Sometimes you just need to get away. We’ve been there. That’s why we put together this list of more than 50 family weekend getaway ideas in the Southeast. Whether you’re looking for theme parks and water slides, or horseback riding and hiking trails, this list will help!
Maybe you live in the South and are looking for a fun day trip, or you’d like to travel a bit farther for your family vacation, this list is a great place to start. We’ve broken it up by state, so you can find the best weekend getaway near you. Make it a road trip or fly in to the fun.
FEATURED ESCAPES
FLORIDA FAMILY FUN WEEKEND GETAWAY IDEAS
KEY WEST
Visit the home of Ernest Hemingway, tour the Shipwreck Museum, and take a ride on the Conch Train to get the best vantage of all Key West offers. Try Key Lime pie, take a snorkel and sunset cruise with Fury Watersports, and make sure to leave time for a day at Dry Tortugas National Park.
Recommended Hotel: Havana Cabana
Skip the Lines: Discount Attractions | Landmarks Scavenger Hunt
JACKSONVILLE
When it comes to fun family getaways, Jacksonville is where it’s at. Animal-lovers will adore the Jacksonville Zoo and Catty Shack Ranch. Take the kids to the Cummer Museum and the Museum of Science and History. After that, it’s time to soak up some Vitamin Sunshine at Little Talbot Island State Park and Kingsley Plantation.
Recommended Hotel: Omni Jacksonville
Skip the Lines: Arts & Culture Scavenger Hunt
SARASOTA
Sarasota is a lively coastal beach town on the sandy shores of the Gulf coast just one hour south of Tampa. Even if you aren’t a beach person (but if you are, OMG, such beautiful beaches) there is plenty to do in South Florida’s Sarasota. Kayak through the mangroves, see priceless works of art, as well as walk a circus tightrope at The Ringling, find culture at more than 20 different arts organizations, watch a spring training baseball game, take a Civil Rights tour from Newtown Alive! or, just hunt for shells on the uncrowded beaches of Manasota Key.
Recommended Hotel: Art Ovation
Skip the Lines: Discount Attractions | Culture & History Scavenger Hunt
MIAMI
When I say Miami, do you think “adult vacation?” It’s time to change your mind! There are so many fantastic things to do in Miami with kids…you won’t even be able to do them all in a weekend! So pack your bags, we’re going to South Florida! Visit Zoo Miami or the Miami Children’s Museum, take a dip in the Venetian Pool, take an airboat ride through Everglades Safari Park, or go on a Pirate Adventure Tour.
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Recommended Hotel: Acqualina Resort & Spa (This resort offers an awesome Kids Club)
Skip the Lines: Discount Attractions
MORE FLORIDA FUN
Best Things to Do in Florida | Florida Beaches | MultiGen US Getaways | Florida Weekend Getaways | Closest Beach to Georgia | Thanksgiving Getaways | PLAN YOUR FLORIDA VACATION
ALWAYS AWESOME IN ALABAMA
ALABAMA BEACHES
The Alabama Beaches are among the most beautiful in the world. It took all my power to pull the kids from the white sand, but you have to explore! Try a dolphin cruise or a visit to the Orange Beach Pirate Ship. Take part in some water sports — like parasailing, kayaking, or snorkeling. Try the Wharf or the Zoo, and oh…the food here!
Recommended Hotel: Turquoise Place
Skip the Lines: Discount Attractions
HUNTSVILLE
Visit the Botanical Garden, with plenty of things for kids. Sci-Quest and Early Works are great kiddo stops, too. Monte Sano Nature Preserve and Hays Nature Preserve are among our favorites. Don’t forget the US Space and Rocket Center.
Recommended Hotel: The Westin Huntsville
MOBILE
In Mobile, start at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Museum, then check out Fort Conde’s cannons. Tour the USS Alabama, and splash in the fountains of the Eastern Shore Center. See the koi at Bellingrath Gardens and Home, or hang with the locals at Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium. Feed the ducks at Mobile Memorial Gardens or catch an event at the famous Bienville Square.
Recommended Stay: Boho Home in Midtown
Skip the Lines: Discount Attractions | Culture and History Scavenger Hunt
MORE ALABAMA FUN
Civil Rights Trail | PURSELL FARMS RESORT | LAKE MARTIN ALABAMA | PLAN YOUR ALABAMA VACATION
NOTHING BEATS A NORTH CAROLINA VACATION
CONCORD/CHARLOTTE
Great Wolf Lodge, Charlotte Motor Speedway, a gold mine and family-friendly vineyard…there is more than a weekend worth of exploring here.
Recommended Hotel: Great Wolf Lodge
Skip the Lines: Culture Scavenger Hunt | Find a Hotel
RALEIGH
Raleigh isn’t called the City of Oaks for nothing! This city has plenty of outdoor adventure for everyone in your crew to enjoy. Visit the many beautiful parks, including Umstead State Park and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Learn to rock climb, visit multiple museums, and don’t skip the food halls.
Recommended Hotel: StateView Hotel
ONSLOW COUNTY
Head to the coast for time on the water cruising along the headwaters of the New River or voyaging in an inshore crabbing/shrimping experience. Hit Hammocks Beach State Park then get off the beaten path in a shelling excursion at the Crystal Coast. It’s good eats and idyllic coastal fun in Swansboro, North Topsail and Jacksonville, NC.
Recommended Stay: Hook, Wine & Sinker
MORE NORTH CAROLINA FUN
Best Things to Do in North Carolina | North Carolina Day Trips | Skiing in North Carolina | PLAN YOUR NORTH CAROLINA VACATION
SENSATIONAL SOUTH CAROLINA DESTINATIONS
GREENVILLE
Visit Fall Park on the Reedy River, where brunch at Passerelle’s is a must. Soak up the art scene with over 70 exhibits around town (and the kids will love hunting the Mice on Main). Grab the Greenville Mix from Poppington’s Popcorn and then head to Paris Mountain State Park for a hike. Want more outdoors? Zip through the trees at Treetop Quest, or rent a cycle from Reedy Rides and bike your way down the Swamp Rabbit Trail to the adorable town of Traveler’s Rest.
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Recommended Hotel: Hyatt Regency Greenville
CHARLESTON
Visit the South Carolina Aquarium, take the Charleston Water Taxi to see the city and the dolphins, or tour the USS Yorktown at Patriot’s Point on the Charleston Harbor. Catch views from the Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, or visit the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. There are plantations galore, and great beaches at Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach and Edisto Beach.
Recommended Hotel: Fulton Lane Inn
Skip the Line: Hidden Treasures Scavenger Hunt | Medieval Scavenger Hunt
LAKE MURRAY COUNTY
Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden is rated number one in Columbia. Visit the historical walking path at Riverfront Park, or EdVenture, the children’s museum. Harbison State Forest has plenty of hiking and biking trails, as well.
Recommended Hotel: Aloft Columbia Harbinson
Skip the Line: Hidden Gems Scavenger Hunt
MYRTLE BEACH
Ride the famous Ferris wheel, get close up with the alligators, walk the world-class boardwalk, play mini golf, or take a dolphin cruise. There are multiple state parks, NASCAR driving opportunities, and shows galore. We also love Georgetown, a sleepy town just south of Myrtle Beach that is the perfect day trip.
Recommended Hotel: 2-Bedroom Beach Condo
Skip the Line: Discount Attractions | Landmarks Scavenger Hunt
MORE SOUTH CAROLINA FUN
South Carolina Beaches | THE BEAUFORT INN | HILTON HEAD | PLAN YOUR SOUTH CAROLINA VACATION
TAKE ON THE BEST OF TENNESSEE
CHATTANOOGA
Visit the Chattanooga Aquarium, the Children’s Discovery Museum, or the Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center. See the animals at the Zoo, or step back in time at the Chattanooga Tennessee Choo Choo. Don’t skip the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, or cool off at Coolridge Park.
Recommended Hotel: The Chattanoogan
NASHVILLE
Walking tours, Segway tours, bus tours…there are plenty of ways to see Music City. Visit the Parthenon, Frist City, Adventure Science Center, Radnor Lake or the Nashville Zoo.
Recommended Hotel: Grand Ole Opry Hotel
MORE TENNESSEE FUN
Tennessee Waterfalls| Tennessee Water Parks | SEVIERVILLE| GATLINBURG | PLAN YOUR TENNESSEE VACATION
LIVING IT UP IN LOUISIANA
NEW ORLEANS
Kid-friendly may not be the first thing you think about when you go to New Orleans, but we had a blast with the boys on a trip there. Our favorite of the local attractions? The Insectarium. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is also a hit with kids, as is Cafe Du Monde because – hello, what kids doesn’t love sugary beignets. The World War II Museum is massive, and you can find the right ghost tour for pretty much any level. Take the Streetcar line to explore classic New Orleans neighborhoods too.
Recommended Hotel: Ritz-Carlton, NOLA
Skip the Lines: Discount Attractions
MORE LOUISIANA FUN
BATON ROUGE| SHREVEPORT | NATCHITOCHES | PLAN YOUR LOUISIANA VACATION
MAKE IT HAPPEN IN MISSISSIPPI
OXFORD
Best known as the home to the University of Mississippi, this small town in Northern Mississippi is a destination all it’s own. Literary types will know it is the home of William Faulkner. Pick up a few of his books at Square Books, named bookstore of the year by Publishers Weekly. For music lovers, End of All Music was voted one of the best music stores by Southern Living. Of course depending on the time of year you visit, you have to catch an Ole Miss football game (Hotty Toddy)
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Recommended Hotel: The Graduate
MISSISSIPPI DELTA
There’s a natural rhythm and a richness here. The Mississippi Delta stretches along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, south from Memphis through fertile fields and welcoming communities. There is a wealth of stories being told here, through long-standing traditions, over meals and in the music for which the region is most famous.
Recommended Hotel: The Lofts at the Five & Dime
MORE MISSISSIPPI FUN
BILOXI| SHREVEPORT | JACKSON| PLAN YOUR MISSISSIPPI VACATION
VISIT VIRGINIA FOR AN EXCITING WEEKEND
ABINGDON
Just two hours northeast of Asheville, North Carolina, 10 minutes north of Bristol, Tennessee and four and a half hours west of Richmond, Abingdon, Virginia, is nestled between the soaring peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Great Appalachian Valley, offering extraordinary scenic views and refreshing outdoor delights. With its enthusiastic drive for historic preservation and passion for the contemporary, Abingdon is a walkable, bike-able, and drive-able town that’s easy to love.
Recommended Stay: East Crest Lodge
WILLIAMSBURG
Colonial Williamsburg is the ultimate history museum. Walk through cobblestone streets, into shops selling wigs, hats, firearms and more. Pick produce out of the garden or help make bricks for the buildings. Close to Williamsburg is the Jamestown Settlement, which is an active archeological dig, as well as Historic Jamestown which is living history museum. History buffs can round out their visit with tour of Yorktown.
Recommended Hotel: Colonial Houses
Skip the Lines: Bestselling Mt Vernon/Alexandria Tour
WASHINGTON DC
OK – Washington, DC isn’t technically in Virginia, but it’s close enough! The Smithsonian Museums alone could keep you and the kids happily busy for days. But make your way to the outskirts, also. Saunter the streets of DelRay. Hike the rails at Potomac Heritage, visit Mount Vernon, feel the spray of water from Great Falls Park, or spend the day roaming Annapolis and savoring their sweet seafood.
Recommended Hotel: The Westin Georgetown
Skip the Lines: Washington DC Explorer Pass
MORE VIRGINA FUN
VIRGINIA BEACH| FREDERICKSBURG | CHARLOTTESVILLE| PLAN YOUR VIRGINIA VACATION
DID WE FORGET GEORGIA?
We’d never forget our home state! From my favorite all-inclusive resort on Little St Simons Island to the beaches of Tybee and Jekyll Island…to the Wild Animal Safari and the sprawling golf course at Callaway…and from the glorious North Georgia Mountains to the lovely Georgia State Parks – our hearts are here. Please check out our entire post about great Weekend Getaways in Georgia.
Ready to explore more of the east coast — like New York City, or Acadia National Park? We’ve got 29+ East Coast Vacations You’re Guaranteed to Love!
