yesu39470

Hi everyone!

Please help!!! My husband and I are trying to plan a vacation in late Sept. that has to start in Hot Springs, VA for a conference he will attend. The conference is at The Homestead resort. We have a have 2 toddlers ages 1.5 and 2.5 that will be traveling with us. We will be driving from New Orleans, as my husband doesn't want to fly with the kids. My approach would be to take our time getting there and just enjoy the drive taking frequent stops to let the kids play a bit. (they are very well behaved) Does anyone have suggestions about where to stop along the way through the parkway that will be fun for all of us? What about the timing of the drive, how long from Hot springs etc.. just getting started and need help-thanks!

Cassandra

Be aware that, although lovely, the average speed along the Blue Ridge Parkway is somewhere around 35-40 MPH and slower behind leaf-peepers. Also it winds a LOT. Even if it looks like roughly the same distance "as the crow flies" as using interstates, it will take you MUCH more than twice the time, perhaps more than 3 times as long. Your toddlers won't appreciate the scenery and could get very fidgety, and even though there are many "scenic overlook" pull-overs along the way, you wouldn't call them exactly playgrounds. (I'm not even going to ask if the kids get carsick... ;-} )

yesu39470

Thanks Cassandra,

No they do not get carsick, but of course, they will get fidgety and bored after a while. We were trying to plan a trip that would be family friendly and I thought there were alot of things to do along this drive. Should we reconsider? We will probably have to go to this conference at The Homestead and wanted to try and extend it with some other nice sightseeing and activities for your kids. Any suggestions?

Cassandra

Your kids are so young! -- it's hard to think of "official" sites they would enjoy, although perhaps something in the general area of Dollywood/Pigeon Forge? There's also Tweetsie Railroad and the zoo at Grandfather Mountain (Blowing Rock area) in NC. I'm guessing that it'll be far more important to stop at rest areas near the interstates to run around, play tag, etc. (and godhelpme, perhaps the McD's that have playgrounds) and otherwise have fun new games in the car.

I'm also aware that an Amtrak route goes through Hot Springs, so while you're there maybe the kids would like to see the train come through.

I hope others familiar with parks, sites southwest of NC/Va will have something more to suggest.

Cassandra

(I mean "Toddler Tag" of course -- which is generic "catch me if you can").