When it comes to family days out, teenagers can be hard to please. They often want something that is both fun and challenging – something that will get their adrenaline pumping. If you're looking for ideas on where to take your teenager in the North of England, read on for our favourite spots sure to please even the fussiest teens.
Don't forget to book your train tickets in advance for the best deals and up to 65% off! Or look at purchasing a family ticket for trips with children under 16.
Sea Life Manchester
Nearest station: Trafford Park
Sea Life Manchester is filled with plenty of weird and wonderful underwater creatures with unique ways to gaze upon the illustrious denizens of the sea. Home to thousands of different species, Sea Life is sure to entertain with its colourful array of fish and other aquatic beasts, even if your teenager pretends to be unamused.
The aquarium is split into multiple different zones with different species kept in each one. In the Ocean Tunnel, you’ll get to see a 360-degree view of sharks, stingrays, groupers, and more. Shark Shipwreck is home to some of the more dangerous occupants of the ocean, with many poisonous and venomous creatures calling it their home.
No matter what fish you’re looking for, Sea Life is sure to have it in abundance as well as many more to explore. The aquarium is guaranteed to be a great day out for all involved, so why not make travel easy and get there with Northern! Save on costs with our kids go half-price tickets for ages 5-15.
Jump 360 Trampoline Park
Nearest station: Stockton
Looking for a way to get your teenagers active? Jump 360 allows your teens to reconnect with their inner child again. No matter how moody they appear, bouncing around will have them laughing and giggling like children again.
Jumping and bouncing aren’t the only things on offer at Jump 360, which also features slam-dunk basketball lanes, penalty shootouts, dodgeball courts, and more. There’s something for everyone with Jump Juniors and Toddler areas for younger kids where they can run around to their hearts’ content.
Jump 360 promises to be a great and active day out, as well as a destination you can visit again and again for parties, weekend excursions, and anything in between. With Northern you can save on group travel with our group tickets, designed to make organising parties easier.
Soul Bowl Lancaster
Nearest station: Morecambe
As one of the world’s favourite pastimes, bowling is a guaranteed hit for the whole family and is sure to get everyone involved. At Soul Bowl, they combine the fun of bowling with a lively atmosphere and plenty of food and drinks to go around.
Bowling isn’t the only activity on offer. Pool and table football are also available alongside a delicious menu of food, from pizza to loaded fries and hot dogs, served all day. If you’re looking to plan a day out with the family, then look no further than Soul Bowl. With its fantastic lanes, luxurious seats and delectable food, there’s no bowling alley quite like it.
Ninja Warrior Adventure
Nearest station: Wigan Wallgate
If Jump 360 isn’t intense enough of a workout for you, then Ninja Warrior Adventure certainly will be. Inspired by the show of the same name, you can attempt to surmount obstacles that mimic those seen on TV. Suitable for anyone aged 5+, the course will work your whole body.
The course finishes with the famous Warped Wall, a 14.5ft wall with a slight curve at the bottom. Can you scale it to complete the course?
Active teens will be enthralled for the day as they jump, swing, and clamber through. Make a spur-of-the-moment decision and head over today with Northern’s same-day tickets, available up to 15 minutes before departure.
North West Face Climbing Centre
Nearest station: Warrington Central
Despite their attitudes at times, teenagers enjoy learning new skills and developing hobbies that they can carry through life. Climbing and bouldering are some of the many active hobbies that can be picked up and enjoyed in both group and solo settings.
North West Face Climbing Centre offers an inclusive and welcoming environment for all levels of climbing. The centre includes artificial walls, as well as a natural wall to really test your skills on. This is a great spot for your active teens. Get a rangers or rovers ticket to climb whenever you want to!
North West Face Climbing Centre
Meet Space VR Nottingham
Nearest station: Nottingham
Gaming has quickly overtaken the entertainment landscape, especially among younger generations, so why not treat your teenagers to a glimpse of the not-so-distant future with virtual reality (VR)?
At Meet Space VR, there are a host of different options to indulge in and immerse yourself in. From solo to group, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Jump into critically acclaimed games like Far Cry or put your creative essence to work in Engineerium. There are also 19 different escape rooms to try your hand at in the world of VR; from Indiana Jones-esque to gritty futuristic worlds, VR makes it all possible.
Give your teenagers a great birthday party or just head along for good weekend fun. Travel with Northern for a smooth train journey there.
York Dungeon
Nearest station: York
Thrills, laughter and knowledge await in the York Dungeons as you embark on a journey through some of York’s more gruesome history.
Your teens are sure to enjoy the mix of scares and laughs that come with each of the 10 unique shows on offer here, each designed to educate and thrill. With characters such as Vikings, Dick Turpin and Guy Fawkes, York’s sordid history has never been more engaging.
Described as a “highly sensory experience”, the dungeons will turn out the lights, flash them in your face, blast you with pungent smells, spray you with water, and more.
It's a great day out for teenagers and the dungeons will have them screaming, laughing, and jumping out of their skin. Travel with Northern for cheaper and easier travel with our advance tickets, making sure you're prepared for a day of fun.
Sandcastle Water Park
Nearest station: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Waterparks are usually reserved for sunny weather, with the heat beating down on you. However, weather is no longer an issue with the indoor Sandcastle Waterpark. Perfect for any type of weather, especially rainy days, the waterpark is home to 18 slides and attractions, as well as a cafe and kitchen.
Sandcastle has been recognised as one of the top theme parks in the UK and it’s easy to see why. Kept at a tropical 84-degree climate, the waterpark’s slides range from thrilling, like the Master Blaster and Aztec Falls, to the less intense Typhoon Lagoon and Fort Riptide.
The park is also open during select dates throughout winter and is a great choice to get your teens moving all year round.
National Football Museum
Nearest station: Manchester Victoria
As the world’s most popular sport, Britain is no stranger to the beautiful game of football and its effects on culture. Football has a long and storied history that's being shaped every day by professional and amateur players worldwide. The National Football Museum has undertaken the duty of immortalising the most important British players and icons within its halls while also giving context to their amazing achievements.
The museum is the premier destination for football fanatics, offering a chance to learn more about how football has evolved to today and play with interactive exhibits like Penalty Shootout, Pass Master, and Stop the Shot.
With free entry for residents of the City of Manchester, this museum is always a great day out and will keep your teenagers entertained and active.
Escape Room Hull
Nearest station: Hull
4 unique rooms. 1 hour to escape. Do you have what it takes? Escape Room Hull makes you put your brains to the test to see how smart you really are. Will you surprise yourself and set a new record, or be humbled by the difficult puzzles that await?
The rooms are split into different difficulties, so you can work your way up to the most difficult and become an escape room master. Teenagers are sure to get stuck right into these challenges as they present a unique take on problem-solving that will bring their competitive side to the surface.
So, carve out an afternoon for some puzzle-solving fun and prepare to celebrate your victory over the puzzle master (or prepare to nurse some bruised egos). Head along with your partner in crime and save on travel with Northern's duo tickets.
With so much to do across the North of England with your teenagers you don't need to worry about getting them out of the house and moving. From clambering and climbing to getting their brains working in escape rooms, maybe you'll get them hooked on another hobby. Travel to over 500 destinations with Northern and get the whole family out and about.
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Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.