While it might feel like every family road trip with your teenager is a quest for Wi-Fi and the next best selfie spot, these activities around Vancouver, Washington will keep the youth in the group engaged and entertained.
Interactive Learning
With costumed reeanactors demonstrating 1800s blacksmithing and old-timey baking, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is a history lesson without realizing it! You might be surprised at your teens interest in what made Vancouver the birthplace of the modern Pacific Northwest. Take a ride back in time on Yacolt's Chelatchie Prairie Railroad. Step aboard one of the vintage trains for a seasonally themed journey through Clark County's lush forests and rolling hills (including Moulton Falls, which is a hot spot for summer swimming). For the nature loving juveniles in your life, head to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for premier wildlife viewing and trail walking—plus, stumble upon the Cathlapotle Plankhouse for a tangible link to the original stewards of the land.
Pure Entertainment
More than a typical bowling alley, Big Al's has a snack bar and arcade for prime teen entertainment. Grab a drink and catch a game on the big screens while the kids play to their hearts content. Between the nation's hottest pop and country stars, to rap and metal music, RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater's summer line-up is quite impressive. Grab a picnic blanket to enjoy a concert from the lawn, or go front row for an unforgettable evening. From March to May, the professional Vancouver Volcanoes basketball team creates a family-friendly and compelling spectacle for loyal and first-time fans alike. Catch a home game at Hudson's Bay High School, just five minutes from downtown.
Active Adventures
Vancouver is not short on unique ways to let out some energy! Find trampoline parks and other adrenaline-inducing activities at Sky Zone and Urban Air Adventure (which also hosts dedicated teen nights). The Source Climbing Center offers bouldering, top-roping, and lead climbing right in the heart of downtown, and Firehouse Axes tests your throwing skills just a few blocks north in the city's original 1932 fire station (for ages 10 and up). Find Alderbrook Park for outdoor recreation like pedal boats, horseshoes, and mini-golf, or perfect your swing indoors at a golf simulator facility like Courses and X Golf.