Family Trips with 5-8 hour drive 

LET’S TALK TRAVEL 

Dear Clare: Do you know any good places (within 5-8 hours driving distance) that would be good for a family trip with children? I would prefer something that is not a normal “tourist” attraction. ~ Leah

Dear Leah: I’ll give you three options in opposite directions, that way you can choose what suits your interests. 

Visit New Braunfels & San Antonio Texas

If history, caves and watersports sound appealing, look west at New Braunfels. Skip the waterpark and go straight to the river for tubing or kayaking. Look at Texas State Tubes in San Marcos for a less crowded experience. The Natural Bridge Caverns are a popular attraction, but they’re worth it in my opinion and they offer aerial rope courses, zip-lining and a maze. If this sounds too pricy or crowded, look at the Cave Without a Name in nearby Boerne. If old ruins are your thing, hop over to San Antonio for a day. Walk or bike the Missions Trail which is 16 miles roundtrip and about 2.5 miles between each stop. If you can squeeze it in, stop at Hot Wells of Bexar County, a free walk through an abandoned resort hotel. Find lodging at Airbnb or Vrbo or stay at Holiday Lodge on Canyon Lake.

If you want to incorporate hiking into your family trips, see my posts about Winter Hiking in Texas and Texas Hiking Weekend Getaway

Speaking of hiking, visit Arkansas

If hiking and the beautiful gardens are calling, look north to Arkansas. You can stay put in one area, like Hot Springs, or hit the hotspots with a road trip. If I had 6 days, this is what I would do. Start in Hot Springs to visit Hot Springs National Park and stretch your legs by hiking the trails directly behind the park. Make sure to go inside Fordyce Bathhouse. End the day at Garvan Woodland Gardens, which has something fun for all ages whether it be beautiful nature walks, a giant tree house or fairy houses. Stay at Gold-Inn Hot Springs or rent an Airbnb. We did this as a multi-generational trip and you can read about it at What I Learned on a Family Trip.

Head north toward Dardanelle and take your pick of hiking at Petit Jean, Mt. Nebo or Mt. Magazine State Parks. Petit Jean and Magazine have affordable lodges (including yurts). Extend more nights here or keep on going to Bentonville. Stretch your legs at the free Devil’s Den State Park along the way. In Bentonville, visit Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, an architectural masterpiece with 4 miles of trails through 120 acres of forest. Not into art? Skip Bentonville and stay at Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca so you can hike or canoe the Buffalo River (my personal favorite). It’s an 8.5-hour drive home from Ponca, so consider reversing this trip if you prefer the long drive at the beginning.

Visit Florida’s Emerald Coast

If this all sounds too hot or exhausting for family trips, look east to Florida’s Emerald Coast which stretches from Pensacola to Panama City. Look at quieter beaches at one of these state parks: Gulf Islands National Seashore, Grayton Beach, Henderson, Deer Lake or Topsail Hill Preserve. If you want real dunes, go with Deer Lake or Topsail Hill. If you want to truly escape, drive to Shell Island. This hidden gem near Panama City is a local favorite for those who can do without restroom facilities. For non-beach activities, look at Man in the Sea Museum or Air Force Armament Museum. You may also like trail riding with Western Pleasure Riding Stable, a great way to see wild Florida with some safe distance from snakes and gators. Your challenge with this trip is finding affordable lodging. Expect to pay around $250/night, unless you get lucky and find a campsite available at one of the state parks. This trip is best planned far in advance so you have more lodging options.

For quick family trips, visit Mississippi Coast

If looking for a quick beach getaway, look at the Mississippi coast. The water isn’t as pretty but the beaches at Pass Christian, Long Beach and Gulfport are pretty and have great boardwalks for biking or rollerblading. You can rent kayaks to add some adventure or visit the Mississippi Aquarium. Long Beach is my favorite beach and Ocean Springs has the best food scene, including the famous Tatonut (where people wait an hour in line for a donut). You can read more about this getaway at Why We Love the Mississippi Coast.

Good luck and bon voyage!