Where to take your teens to totally unplug
Even the kids will want to ditch their phones.
Traveling with teens holds so much possibility—until the phones come out. My husband, Steve, and I have even tried booking our family of four in remote locales or hotels without cell service or Wi-Fi. Not to be deterred, my kids, Sophia and Gray, once circumnavigated that setback by watching previously downloaded content.
The struggle is real, as my parent-friends can attest. “Visiting cities is exciting but does not keep them off their phones,” said Jess Hartschorn, an editor from Brooklyn who has traveled to Denver, London, and Dublin with her musician husband, and their teenage son and daughter. Hartschorn said the time spent moving from one sightseeing spot to another, or resting in the hotel, always ends up being phone time. “Same thing with any kind of road trip—car equals devices,” she continued. “In my opinion, you have to take them to a resort, all-inclusive, or otherwise super-sporty spot to get them off a phone.”
I tend to agree, but ahead you’ll find four places where screen time can be (voluntarily!) limited.
Keystone, CO
Often overshadowed by its trio of neighbors—Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek—Keystone has long had much to offer skiers of all ages and experiences. Plus, a high-speed, six-passenger chairlift to the top of the Bergman Bowl makes it much easier to access blue runs, black runs, glades, and bumps—something for every taste and skill level.
When to go: Stick to winter or summer. Hartschorn recommends the area in both seasons: “We exhausted our kids with biking, hiking, and paddling in the summer and skiing, skating and snowboarding in the winter,” she said.
Why it works for teens: Outdoor activities in the Rocky Mountains lure them out of the hotel and into the high-altitude fresh air. “We rented bikes and our son loved the trail along the Snake River,” Hartschorn said. “The scenery was beautiful and he could zip ahead and pretend he didn't know us. Just kidding (kind of).”
Activities with no phone in sight: In winter, it can be well worth hiring an instructor and sending them off without you for skiing or snowboarding lessons. In summer, if you want to hike or bike together, try the 2.3-mile Decrum Summit loop inside the Keystone Resort.
Where to stay: Keystone Lodge and Spa has great proximity to trails, a bike-rental shop, and restaurants. Plus, there's resort transport to the gondola.
BodyHoliday, St. Lucia
I came across BodyHoliday—a something-for-everyone, all-inclusive Caribbean island resort devoted to fitness and wellness—when my twins were 15 and I wanted a warm, water-based destination over the New Year. My list of musts included delicious food for all of us, exercise for me, a beauty element for my daughter, and a sporty vibe for my son.
When to go: Between October and February to avoid the humid spring and summer. Keep in mind that the minimum age at the resort is 12.
Why it works for teens: Everyone can flit from one activity to another as often as they’d like—or simply relax by their preferred body of water (pools, hot tubs, and the ocean are all on the menu). Sign up for one of the parents vs. kids sports competitions, get manis and pedis, or take a family cooking lesson. You can pack a week-long schedule ahead of arrival by picking the 40-plus activities available—and everyone gets a daily 50-minute massage or facial, one of the all-inclusive perks.
Activities with no phone in sight: I took a foam-rolling class, cycled, and did plenty of group yoga. My son showed up for a waterskiing class, only to realize he’s a natural. The family spent another morning in the pool learning to scuba. Around 5 p.m. each day, the young and energetic played a pickup sand volleyball game, while I watched and enjoyed tea or a cocktail. That left us just enough time to shower and get dressed up for dinner—and maybe check our phones.
Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, AZ
Dude ranches know how to cater to teenage appetites for fun and food with campfire s'mores, barbecue, and endless fresh air and sunshine. And when you pick one in Tucson, you get access to Saguaro National Park known for its 50-foot-tall, centuries-old cacti.
When to go: April and May are still relatively cool, temp-wise—and the desert cacti are bursting with colorful blooms.
Why it works for teens: While there are plenty of guest ranches in Arizona, the laid-back Tanque Verde Ranch is a step back in time. You can ride horses, of course, but other activities range from archery and tennis to communal ranch dinners. “It was one of our all-time favorite family trips,” said Susan Leepson, who visited with her three teens. “Kate and I did yoga, the boys fished, and we all did horseback riding and mountain biking. Plus, all the meals were included so no negotiating about where to go.”
Activities with no phone in sight: Options include everything from ax throwing to jewelry making. The Leepsons told stories around the campfire, played games in their family’s stand-alone cabin (with no TVs in the rooms), and hiked among the majestic cacti and seasonal waterfalls.
Palm Springs, CA
Today, when I asked my 19-year-olds what their most memorable family vacation was, our four days in Palm Springs topped the list, over helicoptering around Hawaii and going on safari in Zimbabwe. The April weather was perfect, and an adventure presented itself around every corner.
When to go: This desert city gets uncomfortably hot in the summer, so visit during the cooler months, between October and May.
Why it works for teens: They’ll likely have heard of Coachella (held here annually), so that’s one way to get their attention. Beyond that, there’s everything from world-class shopping and celeb sightings downtown to hiking and outdoor adventure at Indian Canyons or nearby Joshua Tree National Park. Plus, a visit to the Living Desert provides up-close wildlife viewing and is best visited during the cool(er) mornings.
Activities with no phone in sight: It’s all about the views. Not to be missed is the 10-minute Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ride which rises 2.5 miles up the Chino Canyon. We rented bikes to ride past the San Andreas Fault Line towards a date shake and tour of Oasis Date Farms. Another excursion with Fantasy Balloon Flights began before sunrise, and just watching the crew fire up the balloons (which go from tipped over to seven stories high in about 20 minutes) was a must-watch.
Where to stay: Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas was a great pick for our crew. Located in Indian Wells (famous for the tennis tournament of the same name), it has four swimming pools with water slides and plunge pools and my family loved the bikes-for-hire, table tennis (or actual tennis), and golf games.