Published: June 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Renata Parker
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Summer is here and school is out. That means vacation time and for teenagers it means freedom. Well, almost.

Since I am blessed with three adorable teenagers of my own, finding getaway options for the entire family is at the top of my list. Here are a few teen-friendly spots where teens can have space and parents can have peace of mind.

Atlantis Resort Paradise Island, Bahamas — Inclusive and independent

Busy dad Matt Tyler took his son Austin, 9, and Alana, 13, to Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Busy dad Matt Tyler took his son Austin, 9, and Alana, 13, to Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

"Atlantis is as much fun for the parents as it is for the kids," said Tyler. "Since it's a water-park resort, there is so much to do, from water rides, snorkeling and scuba diving."

The anchor of this mega resort for families is pure entertainment, and Atlantis has it all. Featuring a 141-acre water park with 11 swimming pools and lagoons, Atlantis takes advantage of its tropical location to incorporate water activities for the whole family. Thrill-seeking teens will love the high-speed adventure slides, which include 60-foot vertical drops from the Mayan temple and tubing through dark underground tunnels and past shark-filled lagoons.

"In addition to the water park, our favorite part of the trip was a day spent swimming with the dolphins. It was an experience of a lifetime," said Tyler.

Located in the Beach Tower, Club Rush is the place where teens gather at night to play video games, surf the net, watch a movie, dance to a live DJ, or just hang out. The best part? No parents allowed. Sweet!

Washington, D.C. — Urban and educational

Charlie Beans and his wife, Kate, loved the urban feel of a city like D.C. and their teens, Marc, 15, and Morgan, 13, enjoyed the variety of museums and exhibits.

"D.C. reminds me of a European city with its many monuments. It's a very walkable city. As far as teens, it is very educational, but not in a dreary way, in a varied and interesting way," said Beans.

Washington offers many different venues, so there's something for everyone. "My son and I went to Air and Space while Kate and my daughter went to see the Hope Diamond exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The spy museum is very interesting, as is the Newseum — the idea of viewing history through different lenses. The tour of Congress was also very interesting." Parents will also love the entrance fee to many of the museums — free!

"An example of age appropriateness: The first time we went to children's part of the Holocaust Museum, I thought it was just intense enough. The second time we did the whole thing. Wow," said Beans.

In addition to the urban vibe of a city like D.C., there's also abundant shopping for both teens and grownups. Check out the Georgetown area for younger shops stocked with cool accessories.

"Pretty soon we may start checking out some local college campuses," said Beans

Fairmont Resort, Scottsdale, Ariz. — Adventure and luxury

With an award-winning spa and two championship-style golf courses, teens may have a hard time finding their parents at the luxurious Scottsdale resort. But the Fairmont Resort in Scottsdale is a vacation resort that appeals to parents who need a break and teens who want to break away for action.

Teen-friendly adventures include water slides, horseback riding, hot-air balloons, mountain bike riding and a free-form lagoon pool. Teens 13-17 also have their own private club, the Hang Out, where they can listen to music, Facebook peeps at the Cyber Cafe, grab a snack or play Xbox. In addition, the resort offers a number of very cool off-site excursions for teens.

Guests can explore the authentic western towns of Cave Creek and Carefree, located just 30 minutes from the Fairmont, or head to Sedona for a hike through the Red Rock territory. At night, a trained guide can take you by Hummer down an old mining trail in search of desert wildlife among the boulder canyons.