The South’s Most Fun Destinations for the Whole Crew
By Kellie Walton Benz 

 

Vacations make for some of the best childhood memories, from school breaks spent running from coaster to coaster at an exhilarating amusement park to summers spent basking in the sun during a beachy getaway.  

 

The South is home to plenty of family-friendly destinations to delight travelers of all ages, running the gamut from adventurous to relaxing, educational to awe-inspiring.  

 

Here are some of the South’s best family-friendly destinations.  

 

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort – Gatlinburg, Tennessee 

If you’re looking for a mountainside retreat in the heart of the Smokies, visit Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa for a perfect Southern getaway that blends nature and entertainment. Surrounded by stunning landscapes and housed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa is the only resort that resides within the borders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  

 

Outfitted with something for the whole family, it features the onsite Serenity Spa by Westgate for ultimate relaxation, nearby scenic hiking trails for those looking to immerse in nature, and a myriad of outdoor recreational activities for those looking for a little more adventure: guided hiking, zip lining, an indoor playground and waterpark. Westgate is built with comfort in mind, featuring spacious luxury villas and fully furnished balconies where the family can cozy up to watch the sun set behind the Smokies from the comfort of their own rooms.  

 

Dollywood is only a few miles up the road should you wish to keep the adventure going, recently voted the No. 1 theme park in the United States by TripAdvisor. Enjoy 50 world-class rides, high-energy entertainment, award-winning dining and the friendliest park atmosphere in the world (it’s Dolly, after all).  westgateresorts.com 

 

Sci-Port Discovery Center – Shreveport, Louisiana 

There are many family-friendly attractions in the northwest Louisiana town of Shreveport-Bossier. Adventurers can discover sea creatures at the Shreveport Aquarium, hold a baby alligator and zipline over a gator-inhabited swamp at Gators and Friends Adventure Park, or take a stroll and ride the carousel at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets.  

 

During a Shreveport visit, get a dose of education at the Sci-Port Discovery Center. Experience the Gallery of Intrigue, a history-based, open-air escape room, see an IMAX film, and so much more. The Discovery Center provides a fun, educational environment built for all ages to explore and engage in science, technology, engineering, and math.  

 

The onsite PoP Children’s Museum (which stands for Power of Play) is an adorable place for kids to play and learn, built as a replica of the Shreveport-Bossier city. Kids can visit miniature versions of a grocery store, cafe, department store, veterinarian clinic, dentist, medical center, bank, and more, all aimed at helping kids discover the world around them.  

 

Also onsite is the Dayna and Ronald L. Sawyer Planetarium, a combination of a laser projector, revolutionary software and a curved screen to bring the universe within reach. Visit the planets, fly through the stars, and review constellations in this immersive experience.  
sci-port.org

 

WaterColor Resort – Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico at the vibrant WaterColor Inn and Resort overlooking the sugar sands of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Located off 30A, the resort hotel is a family-friendly destination rich with history and charm. The resort sits on 500 acres between the Gulf and a coastal lake, mirroring a classic beach house with modern, luxurious touches throughout the boutique property.  

 

In addition to its 60 beachfront guest rooms and suites, WaterColor Inn also has seven one or two bedroom family suites available. Relaxing on the beach or beside one of the resort’s three pools may be of interest for parents, but there are plenty of more adventurous options available for kids. Visit Camp WaterColor, an aquatic center with two pools with slides, a lazy river, playground, basketball court, and a lifeguard on duty.  

 

Your stay also includes access to kayak and canoe rentals at the WaterColor BoatHouse, discounted stand-up paddle board rentals, and optional beach bonfire services. Plus, bike rentals are available for adults to move around the property and neighboring community with ease.  

 

At WaterColor, you’ll never have to leave the property once you arrive thanks to the variety of dining options onsite, from the signature WaterColor Grill to the rooftop lounge, casual Canteen, and even an onsite milkshake bar.  
watercolorresort.com

 

Whitewater Center – North Carolina  

Up the ante with a family whitewater rafting adventure, and what better place to begin than the U.S. National WhiteWater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Whitewater Center is home to the world’s largest man made whitewater river, which operates as an outdoor center with more than 30 recreational activities to try. The 1,300-acre land has 50 miles of trail and access to two bodies of water: the Catawba River and Long Creek.  

 

Family rafting is available for ages eight and older and includes an introductory whitewater experience down class II and III rapids. For families with older children, adventure, big water, and rodeo rafting options are available increasing in difficulty.  

 

If rafting isn’t of interest, there are plenty of other activities to consider, including ropes courses, ziplines, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, and more. Guests can purchase an all-day pass to enjoy multiple activities, all rooted in outdoor fun.  
whitewater.org  

 

Kentucky Kingdom – Louisville, Kentucky  

Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay, a combination amusement and waterpark, invites families to laugh, slide, and play all summer long with more than 70 attractions – including six world-class roller coasters, two giant wave pools, and one of the largest selections of children’s rides in the region at King Louie’s Playland.  

 

Situated in Louisville, Kentucky Kingdom is the state’s largest amusement and water park. Thrill seekers can enjoy some fair favorites, from the fast-spinning Himalaya to the FearFALL drop tower and a towering ferris wheel. Or, take off on an exhilarating roller coaster, from the wooden Kentucky Flyer to the scream-inducing Lightning Run (featuring a 100-foot, 80-degree drop!).  

 

On warm days, cool off at Hurricane Bay Water Park, which opens in May and runs through the summer season. Here, unwind on one of the lazy rivers, lounge by the pool or reserve a cabana, or keep the thrills going on a pulse-pounding waterslide. Try the Deep Water Dive, one of the world’s tallest body slides that drops 121 feet at a 70-degree angle, or ‘pick’ the Mega Wedgie 100-foot tunnel slide instead.
kentuckykingdom.com

 

Georgia Aquarium – Atlanta, Georgia 

There is no shortage of things to see and do for the whole family in Georgia’s capital city of Atlanta, but perhaps the most jaw-dropping is the Georgia Aquarium. Located in the city center across near the Olympic Park and World of Coke Museum, the aquarium boasts more than 11 million gallons of water within its walls. 

 

A scientific institution built to both entertain and educate, the aquarium features exhibits and programs that offer engaging guest experiences focused on conservation and biodiversity worldwide. More than 500 species of animals call the aquarium home, and it’s the only aquarium in North America that is home to whale sharks (the largest fish in the world) and manta rays.  

 

Make plans to also catch the dolphin exhibit and show at the Georgia Aquarium, featuring an expansive underwater dolphin viewing window and an incredible theatrical performance between the dolphins and their human trainers. 

 

A visit to the Georgia Aquarium, which the Guinness Book of World Records deemed as the largest in the world, may have both you and your little ones ready to become a marine biologist.  
georgiaaquarium.org