Refrigerated Trailer for Rent in Wild Dunes, SC

Expect multi-generational travel at its finest.

Southern hospitality is renowned, and nowhere is it more prominent than at family-friendly resorts across the South. These are properties that go above and beyond when catering to travelers of all ages. They offer activities that appeal to younger children while never alienating teens, young adults, or those well into their 80s. Many of them also have multi-bedroom accommodations, curated kids’ programming, and thoughtfully designed amenities that leave everyone in your party planning a return trip ASAP.

From treasured beach retreats to year-round mountain getaways, here are some of the best Southern resorts for families, in no particular order.

Wild Dunes Resort

Isle of Palms, South Carolina

When you think of family-friendly beach resorts, you’re likely picturing a property like Wild Dunes Resort. The Isle of Palms retreat spans 1,600 acres and offers everything you need for a relaxing family vacation: direct beach access, a spa, a tennis center, a golf course, on-site dining, and multiple resort-style pools. You’re also not strictly relegated to cramped hotel room quarters; pick from a roster of accommodations that includes larger suites, beach condos, and home rentals.

hyatt.com/destination-by-hyatt/wilddunes-charleston-island-resort; 5 Seagrove Ln., Isle of Palms, SC 29451

The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa

Hot Springs, Virginia

The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa might be considered a "hidden gem," but those familiar with its particular brand of family-friendly hospitality know it’s one of the best places to enjoy a group getaway in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia. The natural hot springs and spa are favorites among the more mature crowd, and the indoor pool, two-acre water park (complete with waterslide and a lazy river), and lawn games appeal to younger generations. There are also two 18-hole golf courses, four clay tennis courts, and nightly movies to keep everyone entertained. And if your dog is under 60 pounds? Feel free to have them join the family excursion.

omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia; 7696 Sam Snead Hwy, Hot Springs, VA 24445

Montage Palmetto Bluff

Bluffton, South Carolina

Located in Bluffton, one of the best small towns in South Carolina, Montage Palmetto Bluff is another stalwart Southern destination beloved among families. With two-bedroom cottages and two-to-five-bedroom residences, the resort has tons of room for larger parties to spread out during their Lowcountry getaway. And the best part? Everyone can choose their own adventures based on their age, interests, and preferences.

There are treehouses to explore, pools to enjoy in the warmer months, s’mores to roast, and golf courses, beach cruisers, and kayaks to fill your itinerary. The resort also offers a children’s program, Paintbox, for children ages 5 to 12, and guests can reserve a complimentary UPPAbaby Remi™ Playard or Ridge® Jogging Stroller through the Stay & Stroll Program. Plus, Montage Palmetto Bluff is dog-friendly, so everyone’s favorite family member can come along on the trip, too.

montage.com/palmettobluff; 477 Mt Pelia Rd., Bluffton, SC 29910

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

Greensboro, Georgia

Lakeside retreats are all about good, old-fashioned family fun, and The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is proof. Ideal for multi-generational groups, the resort is designed to cater to all manner of travelers. Gather around the family pool to beat the Georgia heat with geysers and splashpads, or head to the lake to paddleboard, fish, kayak, try your hand at jet-skiing, or climb aboard a Double-Decker Tritoon with a slide. As the fun-filled day comes to an end, everyone can reunite for the resort’s complimentary s’mores celebration before tucking in for the night.

ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ahnrz-the-ritz-carlton-reynolds-lake-oconee; 1 Lake Oconee Trail, Greensboro, GA 30642

The Cloister at Sea Island

Sea Island, Georgia

Named one of the South’s Best Resorts in 2025, Sea Island has long been a favorite among Southerners. While the resort has a few different accommodation options—all found on either the eponymous private island or neighboring St. Simons Island—The Cloister (the property most people associate with Sea Island) is ideal for families.

The Sea Island Beach Club is found right across the street, and guests can enjoy its multiple pools and private beach access, plus a whole range of waterfront activities—kayaking, shelling tours, sailing lessons, and more. If you’re traveling with kids between the ages of 3 and 14, you can also enroll them in Camp Cloister, which offers age-appropriate programming that includes the likes of cookie decorating classes and paint parties.

seaisland.com/stay/the-cloister; 100 Cloister Dr., Sea Island, GA 31561

Blackberry Farm

Walland, Tennessee

Blackberry Farm is far from a secret among well-heeled travelers—particularly those seeking a romantic getaway—but the acclaimed property is also the perfect choice for families who want to mix adventure, relaxation, and education into their vacation. Kids ages 4 and up can take part in Camp Blackberry, where they’ll spend their days exploring different farm, culinary wellness, art, and outdoor activities. Alternatively, the whole family can join in on the fun in the Family Adventure Series, a program that highlights the natural wonders of the area through informative, entertaining pursuits—be it geocaching, archery, or a working farm tour.

blackberryfarm.com; 1471 W Millers Cove Rd., Walland, TN 37886

High Hampton

Cashiers, North Carolina

High Hampton has a long history as a playground for travelers of all ages. In its modern era, helmed by the Blackberry Farm leadership team, the Cashiers resort is laid-back and luxurious, offering a family-friendly mix of activities—everything from croquet and tennis to fishing, kayaking, and hiking. There’s also a kids’ club, available by reservation only, and the property has a mix of multi-room suites and cottages to accommodate groups of various sizes.

highhampton.com; 1525 NC-107 #1525, Cashiers, NC 28717

Jekyll Island Club Resort

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Another recent recipient of the 2025 South’s Best Resort title, Jekyll Island Club Resort has been welcoming guests for decades. Well-versed in the type of hospitality families enjoy, the 5,700-acre resort thinks of everything. Not only do guests have plenty of choices for accommodations—stay at the Jekyll Ocean Club for direct beach access or the Jekyll Island Club to immerse yourself in the storied history—but they also have an extensive range of activities to choose from. From riding bikes around the island to playing croquet, going on history tours, and enjoying a picnic, it’s nearly impossible to run out of things to do.

jekyllclub.com; 371 Riverview Dr., Jekyll Island, GA 31527

JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa

Clearwater Beach, Florida

Clearwater Beach might boast the whitest sand in the South, but it also has one of the best Southern resorts for families. JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is the ultimate summer vacation—complete with a rooftop pool, multi-bedroom residences, bike rentals, and exclusive beach access. Drop the kids off at the Hideaway Hangout JW Kids Club, where they can participate in resort scavenger hunts and mazes, or rent a couple of daybeds for everyone to hang out in at the beach. The resort also offers a unique Residence Package, which includes one breakfast for a family of up to four people, a pre-arrival snack stock of in-house items, and one bottle of wine upon arrival.

marriott.com/en-us/hotels/tpajw-jw-marriott-clearwater-beach-resort-and-spa; 691 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

Cataloochee Ranch

Maggie Valley, North Carolina

If you’re the type of family who embraces the great outdoors, add Cataloochee Ranch to your vacation shortlist. The Relais & Châteaux property, located on a mountaintop in the Smokies, is an adventurer’s paradise. Spend your mornings on a trail ride through Great Smoky Mountain National Park, then come back to the ranch to tackle the adventure course or go bird watching. A few of the rustic-chic ranch cabins can also sleep up to eight guests, thanks to comfortable sleeper sofas and bunk beds.

cataloocheeranch.com; 119 Ranch Dr, Maggie Valley, NC 28751

Want a quick getaway practically in your own backyard? While Mount Pleasant and the surrounding beaches serve almost daily in that capacity, something else you might not have tried before, the brand-new Nest Rooftop Bar, is already proving hard to beat.

Opened April 1 atop the Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort on the far east end of Isle of Palms, The Nest, as patrons call it, offers up an array of colorful island drinks and an atmosphere that will make you want to stay forever on the South Carolina coast— even if you already live here.

“There is no hotel in our area that has a space truly like this nestled six floors above the beach,” said Nico Scherman, general manager of Wild Dunes Resort. “The new hotel opened with ample rooftop space…and we imagined a casual rooftop bar that mimics our Lowcountry lifestyle.”

Even if you don’t drink alcoholic beverages, the rooftop view alone is worth the effort, thanks to the surrounding dunes, hotel and pools, harbor golf course, and of course, everyone’s favorite, the Atlantic Ocean and shoreline.

“We focused on developing a space that feels tropical, from the colorful uniforms to the space that is engulfed in tropical plants,” Scherman said. “And The Nest is a mix of bohemian style, complemented by a curated beachside cocktail list.”

For a drink or two, Nest bartenders are ready to serve up lots of intriguing goodies, such as the Cucumber Mule Cocktail, the Passion Fruit Margarita, Tall Skinny Houses Pilsner, and Poke the Bear APA – all from Charleston breweries.

“We only serve local beer of the Southeast,” Scherman said. “You won’t find mainstream light beers here.”

But you will find bartenders who get to showcase their talents, providing a sort of unplanned-for entertainment to go with your drinks.

“My favorite part of the job is the on-the-fly cocktail creation and the creative freedom our leadership gives us,” said Veteran Bartender Mike Sweatte. “And having a bar overlooking the beach is not a bad day at the office.”

Interesting dishes also pair well with the signature drinks and one-of-a-kind view. This is where Chef Austin Blake will step in to offer you his favorite dish of Mason Jar Pickled Shrimp.

“It’s our most popular patron dish,” Blake said. “It’s a classic Lowcountry item, but we put our own creative twist on it— and use local shrimp to represent a staple of the South.”

After a day poolside or on the beach, when you’re not quite ready for dinner but you don’t want to hang it up just yet, a stop at The Nest will do the trick. Don’t forget to check out the custom mural, which serves as a great backdrop along with the full ocean views. You may never leave.