When choosing a vacation destination that kids will enjoy, theme parks and beach trips are always at the top of the list. Who doesn’t love a Disney vacation? But you can only spend so long (and so much) in the Magic Kingdom, and there are lots and lots of unexpected family travel destinations waiting to be explored, hidden gems full of enchantment that hasn’t been meticulously manufactured by a multinational corporation.

According to the Family Travel Association Annual Family Travel Survey, 84% of parents reported that family travel helps make their children more adaptable and open to new experiences, and new destinations are a perfect way to expand their horizons. Sure, everyone loves standing in line for an hour or more to ride a roller coaster, but there’s a big wide world out there to discover. And you and the kids may be rewarded with a new favorite vacation spot.

For decades, Las Vegas was unheard of for family vacations, but in 2023, the number of families visiting the city with someone younger than 21 in their group had tripled compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic numbers, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Located in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region, the city of Asheboro has a wild side. It's home to the world’s largest natural habitat zoo — one of the most popular attractions in the state — as well as lots of outdoor activities, including hiking Purgatory Mountain; the trailhead can be found near the zoo entrance.

Nearby, the Uwharrie National Forest spans five counties in the region, including Randolph County where Asheboro is situated. The 55,000-acre untamed natural paradise offers hiking, wildlife, and the Pisgah Covered Bridge, one of only two original covered bridges in the state that the public can visit. It’s both a local and federal landmark.

But outdoor exploration is only part of Asheboro's appeal. Visitors can make their way downtown to shop, eat, and enjoy the growing nightlife. “There’s such a beautiful environment downtown — the pace is slower,” says Dustie Gregson, designer and owner of The Table in Asheboro. Gregson is a Randolph County native, and felt called to open a restaurant in the city when she moved back home. “The nature of our downtown feels slower in a good way.”

If all of this sounds like your idea of an ideal vacation, here's how to plan a memorable trip to Asheboro, North Carolina.

The 12 Best Small Towns in North Carolina — From Coastal Gems to Mountain Getaways

When the Birmingham, Alabama, kitchen designer Cyndy Cantley, of Cantley and Company, began her career thirty-five or so years ago, she faced a lot of pickled cabinets and pink countertops—but not a lot of income. “No one mentioned that with a degree in interior design, you don’t make enough money to live,” Cantley recalls. So she decided to specialize, applying to a kitchen store that needed a designer. She ended up getting the job—and, a few years later, a husband, when she married the store’s manager, Keith Cantley. 

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then Hendersonville, North Carolina, should be one of the healthiest places in the United States. It's known as the apple capital of North Carolina because Henderson County grows more than 80 percent of the state's apples, plus it's one of the top 20 apple-producing counties in the country. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town embraces agritourism with local farms hosting corn mazes, wagon rides, apple cannons, cider doughnuts, and apple slushies. Beyond the orchards lies an outdoorsy traveler's paradise of mountain trails, waterfalls, sweeping vistas, and a thriving arts community.

In many ways, Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire is a place that time forgot. Just take a walk along the wooden boardwalk at Weirs Beach in the town of Laconia, and you might think it's the 1980s instead of the 21st century. Besides being New Hampshire’s largest lake, Lake Winnipesaukee has another interesting distinction—it is home to the country’s oldest floating post office. The mail boat service began in 1892, and the M/V Sophie C, which launched in 1945, currently delivers mail daily to nine of the lake’s islands between June and September.

You don’t have to be ready to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail—or even sleep outdoors—to enjoy a trailside getaway. These Southern stays offer comfort, adventure, and gorgeous hikes right outside their doors.

A North Carolina local shares some hidden gems in the Tar Heel State.

Head To Memphis For The Perfect “Outdoor Family” Vacation

On the occasion of his milestone birthday this month, a North Carolina World War II vet reflects on a hundred years of living

Come to Minden, Louisiana, to experience the epitome of Southern hospitality.