From Augusta To The Mountains, It’s Time For A Family Day Trip!

Now is peak timing for heading to the mountains to see the leaves change. Which makes it the perfect time for family road trips from Augusta! Here in the CSRA, we're in the perfect location to make a day trip out of it for the whole family. If it's something you've ever done, you know how breathtaking the views can be. Northern Georgia and SC are not that terribly far away. And because of our proximity to the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, they offer some premium leaf watching activities! Whether you enjoy a refreshing hike in the National Parks in either state or a leisurely drive through the foothills, there's something truly nostalgic about the short drive with the family to "see the leaves change".

When I was growing up I had an aunt who lived in North Georgia. That meant an annual trek to visit in the fall was mandatory. As a kid I had very little appreciation for the gorgeous scenery. I just knew I'd be stuck in a hot car with my stinky cousins while the adults oohed and aahed over the lovely views for several hours. Kids today have no idea how lucky they are with their various gadgets to dilute the boredom of an all day car ride. But I'm not sure we realized how sweet the memories of getting to spend time with rarely seen family would be.

As an adult I came to appreciate the peaceful enjoyment of a day trip. It's a chance to escape the every day and simply get away from it all and take in the majestic beauty that nature has to offer. It's also a lot more comfortable driving for several hours with heated seats and cabin temperature controls that simply didn't exist when I was a kid. Where once we alleviated boredom with multiple rounds of a game of "I-spy" now everybody has access to their favorite videos or games, mp3's or podcasts.

Tallulah Gorge offers some spectacular hiking in North Georgia. Also, Symmes Chapel in Greenville County, SC has a magnificent view. Plus, there's the added bonus of an opportunity to commune with nature, pray or meditate or simply get some fabulously fresh mountain air!   It's a great way to create some amazing memories and spend some quality time with the family for the day.

Christmas is a time to visit family and friends and get away from the daily grind. The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also be very expensive. From buying lots of Christmas gifts for family and friends to having to pay for plane tickets and travel, holiday expenses can really add up. But, the good news is that there are some affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S. Also, Georgia has one of the most affordable Christmas vacations.

One good thing about traveling during the winter months is that it's often the off-season for popular vacation destinations. Of course, the holidays are a busy travel time. That makes late December a difficult time to find a deal for travel. But, if you don't mind the cold and snow, some northern areas of the U.S. offer very good deals. That's true even during the Christmas season.

Some tips for finding a good deal for holiday vacationing include searching a lot of booking websites, comparing different hotel dates to find the most reasonable ones and finding bundle deals. Also, keep your eyes open for special deals on resorts and hotels that are just opening. That's because sometimes, during those opening months, new vacation spots try to attract a loyal clientele by offering special deals. One more tip is to search for airfare rates individually even if you are traveling as a couple or a group. If you put in a search for a group of tickets, the algorithms will often leave out information on one or two cheaper tickets being available. They'll just send you a group of tickets, sitting together, all at the same price. So, you might get a deal if you search for one ticket, instead.

So, what are the best affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S.? Here are some popular spots that won't break the bank.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and it offers a beautiful view of snowy hills and Amish country. It's a very old-fashioned type of town, making it a charming winter getaway. There are plenty of fun, holiday-type things to do in Lancaster that won't break the bank.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, is the self-proclaimed Christmas capital city of the world. Okay, so many argue that Strasbourg, France, takes that honor, but Frankenmuth is close, and it's a lot cheaper to get there. No passport needed. The villiage's Franconian-style architecture has given it the loving name "Little Bavaria." Frankenmuth is also home to the world's biggest Christmas store.

You might never guess, but Las Vegas, Nevada, is a great spot for an affordable holiday trip. Think about it. Most people wouldn't think to go to "Sin City" for Christmas. Of course, it's much less the "sin" part these days, as Las Vegas offers fun activities for the whole family.

Charlotte, North Carolina, is a great spot to visit in the holiday season, because it's not as crowded as other times during the year. It's also less expensive to visit during the holidays and offers beautiful decorations during Christmas. Don't forget the many holiday markets.

Fort Myers, Florida, is a popular destination for snow birds. But, that's doesn't mean to skip it during the holidays. If you want to get away from the snow and ice, Fort Myers offers a great escape over Christmas and for prices that are more reasonable than in many other areas of Florida.

Boston, Massachusetts, gets cold in the winter, but it also has that classic Christmas charm. It's a big city with a smaller city feel during the holidays. What's more, it's a more affordable winter vacation destination than many other areas, and you won't have the fight the crowds.

It'll be too chilly to swim, but there's something to be said for visiting the beautiful Lake Country in Georgia during the holidays. Many tourists recommend staying at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. It's positioned along 30 acres of lakefront shoreline. How beautiful.

https://galakecountry.com/