Outdoors

WEEKENDER: Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama earned the nickname “The Magic City” thanks to its vast supply of iron ore, coal, and limestone, the three elements needed to produce steel. It experienced rapid growth following the Civil War and into the 20th century, when…

WEEKENDER: Florida Gulf Beaches

As businesses reopen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, residents just south of Tampa remain hopeful that tourists will visit the Florida Gulf this holiday season. Popular spots like Clearwater and St. Petersburg weren’t directly hit, and their beaches will…

WEEKENDER: Washington, DC

Much like Disneyland and The Grand Canyon, a visit to the nation’s capital is an essential family vacation. Washington DC teems with iconic monuments, sights, and museums that give kids a glimpse into the country’s history. Tour famous landmarks like…

How Does Your Garden Grow?

As parents, it's common to worry about what our children are eating. We want them to enjoy a wide range of nutritious foods and to develop a healthy relationship with food, but getting children to try new flavors and eat…

WEEKENDER: Chattanooga

In 1941, Glenn Miller immortalized the city with his hit, Chattanooga Choo-Choo. Today it’s home to an expanded riverfront, aquarium complex, and one of the world's longest pedestrian bridges. Chattanooga is a six-hour drive from Charlotte (or a one-hour flight…

A Family-Friendly Guide to Fall

Here’s a guide to fall activities for parents and children—heck, grandparents and grandchildren, too—that comes close to what you might have encountered in 2019, the last time we could bob for apples without the embarrassment of having failed to take…

WEEKENDER: New Bern

If you drive toward the coast, about 4.5 hours east of Charlotte, you’ll find the waterfront town of New Bern, North Carolina. Nestled where the Neuse and Trent rivers converge, this small city is the state’s former colonial capital and…

A DIGITAL DETOX

Because children’s brains are malleable, they can learn and retain new skills, like foreign languages, more rapidly than we can as adults. But bad habits tend to stick, too. In other words, a child who learns to love screens in…

Spontaneous Summer Fun

Summer may already be in full swing, but that doesn't mean it’s too late to plan some family fun. We’ve got a roundup of outdoor adventures and weekend getaways you can still add to your calendar. *See approximate driving time from Charlotte listed…

15 Kid-Friendly Summer Excursions Under $15

GET OUTSIDE Quest 6345 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 Located at Latta Nature Preserve, Quest’s brand new 13,000-square foot facility offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Walk the Carolina Raptor Trail, hike alongside a naturalist, create a nature craft, kayak,…

WEEKENDER: North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands

North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands encompass five barrier islands—Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island—along the southernmost stretch of North Carolina’s coast. It’s roughly three-and-a-half hours from Charlotte; from Ocean Isle Beach, you’re about halfway…