Who says you have to head to exotic resorts for vacation fun? There are hundreds of activities going on right in your own backyard for kids of all ages. Whether you’re planning a day trip, seasonal festival, weekend get-away or full-week excursion, look to NORTH & SOUTH CAROLINA attractions for great family field trips.

HOW TO PLAN FAMILY FIELD TRIPS

1.      Determine which part of a region you want to visit. Pick a DAY TRIP ZONE – one two-hour radius.

2.      Find points of interest, events and suggested lodging & dining options.

FOR EXAMPLE (in The Carolinas):

Your kids will love finding where to seek out pirates and real treasure…

Hear shots fired at forts & battlefields…

Fly like a bird on the Outer Banks or skip along the World’s largest natural waterpark…

Hike along boardwalks deep into swamps…

Tour castles & plantations…

Be a gem miner or a gold panner…

Climb aboard the ship Adventure…

Learn of the Lost Colony, Mayberry & Gullah cultures…

See “lights, camera, Action” at Hollywood East!

Say “Hello!” (Shiyo!) in Cherokee…

Eat on top of a Rock or have tea with the Queen…

Go behind the scenes of a NASCAR pit crew or travel on an art expedition…

Pack your knapsack as you hike to find amazing sand dunes, waterfalls, giant Rocks, a Cradle of Forestry, and maybe a Venus fly trap or two…

Or, ride the rails past old bridges and country sides (look out for train robbers!). Even round the turn at 80mph on a famous Speedway!

3.      If you’re going to spend the night, find a hotel/campground/resort that is in the center of it all.

4.     Now, HUB & SPOKE. Plan each day as if it was a separate DAY TRIP, basing from one hub and spoking out in a new direction each day. TIP: staying at one hotel for 2+ days gives you lots of leverage asking for discounts.

5.     Short on time? In the workshop Michele shares how to plan a day trip in 20 minutes. Hint: Look for valuable QUICK TOURS and pre-packaged itineraries.

6.     Where are the FREEBIES?

7.     Finally, look for INSIDER TIPS and DOWNLOADABLE WORKSHEETS to make the trip fun and educational. Learn why countless hours on Internet searches prove fruitless and why you need to secure only a few trusted resources for help.

Kids grow up so fast!

Enjoy time with them while they’re young…

KIDS LOVE THE CAROLINAS Your Family Travel Guide to Exploring “Kid-Friendly” North & South Carolina – 800 Fun Stops & Unique Spots & 15 other titles can be purchased for eaches & combo discounts at the KIDS LOVE TRAVEL BOOTH #148 (upper vendor hall)  www.kidslovetravel.com

Let the Adventures Begin!