13+ Trips in the Southeast that are Perfect for Families

Planning your family’s vacation but want to stay nearby? All places listed are within driving distance and those that we here at Kidding Around have been to personally.

If we missed your favorite place, add it in the comments!

Want to stay really close to home? With gas costs going up, a road trip might not be on the menu this spring break. If that sounds like you, you can still get away. Try this list of Spring Break trips within 90 minutes for Greenville, SC.

If you’re heading out on a road trip, review these maintenance and driving trips for increasing your gas mileage.

Want to go to the beach? These Coastal South Carolina Vacation Rentals are Available for Spring Break.

Spring Break Trips in the Southeast

South Carolina Spring Break

Hilton Head/Port Royal/Beaufort, SC

While the beach is a good option for family fun in the Lowcountry, there is so much more to do than play in the sand. I’ve taken my kids and whole family to this area for the last several years and we always have an awesome time.

What to do: Dolphin and mermaid tours, kazoo factory tours, kayak or stand-up paddleboard trips, free aquarium, mini-golf, bike rides, pirate ship adventures, beaches. Here’s a list of HHI activities and here’s a list for things to do in the Port Royal/Beaufort.
Where to stay: We’ve loved this VRBO: Hilton Head
Drive time: 4 hours

Myrtle Beach, SC

While swimming in the ocean isn’t ideal in April, you can still enjoy the outdoors plus some special family activities.

What to do: Beach, Brookgreen Gardens, dinner shows, the big Ferris wheel, and state parks. Here’s our list of things to do in Myrtle Beach.
Where to stay:  Westgate Oceanfront Resort
Drive time: 4 hours

Fripp Island

This is truly a special place that invites relaxation and time to recharge. It’s quiet and private and peaceful.

What to do: Biking, kayaking, restful excursions to the beach, and nature walks. If your rental includes resort amenities, you will also have access to public pools, an activity center with children’s programs, golf, and tennis courts.
Where to stay: VRBO has several condo options, like this Fripp Island Ocean View Villa.
Drive time: 4 hours

Georgia Spring Break

Helen, GA

Right in the middle of the Georgia mountains is the state’s third most-visited town, Helen. With tubing in the summer, Oktoberfest in the fall, and hiking all year round, this cute town is the perfect place to unwind with your family.

What to do: Hiking, family activities at Unicoi State Park like archery, fishing, and zip lining, eating authentic German cuisine, Hardman Farm.
Where to stay: A barrel cabin at Unicoi State Park.
Drive time: 2 hours

Historic Banning Mills

Stay in a treehouse and ride the world’s longest zip line! You can also do smaller zip line courses, go hiking, or ride in a Spider ATV.

What to do: Lots of outdoor adventures like zip lining and spider ATVs
Where to stay: Right at Historic Banning Mills. They have fantastic treehouses and other accommodations.
Drive time: 3 hours

Blairsville, GA

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination with the perfect mix of southern charm and amenities, this is it. 

Things to do: Horseback riding, Trackrock Petroglyphs, Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm, Meeks Park.
Where to stay: Shady Rest, The Ridges Resort & Marina.
Drive time: 3 hours

Tennessee Spring Break

Chattanooga, TN

There are so many fun things to do in the Chattanooga/Lookout Mountain area that we have put together a full guide for you.

What to do: Rock City, Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain, Point Park Battlefield, zoo, riverboat.
Where to stay: Chattanooga Choo Choo (a refurbished train car), Garden Walk Inn, Embassy Suites, or cabins at Cloudland Canyon Park.
Drive time: 4.5 hours

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN

The town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee rests outside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and is just beautiful. It’s filled with a seemingly endless amount of entertainment like a fun dinner

What to do: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Anakeesta, Wild Bear Falls indoor waterpark, Sky Bridge, Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, the Titanic Museum, the Island at Pigeon Forge, Pink JEEP tour, dinner shows, Dollywood. Here’s a huge guide.
Where to stay: The Go Lodge, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, Greystone Lodge on the River, Margaritaville Island Hotel, Camp LeConte (glamping), Wilderness at the Smokies, or covered wagons and tipis at Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort. Be sure to check for special offers, like the ones that Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge is running.
Drive time: 3 hours

North Carolina Spring Break

Asheville, NC

You really can’t go wrong heading to Asheville for any reason at any time of the year. You can stay near the mountain town and enjoy restaurants or head over to Pisgah Forest where waterfalls and hiking trails abound.

What to do: Hiking, waterfall chasing, WNC Nature Center, Biltmore House.
Where to stay: Pilot Cove on the edge of Pisgah Forest
Drive time: 1.5 hours

Sapphire Valley

My family has vacationed here several times and just loved it. If you rent a VRBO at the Sapphire Valley Resort, you’ll have a kitchen, which can save a lot of money when it comes to cooking your own meals vs. eating out. And you can buy an amenities pass, which gets you into the indoor pool, sauna, and hot tub plus gym and mini-golf.

What to do: Use the cheap amenities pass at the resort for pool time, or head out to hiking nearby trails to beautiful waterfalls and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway (all free!).
Where to stay: Check AirBnB or VRBO for the Sapphire Valley Resort or Lake Glenville
Drive time: 1.5 hours

Great Wolf Lodge, NC

For a vacation where you rarely have to leave the hotel, Great Wolf Lodge right outside of Charlotte is a great option. Inside the hotel, you will also find multiple dining options in a range of prices and styles.

What to do: Included with your hotel stay is admission to the giant indoor water park and free family activities. In addition to the included activities, you can purchase either bundled at a discount or a la carte passes to additional activities such as MagiQuest and ShadowQuest, mini-golf, ropes course, bowling, arcades, and more.
Drive time: 2.5 hours

Florida Spring Break

Sarasota, FL

Melanie, a former Sarasota resident, who now lives in Greenville and writes for Kidding Around, put together this huge guide of fun things to do in the Sarasota area – and there’s a lot!

What to do: Ringling Museum, kayaking, beach, Bird Key Park, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Myakka River State Park, Nathan Benderson Park, Island Park, Mote Marine Aquarium, Tube Dudes.
Where to stay: This VRBO Near Siesta Key with private pool
Drive time: 9.5 hours

St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine is a great central city to some super cool activities like checking out mantees at Blue Springs, exploring alligator farms and historic forts, or heading into Orlando.

What to do: Alligator zoo, Castillo de San Marcos, historic tours, old town St. Augustine, Blue Springs State Park, within driving distance to lots of day trips like Daytona Beach and Orlando.
Where to stay: VRBO has some great options, like this beachfront condo.
Drive time: 6.5 hours

LEGOLAND, FL

The outlier on our list but still worth the trip is LEGOLAND near Orlando, FL. The amusement park has rides, interactive games, special events, and even a hotel on the property. They also have a virtual reality roller coaster and a water park that’s open from March through October.

Drive time: 9 hours

What are your spring break plans?