That intertwining of yesterday and tomorrow is typical of Hampton, where the past, present and future merge to form a fascinating military, academic, and tourism center.

This mountain getaway hosts scores of road-tripping families and outdoor enthusiasts year-round, with snow sports in the winter and renowned hiking, biking, and water sports throughout the summer.

Wanting to give Emmett an authentic taste of the town, the creamery was just our first stop of a trip filled with delicious and eventful treats.

Greater Phoenix boasts plenty of kid-friendly fun. Explore 13,000 square feet of sugary delights at Sweeties Candy of Arizona, take in scenic views on the Verde Canyon Railroad, and more.

In Rock Hill, SC, we found a great variety of activities within a short driving distance; Kings Mountain State Park was our first stop.

I was trying to figure out how something could be new and old-fashioned at the same time, but Dad had that taken care of—he just needed help from us kids to plan “Operation Gatlinburg.”

My husband, Brian, and I like supplementing our kids’ classroom time with learning vacations. We discovered a new favorite destination for “studying” after visiting Sevierville, TN.

Check out these coast-to-coast family attractions to make your summer extra special.

This year I thought it would be fun to extend our trip by a day or two and venture beyond the park gates to check out some of the more educational sites nearby.

Prepare to congratulate me. I just became Heroic Hubby, Dynamite Dad, Fantastic Father-in-Law, and the Coolest Grandpa on Earth.

When we heard about Sumter, South Carolina’s Track Your Adventure program, my husband and I began making plans for a fun-filled trip with our three kids.

The beauty of the Iris Festival is that it’s in such an idyllic location, Swan Lake Gardens. In the midst of all the activity and excitement you can just relax.

America’s Comeback City, Detroit, Michigan, boasts an impressive array of free and affordable attractions. You'll find several on Belle Isle.

Whether indoors or out, you're sure to reconnect and unwind with fun to be had for the entire family in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Whatever your age, the whole family will enjoy a relaxing weekend on the Chesapeake Bay in quaint and historical Hampton, Viriginia.

My family and I love making the most out of summer festival season. Here are our favorite family-friendly summer music festivals

We were looking for a quick weekend getaway with our two boys, and we hadn’t been to Hampton since they were toddlers. It was perfect.

The Blackwater River was a tiny ribbon of sparkling water far below us and the mountains hunched like shoulders bending down to meet it. “What a payoff!” I said.

For birthdays or just any days, you'll find attractions the whole family will enjoy in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The Island Belle sternwheeler pulled up. The 20-minute ride was a fantastic way to begin our day in beautiful Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Flying over a hill on an ATV, I had an epiphany: this family vacation might just be our best ever.

“C’mon, Grandma!” she urged. “YOLO!” “What’s YOLO?” “You Only Live Once!” she said with a grin.

"Be sure to pack athletic clothes and something you don’t mind getting camel slobber on.”

I take my nieces Emily, 23, and Madison, 21, to Tennessee over their spring break. We zero in on Sevierville—a destination with lots of attractions to suit each of us.

Floating on my back, I watched a pelican fly overhead, and sent up a little word of thank you for this time with the ones I love most.

“Guess what, guys?” I announced, surprising even myself.  “We’re taking a little impromptu trip and spending some time outside this weekend.”

A movie theater during the Great Depression, the Sumter Opera House was the reason we went to central South Carolina.

It seemed like the perfect time to take a weekend drive to Columbia, SC, and check out the South Carolina State Museum and their new planetarium and observatory.

Here, summer camps allow mom and dad a free morning while kids learn about the environment, learn a new skill and just have plain ol’ fun.

The ‘A’ is for astronomy, because there is nowhere in South Carolina where you can get a better glimpse of the stars.