Fun Family ‘Off the Beaten Path’ Beach Vacations

Nothing says summer or family vacation like a trip to the beach. Kids love the beach, parents love the beach and most beach towns are packed with touristy activities providing something for everyone. Beach vacations are always a hit with the family and families want a beach town that is warm and family-friendly. 

Florida always seems to be a first choice for many families yet the beaches seem to always be over-crowded. So this year, drive or fly a little off the beaten path. Here are five alternatives to Florida for your family beach vacation:

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city and biggest seaport, has lots of history, shopping and lots of family-friendly vacation attractions. Visit the Oatland Island Educational Center which is complete with a marsh walkway, nature observatory and marine monitoring station. Shop the many outlet stores or eat in some of the famous restaurants. Paula Deen hails from Savannah and her sons still run her famous restaurant, The Lady & Sons. If your kids are old enough, take them on one of Savannah’s famous nightly ghost tours.

Charleston, South Carolina

One of the southeast’s most beautiful family beach vacation spots is the Isle of Palms near Charleston, SC. There you will find luxury beach vacation rentals and some of the finest, most picturesque golf courses in the country. If the kids get bored with the beach, take them to the playground nearby Isle of Palms County Park, or tour historic Fort Moultrie and the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier while on your family vacation. You can also enjoy the finest Lowcountry cuisine around in the numerous restaurants.

For more off the beaten path family vacation ideas, click here. 

To plan the perfect family trip, see Travel Tips for Terrific Family Trips.