WEEKENDER: Kingsmill Resort

Kingsmill Resort is a AAA Four-Diamond resort that sits along the banks of the James River. With championship golf courses and a waterfront spa, it’s a great escape for a girls’ weekend or couples’ getaway. But Kingsmill is also a hub for kid-friendly activities in the summer. Sign the little ones up for junior golf camp, or spend the day exploring the biking trails, tennis courts, and lazy river pool on site. Venture out to nearby Colonial Williamsburg or Jamestown Settlement and learn about the area’s rich history, or head to Busch Gardens for roller coaster rides and animal encounters. It’s a five-hour drive from Charlotte that’s worth making during any season.

EAT

With five on-site restaurants, the resort has a range of choices from Southern fare to seafood. If you’re exploring Colonial Williamsburg, stop by The Cheese Shop—get a dressed-up grilled cheese for the kids, and treat yourself to charcuterie and a glass of Chianti. For a casual dinner, head to Paul’s Deli, a favorite of William & Mary students and professors for its no-frills pizza, nachos, chicken parm sandwiches, and cheap beer. The walls are lined with local sports memorabilia, and the booths have been there since 1977, so don’t worry about your kids leaving stains or fingerprints behind. If you score a kid-free night, snag a table at Casa Pearl, a hip seafood eatery in a converted gas station with a raw bar and rotation of fish tacos.

STAY

Kingsmill Resort sits on a 2,900-acre former plantation; the property has 425 guestrooms and condos, five cottages overlooking the golf course, plus three freestanding homes with panoramic views of the James River. (Fun fact: President Obama stayed in one of Kingsmill’s private residences while he prepared for a presidential debate in 2012.) The one-, two-, or three-bedroom condos are equipped with kitchenettes and laundry, and you have access to the resort’s pools, tennis courts, and fitness center. Most of the on-site dining options are within walking distance, too.

DO

The resort provides daily shuttle service to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. Celebrate summer at Water Country USA, open at Busch Gardens May through September, and ride the water-coasters, float down the lazy river, and play in the wave pool. The theme park also offers weeklong day camps for kids ages 6 to 16. Campers’ days are packed with scavenger hunts, rides, shows, crafts, animal attractions, and so much more.

KID CENTRAL

Enjoy a leisurely morning or afternoon to yourself and let the kids cut loose at Kingsmill Resort with these activities:

The Sports Club: Shoot hoops at the indoor basketball court, or head to the game room to play pinball or air hockey. If it’s a rainy day, go for a dip in the indoor pool and Jacuzzi.

Swimming: Visit the River Pool, open Memorial Day to Labor Day, and cruise the waterslide, float in a blue inner tube down the lazy river, or grab lunch or a drink at the poolside bar.

Tennis: Sign up for a one-hour junior clinic, open to kids ages 5 to 13 during the summer months, for $30 per hour.

Golf: Junior golf camps are available for kids ages 6 to 13 from June through August from 7:45 a.m. to noon.

Biking: Rent adult and child-size bicycles for $10-$15 an hour.

Water Sports: Head to the marina to rent paddleboards, kayaks, jet skis, pontoon boats, and sea-cycles to explore the James River.

Kingsmill Resort, 1010 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia. 800.832.5665, www.kingsmill.com