By Tom Wuckovich

School-day memories have faded, and it's time to think about that summer getaway with the family. You're in luck! We've put our heads together and have come up with 10 family vacation destinations that are fun, won't break the bank and are guaranteed to put a shine on the cherished days of summer.

They are all family friendly, and you can spend anywhere from a few days to a week or more and still enjoy all the benefits these areas have to offer.

They are, in no particular order, some of the best places to go in the South.

Orlando, FL

The next time you're thinking of a Florida vacation and your significant other or grown-up friends suggest Orlando, don't make a face or turn up your nose at the thought. Believe it or Not, as the famous Ripley has been known to say, Orlando isn't just for kids!

Sure, this is America's "theme park capital," with most visitors firmly in the grip of that little mouse whose domain is just outside the city's core. And of course, there are those "other" parks, such as SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Universal Orlando Resort and smaller attractions, such as Wet 'n Wild.

Shamu is a featured performer at SeaWorld.

This summer, all three major theme parks have unveiled new rides and attractions just in time for your summer vacation. Special summer deals make it easier for you to be among the first people to experience the excitement.

A visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom will put you face-to-face with the mythical yeti as you careen through Expedition Everest in a rickety railcar. Soaring nearly 200 feet, this new ride combines coaster thrills with the magic of Disney Audio-Animatronics to create a one-of-a-kind experience.

For water-themed excitement, don't miss Believe—the spectacular new killer whale show at SeaWorld Orlando. It's hard to think of 6,000-pound killer whales as graceful, but this show will change your mind.

Universal Orlando Resort will change the way you look at movies when it unveils Universal 360, A Cinesphere Spectacular this summer. This new nighttime show at Universal Studios will combine the sights and sounds of classic movies projected in high-definition on floating globes with one of Florida's largest laser light displays. Add flame and smoke effects and dazzling pyrotechnics, and you've got a memorable end to a great day at the park.

Theme parks are not the only "attraction" in the area. Orlando also boasts a number of museums and theatrical venues such as the Mad Cow Theatre. In addition to the off-Broadway-style theaters, the Orlando Symphony, an opera company and an annual cabaret festival all add to the city's allure. Orlando also boasts the world's most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, many hands-on exhibits at the Orlando Science Center, and extensive collections and touring exhibitions at the Orlando Museum of Art. Want more?

The Orange County Regional History Center is located in the heart of downtown, and the main exhibition tells how Orlando was transformed from a virtual swamp and small village into the cosmopolitan place it is today—a place that takes pride in its style and grace. But if you are a family with kids, then Orlando certainly fits the bill!

Panama City Beach, FL

A seaside destination known for its emerald-green waters and silky, white sand also can be considered a spectacular place for affordable family fun. Just steps away from the sand and sea, the entertainment offerings run deep with new rides, shows, exhibits and attractions galore.

Believe It! A one-of-a-kind entertainment complex debuted this summer. Designed to look like a 1950s luxury cruise liner run aground on the beach, the three-story complex is the new home of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium and Ripley's Moving Theater.

A family day at the beach is special in Panama City.

The Odditorium elicits reactions from young and old with exhibits that include an authentic shrunken head from Ecuador, a mummy discovered off the Florida coast, and an 11-foot Eiffel Tower made entirely of matchsticks. Another dazzler, the 23-foot-long Lincoln Town Car, is adorned with 23,000 gold-plated British coins valued at $1.3 million.

Also making a splash is Gulf World Marine Park, with new exhibits, extended hours and more than 25 shows. Dolphins perform daily in the state-of-the-art Dolphin Stadium, while mysteries of the deep unfold in the Coral Reef Theater. Headliners also include sea lions and loquacious parrots. There are exhibits of penguins and exotic birds, and this spring, a reptile exhibit premiered in Gulf World's Tropical Gardens, home to hundreds of tropical animals and plants. At night, Dolphin Stadium is aglow with water, lights and music for the spectacular SplashMagic Laser Show.

At Shipwreck Island Waterpark, families enjoy one of Florida's largest theme water parks. Little ones favor the specially designed Tadpole Hole, offering slides, towers, tubes and swings. The 500,000-gallon Ocean Motion Wave Pool and 2,000-foot Lazy River provide cool relaxation, while water-based thrill rides are designed to get the adrenalin pumping. Try the White Knuckle River, a 600-foot family tube ride; the 65-foot Tree Top Drop; Great Ship Wreck and Zoom Flume.

You really can't skip some time at the beach, and Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of silky, white-sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The Northwest Florida destination ranked as a 2005 USA Today Top 10 beach for family vacations.

Sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw visitors to this seaside destination.

St. Augustine

Seaside resorts, sun-drenched beaches, inspiring architecture, and moonlit tales of swashbuckling adventure create a unique setting for history and family fun in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra & The Beaches. St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States, features more than 60 historic sites and exciting attractions, national monuments, family events and unspoiled natural settings.

Historic towers are a beautiful backdrop for a St. Augustine sunset.

St. Augustine was founded in 1565—42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The city features an astounding array of historic sites and buildings. Bringing the ambiance of the Old City to life are more than 40 annual festivals and events, many of them featuring re-enactments and historically accurate costuming that reflect the history of St. Augustine. The combination of historic sites and modern-day storytelling make the attractions of St. Augustine one of the most popular features of the city.

Some of the not-to-be-missed tourist spots include Ripley's Believe It or Not! After his famous Believe It or Not! cartoon took off, Robert Ripley became an avid world traveler, seeking stories of bizarre and unusual proportions to include in his internationally known feature. The St. Augustine Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, the original Ripley museum, houses many objects from Robert Ripley's personal collection.

The Oldest House is the oldest surviving Spanish Colonial dwelling in Florida. The site has been occupied since the 1600s, and the present house dates to the early 1700s. Since 1893, visitors have toured the house to see evidence of the Spanish, British and American occupations of St. Augustine, and to learn how the residents lived.

Throughout its history, the story of Fort Matanzas has been closely intertwined with that of the city of St. Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos. This Spanish outpost fort was built in 1740-1742 to guard the Matanzas Inlet and to warn St. Augustine of British or other enemies approaching from the south. Fort Matanzas now serves as a reminder of the early Spanish empire in the New World.

For a look at sea creatures, tour Marineland, located on the oceanfront on A1A between St. Augustine and Daytona. Marineland, the world's first oceanarium, has created a more contemporary atmosphere for both guests and animals with its reconstruction. The new Dolphin Conservation Center offers intimate interactive programs for a wide variety of ages.

St. Augustine Beach offers lodging and restaurants directly on the Atlantic Ocean. The charming beachside area permits driving on the beaches in some areas and is home to one of northeast Florida's most popular public fishing piers.

Finally, perhaps you can catch a glimpse of the early settlers of St. Augustine—in spirit rather than in the flesh. Ghost Tours of St. Augustine, an award-winning tour, recently voted #1 Guided Tour in Florida by the readers of Florida Living magazine, is held every night of the year, including all holidays, and visits sites that are reportedly haunted.

Experience the Riches of the Southeast

Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga offers a passport to family fun with at least six unique adventures.These activities will take you underground, into the clouds and behind the scenes at six great attractions.

The Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Rock City Gardens, Creative Discovery Museum, Outdoor Chattanooga and the Hunter Museum of American Art have joined together to offer families a special action-packed experience.

Voted one of America's top family weekend getaways by Southern Living magazine, and one of America's top family destinations by Disney's FamilyFun magazine, Chattanooga offers endless possibilities for everyone.

Pigeon Forge, TN

Speaking of a fun family vacation spot, check out the more than 40 attractions located along Pigeon Forge's Parkway. From miniature golf, go-carts and bumper boats to water rides, laser games and even an indoor skydiving simulator, you can rest assured that your family will love a Pigeon Forge vacation.

Even history is fun on a Pigeon Forge family vacation, with entertaining and educational exhibits on display at Carbo's Police Museum, Dinosaur Walk Museum, Elvis Museum, Veterans Memorial Museum and the Smoky Mountain Car Museum. Every child likes dinosaurs, so this really cool natural history attraction will be a big draw. The creators of the first Jurassic Park film designed the creatures for this venue.

In addition to the fun-filled attractions, Pigeon Forge is home to music, magic and variety, making Pigeon Forge one of the best family vacation spots around.

Atlanta, GA

Is it big city lights you're looking for? Explore the skyline of Atlanta—from the towering skyscrapers of downtown to the charming neighborhoods nestled throughout the city limits. Stroll Atlanta's tree-shaded streets and friendly communities while soaking up the urban culture that thrives here. Visit the Underground and tour the Coca-Cola facility; it will delight your kids and bring back memories of your childhood.

The Atlanta Metro's newest attraction, the Georgia Aquarium, opened last fall and staked its claim as the World's Largest Aquarium. With over eight million gallons of fresh and marine water, and 100,000 animals representing 500 species from around the globe, you're sure to see things you've never seen before!

A city filled with music, theater, sports and shopping, there's always something for you to do in Atlanta.

Savannah, GA

This genteel Southern city is steeped in history, culture and architecture, and it's all easily seen on foot or during a restful, informative horse and carriage ride.

Without question, savoring and exploring Savannah's historic district is tops on most vacationers' lists. Laid out in 1733 by town founder General James Oglethorpe, Savannah's historic district (the nation's largest) is two-and-one-half square miles comprising 21 of the original 24 green squares. The district squares are peppered with monuments, gardens, historic homes and other buildings of architectural note.

No visit to Savannah would be complete without a stroll down River Street, fronting the Savannah River at the city's northern edge. Here you can walk along cobbled streets, explore shops in historic brick storefronts or just watch the river traffic. A few short blocks from the street is the Old City Market, another historic area that features restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

The Outer Banks, NC

This special place is more than just a day at the beach. These barrier islands, created thousands of years ago when the glaciers receded, are rich with history and stunning beauty. Every direction opens a door to adventure.

The islands are steeped in maritime history, and you can immerse yourself in its wake by visiting the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the country. The beacon from the light can be seen some 20 miles out to sea and has warned sailors for more than 100 years.

You can see the ravages of the sea at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, which boasts one of the highest densities of shipwreck artifacts in the world, and also holds some of America's most important maritime history.

While there is an emphasis on the sea, the sky was not the limit at the beginning of the century. On Dec. 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright broke man's bond to the earth with their first powered flight. Those 12 seconds changed the world forever.

Asheville, NC

If scenery impresses the family, check out the panoramic mountain vistas and rugged hiking trails around Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This thriving metropolis blends remote mountain charm with urban sophistication. Vacations magazine once rated Asheville among its top 10 getaways.

One of the more impressive retreats near the city is Biltmore Estate, built in 1895 by George W. Vanderbilt, a seasoned traveler who also was enticed by the natural beauty of this Appalachian landscape. The estate is still privately owned by his descendants, and a tour of the mansion is a treat for the whole family.

Asheville also sports a thriving downtown area filled with museums, bistros, clubs and shops, including the historic Grove Arcade. This 269,000-square-foot building housed one of the country's first indoor public markets. Briefly closed during WWII, it now is home to more than 26 businesses offering a wide variety of fresh food, locally made arts and crafts, and unique specialty shops.

You really can't visit this region without taking in the nearby surrounding sights, some of which are in the Great Smoky Mountains. There are rivers to raft, trails to conquer, wilderness to explore and a vast array of vacation options. You'll find examples of mountain heritage on winding trails and raging rivers, endless vistas and museums, dramas, historic sites, train excursions, parks, parkways and skyways.

Alabama's Gulf Coast

Something magic happens when you visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. The moment you arrive, the world starts to fade away. Maybe it's the sound of waves gently lapping some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

From Gulf Shores Public Beach to Orange Beach and everything in between, you'll find the right one for you. Suddenly, building sandcastles moves to the top of your "to-do" list. You linger over a succulent, fresh seafood dinner where nobody rushes to get away from the table.

A visit to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offers the perfect balance of non-stop activity and lay-around-doing-nothing time. Putter around a bit on one of the championship golf courses. It's always tee time in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach!

Whether vacationing with family or escaping with the one you love, Gulf Shores/Orange Beach is a place where you can slow down, let loose, rediscover yourself and savor time with your loved ones. Alabama's Gulf Coast will cast its spell over you.

Back to top