DEL.ICIO.USFor the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/24/08
Spring break is a great time for families to connect. But it's hard to bond when Mickey Mouse is distracting the kids.
This year, instead of going to the typical places, doing the typical things, paying for typical accommodations, why not try a nature-based vacation?
 Brunswick-Golden Isles CVB | ||
| Several shrimp boat operators in the Golden Isles on St. Simons take tourists aboard to see how the product gets from the ocean to the table. This boat is the Lady Jane. | ||
 Larry Behnke / Special | ||
| Hop in a canoe and paddle down the Santa Fe River in High Springs, Fla. A series of day trips ranges from three to 15 miles. | ||
 City of Greenville, S.C. | ||
| In Greenville, S.C., the 355-foot Liberty Bridge soars over Liberty Falls Park and its beautiful gardens and falls. | ||
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Here are several outdoor ideas from the peaceful to the playful, all within driving distance of the Atlanta area. It will give you a chance to get in touch with beautiful views, natural settings and best of all, your family.
1. FLOAT IN FLORIDA
If you like wild, adventurous water thrills, then this trip is not for you. But if you and your family are looking for an easy, laid-back spring break, then High Springs, Fla., is a good choice.
What to do: Hop in a canoe and paddle down the Santa Fe River. A series of day trips ranges from three to 15 miles. "The trips are all downriver with the current," says Jim Wood, owner of Santa Fe Canoe Outpost. He says the trip is very leisurely and not at all strenuous. Plus, he adds that it's a "very family-oriented river, not a bunch of crazy college kids throwing beer bottles at each other." You can take a different route each day, and while you're enjoying the views, you can jump out and take a swim in the crystal clear springs. Even this time of year, Woods says the water should be about 72 degrees. santaferiver.com, 386-454-2050
How's the drive? 313 miles; about four hours, 45 minutes.
Where to stay
• Rustic Inn B&B. 386-454-1223, rusticinn.net.
• High Springs Country Inn. 386-454-1565, highsprings.com/cinns.
• O'Leno State Park (camping and cabins). 386-454-1853, floridastateparks.org/oleno.
Where to eat
• Floyd's, a popular 1960s-style diner. 386-454-5775, floydsdiner.com.
• Trombone Charley's: American food, live music. 386-454-5700, trombonecharleys.com.
• The Station Bakery & Cafe, pastries and sandwiches. 386-454-4943.
2. CAMP CLOSE TO HOME IN GEORGIA
For a not-too-far-away mountain escape, you're probably inclined to head north to the mountains of Georgia.
If you've "been there, done that" too many times, try a different direction, southwest of town. Believe it or not, there are plenty of similar mountain views at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain.
What to do: President Franklin Roosevelt loved to come to this area to relax by the lake and take in the views after he was stricken with polio. He even built a little vacation home, the Little White House, in nearby Warm Springs, which is worth a visit. At the 9,000-acre-plus park, you can camp, hike the 37 miles of trails, go horseback riding or fish in the lake. 706-663-4858, gastateparks.org/fdroosevelt.
How's the drive? 76.9 miles; about one hour, 20 minutes.
Where to stay
• F.D. Roosevelt State Park, camping sites and cottages. 1-800-864-7275, gastateparks.org/fdroosevelt.
• Homestead Log Cabins (in Warms Springs and Pine Mountain). 1-866-652-2246, homesteadcabins.com.
• Mountain Top Inn and Resort, cabins in Pine Mountain. 1-800-533-6376, mountaintopinnga.com.
Where to eat
• Chipley Family Restaurant in Pine Mountain, Southern-style fare. 706-663-2640.
• Bulloch House in Warm Springs, country buffet (open daily for lunch and weekends for dinner). 706-655-9068, thebullochhouse.com.
• Mac's Barbecue, in downtown Warm Springs, pork or beef barbecue. 706-655-2472.
3. HIKE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Sure, you can hike lots of places in the Southeast, but Greenville's got it all right near downtown.
So if you like to get close to nature during the day but not so much at night, you can head back into town to rest your head after a day of hiking the scenic area.
What to do: Greenville has three state parks, all within about 30 miles of the city. You can check out Caesar's Head, Jones Gap and Table Rock for miles of trails and picturesque mountain views. Liberty Falls Park is right in town and features beautiful gardens, gorgeous falls and the 355-foot Liberty Bridge. 1-800-717-0023, greenvillecvb.com.
How's the drive? 145 miles; about two hours, 20 minutes.
Where to stay
• Each of the three state parks has camping. 1-866-345-7275, southcarolinaparks.com.
• Solitude Pointe, cabins in nearby Cleveland. 864-836-4128, solitudepointe.com.
• Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Riverplace, near shopping and dining.
864-271-8700, hamptoninnandsuitesgreenville.com.
Where to eat
• Stax Omega, casual American diner in Greenville; breakfast served all day. 864-297-6639, www.staxs.com/omega.htm.
• Overlook Grill, boasts a great view of the Liberty Bridge in Liberty Falls Park. 864-271-9700, overlookgrill.com.
• Brick Street Cafe, Southern cooking in Greenville. 864-421-0111, brickstreetcafe.com.
4. GET WET ON THE GEORGIA COAST
Spring break and the beach just go together. And even if you've spent spring break, summers and holiday weekends on Georgia's coast, it's time to see it from a new vantage point.
Rather than lounging on the sand and playing in the ocean (although that's never a bad idea), take advantage of St. Simons Island's boating adventures.
What to do: The kids will love the opportunity to ride aboard a working shrimp boat. You can help the crew catch and sort shrimp or just sit back and enjoy the shrimp after they boil it. 912-265-5711, credlesadventures.com.
For an educational and ecological boating experience, try the Salt Marsh Nature Tour. As the boat takes you through the marsh, guides explain tides, food chains, the area's vegetation, birds and mammals. 912-638-9354, marshtours.com.
If you want to see dolphins up close, you definitely can't stay on the sand. Several companies have boat trips that include dolphin spotting. 912-638-5678, saintsimonstransit.com/dolphin_tours.
How's the drive? 312 miles; about five hours.
Where to stay
• Saint Simons Inn by the Lighthouse. 912-638-1101, stsimonsinn.com.
• Queen's Court. 912-638-8459, queenscourtmotel.com.
• Best Western Island Inn. 912-638-7805, bestwestern.com/islandinn.
Where to eat
• Brogen's Food and Spirits, popular for its good hamburgers and good times. 912-638-1660, brogens.com.
• The 4th of May, home-cooked food, deli sandwiches. 912-638-5444, 4thofmay.net.
• Mullet Bay, seafood. 912-634-9977, mulletbayrestaurant.com.
5. RAFT IN NORTH CAROLINA
For families who need a little more spring in their spring break, white-water rafting is the ideal adventure.
There are plenty of places in North Georgia and Tennessee to ride the rapids, but the Nantahala in North Carolina is very family-friendly with fun, yet non-intimidating Class II and Class III rapids.
What to do: At Carolina Outfitters near Bryson City, you can choose from several combo-style trips. Consider Paddle and Pan (raft and pan for gemstones), Paddle and Saddle (raft and ride horses), Paddle and Pedal (raft and bike) and Raft and Railroad (raft and ride a train). 1-800-468-7238, carolinaoutfitters.com.
How's the drive? 156 miles; about three hours, 10 minutes.
Where to stay
• Carolina Outfitters Cabins. 1-800-468-7238, carolinaoutfitters.com.
• The Cabins at Nantahala. 1-888-447-4436, cabinsatnantahala.com.
• Nantahala Village. 828-488-2826, nvnc.com.
• Falling Waters Adventure Resort (stay in your own yurt — a more luxurious version of a tent, with a bed, overhead fan and other amenities). 1-800-451-9972, www.wildwaterrafting.com/yurtvillage.html.
Where to eat
• Pasqualino's, Italian. 828-488-9555, greatsmokies.com/pasqualinos.
• The Filling Station, sandwiches and soups. 828-488-1919.
• Everett Street Diner, breakfast and lunch. 828-488-0123, geocities.com/everett.diner
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