Adventure Travel With Teens: Iceland's South Coast

• Shopping: Grabbing a local hand-knit wool cap, gloves or sweater in Iceland is a must-do. Shop local and contribute to sustainability by checking out Reykjavík's vintage and secondhand shops, starting with trendy Verzlanahöllin. Need to upgrade your jacket or grab souvenirs mid-way through the trip? You'll find everything at Vik's Icewear / Vík Wool.

• The Golden Circle: It's iconic for a reason, so don't dismiss it as being too touristy. Head to Thingvellir National Park to snorkel between the continents in Silfra's glacier water. (with Troll expeditions on Project Expedition). Too chilly for your taste? Explore Icelandic History (from the same Silfra parking lot) of the UNESCO World Heritage site with an easy stroll across the boardwalk to a nearby waterfall. Farther on, don't miss the opaque blue waters of Bruarfoss on your way to Iceland's most famous waterfall, Gulfoss, located on the farthest point of the Golden Circle.

• Golden Circle Hot Springs: If you have time, warm up after your Silfra snorkel at nearby Laugarvatn Fontana, a geothermal outdoor spa located right on the lake. The teens will be thrilled to challenge themselves to a cold plunge in the lake followed by a hop into the hot pools or sauna. Also on-site, is the restaurant, which bakes classic Icelandic rye bread in the geothermal earth. Make a reservation for a tour of the outdoor, natural geothermal "bakery". If the family is feeling more adventurous, try the hike-in natural hot springs on your way out of the Golden Circle at Hrunalaug.

• Waterfalls: Iceland's south coast waterfalls are surprisingly accessible and right off the road. For the iconic Seljalandsfoss (make sure to walk 5 minutes farther for Gljufrabui), try to beat the crowds by arriving first thing in the morning or head out after the day-trippers have left (in summer it stays light until midnight, never fully getting dark). Our favorite was Kvernufoss, on the other end of the road from the more well-known Skogafoss, where goats will greet you on the path to the falls. This is where you will be glad you invested in some waterproof layers. The waterfall mist is powerful and vast!

• Explore Vik: Base a night or two here for everything there is to see. The black sand beach at Reynisfjara is a must-stop to check out the hexagonal basalt columns. Just watch out for sneaker waves! The visit wouldn't be complete without a drive up to Dyrhólaey Lighthouse for magnificent views, and in Summer, spotting the nesting puffins. All ages will get a kick out of these cute, indigenous birds! If you have an extra day, satisfy the kids' adventurous side with a guided tour to the Katla Ice Cave or Glacier Walk. Hike to the country's oldest hot spring pool, Seljavallalaug.

• Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach: Once you pass Vik on your South Coast adventure, you'll notice the day-trippers fall back as the landscape opens up before you. Make sure you've got maps downloaded and your portable wifi ready for the drive down the South Coast to the Glacier Lagoon. If you've got Star Wars fans, stop for a selfie at Yoda's Cave. I recommend an overnight at the Glacier Lagoon so you have the flexibility to stop at Diamond Beach when the tide is low to catch the prism-like chunks of ice as they wash up on the beach. Across the road, walk along the Glacier Lagoon, where huge solid blue and white hunks of icebergs float across the water. You might even spot a sea lion! This is also the meeting point for Blue Ice Cave Tours (also Troll Expeditions, Project Expedition).

• Múlagljúfur Canyon Hike: If you have trekkers in the bunch, make the effort to drive to the trailhead of this challenging hike, not for the faint of heart (or young children). An uphill trail rewards you with incredible views of the ocean and Vatnajokull glacier, complete with heartstopping drop-offs into the canyons and waterfalls. For a more relaxing alternative, checkout Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon hike, farther West on the South Coast (and be sure to watch the Justin Bieber video "I'll Show You" filmed, infamously to locals, on location).

• Your last "midnight sunset" at the Sky Lagoon: I'm going to part from the crowd here and recommend Sky Lagoon over the more touristy, crowded Blue Lagoon. Make reservations for the last session of the day (it's shorter and for a better price) during sunset, the best time of day to visit. Teens will enjoy the view over the ocean, the hobbit-like turf roofs and the cold plunge with Seven Step Ritual. Our family planned this for our last night in Iceland after our long drive back on the South Coast, and I wouldn't have done it any other way. The only downside? You are not going to want to leave Iceland! Pro-tip: You can do a free walk-through of the famous Blue Lagoon for a selfie with the opaque waters in your shot, without having to take a dip. Plan this for your way to or from the airport.

Day trips

• Super Jeep Tour for hiking to Landmannalaugar or Thórsmörk, with Midgard Adventure (Project Expedition).

• Katla Ice Cave and Glacier Walks outside Vik with Troll Adventures (Project Expedition).

• There are so many stops for treats and snacks across Iceland. Teens won't want to miss Reykjavik's Omnon Ice Cream (scorched marshmallow-topped frozen skyr anyone?) or the cute and cozy cat cafe Kattakaffihúsið. Make sure to try the local favorite Swiss Mocha.

• The two most popular watering holes on the Golden Circle have earned their reputation for a reason. For the tomato farm restaurant in a greenhouse, make reservations ahead of time at Fridheimar, however, pro-tip, kids might enjoy eating on the patio outside, walk-ins only. If tomatoes aren't their jam, make a stop for burgers and ice cream at the charming, women-run Efstidalur II. Here you can peek at the cow barn through the ice cream shop window.

• Laugarvatn Fontana: At Laugarvatn, people still bake their traditional Icelandic rye bread in the hot sand by the lake, where trout are caught and smoked at a nearby farm. After your geothermal soak, hop into the cafe or take a tour for a demonstration of unearthing a loaf of bread from the geothermal-heated ground.

• Let's face it, teens can eat, and light European snacks won't cut it during these physically intense itineraries. Fill up with a hot, home-cooked meal at The Old Cowhouse. Choose a cozy seat inside, or grab an outdoor picnic table for burgers, fries & hot chocolate. Meat is 100% free-range and unprocessed, salads are made with fresh vegetables from the garden and homemade bread every day.

• There are lots of family-friendly eats to satisfy explorers in Vik. From coffee, cocoa and snacks at Skool Beans (a cafe on a school bus) and the Crepes "food truck" hut (located in the parking lot of the hotel seen in Netflix's KATLA, filmed in Vik), to the must-try Black Crust Pizza (yes, the crust is black! And oh so fresh and good), there is something for everyone.

• At Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant you can immerse yourself in the feasts of the Vikings with a modern twist. Drink from a horn to quench your thirst, dine with utensils crafted in flames and fortify yourself with locally sourced ingredients that will evoke the spirit of a genuine Viking! This turf-house restaurant just outside Reykjavik is worth a stop, with excellent food, great service and a fun, themed atmosphere.

• Reykjavik Food Halls — with teens, why decide what to eat? Head to a trendy food hall, where everyone in the fam can choose which stall to order from. After exploring Reykjavik and some vintage clothing shops on a blustery day, we had the most satisfying Pho at Hlemmur Mathöll, or checkout Pósthús Food Hall & Bar.