For Charlotte families wanting a beach weekend that doesn’t involve airport security or hours of “are we there yet?,” Hilton Head is an ideal summer getaway. The 12-mile-long island is about 20 miles northeast of Savannah and inhabited by an…
July is Disability Pride Month, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities. It’s also a time to reframe the negative ways children with different abilities are often portrayed. While they do require extra support and assistance, the…
As travelers gear up for Memorial Day weekend, these three scenic, drivable destinations blend beach relaxation, mountain air, and plenty of small-town charm. CRYSTAL COAST, NORTH CAROLINA The Crystal Coast is an 85-mile stretch of beaches that encompasses Beaufort, Atlantic…
Where to pitch a tent and spend a night in nature
Plan a skiing, snowboarding or snow tubing adventure for the family this winter in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia
Q: Hi Molly! I loved following along on your recent trip to NYC because we’re planning to go later this month. My kids are closer in age to your youngest (4 and 6), so I wondered if you have any…
When the holiday hustle is a bit too much, Highlands—a charming town nestled in the western North Carolina mountains—is a sweet escape. It has an untouched, local feel with plenty of upscale lodging options, restaurants, and activities. Parents can drop their shoulders and…
Is there anything better than cozying up in a mountain retreat at the height of the holiday season? At just under three hours from Charlotte, Cataloochee Ranch sits on a picturesque mountaintop along the southeastern border of the Great Smoky…
Want to savor the last few weeks of summer? Here are six reasons to plan a weekend getaway in Hendersonville, just two hours from Charlotte. You can book a room with a view. Brightwaters Vacation Rentals hosts families in cabins,…
Looking to take a breather from your family’s packed summer schedule? When you’re ready to log off, power down, and unplug, take a two and a half hour drive to southern Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and treat yourself to a…
The Autumn at Oz Festival has returned to Beech Mountain’s Land of Oz for three weekends in September for more than 30 years. This season marks 85 years since the MGM classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” was released. “It’s a…
Can’t swing the airfare for a cross country trip this summer? Not to worry. Charlotte is accessible to plenty of family-friendly destinations that are four hours or less by car. Whether you want to see some wild animals, go glamping,…
Start the summer strong with a family road trip to South Carolina’s Old 96 District for its annual Festival of Flowers, which happens June 6-9. See more than 30 colorful topiaries designed in the form of cows, elephants, horses, and…
If you’re looking for easily accessible, neurodivergent-friendly destinations for your family, here are three that are a short drive from Charlotte. GREENVILLE, SC With plenty of parks, trails, and museums, this pedestrian-friendly city has plenty to offer families for a…
Bring the kids, ditch the jet lag
MILES FROM CHARLOTTE: 668 TRAVEL TIME: 2 hours NONSTOP SERVICE ON: American Airlines We made it. The cold, gloomy months of winter are behind us and the days are finally getting longer. It’s time to trade those puffer jackets and…
Whether your family excels at pitching a tent or needs step-by-step instructions, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Bostic, North Carolina allows everyone to experience nature at their own pace. The 600-acre site has a range of accommodations including luxury…
VISIT CHARLOTTE SHOUT! This multi-week festival has returned to uptown and runs through April 14. See more than 200 installations, performances, events, and activations. Nearly all the events are outdoors, free, and open to the public. charlotteshout.com HEAD TO THE…
Pining for some mountain air but don’t have time for an extended road trip? Pack up the car with your puffy coats and hiking boots and head to Boone for one last dash of winter. Explore the trails at Grandfather…
For skiers, snowboarders, tubers, and snow-loving families, winter in Charlotte is more of a concept than a reality within the climate constraints of the Queen City. Well-schooled QC moms and dads, however, know mountains of seasonal outdoor fun are only…
If a trip to Germany isn’t possible this season, head to Helen, a tiny town in northwest Georgia that goes big for the holidays. It’s a 3.5-hour drive from Charlotte and attracts millions of tourists who flock to find a…
The entrance to Barnsley Resort looks like a vintage postcard, flanked with stone pillars and manicured flower beds. A narrow, winding road takes you through rolling green fields lined with wooden fences, and the smell of charred hickory and smoked…
Picture a classic family beach vacation: long stretches of sand full of seashells to collect, riding bikes—with bells and baskets!—to ice cream shops, playing putt-putt after a day of kite-flying, or a hammock nap with the sounds of the ocean…
Known as “the jewel of the northeast coast,” Ponte Vedra Beach is an oceanfront retreat about 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville in northeast Florida. The area is synonymous with golf and home of the THE PLAYERS Championship, which is held…
