An inviting climate makes the South an attractive family vacation destination throughout the year. Kids love historic destinations, living history museums, and modern amusement parks that thrive in the South -- Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana -- and everyone notices the spirit of hospitality throughout the region.
Below, you'll find links to family vacation spots in the South designed with kids in mind, along with helpful links to Mobil-rated, family-friendly hotels and restaurants near each destination.
Alabama
Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores, Alabama, features 32 miles of sandy shores for exploration and play.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Huntsville, Alabama's U.S. Space and Rocket Center is home to the Space Camp program and a museum.
Vulcan Statue
The 56-foot statue in cast-iron celebrates Birmingham's past as a mining town.
Arkansas
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Spend an entire week -- or more -- exploring more than 160 miles of sandy beaches, barrier islands and charming towns along the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Blanchard Springs Caverns
Little kids can crawl in the crannies at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Arkansas.
Ouachita National Forest
Renowned or glistening streams and pristine lakes, Ouachita National Forest is also a favorite stomping grounds for geology enthusiasts and rock collectors.
Ozark Folk Center State Park
Pioneer life is celebrated at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Arkansas.
Florida
Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon Water Parks
The whimsy of snow-bound waterparks in Florida marks Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon Water Parks.
Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay
At Tampa Bay's Busch Gardens, see exotic, endangered animals and enjoy a theme park, too.
Cape Canaveral
A barrier island off the coast of Florida, Cape Canaveral Is home to the Kennedy Space Center, but it is also Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine
Destin
Little ones collect shells while older kids learn deep-sea fishing beyond the shores of Destin, Florida.
Kennedy Space Center
Special programs for kids at Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center make this a truly memorable place.
Key West
At the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys, Key West maintains pleasant weather - most of the time - and a relaxed beach culture.
Little Havana
Find a slice of Cuba in Florida where streets are lined with authentic Cuban eateries and cigars hand-rolled by Cubans.
Miami's South Beach
South Beach's fashionable streets are adorned with Art Deco buildings and beautiful people.
Ringling Estate, Sarasota Bay
An estate befitting a circus baron.
Sanibel Island
Shores lined with seashells and frequent dolphin sightings mark Sanibel Island as a lively seaside destination.
St. Augustine
Early Spanish history along the soft-sand shores of St. Augustine, Florida, makes this a dynamic spot to visit.
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
Movies and activities converge at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
Venetian Pool
Dating back to the 1920's, this enormous pool looks like a Venetian Grotto and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World, the jewel in Orlando's crown, gives families everything to do.
Georgia
Amicalola Falls
Twelve miles of hiking trails wind through wooded paths and breathtaking views of the falls.
Chippewa Square, Savannah
At the center of downtown Savannah's historic district, Chippewa Square celebrates General James Edward Oglethorpe who founded the colony of Georgia.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Prehistoric creatures dominate the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Georgia.
Georgia Aquarium
A six million gallon tank provides a home for the featured residents of the Georgia Aquarium.
The Golden Isles
Sea, Jekyll, St. Simons, Little St. Simons, and Cumberland Islands make up the Golden Isles of Georgia.
Jekyll Island
Georgia's smallest barrier island, Jekyll Island was a retreat for wealthy industrialists in the late-1800s.
Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site
Commemorating the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr., this center includes interpretations of King's life as well as his grave.
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Best seen by canoe, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge brims with wildlife.
Savannah
One of Savannah, Georgia's many historic homes belonged to the founder of the Girl Scouts. Read more about historic Savannah, Georgia.
Stone Mountain
The world's largest exposed piece of granite features the Confederate Memorial Carving, which depicts three Civil War figures, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee, and General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.
Tybee Island
Sand dunes on this barrier island serve as a backdrop for beach activities and cottage life.
World of Coca-Cola
The museum that celebrates one of the world's most-recognized brands is a big draw in its hometown of Atlanta.
Kentucky
Kentucky Derby Festival
The Kentucky Derby Festival's ten days of events in Louisville leads up to the Race for the Roses.
Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory
A giant baseball bat marks the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory in downtown Louisville.
The National Corvette Museum and Factory Tour
The National Corvette Museum and Factory Tour is the centerpiece of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Louisiana
Louisiana State Capitols
Two state capitols grace Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Explore them both.
Mardi Gras World
If you can't make it down for the event, visit Mardi Gras World museum for a look into New Orleans' most notorious event.
National D-Day Museum
Telling the story of World War II, the National D-Day Museum in Louisiana gives kids an opportunity to learn.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Kids celebrate music at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in April and May.
Plantation Alley
Thirty antebellum mansions overlook the Mississippi River on Great River Road, and some of them are open for business as bed-and-breakfast inns.
Spooky Cemeteries and Haunted House Tours
Older kids are thrilled by Spooky Cemeteries and Haunted House Tours of New Orleans.
Mississippi
Delta Blues Festival
Celebrating the Mississippi Delta Blues sound, this festival is the second oldest in the country.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Mississippi's Gulf Islands National Seashore features idyllic beaches, island hopping, and salt marshes.
Natchez Trace
Now designated as a National Scenic Trail, the Natchez Trace has long been a route of trade and commerce.
North Carolina
Outer Banks
Its storied past - disappearing settlers and visits by Blackbeard - makes the Outer Banks an interesting destination.
Wrightsville Beach
North Carolina's Wrightsville Beach maintains a small island feeling while delivering a big vacation experience.
South Carolina
Biltmore Estate
The largest home in the United States rests on 8,000 acres of lush gardens, active vineyards, and a luxury inn.
Charleston
One of the most lovingly preserved cities in the U.S., Charleston, South Carolina, presents a picture postcard journey through the Old South.
Edisto Island
Lull around South Carolina charm and history at Edisto Island.
Hilton Head Island
This semitropical paradise welcomes visitors to its beaches, salt marshes, lagoons, and lush forests.
Kiawah Island
South Carolina's Kiawah Island merges pristine beachfronts, naturescapes, and resort fun. Find out more about Kiawah Island.
Tennessee
Beale Street
Beale Street is the place to be for music and nightlife in downtown Memphis.
Graceland
At times quirky and always unusual, Graceland's many oddities are the curiosity of Tennessee.
Grand Ole Opry
The longest-running live radio program in the U.S., the Grand Ole Opry is now a resort that includes a convention center, golf, and shopping.
National Civil Rights Museum
The struggle for justice is explored at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.
National Storytelling Festival
In early October, Jonesborough, Tennessee welcomes storytellers of every age to weave their tales.
Pigeon Forge and Dollywood
Families simply cannot be bored in Pigeon Forge and Dollywood, Dolly Parton's homage to her home in Tennessee.
Tennessee Aquarium
The world's largest freshwater aquarium, the Tennessee Aquarium features river and lake creatures.
Virginia
Assateague Island National Seashore
Wild ponies and other unusual animals roam the shores of Assateague Island National Seashore.
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
Eye-catching and fun, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, features amazing architecture and exciting rides.
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg, the world's largest living history museum, tells the story of early settlements in Virginia.
Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement
English settlement is explored at Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement.
Mabry Mill
Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this scenic mill is now a living history center.
Monticello
The home of Thomas Jefferson is a Roman neo-classical masterpiece.
Mount Vernon
George Washington's plantation along the Potomac River is carefully preserved in Virginia's countryside.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, Virginia, houses the Smithsonian's overflow collection of air and space vehicles.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach's 2.5-mile boardwalk is the epicenter of activity for this busy and bucolic beach town.
West Virginia
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Steeped in history, West Virginia's Harpers Ferry National Historical Park tells many stories. Read more about Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Monongahela National Forest
One of the largest protected woodlands in the nation, the Monongahela National Forest is home to a wide range of plant and animal life.
River Rafting on the Upper New River
Experience the challenge and adventure of river rafting on the Upper New River in West Virginia.
Winter Festival of Lights
Oglebay Park's Winter Festival of Lights brings magic to West Virginia's winter nights.
From Ogelbay Park, it's just a short trip to Ohio, where the Midwest begins. Plan a family vacation in the Midwest any season of the year, and you'll be thrilled by the charm and straight-forward warmness of the people you meet.
Visit the following links to learn about scenic drives or to get recommendations on Mobil Travel Guide's ratings on hotels, resorts, and restaurants.