Southern US

These Hotel Pools Will Wow the Kids on a Family Vacation

Submitted by Elaine Paoloni ... on Sat, 08/17/2019 - 3:43pm

When you have kids, finding a hotel with an awesome swimming pool is usually right at the top of the vacation-planning list. After a long day of activity, you can kick back and watch them splash around at the hotel pool. On a rainy day, hotels with indoor swimming pools will be a saving grace. While most kids will be satisfied with any hole that contains water, impress them with something unique to make that next family vacation one that they won't soon forget.

Here are some of our favorite U.S. hotels with pools sure to satisfy the whole family. We've included both outdoor hotel pools, indoor options, and even those hotels that let you swim in the pool without staying there overnight. The options run from a Las Vegas hotel pool to a Texas-shaped rooftop pool in Houston to a day-pass-friendly NYC hotel pool.

For more vacation ideas on where to stay, check out our Hotels & Resorts Guide.

11 Top Hotels with Outdoor Water Parks for Families with Kids

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Sat, 08/03/2019 - 2:02pm

Kids generally love the perks of staying at hotels but add on a water park and that regular family getaway suddenly hits thrilling new heights. Think of all the family fun: lazy rivers right outside the door, a room nearby for naptime, instant ways to cool down, and no time wasted stuck in traffic to the local pool or beach.

We've rounded up 11 top U.S. hotels and resorts with water parks where families can chill out and cool off at the same time. Find great places to stay (and play) in Florida, Texas, California, and the East Coast.

Virginia Beach with Kids: 25 Things to do on a Family Vacation

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 07/27/2019 - 1:34pm

Virginia Beach is a perennial favorite getaway for East Coast families and travelers, beloved for its sandy oceanfront and 3-mile-long boardwalk. The beach and Atlantic surf have kept kids entertained for ages.

The length of the beach translates into always being able to find a spot for your towel and beach umbrella, even at the height of summer, and the decidedly G-rated atmosphere in Virginia's largest city, including a ‘no cursing on the beach’ rule, means there's plenty of family-friendly activities and spirit. Take the kids bike riding, for a round of mini golf, or to the aquarium.

With hotels that accommodate a range of budgets, no-frills eateries, and free entertainment, Virginia Beach is a top pick for families craving a beach vacation. Colonial Williamsburg is also nearby, or you can add-on a visit to Washington, DC with the kids or another Virginia city, such as Richmond. Here’s what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Virginia Beach.

Asheville with Kids: 40 Best Things to Do in Asheville, NC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 06/08/2019 - 2:05pm

Asheville, NC, is a popular destination for visitors, including families, with so many fun things to do like the Biltmore Estate, a thriving food and arts scene, a Vanderbilt mansion with extensive grounds, and its kid-friendly local breweries. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the plentiful hiking trails, waterfalls, and swimming holes. I frequently visit my sister’s family in Asheville and get to explore this charming Southern city with my young nephew, so I wanted to share the inside skinny on the best family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and what to do in Asheville with kids.

Find more family fun destinations in our Family Travel City Guides, and be sure to check our picks for North Carolina's best beaches for families.

35 Fun Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Sat, 05/18/2019 - 2:04pm

Atlanta may be famous as the genteel home of Gone with the Wind, but these days it's a diverse, cosmopolitan Southern city with lots of fun for the whole family. There are museums galore, offering a world of kid-friendly culture and history, and Atlanta is one of only a few US cities where you can see giant pandas and walk through a shark tunnel. Kids will also have a blast at the many outdoor amusements, including the local Six Flags and a stunning children's garden.

There's plenty to do for families in Atlanta, Georgia, for a weekend, a week, or longer. Check out our list of the 35 best tourist sights and hidden fun before your trip. See our US City Guides for more great places to visit with kids.

12 of the Best Outdoor Water Parks in the US

Submitted by Elaine Paoloni ... on Sat, 05/11/2019 - 3:03pm

If your kids love the adventure of amusement parks but are looking for a way to cool off this summer, an outdoor water park might be just the ticket for your family. We've searched out some of the nation's best to compile this list of our favorite family-friendly water parks with relaxing pools, splash pads for toddlers, and thrilling water slides and rides for teenagers.

From New England to Orlando to California, there are plenty of water parks from which to choose. At some of these water parks, visitors can ride the ups and downs of a water coaster, slip through a trap door on a drop slide and spin around an oversized funnel slide for maximum thrills. To truly chill, just pick up a tube and float down a lazy river or rent a cabana with poolside dining.

Have your heart set on a water park vacation but don't want to risk the weather? Check out our list of the 10 Best Indoor Water Parks for Kids in the US.

Fun Skyline Drive Family Road Trip in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 05/11/2019 - 9:20am

The Skyline Drive in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is considered one of the most scenic road trips on the east coast. Only 75 miles from Washington, D.C., and an easy drive from Philadelphia and New York, it can be a fun add-on to a trip to our nation's capitol or a fun getaway on its own.

Though the natural beauty of the valley is the star of the show, there's lots to do to keep kids entertained, including easy hikes, caverns, family-friendly museums, a drive-in movie theater and down-home eats. Motels and resorts are modestly priced and there are excellent camping facilities for a bona fide back-to-nature experience.

Orlando with Teens: Top 15 Things to Do at the Theme Parks and Beyond

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 04/20/2019 - 1:32pm

I used to think of Orlando as a destination for little kids, but I discovered Orlando is even better with teens. Amusement parks are so much more fun when you can go on all the rides and don’t have to worry about the dreaded “theme park meltdowns.” My big kids were also able to pack in lots of other adventures and hipster shopping areas as we explored all the fun there is in Orlando beyond the theme parks.

We spent our recent spring break in Orlando with two teens and had a blast.