Planning your next family road trip and want to head south? Look no further. Whether you and your family want to visit the beach, the mountains, or explore the city, there is a little bit for everyone in the south.
We’ve put together a list of the 6 best road trip destinations in the south for families and included family-friendly places to stay, eat, and visit. You’ll be packing your bags for your family’s southern road trip in no time!
1. Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a fun haven for families who want a great place to stop on their southern road trip. It’s nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains and has plenty of attractions and places to eat, all within a 10-mile stretch.
In addition to hiking and catching views of the Smoky Mountains, families can also hop on a self-operated gravity-propelled cart at Ripley’s Mountain Coaster. The mountaintop amusement park, Anakeesta, offers ziplining, a splash pad, the treehouse village play area, and more. Ober Mountain features snow tubing and skiing in the winter months and a variety of activities in the summer months.
- Places to stay: Glenstone Lodge, Hampton Inn, Chalet Inn, or rent a cabin
- Places to eat: Calhoun’s, Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
- Places to visit: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Arcadia, Hillbilly Golf, Anakeesta, Ripley’s Mountain Coaster, Ober Mountain
2. Orlando, FL
It’s obvious that Orlando, Florida is one of the most popular southern road trip destinations. Home to Disney World, Universal, Sea Life Aquarium, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and more, Orlando has more to do than you will probably have time for!
Outside amusement parks, there are even more great family-friendly things to do. For animal lovers, the Exotic Animal Experience lets visitors hold small animals like lemurs and sloths. Little artists can create their own crayon labels and art at the Crayola Experience. The Orlando Science Center features kid-friendly science activities and events.
- Places to stay: Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Coco Key Hotel, and Water Park Resort
- Places to eat: T-Rex Cafe, Senor Frogs, NYPD Pizza, Pineapple Lanai
- Places to visit: Disney World, Exotic Animal Experience, Crayola Experience
3. Myrtle Beach, SC
If you’re not planning to hang out at the beach, there are plenty of other things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This popular southern road trip destination is home to the Myrtle Beach Skywheel—a 187-foot tall Ferris wheel.
If your family loves shows, check out the Medieval Times show. It offers two hours of medieval excitement and a 4-course meal. Le Grand Cirque is an extreme acrobatics show. Other things to explore include Broadway at the Beach, Dino Park, and more.
- Places to stay: Coral Beach Resort, Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort
- Places to eat: Eggs Up Grill, Nacho Hippo, Mellow Mushroom
- Places to visit: Local beach, Broadway at the Beach, Dino Park
Related articles:
- Best Family Mountain Vacations in North Carolina
- Strollers at Disney World: What’s Allowed & What’s Not
- Accessible Disney World: Doing Disney with a Special Needs Child
- Charleston, South Carolina: Unique Experiences for Families
4. Nashville, TN
Music lovers will love taking a southern road trip to Nashville, Tennessee. Listen to live music and grab a bite at the Wildhorse Saloon (they have a kid’s menu), or try ‘bonuts’ (biscuit-donuts) at Biscuit Love. Visit the most famous wax museum in the world, Madame Tussauds.
For sports enthusiasts, there are a few teams to watch in Nashville, including the NHL Predators, NFL Titans, and Nashville Sounds (minor league baseball). In addition, children will love checking out the animals at the Nashville Zoo or seeing a show by the Nashville Children’s Theatre.
- Places to stay: Gaylord Opryland Resort, Omni Nashville
- Places to eat: Biscuit Love, Wildhorse Saloon, Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre
- Places to visit: Nashville Zoo, Nashville Children’s Theatre, Madame Tussauds
5. Pigeon Forge, TN
Even though Gatlinburg is located next door to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, we had to include this southern road trip destination because of all it offers to families. Not only does Pigeon Forge offer dinner theatre shows (e.g., Hatfield & McCoy, Dolly Parton’s Stampede) and interesting museums (e.g., Titanic museum), but it is also home to Dollywood, a popular family-friendly theme and water park that has been named the “#1 Theme Park in the United States” by TripAdvisor.
Families can even stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa, inspired by Dolly Parton’s childhood memories.
- Places to stay: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa, RiverStone Resort & Spa
- Places to eat: Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Mama’s Farmhouse, Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
- Places to visit: Dollywood, Titanic museum, RainForest Adventures Zoo, Holywood Star Cars Museum
6. Asheville, NC
Asheville, North Carolina, is a great southern road trip destination for families who like to hike in a forest but also want to explore a city. The Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful and great places for the whole family to hike.
Outside of the mountains are fun places to visit, like the Asheville Pinball Museum and the Adventure Center of Asheville, which includes a kid-friendly zipline course. Biltmore Estate is a hugely popular attraction that families can tour. There’s even an oversized nursery and basement bowling alley inside! The Western North Carolina Nature Center houses more than 60 animal species to get a great look at wildlife.
- Places to stay: Omni Grove Park Inn, Mountain Magnolia Inn
- Places to eat: Asheville Pizza & Brewing, HomeGrown, Farm Burger, Biscuit Head Biltmore, White Duck Taco Shop
- Places to visit: Adventure Center of Asheville, Biltmore Estate, WNC Nature Center
Now that you have a better idea of what the south offers to families, it’s time to start planning your next southern road trip! Before booking your reservations, consider the season you want to visit and what will be available at that time of year. Then, as always, make sure to get your reservations in, and your tickets bought sooner than later. The best road trip destinations fill up fast!
Have you taken a family southern road trip before? If so, where did you go, and what did you love about it?
Morgan French is a wife, mom of two, writer & editor. After traveling for 3 years with her family, she now lives back in her hometown of Dayton, OH. She makes frequent stops for coffee, enjoys the outdoors, and loves board games.
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