Things to do / Travel Guide
The southern Appalachian Mountains is a perfect region for families that love - or who aspire to love - the outdoors. Of course you'll find the crazy-difficult hikes in this region too, but by and large, the hikes, boating, fishing, and driving opportunities, are just the right speed for family fun. Otherwise, you'll find a good amount of theme parks, factory tours, and ski resorts. Finally, the culture-loving family will have plenty to do in cities like Charlottesville and Asheville.
The Great Outdoors - Southern Appalachian-Style
This is just the right region for you to learn to relate to nature. The gentle sloping mountains and valleys, the constant ridges, will give you a sense of the land's contours. Meanwhile the plants, trees, and animals will bring out the taxonomist (nature-namer) in you. “What's the name of that flower?” “What kind of bird was that?” You'll see deer from up close, bears from a safe distance (on the next hill over), and all kinds of moss, lichens, and mushrooms.
The rolling hills of the Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge Mountains are fine for younger hikers, while the Smoky Mountains might require more exertion. Nevertheless, Mount Mitchell, in the Black Mountains, is a pleasant walk to the summit, and it's one of the highest peaks in the East! The Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia, while they aren't as tall as the Smokies, often pose the greatest challenge, on account of their craggy nature and remoteness. West Virginia isn't called wild for nothing!
Biking is a favorite activity in the Appalachians, and there are plenty of trails and roads on which to bike with the family. Bile along the Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge Parkway for stretches, or on the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop.
Theme Parks and Factory Tours in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Aside from the nature, there are a number of family-oriented theme parks and factory tours spread throughout the region. Back-to-back in Winchester, Virginia, you'll find Dinosaur Land, where life-size recreations of the prehistoric critters are on display to awe youngsters; and Route 11 Potato Chips, with an awesome tour of the factory and free samples afterwards. In North Carolina, near the town of Blowing Rock, you can have fun exploring the world of the Wild West, as a cowboy, Indian, engineer, or (for the gals) showgirl.
Ski Resorts in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Skiing is a big attraction in the southern Appalachian Mountains. You'll find challenging ski resorts from northern West Virginia to southwestern North Carolina, and most have ample opportunities for the youngest and most inexperienced of skiers. West Virginia's premier location is Snowshoe, one of the East's best; in the summertime the resort doubles as a premier mountain biking destination. Virginia's Wintergreen is another upscale favorite - the longest run is well over a mile long. A chill atmosphere with great skiing is what you'll get at Cataloochee, right at the gateway on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Holy smokes!
Family-centered Culture in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
If your family loves culture, and going around famous old buildings, two cities will fit the bill: Charlottesville, in Virginia, and Asheville, in North Carolina. Charlottesville's main attraction is Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. There's more history on these premises than marshmallows in a Lucky Charms box: old clocks, trophy heads on the walls, musty servants' quarters, funny-looking beds and writing tables, and more!
Over in Asheville, you have got - but you have got - to bring the fam' to Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned home in the U.S. The house has more chimneys than there are rooms on the block your house is located on, and forget about the number of bathrooms! It's over a century old, and it may just inspire your kid to become a railroad magnate, just like the house's first owner, George Washington Vanderbilt.
All in all, the southern Appalachian Mountains is a great region for your family to visit, if you like hiking and boating, or just a great bag of potato chips.
Family Vacation Ideas in Roanoke, Asheville, Smoky, Blue Ridge, Shenandoah and Southern Appalachian Mountains
Family-Vacation-Ideas
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