try Montego Bay, where you can explore a vintage DC-10 airplane resting on the sea bottom. Sandals offers dives for all skill levels. Relax after your dive at one of its nearby resorts.