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…
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…
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…
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…
East Fork Farm is in Marshall, NC, about three hours from Charlotte and 25 miles outside Asheville. The property spans 40 acres and is home to sheep, chickens, cows, and farm dogs that kids can see up close. A weekend…
As Asheville’s population and tourism industry continue to grow, so does the cost of a weekend visit. You can access many of the same things you go to Asheville for—the Blue Ridge Mountains, outdoor activities, good food and drink, art—without…
The two-by-four-mile island on the Florida Keys’ southernmost point is a bit of a departure from pristine resort towns like Palm Beach or Seaside. Pastel, conch-style houses dot the narrow streets where roosters are free to roam, and colorful murals…
Avid golfers flock to Reynolds Lake Oconee for its championship courses, but the gated resort community 85 miles east of Atlanta is also a great weekend destination for families with kids in tow. The property has 11 onsite dining options,…
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is often called the "gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains," and it sees more than 11 million visitors each year. It’s home to Tennessee’s only ski resort and puts you just a few miles from Dollywood and the…
Your kids may be too young to watch the R-rated 1987 movie “Bull Durham” before a visit to Bull City, but they’ll still appreciate the sights and sounds of Durham. Restaurants, markets, and shops are within walking distance of the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Kingsmill Resort offers a relaxing getaway with a side of history
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…
The Crystal Coast is an 85-mile stretch of beaches that encompasses Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Emerald Isle, Morehead City, and Cape Lookout. It’s roughly five and a half hours from Charlotte by car depending on which town…
