Hilton Head Coast Line

Planning a family friendly beach vacation with young kids during Spring Break can be tricky. How do you find a spot that offers a wide range of attractions and activities to keep your family happy, yet is as far away as possible from loud, teenage Spring Breakers with a slightly different idea of a happy vacation? This was the puzzle we had to solve earlier this month as we planned the Spring Beach Vacation we had promised our young daughter

After some initial scratching of heads, we set out to select by elimination. And so – what may have been great choices if we didn’t have a 4.5 year-old to please – Panama City, Miami, Myrtle Beach & Daytona – were quickly crossed off from our list of potentials and we zeroed in on Hilton Head Island, in South Carolina. It seemed like just the right mix of sun, sand and family fun we wanted minus the raucous spring breakers that we were eager to avoid. And within driving distance from home.

Hilton Head Highlights

Beaches worth biking on

Biking On Hilton Head Beach

One of the most enjoyable aspects of a Hilton Head vacation is the biking experience. Miles and miles of bike trails around the town plus endless stretches of sandy beaches invite you to cruise along all day. Biking on the beaches of Hilton Head is a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience – pack a picnic basket and beach towels and you’re all set for a day of biking, sun bathing, sand castle-building and chilling on the beach. Biking on the beach means that you can cover longer distances than you ordinarily would on foot. It also gives you the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you feel like and take a dip, build a castle or just relax for a while before you head out again to explore some more. If you have young kids, there’s no better way to enjoy long stretches of the beach, than by strapping them to the child carrier seat and riding along, stopping for snack breaks and for water play as and when you want to.

High Tide on Hilton Head Beach

Do be prepared for the changes in beach trails brought about by the change in tides! We were met with a wide stream of ocean water when we were trying to get back to our hotel at the end of our long biking trip. What was once all sand just a little while ago was now uncrossable by bike due to the high tide, especially with a child. We ended up retracing our steps and traversing around the impase  through a different route to return to our hotel.

With sand so soft, can you help but build a castle?
We had to remind ourselves that we were only helping our daughter build the castle, but even we weren’t convinced. The sand on Hilton Head beach is so soft and inviting that even adults can’t resist building sand castles and playing!

Sand castle in progress

Beauty doesn’t stop at the beach
As I mentioned earlier, it wasn’t just the beach that offered plenty of biking opportunities. The whole town is very bike friendly with wide trails running parallel to almost all major streets. People living here probably don’t even need to use their cars to get to work or the grocery store as most everything is accessible by bike. Lush greenery in the form of palm and pine trees, and breathtakingly beautiful golf courses are some of the vistas you will be treated to as you bike along the streets of Hilton Head. With not too many gradations to conquer, biking here is an enjoyable, stress-free experience.

You can’t help but lead a healthy lifestyle
We noticed that many of the locals used bikes to get to stores, restaurants and even to work. So while the rest of us are stuck struggling with rising gas prices, high cholesterol and weight issues, Hilton Headers are happily biking their way to a healthier lifestyle while saving on fuel and having the last laugh as they head to the beach.

Bonus trip to Upscale Sea Pines
It’s unlikely you will ever get enough of the beach and the bike rides, but at some point in your vacation, do peel yourself away and head to the scenic Sea Pines area. You do have to pay a toll of $5.00 to get there, but you would have recovered the toll amount’s worth of sights and fresh air within a few minutes of entering inside this community. The calming combination of serene tree tunnels, more golf courses, bike lanes and fresh air is invigorating to say the least. The Sea Pines area is popular for its dining and shopping, but as we were soon to discover it had another little surprise in store for our little girl.

A trip to Lawton Stables and a surprise pony ride
Our car literally screeched to a halt by this beautiful place as we were passing it. Not originally on our list of spots to visit, something about the horses and ponies that were at an arm’s length away from the road beckoned us to stop and say Hello. Our daughter snagged a surprise pony ride on Romeo, a gorgeous white Pony who happily strutted around the track pleasing his tiny rider to no end. We also met Callie the llama and got to pet a few of the other animals on the farm. The place does offer guided trail rides on horseback through across the 603 acre Sea Pine Forest Preserve for those 8 and older if you’re interested.

Harbor Town Light House – Historic and refreshing
The final stop on our trip was the Harbor Town Lighthouse and marina. The 90 foot red and white striped lighthouse is fairly easy to climb with just a little over a hundred steps, and offers a spectacular view of the area around. The gift shop, aptly named The Shop at the Top and the pier below surely warrant a visit. Do ask about the guided kayak tours if you’re interested.

Hotel & Dining
As you may expect, there are several options when it comes to accommodations in this tourist friendly, family beach town. We stayed at The Marriot Resort and Spa by the beach and were mostly pleased with our choice. We were disappointed that we didn’t snag an ocean front room and even the ‘Ocean view’ that our room had was an obscure one since our room was located at the far end of the building, away from the ocean. So, do plan your trip ahead of time so you don’t miss out on an oceanfront room. The amenities, location and facilities on the premises turned out to be rather impressive. The hotel offers hourly and daily bike rentals which was one of the reasons we chose this place. The hotel also boasts four restaurants/cafes on site – we loved The Cafe for breakfast. They have a hearty breakfast buffet and some great options on the menu.

We didn’t check out Conroy’s as they didn’t have too many vegetarian options, but for seafood lovers, you probably will find that the in-house restaurants have a great variety to offer  between the four of them. They also have a grocery store where you can grab your daily dose of caffeine and a quick donut or muffin if you’re not interested in a full sit-down breakfast. An easily accessible complimentary beach towel booth, an indoor pool ideal for younger kids and a larger outdoor pool area facing the beach, in-house massage and spa facilities, a well-equipped fitness room and 3 golf courses on the premises are some of the other reasons to love this place. The fact that our room didn’t have a microwave or a great ocean view and that  parking cost us an additional $10 a day were some of the black spots in an otherwise perfect vacation.

At the end of the day – we had managed to accomplish it – a spring break beach vacation without having to endure brash spring breakers. Though the water itself was cold and not all that inviting, there was plenty more Hilton Head had to offer that kept our family happy for 3 days and left us with memories to last a lifetime.

1. Callaway Gardens, GA

2. Niagara Falls Family Trip

3. Disney World Orlando Florida

4. Amicalola Falls State Park, GA
A beautiful, sunny July Saturday found us on a drive to the North Georgia Mountains and Chattahoochee National Forest, to trek up to see the Amicalola falls. The trip to the aptly named Falls (Amicalola is a Cherokee Indian name for Tumbling Waters), was rejuvenating to say the least.

5. Ocoee River, Centennial Olympic White Water Rafting Venue
A place where unstoppable thrill coexists with calm surroundings – we got an up-close look at this Olympic rafting venue, and vowed to come back to conquer the waters in a few years.  Discover more about out trip at Ocoee River, Tennessee – An Olympic Getaway

6. Six Flags White Water Theme Park, Atlanta

7. Atlanta Botanical Gardens

8. Wilkesboro, North Carolina

9. Traveling Southern India

2010 was a year of many memorable trips, some a few miles away, some to places across the globe and a few that transcended time, even…and I’m truly thankful for every minute of it all. Thank you, Tots and  Travel for the opportunity to share my recollections from these travels and thank you, dear reader, for indulging me. May 2011 be the year your travel dreams come true!

Chennai, India

Chennai 

Chennai, India is the city I called home for many years before moving to the United States. Early last summer, I went on a 2.5 month-long vacation to visit my parents, in-laws and extended family and had a wonderfully relaxing time. There’s something about going back home that no other trip or adventure can give you. 

Chennai has a thriving cultural scene (in the traditional Indian context!), boasts the world’s longest beach, has some of the finest jewelry and clothing stores in India, is home to incredible temples and landmark buildings…and is the city where I spent some of the best years of my life. My daughter got to experience first hand some of the traditions I grew up around, and was pampered to no end by relatives on both sides of the family – an experience I’m so glad she had. 

Coimbatore 

The city my saner half comes from, Coimbatore, is known for its once thriving textile mills and premier educational institutions. Next to Chennai, this is where I spent most of my time in India. The city was gearing up to host the world’s first ‘Tamil’ conference while I was there – a grand scale event which hundreds of thousands of people were expected to attend, featuring cultural programs, art shows, music, poetry, debates and discussions. I left Coimbatore before the event commenced, but got to witness all the preparations, the grand stage and open grounds where mammoth tents were being set up to host the event. 

Kumbakonam 

My father’s hometown and the town I spent many summers in as a child, playing with cousins, pampered by grandparents and enamored by the simplicity of small-town living. Tradition requires that we pay a visit to our family deities and village temples at every possible opportunity and although many of my relatives and cousins have now moved on to the greener pastures of cities, a trip to Kumbakonam and our village deities is sure to be accompanied by a generous dose of nostalgia. The magnificence of thousand-year old temples, the casual presence of peacocks and elephants in temple courtyards and the sight of children jumping into rivers and playing unsupervised were some of the aspects that left my daughter a little amused and I suspect, somewhat awe struck. 

Vijayamangalam

Vijayamangalam 

The town my father-in-law hailed from… just as we visit the family deities and village temples on my family’s side, it is also customary to visit those of my husband’s.  At the face of it, these trips look religious in nature and they are to some extent – the purpose of the visit is after all to worship at the shrine of the deities – however, for me, it’s more about staying in touch with your roots, being able to go back to where your ancestors came from and never losing sight of your background and who you are. 

Ancestry pays an important role in Indian society – people easily trace back their lineage to four generations at the very minimum and if not for annual trips like these, these quaint villages may be all but forgotten in the frenzied lives we lead today. It’s always refreshing to go back to a rural setting and watch life unfold at a slower, calmer pace, although modern life has caught on here too and don’t be surprised if you visit a village with mud houses where there’s no indoor plumbing, but every house has a TV and multiple cell phones! 

Munnar, India

Munnar 

Since we live so far away from our families, whenever we visit India we make it a point to spend as much time as we can with them when we’re there. Since my husband’s siblings live in different parts of the city and have school-age kids, it’s hard for us all to be together for any length of time. Indian schools follow a different calendar and the months when we’re there, kids are busy preparing for tests, doing homework or rushing to classes after school.  The only way to spend some quality time together with everyone is to take a short break and get away from there. And that’s what we do every time. We rent a minibus, convince everyone to take a day or two off and go away to a destination that’s at least a few hours away by road. This way, we all get to catch up on the road, cousins get to gossip, we bring along picnic baskets and have a good time. The destination is usually a hill resort since there are plenty of those in Southern India. 

This year it was Munnar –  home to India’s leading tea estates, full of lush green slopes, pristine waterfalls and a breath of fresh air for all of us city folks. Scenic drives, breathtaking views, nature strolls, garden tours, family games and two nights later, nobody was ready to head back. 

Kanchipuram and Oru Irukkai 

Kanchipuram is a city about 80 kms SW of Chennai and is known for its thousand year old temples, rich heritage and silk textiles. It’s also where our families’ spiritual gurus lived and continue to live. During this trip to Kanchipuram we were witness to a special treat – a thousand year old temple chariot (theru) was being taken on a procession around the city, with thousands of worshippers, onlookers and volunteers participating in various ways. Witnessing such processions is considered auspicious, but for me, it was all about the serendipity of happening to be at that place on that day, being able to experience a tradition that’s thousands of years old. Auspicious or not – it was enthralling to watch a part of history being relived. We made our usual visits to the Kamakshi temple, the Kanchi Mutt (hermitage/ashram) and then made our way to a small village named Oru Irukkai to witness a remarkable structure in making. Mani Mandapam is an architectural marvel that’s being constructed using thousand-year old techniques and materials that ancient kings and dynasties employed to build grand temples in South India. The Mani Mandapam revives some of the ancient architectural grandeur and makes one ponder as to how such huge single-stone structures, intricately carved pillars and grand temples could have been built thousands of years ago without the use of machinery or modern technology. Definitely worth a visit for students of architecture, design or just about anyone interested in Indian history and culture. 

Bangalore 

I visited the IT hub of India last year with the sole purpose of spending time with an aging and beloved relative who was 98 at the time. We had a wonderfully relaxing day with my cousin, his family and my elderly aunt and uncle, and didn’t as much as step out of their house to see Bangalore – which we had visited several times before anyway. The one day that we spent in Bangalore with my uncle is what remains etched in our memories from our trip to India, because, less than a week later – he passed away. We had just landed in the US by then and couldn’t make the trip back for his funeral.

Kerr Scott Reservoir Wilkesboro, NC

Wilkesboro and N.Wilkesboro are twin towns on the foothills of the Appalachians in North Carolina, about 30 miles south of Boone. The thought of this place warms my heart and energizes me because it’s where I spent the first few years of my life in the USA. It’s a lovely, scenic town with plenty of parks, creeks and nature trails and a silence about it that I just love. Every season leaves its signature touches on the town and I could spend hours just watching the trees from our windows and marvelling at how nature painted them shades of pink, green, brown and white, like clock work, year after year.

Anyway, we went back to visit friends in Mooresville, and just couldn’t return without driving to Wilkesboro. Nothing much has changed – if anything, it’s become even quieter and even more deserted, after a major home improvement moved its headquarters away from there. But, it still made us feel like we were back home. The Kerr Scott Resevoir, the Greenway trail, the scenic 421 highway were all the same, welcoming us in their silent way. Not many outsiders fell in love with Wilkesboro the way I did and not many of our friends understood what drew us to the town. Whatever it was, it’s very much real and still very powerful, for I can’t wait to go back there again.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Another example of the backyard variety – the Botanical Gardens in Atlanta are right next door to Piedmont Park and while we’ve visited the latter several times, somehow we never got around to stopping by the Gardens. Until last October. Usually, Fall in Atlanta isn’t much to write home about, but there couldn’t have been a more perfect time to visit the Botanical Gardens. (Except maybe spring…which we’ll have to wait and see!)

From rose gardens to cascading waterfalls to glass pumpkins and a greenhouse teeming with exotic plants – an afternoon here can work wonders for your inspiration and refresh you in wonderful ways.

Six Flags White Water Theme Park

Although we live just a few miles from Six Flags White Water in Atlanta, it’s taken us over 2 years to actually visit. Sometimes, the coolest attractions are in your backyard, but it takes you a while to get there.

250 Cobb Pkwy N # 100
Marietta, GA 30060
(770) 424-9283

Disney's Magic Kingdom

We took our daughter and my niece to Disney World – it was also our first trip to the world’s largest attraction and boy, were we amazed beyond words! It’s like entering a whole other universe – albeit an overpriced one – still, the magic (for you can never really tell how they pull it all off) is worth experiencing at least once. I’m glad my daughter and her cousin got to visit it together for the first time. We also toured Universal Studios, and although it has the cool rides and attractions found in LA, what’s missing is the Studio Tour which I consider the highlight.

Related Articles:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom
Walt Disney World’s Epcot
Walt Disney World – Off the Beaten Path
Finding Hidden Mickeys at Walt Disney World
Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Rainbow at Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, NY

Undoubtedly, one of the most spectacular vistas in the US. I’ve visited the Niagara Falls a handful of times and have felt more refreshed and enthralled each time. This year (2010) was special because we accompanied relatives visiting from Thailand. Two kids, five adults in a van on an unforgettable 15 hour road trip.

To learn more details read my article about Nostalgic Niagara Falls.

This is one of my favorite places to visit around Atlanta. In the summer, my family likes to go here for the many activities it has to offer including boating, biking, bird shows and more. In the winter, it features one of the most spectacular holiday light displays I’ve ever seen. It’s surprisingly affordable and entrance is actually free during some times of the year. We made multiple trips during various seasons, including one in Feb when entrance was Free!

For a more detailed account visit my post on Callaway Gardens Georgia.

Grand Silence, Great Beauty

Few landscapes on the planet have the capacity to take your breath away like the Grand Canyon. Once you have visited this truly grand natural wonder, most everything else you’ve witnessed up to that point in your life will probably pale in comparison. At least, that has been my experience. Any tourist could reel off the physical dimensions of the Canyon, its vast expanse, its history and geology. As for me, I always have to go back and check my facts and numbers which I find hard to remember accurately, but one thing that has stuck in my mind from my two trips to the Grand Canyon is the silent and powerful way in which it communicates the sheer force of nature. It’s impossible to imagine how one seemingly gentle, faraway force has managed to sculpt and alter the face of earth, until you witness it first hand. Until you see how a gushing river can carve out a path through layers of solid rock, at least millions of years old.  

Getting there:  

A 4 hour drive from Phoenix along long, straight stretches of Interstates 17, 40 and highway 64 brings you to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim – the most popular and tourist friendly part of the Canyon. Driving alongside never ending desert landscapes and larger than life cacti is a unique experience, novel to East Coasters more used to meandering mountain roads and lush greenery.  

Grand Canyon South Rim at Sunrise

What to see:  

The Grand Canyon offers several view points and spots all vying with each other to provide more spectacular views of the canyon below. A shuttle service helps you get to the various points and enjoy the vistas along the way. Depending on how much time you have, pick out a few of the many viewpoints to stop at. Some of the more prominent ones include Hopi, Maricopa, Mojave and Hermit’s Rest – the last stop on the shuttle’s route which also houses a gift shop and cafe. No matter what you do, ensure that your trip to the Canyon includes at the very least either a sunrise or a sunset view. You’ve got to experience the golden hour at the canyon – watching the rocks turn from a dry brown to a warm gold before being engulfed in shades of crimson, orange, red, pink and black is an experience you won’t forget. If you only have a day or a little more to spend here, plan your itinerary so you arrive at the Grand Canyon a little before sunset and wake up to view the sunrise, or at least one of them.  

Which brings us to the next point.  

Colorado River in the distance, Grand Canyon

Where to stay:  

Staying on the Grand Canyon National Park premises is a great option if you want to spend long hours exploring the canyon’s viewpoints, wake up early to catch the sun rise or just to explore the park by walk. Yavapai Lodge and other lodges offer comfortable rooms – the only drawback being the lack of modern amenities like a microwave oven, laundry or a breakfast room. This could be a huge consideration for families with children or people for whom these factors weigh high in priority. If you’re mainly here for the Grand experience though, these are minor issues you can get around quite easily with a little more planning and smarter packing. If you do want the works however (or at least a breakfast bar), you could stay at Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Grand Canyon just down the road. Catching the sunrise is going to take a little extra effort – a small price to pay for the modern lifestyle you can’t do without. 

What to do:
Trek, River raft, Glass bridge, IMax theatre 

Besides catching glimpses of the Canyon from the prominent points and snapping hundreds of pictures, which is what a vast majority of the 3 million+ annual visitors do, you can and should consider taking your experience of the Grand Canyon a few notches higher…by treading lower. Hiking to the bottom of the canyon is touted to be the ultimate adventure – it’s hard work and not recommended for those not in excellent shape. You’re likely to come face to face with soaring desert temperatures, dehydration, rattle snakes and oncoming mules, but at the end of it all, you will see what not many do – a stunning bottom-up view of the canyon’s ridges and rocks. With the bonus of staying overnight at the base – making the round trip on the same day is not advisable and probably not the most sensible option to consider. Besides, you probably wouldn’t have the energy or will even if you wanted to – we’re talking about 10 hours+ of grueling hiking here. And unlike most other treks – you’ll be climbing uphill on your return. You require a Backcountry Pass to stay overnight at the base and are also recommended against hiking alone. I haven’t done this yet and it remains one of the top things on my ‘To do’ list.  

Grand Sunrise Colors

The other amazing experience Grand Canyon has to offer takes you to its creator – whitewater rafting on the Colorado is said to be among the most challenging on the planet. It takes a seasoned rafter to face some of its Class 5 rapids head on and emerge unscathed…maybe. But, there are some easy to moderate rafting trips more appropriate for families with young kids.  

Since 2007, you can experience the Grand Canyon from an unprecedented viewpoint – directly above it. The Horseshoe Glass Bridge owned by the Hualapai Indian tribe offers visitors a uniquely thrilling perspective and is not for the faint-hearted, I am told. Standing 4000 feet above the canyon and 70 feet in, you will get to see the ridges and rocks and the nothingness directly under your feet through the glass – the only thing separating your from what’s underneath. To get here however, you will have to travel away from the South Rim towards the North Rim and the Horseshoe Bridge is located on Grand Canyon West. It’s at least an additional 2 hours on the road – so, if that’s something you want to see, then factor in the round trip time into your itinerary.  

Before you drive away, stop by for a show at the Grand Canyon IMAX theatre for a last glimpse of the Canyon and a peek into the secrets and stories it has to reveal.  

A trip to the Grand Canyon offers plenty of photo ops, a backbreaking trek, an extraordinary camping experience and much more. But what the place really has to offer won’t be found in any brochure or tourism website – and that’s the elusive spiritual component – call it soul searching, self-inquiry or just finding the silent place within yourself. To me, the true essence of a Grand Canyon tour, lies in experiencing that beautiful silence within and without that somehow emerges more easily when you’re standing at its rim, looking at one of the many manifestations of nature’s glory.