Birmingham, Alabama is perhaps best known for its role in the civil rights movement. While it remains an important center of civil rights history, Birmingham is also home to a thriving dining scene, fantastic urban green spaces, great cultural attractions, and plenty of other things to do with kids. Today, Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama.

Here are 20 top things to do in Birmingham, Alabama with kids, from the world-class Birmingham Zoo to family-friendly restaurants and hotels in Birmingham, AL. Visit our Southern States Vacation Guide for more cities in the south to visit with kids, like New Orleans and Charleston.

As the saying goes, there's no place like home for the holidays. But we say home is wherever your family is. And if your family is looking to get away this holiday season, book your trip now—some of the best family resorts are booking up quickly!

We've rounded up a dozen great family resorts to spend the holidays at with the whole gang. Some of these family resorts go above and beyond with holiday decorations and activities, making your family feel like they're in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Others are near destinations that do it up for the holidays, including Disneyland and Disney World.

Prefer to spend the holidays in paradise? We've also included some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts and other hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. These family resorts, along with others on our list of warm and sunny family vacation spots, provide a welcome respite from Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

See our Family Resorts and Hotels Guide for more great places to spend the holidays with your family.

Driving around to see neighborhood Christmas lights is a fun holiday tradition for many families. There's nothing better than loading the family into the car with hot chocolate, turning on holiday music, and taking in all the dazzling Christmas light displays. And the best part is, it's free!

Though DC itself offers gorgeous holiday lights in public places, like Light Yards and ZooLights at the National Zoo, we've found that the best neighborhoods to see Christmas light displays on houses are in the suburbs. Luckily, there are many neighborhoods in Maryland and Northern Virginia that get way into the holiday spirit. Many of them host animated light shows that are synchronized to music played through car radios, so families can stay warm and cozy inside their vehicles.

Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Maryland and Northern Virginia to see over-the-top neighborhood Christmas lights. For more holiday fun, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.