The spring break months are a popular time to visit the Southeast US, with pleasant daytime temperatures and cool evenings. Sea Island, for instance, has average highs in March of 70° (with swings from 65 to 81°.) Ocean temperature averages 66° in spring. Fall is an appealing time as well.
Yet summer -- hot as it is -- is the peak time for family getaways. Many travelers come from elsewhere in the Southeast, seeking beaches or driving to cooler temperatures in the mountains. Note that many schools in the Southeast US start their summer break in late May or early June, and are back at school by August.
1. Myrtle Beach SC
Photo courtesy of The Myrtle Beach Area CVB.
South Carolina is the #2 state for tourism after Florida, and Myrtle Beach is a big part of this picture, with a 60-mile stretch of beaches (the "Grand Strand") and several amusement park attractions. Spring break is a popular time to visit, but families should give a thought to the spring break college scene...
2. Stone Mountain Park, Georgia
Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain Park.
Stone Mountain Park is Georgia's top tourist draw, combining natural attractions (woods and lakes, plus the the famous "stone mountain") with amusements such as sky ride, scenic railroad, laser light show. The "stone mountain" is the largest outcropping of exposed granite in the world, and on it is the world's largest sculpture carved into the stone (- a giant Confederate Memorial.) Location is 15 miles from Atlanta.
3. Sea Island, Georgia
photo courtesy of Sea Island Resort.
85 miles south of Savannah, Sea Island is an upscale resort where families return for generations; its main building, The Cloister, was built in 1928. Sea Island is an a barrier island reached by a causeway. Guests find four resorts, 10,000 acres of forest, lawn, and marshland, 5 miles of private beachfront, and many outdoor and indoor activities for families. Kids programs are offered seasonally.
4. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort.
100 miles south of Charleston SC, and 35 miles northeast of Savannah GA, this small but popular island has a a range of lodgings, from upscale gated resort communities to vacation home rentals, with a lot in between including a Disney resort. Some properties offer kids programs in summer, and perhaps during spring break too.
5. Outer Banks, North Carolina
Photo courtesy of North Carolina Tourism.
Just off the coast of North Carolina -- and reachable by car -- this set of barrier islands stretches for 130 miles. Picture a laid-back for a family getaway, with beaches, sand dunes (some 100 feet high), swimming, crabbing, and kayaking in salt and freshwater marches. Some amusement parks and attractions, too.
6. Earthshine Mountain Lodge, North Carolina
Photo courtesy of Earthshine Mountain Lodge.
For a rustic getaway, this all inclusive Lodge --south of Asheville near Brevard in the North Carolina mountains -- has an 1878 farmhouse and luxury log suites. Families can play at pioneering, help in the blacksmith shop, spin wool, care for horses, have fun at a secret Cherokee Village (make pottery, grind corn), creek waterslide, high ropes and Zip Line...
7. Gulf Shores, Alabama
Photo courtesy of Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Start with 32 miles of sugar-white beaches: Gulf Shores is near the Emerald Coast area of Florida, where white sand gives the water an emerald hue. Gulf Shores also has reasonable prices, great seafood, and family attractions including a water park, science center, amusement park.
8. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Photo courtesy of Tony Conboy III.
A guest writer shares his story of family fun during a visit to the town known to us all in the "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" song. Top attractions for family trips include the Tennessee Aquarium/Imax Theaters, Rock City/Fairyland Caverns, Ruby Falls, and of course a couple of railroads.
9. South Carolina Resorts
Photo courtesy of Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
