With the start of summer right around the corner, many families are pulling out their calendars and making plans for upcoming vacations. Whether you’re craving a tropical getaway or want to reconnect with nature in the mountains, we’ve rounded up four Southern destinations that are the perfect getaway for families!
Northwest Florida
Located along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast is the heart of the state’s panhandle, often called the Forgotten Coast. Just steps from sugar-white sand beaches and emerald-green waters, there’s so much to do and see in this pocket of the Sunshine State.
The best way to experience the Forgotten Coast is to beat the crowds and book a luxury rental through Cape & Coast Premier Properties. Offering rentals in five highly sought-after areas — Cape San Blas, St. George Island, Mexico Beach, St. Joe Beach, and Indian Pass — each property is appointed with high-end amenities and Southern charm. Guests can access 24-hour guest services, spa-inspired toiletries, high-quality beach towels, bathrobes, and a smart tablet.
In addition to high-end amenities, many rentals offered through Cape & Coast Premier Properties are dog-friendly.
If your family includes outdoor enthusiasts, you’re in luck! Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast boasts plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, and paddling. Plus, when you book with Cape & Coast Premier Properties, your reservation includes $250 worth of gear rentals from VayK Gear. This includes everything from bicycles to kayaks, beach chairs, games, and more.
Private fishing charters are another popular family-friendly activity in the area. Fortunas Family Charters offers excursions for bay fishing, deep-sea fishing, kid’s fishing, and more. Plus, there are scenic tour options to choose from as well, including sunset cruises, shelling trips, and oyster tours. Lady J Charters is another option that offers two boats for exciting fishing adventures.
Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast offers endless outdoor fun for families — from afternoons spent by the pool or Gulf to relaxing evenings on the beach.
If you prefer to stay on land for a beach adventure, there are miles of shoreline to choose from. Indian Pass and St. Joseph Peninsula Park offer some of the best shelling beaches along the Gulf Coast. Cape Palms Park is another great family-friendly option, offering restrooms, grills, pavilions, and playgrounds. For more secluded options that can only be accessed via boat, Dog Island and St. Vincent Island are both popular destinations for families.
Another unique aspect of Northwest Florida is that it’s home to one of the state’s largest nesting areas for sea turtles. In fact, if you visit between May and October, keep your eyes peeled for newly hatched sea turtles as they make their way to the water in the evening. For sea turtle sightings that are almost guaranteed, you can also take a self-guided tour along the Turtle Trail, which includes spots in Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas.
After a day full of outdoor fun, one of the best ways to end your evening is with a sunset beach bonfire. Luckily, Cape & Coast Premier Properties makes it easy. A nearby business, Island Picnics LLC, serves all five areas and offers everything you need for the perfect setup — from firewood to tablecloths, tiki torches, chairs, and more.
There’s no better way to end a fun-filled day than with a bonfire on the beach at sunset!
Blue Ridge, GA
Escape everyday life by taking a relaxing family vacation to Blue Ridge, GA. From cozy cabins to sweeping mountain views and picturesque hiking trails, there’s plenty of outdoor fun to be had here during the summer and beyond.
A beloved destination for many families, Blue Ridge offers ample opportunity for the whole family to learn about nature and the Appalachian Trail. A popular option for many travelers is the do-it-yourself hiking experience on the Fannin County Trout Adventure Trail. Including eight stops and hikes — ranging from 30 minutes to two hours — you can get up-close views of the Appalachian Trail, Long Creek Falls, Toccoa Swinging Bridge, and more.
Hike along the Fannin County Trout Adventure Trail to enjoy beautiful views of nearby mountains and waterfalls.
Younger children will likely enjoy playing the Trout Art Trail Name Finder Game, a treasure hunt designed to help travelers spot colorful trout statues peppered throughout the area. Be sure to print out the worksheet, visit each statue, and fill out the fish’s name. When you’re done, take your worksheet to one of three designated Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center locations to receive a prize.
Blue Ridge is also home to 13 miles of railroad tracks that make up the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. The excursion is a four-hour, 26-minute round trip, beginning at the historic 1905 depot in the downtown area. It also includes a two-hour stop in McCaysville, GA/Copperhill, TN — which is one town with two names, as it’s split by the Georgia/Tennessee state line.
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway runs alongside the Toccoa River, inviting travelers to ride in vintage rail cars.
For more hands-on, family-friendly activities, head to Mercier Orchards. Located just one mile from Blue Ridge, families can pick their own strawberries, blueberries, and apples, as well as purchase homemade pies, jams, and preserves.
If you can’t decide what type of outdoor fun to partake in, visit The Lilly Pad Village. Nestled in Blue Ridge among a natural scenic setting, the popular attraction is home to a stock pond for fishing, a cave for gem mining, and a mini-golf course. Plus, be sure to visit the site’s novelty ice cream shop!
Older children will love the excitement of whitewater rafting on the wild Ocoee River. Floating, kayaking, and tubing trips on the Toccoa River are also great options — especially when the weather is hot and humid. Blue Ridge Tubing, Toccoa River Tubing, and Toccoa Valley Campground and Tubing are all popular options if you need to rent equipment for your adventures.
Spend a day with your family floating along the Toccoa River.
If you need a break from all the action, Blue Ridge is also home to plenty of places to fuel up and grab a sweet treat, including The Chocolate Express for homemade fudge and The Sweet Shoppe for cake pops and chocolate-dipped fruit. Then, end your night by catching a movie at the Swan Drive-In.
Old 96 District
South Carolina’s Old 96 District offers fun for the whole family, from state parks to historic sites, exciting events, and more. Made up of five counties — Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, and McCormick — you’re sure to find an activity to entertain everyone in your family.
Throughout the summer months, you’ll find many exciting festivals and events taking place. For foodies, you can’t go wrong with attending the Ridge Peach Festival or the Ware Shoals Catfish Feastival. For authentic Carolina barbecue and a Blues Cruise music celebration across Uptown Greenwood, don’t miss the South Carolina Festival of Discovery. For stunning views of expansive topiary displays, don’t miss the South Carolina Festival of Flowers, complete with garden tours, live music, and more. Another standout event, the South Carolina Festival of Stars is a beloved tradition that offers incredible fireworks displays, a parade, carnival rides, and a classic car show.
Enjoy authentic fair food at one of the Old 96 District’s many summer festivals. Image: Kimberly Alexis
Whether you want to get out on the water, fish for largemouth bass, or enjoy a relaxing camping experience, the Old 96 District is home to five unique state parks. Baker Creek State Park offers hiking and biking trails and easy lake access for boating and fishing. Calhoun Falls State Park, Hamilton Branch State Park, and Lake Greenwood State Park are great places to camp and enjoy shoreline fishing. For a more elevated camping experience, Hickory Knob Resort State Park is an all-in-one park and luxury resort, offering convenient access to a pool, golfing, and Lake Thurmond.
If your family’s idea of outdoor fun includes a day on the water, South Carolina’s Old 96 District offers five state parks with convenient lake and river access.
The Old 96 District also played a significant role in the Revolutionary War, so there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in history at the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site and the Ninety Six National Historic Site. Be sure to also visit the childhood home of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., who played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Families can also enjoy a handful of fun farm experiences in the Old 96 District. Hidden Pasture Unicorn Farm in Laurens County is a sanctuary to magical “unicorns” as well as goats, cows, birds, and bunnies. Also in Laurens County is Stewart Farms, a working plant farm and nursery that invites visitors to pick fresh strawberries and pet farm animals. Emerald Farm in Greenwood is home to baby goats, peacocks, a model train room, and an antique store. You can also get a behind-the-scenes look at a dairy farm by touring Hickory Hill Milk.
Just a short drive from Greenwood, Emerald Farm invites visitors to feed and pet adorable baby goats.
South Carolina’s Lowcountry
South Carolina’s Lowcountry is the perfect place to make lifelong memories with your family. From beach adventures to camping excursions and educational opportunities, your getaway is guaranteed to be full of adventure.
When planning your Lowcountry vacation, book a stay at any of the area’s beachfront rental properties. Perfect for multigenerational families who want to make memories of doing puzzles or playing on the white-sand beaches, Edisto Beach, Fripp Island, Hilton Head Island, and Harbour Town are all popular destinations with luxury beach rentals.
SB Tip: To see a complete list of Lowcountry accommodations — including hotels and bed and breakfasts — click HERE.
Edisto Beach is one of the many sought-after beachfront destinations in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
If your family prefers camping, the Lowcountry is home to four beautiful state parks where you can set up a tent or park your RV. Colleton State Park is a highly sought-after camping and fishing destination, mainly because it’s home to the longest free-flowing water in North America. Other popular state parks include Edisto Beach State Park, Hunting Island State Park, and Lake Warren State Park. Or, if you’re looking for a campground, Point South KOA and Tuck in the Wood on St. Helena Island are both great options.
In addition to sleeping among the natural wonders of the Lowcountry, you can also experience the beauty firsthand at any of the nearby parks and greenspaces. The Cypress Wetlands are a birdwatcher’s paradise, offering glimpses of herons, eagles, owls, and more. We also recommend visiting Sergeant Jasper Park, home to biking and walking trails, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, disc golf, and more.
For a more leisurely activity, the Lowcountry is also home to plenty of breathtaking nature trails. The Blue Heron Nature Trail is a 10-acre green space with a recycled rubber trail, a butterfly garden, observation decks, and a picnic area. The Spanish Moss Trail is another popular trail that connects the cities of Beaufort and Port Royal. For a quick, one-and-a-half-mile loop, the Edisto Nature Trail winds through a cypress swamp and an old railroad bed.
Experience the Lowcountry’s unique flora and fauna by strolling along one of its picturesque hiking, biking, or walking trails.
The Lowcountry is also full of opportunities to experience the area’s rich history and culture. Popular museums include the Coastal Discovery Museum, the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, and the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center. For history and war buffs, we recommend visiting the Fort Fremont Historical Preserve and Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve. You can also learn about the history of the Lowcountry’s Gullah culture at Penn Center, Mitchelville Freedom Park, and the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
If you’re looking to experience the diverse art community within the Lowcountry, visit the Palmetto Theater. Not only is the theater itself a sight to see but it’s known to host frequent movies and live events, too. You can check the event calendar for the Palmetto Arts & Humanities Alliance for upcoming art workshops and live music performances.
The Lowcountry is home to a handful of museums that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the area’s history and culture.
Enjoy your summer travels!
This article is sponsored by Cape & Coast Premier Properties, Fannin County Chamber and CVB, Old 96 District, and South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
All photography provided unless otherwise noted.
