MomSkoop
Planning a family vacation in the South opens doors to incredible adventures that blend history, culture, and natural beauty. From bustling cities filled with music and museums to peaceful beaches and stunning national forests, the Southern United States offers something special for every family member. Whether your kids love thrilling theme parks, fascinating historical sites, or outdoor exploration, these destinations promise unforgettable memories that will have everyone talking long after you return home.
1. Montgomery, Alabama
Civil rights history comes alive in Alabama’s capital city, where families can walk the same streets as heroes like Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Rosa Parks Library and Museum offers interactive exhibits that help children understand this important chapter in American history.
Beyond history lessons, Montgomery surprises visitors with the Montgomery Zoo, home to over 500 animals from around the world. Kids especially love the train ride through the park and feeding giraffes during special encounters.
Downtown Montgomery features beautiful riverfront parks perfect for picnics and playground time after educational museum visits.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
Jazz music fills the air as families stroll through the famous French Quarter, where colorful buildings and street performers create magical moments around every corner. Children become mesmerized watching artists paint portraits and musicians play everything from saxophones to washboard instruments.
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas showcases incredible sea life, including a walk-through tunnel surrounded by sharks and rays. Nearby, steamboat rides along the Mississippi River offer stunning city views while kids learn about river history.
Family-friendly restaurants serve kid-approved versions of famous Creole dishes, making mealtime an adventure in itself.
3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Sixty miles of pristine sandy beaches provide endless entertainment for families who love building sandcastles, collecting seashells, and splashing in gentle Atlantic waves. The wide beaches offer plenty of space for beach games and kite flying.
The famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk stretches for miles, featuring amusement rides, arcade games, and delicious treats like funnel cakes and saltwater taffy. Kids can ride the SkyWheel, a giant ferris wheel offering breathtaking ocean views.
Miniature golf courses with pirate themes and water features add extra fun to evening activities. Nearby attractions include dinner theaters and interactive science museums perfect for rainy day adventures.
4. Corpus Christi, Texas
Massive aircraft carriers and naval history captivate young minds at the USS Lexington Museum, where families can explore flight decks, pilot simulators, and restored World War II aircraft. Children love pretending to be pilots in authentic cockpits.
The Texas State Aquarium features incredible Gulf of Mexico marine life, including playful dolphins, mysterious jellyfish, and massive sea turtles. Touch tanks allow kids to gently interact with stingrays and small sharks under expert supervision.
Beautiful beaches along Corpus Christi Bay offer calmer waters perfect for younger children, while fishing piers provide opportunities for families to try catching their dinner together.
5. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Once an exclusive retreat for America’s wealthiest families, Jekyll Island now welcomes everyone to enjoy its pristine beaches and fascinating history. The Jekyll Island Club Hotel’s grand architecture tells stories of Gilded Age luxury that intrigue older children and adults alike.
Bike trails wind through maritime forests and along peaceful beaches, making family cycling adventures both safe and scenic. The island’s compact size means everything stays within easy reach of young legs.
Sea turtle nesting programs offer nighttime beach walks during summer months, creating unforgettable wildlife encounters. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center rescues and rehabilitates injured sea creatures, teaching children about ocean conservation.
6. Hanging Rock State Park, North Carolina
Adventure-seeking families find their paradise among the dramatic cliffs and scenic overlooks of this stunning state park. The main trail to Hanging Rock’s summit rewards hikers with panoramic mountain views that stretch for miles across the Piedmont region.
Crystal-clear swimming holes and a sandy beach around a 12-acre lake provide refreshing breaks from hiking trails. Rental canoes and paddleboats let families explore the peaceful waters while spotting wildlife along the shorelines.
Rock climbing instruction and guided nature programs help children develop outdoor skills and confidence. Camping facilities allow families to extend their stay under star-filled mountain skies away from city lights.
7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Cowboys and Native American culture blend seamlessly in Oklahoma’s vibrant capital, where families discover authentic Western heritage through interactive museums and cultural centers. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum features kid-friendly exhibits about rodeos, cattle drives, and frontier life.
Science Museum Oklahoma engages curious minds with hands-on experiments, planetarium shows, and interactive displays covering everything from weather patterns to space exploration. Children can conduct real scientific experiments in specially designed learning labs.
Bricktown Entertainment District offers family-friendly restaurants, canal boat rides, and minor league baseball games at the beautifully designed Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, creating perfect evening entertainment after museum visits.
8. Nashville, Tennessee
Music City welcomes families with open arms and toe-tapping rhythms that get everyone moving to the beat. The Country Music Hall of Fame offers interactive exhibits where children can try playing instruments and recording their own songs in professional studios.
Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley recorded many hits, provides behind-the-scenes glimpses into music history that fascinate visitors of all ages. Kids love standing where their favorite musicians once performed.
The Grand Ole Opry House hosts family-friendly shows featuring talented musicians from various genres. Broadway’s honky-tonk district offers early evening entertainment suitable for families, with street performers and live music creating an authentic Nashville atmosphere.
9. Jackson, Mississippi
Mississippi’s capital surprises families with world-class museums and beautiful gardens that showcase Southern culture and natural beauty. The Mississippi Children’s Museum features two floors of interactive exhibits designed specifically for young learners, including a working television studio and literacy garden.
The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science houses incredible native wildlife exhibits, including live alligators, river otters, and hundreds of fish species in massive aquarium displays. Nature trails wind through wetlands where families can spot real wildlife.
LeFleur’s Bluff State Park provides peaceful camping and hiking opportunities right within the city limits, making it easy to combine urban attractions with outdoor adventures during single family trips.
10. Orlando, Florida
Theme park capital of the world, Orlando transforms childhood dreams into reality with world-famous attractions that create lifelong memories for entire families. Walt Disney World’s four theme parks offer magical experiences from meeting beloved characters to thrilling rides designed for various age groups.
Universal Studios brings movies to life through incredible attractions and shows featuring popular film franchises. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter allows families to experience authentic magical adventures together.
Beyond theme parks, Orlando offers beautiful lakes, nature preserves, and family-friendly restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. Many hotels feature spectacular pools and activities that become attractions themselves, providing entertainment even during downtime between park visits.
11. Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Arkansas
Pristine wilderness awaits adventurous families in Arkansas’s stunning national forest, where crystal-clear streams, towering bluffs, and dense woodlands create the perfect backdrop for outdoor exploration. Multiple difficulty levels of hiking trails ensure everyone from toddlers to teenagers can participate in forest adventures.
Swimming holes carved by centuries of flowing water provide natural pools perfect for cooling off after hiking. Families can safely swim in designated areas while enjoying spectacular scenery surrounding these geological wonders.
Camping under star-filled skies far from city lights creates magical evening experiences. Rangers lead educational programs about local wildlife, plant identification, and forest conservation, helping children develop deeper connections with nature.