I was also looking forward to checking out Sumter's annual Iris Festival held at Swan Lake Iris Gardens.

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.

Family fun in Ridgeland, Mississippi, a vibrant, artsy community with small-town appeal and hospitality.

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

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

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.

By the time we got to the car, my brother challenged me to find the best Gulf Shores dining before our week was up—we’d leave the judging up to our family members.

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

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.

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

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

Shocked to discover the kids didn’t know who Elvis Presley was, the trip suddenly became a necessity. We were off to Tupelo.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

My husband and I decided it was time for a change of scenery, so we planned a vacation to the Smoky Mountains in Sevierville, Tennessee, with the kids.

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

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

Taking the kids to Carowinds in North Carolina is a long-standing family tradition that one dad couldn't wait to continue.

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

It was early October, so kids were back in school and most others were saving their vacation days for the holidays. This meant we could enjoy the famous theme parks of Orlando without the crazy lines. And, without the stress of crowds, I was able to reach a new level of adventure.

Getting to the root of food on the farms in South Carolina's Olde English District.

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.

A three-in-one family vacation is our new favorite way to travel. Here’s how it went for us in Martin County, Florida.

My husband and I brought the kids along for an investigative trip into our family history in Sumter County.

A culinary road trip with the family to experience our favorite sights, smells, sounds, and tastes in Gatlinburg, TN.

Celebrating Beaufort, South Carolina, and water—the thing that defines this charming town—at the Beaufort Water Festival.

The sky’s the limit in and around Greater Phoenix. Aerial adventures across Arizona include ballooning experiences with Hot Air Expeditions, zip lining at Out of Africa Wildlife Park, and the exhilarating Skywalk at Grand Canyon West.

Sisters and cousins get together for a heart-warming American Girl Store Experience in Alpharetta, Georgia.

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.

Greater Phoenix boasts plenty of kid-friendly fun, from sweets shops to hands-on museums. At the Musical Instrument Museum, don't miss the chance to bang a gong or hear a mechanized violin play itself.

I can’t believe it! My parents bought season passes to Carowinds! My little brothers and I have been begging for this since before Christmas.

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.

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.

I remembered the great times we had sitting by the campfire, discovering new hiking trails and fishing in the nearby creek, and decided a four-day cabin trip to Gatlinburg would be perfect for our family adventure.

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.

We were looking for down-to-earth fun! I knew if we chose the right destination, the rest of the details would fall into place. Enter: Lake Charles.

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

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.

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

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.”

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

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

Martin County’s Old Florida flavor perfectly complements its rich trove of fun. Events and festivals to make this fall memorable in the best way.

“How about Pasco County?” My friend wrote. “It’s part of Florida’s ‘Nature Coast,’ just 30 miles north of Tampa. My own family had a blast there recently, and there’s no shortage of water fun!”

Top 10 Favorite Things to Do in Gainesville with my family.

I couldn't possibly list all the available activities, but suffice it to say, rivers, lakes, trails, wildlife, and outdoor-loving outfitters make Southern West Virginia an incredible natural playground.

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

My husband and I decided before we even chose a destination that it was important for our family to disconnect from the distractions of everyday life to really connect as a family; hence, the no cell phone rule.