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A white surfboard stands upright on a beach in Sebastian Inlet State Park, Florida

What to do with Teenagers in Florida

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By Kelly Mills


Florida boasts so many activities for the whole family to enjoy, from the thrilling theme parks of Orlando, to peaceful state parks and infinite white sandy beaches. One thing is for certain, the Sunshine State provides endless possibilities for families with bigger kids, so here’s our top ten things to do with teenagers in Florida!

1. Theme parks! Theme Parks! Theme Parks!

Of course, no trip to Florida with teenagers is complete without visiting the theme park capital of the world, Orlando. You are spoilt for choice with a host of incredible and immersive parks: explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, plus many more within Walt Disney World Resort, or head to Universal Orlando Resort and hop between the brand new Universal Epic Universe and Universal’s Island of Adventure. Don’t forget to cool off at the water theme parks too! Be sure to pre-book Disney’s 7-Day Magic Ticket and Universal’s All Parks Ticket, which are both excellent value.


 

A young girl wearing Mickey Mouse ears looks at Pandora - The world of AVATAR in Florida
Pandora - The world of AVATAR

2. International Drive, Orlando

International Drive is a hub of entertainment in Orlando with plenty of activities on offer for teenagers to enjoy. See Orlando from the air by taking a ride on The Wheel at ICON Park or the more adventurous can experience an exhilarating flying experience at iFLY. I-Drive also boasts a great selection of restaurants and dinner shows, making it a great spot to visit after a day at the parks.


 

A tall theme park ride in Florida
Orlando StarFlyer

3. Marvel at Kennedy Space Center

Located in Cape Canaveral, just a one hour drive from Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center offers a fascinating day out in Florida for teenagers and adults alike. Learn about the impressive scale of space exploration, come face to face with real astronauts and explore the many simulators and exhibits. Time your holiday just right and you might even be lucky enough to witness a live rocket launch!


The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Kennedy Space Centre

4. Adventure on the Everglades

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, your teens will love exploring the vast subtropical wetlands of the Everglades National Park on an Everglades Mangrove Kayaking Tour. Keep an eye for alligators and other exotic wildlife! As you meander through the wetlands enjoy the beautiful landscape in search of rare birds or even the endangered Florida panther.


 

Tourists riding an airboat in the Everglades, Florida
Airboat ride on the Everglades

5. Travel South to The Keys

The Florida Keys are a chain of islands, 125 miles long, filled with fun! Kids, teenagers and adults alike will be mesmerised by the impressive Overseas Highway elevated above picturesque islands wrapped in crystal waters. Go snorkelling, spot dolphins and look out for Key deer, an endangered species found only in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square in Key West’s Old Town where friends and family gather for the nightly sunset celebration, sure to be a memorable moment for the whole family, and is a great option for what to do with teenagers in Florida.


 

Aerial view of the overwater bridge connecting the Florida Keys
Bridge connecting the Florida Keys

6. See a natural side of Florida

Florida is home to over 175 state parks so why not visit Florida’s first, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park? Located just a 90 minute drive north of Orlando, active teenagers will love exploring the reserve on foot, by horseback or by bike, looking out for native Floridian wildlife such as bison and alligators!


 

A rowboat on the still waters of Paynes Prarie Preserve in Florida
Paynes Prarie

7. Beach break at Clearwater

If you’re seeking white powdery beaches then look no further, Clearwater is perfect for a relaxing family break but there’s still plenty going on to occupy teenagers. Often named the ‘best beach in the USA’, visit Clearwater for yourself to see why. Various restaurants and hotels populate the promenade, which gives you gives you easy access to everything you need. To keep those teenagers busy, visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium, play mini-golf, try some fun water sports or head down to Pier 60 for the nightly festival featuring music and street performers.


 

A family fun into the clear waters at Clearwater Beach in Florida
Clearwater Beach

8. Exploring Miami

Despite boasting a reputation for its lively nightlife, delve deeper and Miami is a great place for teenagers. The fusion of Latin American and Caribbean history means the city is culturally rich and diverse. Impress your kids by taking them to Miami’s trendy Wynwood district, filled with eye-catching colourful murals, food trucks and pop-up craft stalls. If your kids are into sports, why not catch a game while you’re in town? Take your pick from baseball, basketball and American football, amongst others. If it’s all too much and you simply need to relax, the beaches won’t disappoint either!


 

The entry way to Wynwood Walls in Florida
Wynwood Walls

9. A tropical island paradise: Captiva Island

Located near Fort Myers on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Captiva Island is all about the outdoors: wildlife, biking and endless water activities abound it’s a tropical paradise perfect to let teenagers run free! The miles and miles of white sandy beaches are lapped by clear blue waters, perhaps weary adults will be left in peace for a couple of hours?! However your day is filled, come together to watch the sun melt into the horizon during another spectacular Florida sunset.


 

A family of 4 ride their bikes along the coastline on Captiva Island
Cycling on Captiva Island

For more inspiration, take a look at our Florida Family Holidays pages.

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Written by Kelly Mills

Kelly works as a Contract Analyst in our Kensington head office. Kelly has worked at Trailfinders since 2019 and has travelled to 25 countries. Her favourite destinations include Tanzania, Madeira and Peru.

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