15 year old

[rjn5656]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

[kingofbeer]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.
Nothing for them to do here.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

What are her interests?
How far are you willing to travel to accommodate her interests?
How long will she be staying?
What is your budget to spend on her while she's here?
What do her parents suggest?

[Two Bills]

Cooking, cleaning, mowing the grass, wash/polish car and golf cart, and when finished take her to the ice cream parlor for a treat.
Or.
Air boat ride, beach, Cape Canaveral Space Centre, and I am sure a 15-year-old young lady is into shopping.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Cooking, cleaning, mowing the grass, wash/polish car and golf cart, and when finished take her to the ice cream parlor for a treat.
Or.
Air boat ride, beach, Cape Canaveral Space Centre, and I am sure a 15-year-old young lady is into shopping.

I HATED clothes shopping. Majorly. I still don't like clothes shopping. I get no pleasure from taking off my clothes, trying on other clothes, being disgusted, taking them off, trying on more, being unimpressed, taking them off, trying others on, being disappointed, taking those off, trying on more, rinse, repeat, for two hours and then going to Walmart and buying another generic T-Shirt, or ordering another of the exact same tunic I already own, in a different color/pattern, from Amazon.

On the other hand I love "trinket shopping" at antique stores. I rarely ever buy anything but I love looking and fantasizing about what my dream-castle would look like with shelves of "smalls" in the formal library, or the dark wood furniture on the pristine marble tile in the ballroom, etc. etc.

[villagetinker]

Sports (if it is not too hot) our 16 year old niece likes bowling, golfing, went to the summer program for archery and pickle ball. Outside TV there are many local sites to visit, air boat rides, glass bottom boats, if you do not mind driving, the gulf shores like clearwater are nice.

[Stu from NYC]

Kennedy Space center if she would be interested

[dtennent]

If you are up for bike riding, there are trails outside The Villages which are nice.
Another vote for the space center as well.
Kayaking in Lake Griffin or in the Lake Okahumpka county park off 44.
Look at discoversumterfl.com to see the variety of parks etc.
If your are interested in movies, check out the AMC theater in Lake Square mall.

[JohnN]

depends on the weather, it's awfully hot.

Kennedy Space Center is interesting and mostly indoors.
Gatorland or Homosassa Springs, but those are outdoors.

[pikeselectric]

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Rainforest Museum both within 10-15 minutes of eachother in Gainesville! Lots of shopping and food nearby. We made a day trip out of it :)

[pikeselectric]

Also bowling is always a great idea (if she enjoys) Fiesta Bowl is always a good time. Blu Spoon frozen yogurt right next door afterwards :)

[JoMar]

Dora Canal, Seaplane Ride in Tavares, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, Boat Tour Lake Griffin

[Shipping up to Boston]

Tough age...boy or girl. Road trip to ORL and wing it. Sometimes the best laid plans are the ones you don't make

[Bill14564]

20 year old nephews like swimming and SCUBA diving in the springs around the area and snorkeling in Tampa Bay.

Scalloping in the Homosassa and Crystal River areas is a lot of fun if it will still be in season.

[vintageogauge]

Silver Springs glass bottom boats, Lake Pan Airboats, Russel Stover's on 44 great for any age. Gator Land, and any of the beaches.

[fdpaq0580]

I HATED clothes shopping. Majorly. I still don't like clothes shopping. I get no pleasure from taking off my clothes, trying on other clothes, being disgusted, taking them off, trying on more, being unimpressed, taking them off, trying others on, being disappointed, taking those off, trying on more, rinse, repeat, for two hours and then going to Walmart and buying another generic T-Shirt, or ordering another of the exact same tunic I already own, in a different color/pattern, from Amazon.

On the other hand I love "trinket shopping" at antique stores. I rarely ever buy anything but I love looking and fantasizing about what my dream-castle would look like with shelves of "smalls" in the formal library, or the dark wood furniture on the pristine marble tile in the ballroom, etc. etc.

Where were you when I was young and single?

[Ele201]

Cooking, cleaning, mowing the grass, wash/polish car and golf cart, and when finished take her to the ice cream parlor for a treat.
Or.
Air boat ride, beach, Cape Canaveral Space Centre, and I am sure a 15-year-old young lady is into shopping.

You mean put the teen to work during her visit?! I That’s a novel approach, and hadn’t thought of that. Maybe not what she had in mind visiting Grandma! But I kind of like it.

I’m wondering if she might want to swim, with the weather being so hot. Maybe a family pool?

[PhilG]

Mermaid show at Weeki Wachi

[RICH1]

Clearwater beach ! Siesta Key,

[mambeg]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

We took our grandkids to Silver Springs. They loved the glass bottom boats and the museum.
It's about a 45 min. ride. The museum is only open on weekends.

[GizmoWhiskers]

Does she like horses? Ocala is the horse capital of the world I have always heard...

Homepage - World Equestrian Center (https://worldequestriancenter.com/)

I heard from a friend it is a beautiful place to explore. Ocala is not a bad drive. If you take 301 and the farm routes to get there it is quite a pretty ride and low stress driving. Some beautiful farms out that way.

Have to enjoy scenic routes around here while you still can...

[mambeg]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

We took our grandkids to Silver Springs. They loved the glass bottom boats and the museum.
It's about a 45 min. ride. The museum is only open on weekends.

[AZ SLIM]

You know, Florida stuff.....
Alligator wrestling
snake hunting
Armadillo BBQ
burning fire ant hills
Bass fishing
shooting a machine gun at the gun store
wild hog bow hunting

Oh wait, that was for our Grandson.

[MatchPoint]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

This place is amazing. So much to do under one roof. Arcade, bowling, go carts, etc etc.

[Altavia]

LinaSea Alpaca farm is a fun way to spend a few hours if an animal lover.

LunaSea Alpaca Farm - An alpaca farm located in Clermont, Florida owned by King and Lucy Lee Fowler. (https://www.lunaseaalpacafarm.com/)

[Happydaz]

We have had granddaughters visit numerous times. We have them fly down one at a time. Ages were 11-16. We take them to Rainbow River to float down the river in tubes. Go to UF at Gainsville to see the outstanding Butterfly Exhibit and Florida Natural History Museum. We go to Homassa Stare Park to see the animals. Or go to the Tampa Zoo. Another great place is Gatorland in Orlando. Also consider De Leon state park to make pancakes, take a hike and do the boat ride. On very hot days it is very nice to swim in the DeLeon spring. (We did this yesterday! Water was 72 degrees, not the 90 degrees plus you get in Village pools.) Go to the Kennedy Space Center. If they are readers and have read “The Yearling” take them to the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings farm at Cross Creek. If they love horses take them to the Word Equestrian Center in Ocala or visit the Gypsy Vanner horse farm. Can also swim in the huge pool in Wesley Chapel with its 30 foot slide So much to do around here. I am sure you can add to the list. Our granddaughters love coming down here. They stay for one to three weeks each. Every other day we take a road trip to these attractions and then a rest day to go on golf cart rides and swim in the pools. One granddaughter has swum in all the Village neighborhood pools.

[Hockeyguy]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.
How about the Mermaid show and water play area at Wickki Watchee (SP)? Our grandkids loved the air boat rides the best.

[Gail Hood]

When my granddaughters became teenagers I found the best thing to do was let them bring a friend with them. They were off to the pools and walking around the squares. They were able to drive the cart at 14 so that helped a lot. Just to have someone else their age was a big help. They would set up the Mexican train game and play all the time with us. Good luck. It’s not easy on the grandparents.

[Pgcacace]

A few years back, I took my daughter and 2 teenage grandsons to the zip line in Ocala. We all had so much fun.

[Remembergoldenrule]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

TOP 10 BEST Things to Do With Teenagers in The Villages, FL updated as of July 2024 - Yelp (https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Things+To+Do+With+Teenagers&find_loc=The+Villages%2C+FL)

[Joan Wentz]

Ziplining Ocala, Verse Holographic theater, Orlando; paint with primates, Webster at Chase Sanctuary; kayaking, Lake Sumter.

[Marmaduke]

Everybody should go to b the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala.
It is absolutely amazing.
Go into the Hotel and walk around. It's expected. Have lunch there for a treat. Definitely- See the Chapel.

Go on the weekend, never on the early part of the week.

[thevillager1988]

Kayak the Crystal River. E-biking in Inverness (there is a place that rents them and a marvelous bike path). Shopping in Mount Dora. Dora Canal boat rides (there are a few options).

[Nana2Teddy]

We have had granddaughters visit numerous times. We have them fly down one at a time. Ages were 11-16. We take them to Rainbow River to float down the river in tubes. Go to UF at Gainsville to see the outstanding Butterfly Exhibit and Florida Natural History Museum. We go to Homassa Stare Park to see the animals. Or go to the Tampa Zoo. Another great place is Gatorland in Orlando. Also consider De Leon state park to make pancakes, take a hike and do the boat ride. On very hot days it is very nice to swim in the DeLeon spring. (We did this yesterday! Water was 72 degrees, not the 90 degrees plus you get in Village pools.) Go to the Kennedy Space Center. If they are readers and have read “The Yearling” take them to the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings farm at Cross Creek. If they love horses take them to the Word Equestrian Center in Ocala or visit the Gypsy Vanner horse farm. Can also swim in the huge pool in Wesley Chapel with its 30 foot slide So much to do around here. I am sure you can add to the list. Our granddaughters love coming down here. They stay for one to three weeks each. Every other day we take a road trip to these attractions and then a rest day to go on golf cart rides and swim in the pools. One granddaughter has swum in all the Village neighborhood pools.
Wow! Wish I was one of your granddaughters. LOL! Lucky girls! What’s the name of the pool in Wesley Chapel please? The Villages pools in summer are too hot to enjoy.

[Alarmed]

Homosassa Springs Park. A unique experience for animal lovers. Boat ride into the park. Great day trip.

[Regorp]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

Disney Springs is awesome for that age. Crystal River manatees. Paynes Prairie south of Gainesville is fun with wildlife like Bison

[garykoca427@gmail.com]

Gatorland in Orlando is very good. Very interesting, and not overly expensive compared to the other Orlando attractions.

Also Silver Springs and the glass bottom boat, near Ocala. Homosassa Springs in Homosassa. The Dora river cruise in Mt. Dora. Mt. Dora in general is a very nice town to visit. Lots of shops.

The two things mentioned in Gainesville, especially the butterfly museum. That should give you plenty of choices.

[garykoca427@gmail.com]

One more thing, already mentioned. A second for Disney Springs! Lots of restaurants, lots of shopping, and NO entry fee, unlike the parks. And free parking right on the grounds. You can't beat that for a 15 year old.

[petela]

try sugar mill pancake house- deleon springs....their website will get you to go

also alongside to the sugarmill is a swimming hole-75 degrees year round

[Swedish]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.
Discovery Cove in Orlando is great place, you can choose your adventure - swim with the dolphins, interact with flamingos, swim in their pools, not cheap but definitely an adventure to remember for kids.

[kendi]

Lots of good suggestions posted. Make a list and ask her for input.

[OhioBuckeye]

Sports (if it is not too hot) our 16 year old niece likes bowling, golfing, went to the summer program for archery and pickle ball. Outside TV there are many local sites to visit, air boat rides, glass bottom boats, if you do not mind driving, the gulf shores like clearwater are nice.

You mentioned lots of neat things to do, but maybe she’s a tipical teenager, she likes to be around kids her own age, maybe rock bands or maybe just hanging out with kids her own age. I would love to do some of the things you mentioned but then again I’m a boy also I’m from a different time, she’s young enough to be my Great Granddaughters!

[LoisR]

Hello Bob and Cheri,
Ocala has an interesting art museum and a Science Center as well as Silver Springs boat tours. An airboat ride to see gators would also be interesting. Some nearby lakes offer kayaking.
There is also zip lining and horse back riding (same place)in Ocala.
No problems next year. Just give her the car keys.
Regards. Gary

[ndf888]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

She may enjoy airboat rides. Also check out Eaton’s Beach in Weirdsville. They have water jets etc.

[Barkriver]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

Homosassa has a small zoo worth visiting. We always took our kids to The Freezer for a meal afterwards.

Also, Google EARS, (Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary) near Citra. They have many exotic animals.

A boat tour through the Dora canal was always a hit. Lots of good restaurants in Mount Dora. Our kids always opted for one of the two Cuban places.

Good luck!

[Santiagogirl]

Great ideas posted! Closer to home, Riddler's Escape near intersection of 466 & 301 in Oxford is a very good escape room. First Responders rec ctr has a putting course, video games, darts, family pool, etc. There is a strategy board game club that meets Monday nights 6 pm at El Santiago rec ctr that plays newer games like Ticket to ride, Azul, etc, and visiting kids & older grandkids are welcome.

[dpmers]

Take her to ride the Cat boats in Clermont

[Lea N]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

Horseback riding? Way back when I was a teen-ager when I visited family in Florida they had horses and I LOVED horseback riding.

[cincyjane]

Looking for ideas of things to do with my 15 year grandaughter coming for a visit. Not interested in Disney or Universal, did them way too many times.

Swamp Fever airboat tour, get to hold a gator. There’s a nice boat ride in Mt. Dora. Discovery Cove, swim with dolphins.

[Happydaz]

Wow! Wish I was one of your granddaughters. LOL! Lucky girls! What’s the name of the pool in Wesley Chapel please? The Villages pools in summer are too hot to enjoy.

The pool in Wesley Chapel is the Epperson Lagoon located at 31885 Overpass Road, Wesley Capel, Fl 33545. Phone 813 444 5221. You need to buy tickets in advance and they often sell out. The water temperature varies. If you are looking to swim in 72 degree waters you need to swim at the state parks, etc., that have springs. The millions of gallons of water that come out of these springs each day is at a constant 72 degrees all year. (That’s why the manatees come up river to the springs in winter so they can warm up.)

[Enidlou]

Check out the local Springs for glass bottom boat rides

Metrolagoons

Of course you may have to travel a bit and check weather..

[lawngilander]

Marion Market.

[Special Ed]

Airboat ride

[Nana2Teddy]

The pool in Wesley Chapel is the Epperson Lagoon located at 31885 Overpass Road, Wesley Capel, Fl 33545. Phone 813 444 5221. You need to buy tickets in advance and they often sell out. The water temperature varies. If you are looking to swim in 72 degree waters you need to swim at the state parks, etc., that have springs. The millions of gallons of water that come out of these springs each day is at a constant 72 degrees all year. (That’s why the manatees come up river to the springs in winter so they can warm up.)
Thank you for the pool info! I think 72 at the springs is a bit too chilly for us. When we had a pool in SoCal we heated it to around 82 in summer. Here the Villages pools feel like 95, which isn’t refreshing at all.

[LeRoySmith]

Thank you for the pool info! I think 72 at the springs is a bit too chilly for us. When we had a pool in SoCal we heated it to around 82 in summer. Here the Villages pools feel like 95, which isn’t refreshing at all.

I like ours at 88ish, anything much cooler gives a shock to my system when my giggly bits hit the water.

[Indy-Guy]

RAINBOW RIVER CANOE AND KAYAK - Updated July 2024 - 88 Photos & 51 Reviews - 12121 River Vw, Dunnellon, Florida - Boat Charters - Phone Number - Yelp (https://www.yelp.com/biz/rainbow-river-canoe-and-kayak-dunnellon)

Try a kayak rental trip on the rainbow river. The current in the river makes the trip easy all you have to do is steer the kayak. Spring fed water is clear and cool water is great for this time of the year. Our grandkids want to do this everytime they come to visit. Eat at the Blue Gator or Swampys after you trip.

[Nana2Teddy]

I like ours at 88ish, anything much cooler gives a shock to my system when my giggly bits hit the water.
“giggly bits” teehee 🫣🤭

[Battlebasset]

I'd guess a 17 year old boy with a car and a nice allowance from his dad, but that probably isn't what you had in mind.

[Tblue]

I have 2 granddaughters, ages 16 & 17 both learning to drive. I saw an ad on a billboard while in Orlando yesterday, Drive a Tank at Tank America in Orlando Florida (http://www.tankamerica.com). Came home and looked it up, yes a place you can go and drive a tank. So next visit of my granddaughters it will be a stop.

[Shipping up to Boston]

I have 2 granddaughters, ages 16 & 17 both learning to drive. I saw an ad on a billboard while in Orlando yesterday, Drive a Tank at Tank America in Orlando Florida (http://www.tankamerica.com). Came home and looked it up, yes a place you can go and drive a tank. So next visit of my granddaughters it will be a stop.

That is very cool!

Let us know if one of the vintage helmets has a piece of duct tape across it...with the name ....Dukakis...on it! :1rotfl:

[Stu from NYC]

I have 2 granddaughters, ages 16 & 17 both learning to drive. I saw an ad on a billboard while in Orlando yesterday, Drive a Tank at Tank America in Orlando Florida (http://www.tankamerica.com). Came home and looked it up, yes a place you can go and drive a tank. So next visit of my granddaughters it will be a stop.

Seems like fun but rather pricey