The Best Fall Getaways Down South and Out West

Kid-friendly excursions don't have to be restricted solely to cartoon characters and theme parks, as much fun as they can be. It's all about exposure to new ideas and experiences, and that extends to food, culture, recreation, and play. Anticipate the unexpected!

See our suggestions for 12 Ultimate Trips for Kids.

An easygoing coastal locale and just-caught seafood – there's no better combination for relaxed good times. These Southern restaurant standards, like JB's, let you kick back with fried shrimp, fresh fish, and some of the most succulent oysters ever.

Get clued in to our Top 10 Southern Seafood Dives.

Just across the border from Augusta, GA, the quaint town of Aiken, SC, enjoys a long history as a center of equine life and love. Come catch the energy of training sessions and polo matches, or do a little riding of your own. The season's perfect for it!

Discover more about Life in Aiken, SC.

Ready for a new approach to food, where apparently incompatible flavors come together in a lesson of nonjudgmental delight? Give yourself over to Aaron Deal's creativity, and then embark on a culinary crawl of Charleston's top restaurants.

Find the man behind the innovation in Southern Chef Salute.

Beaufort is awash in history, embracing events from centuries past as well as from recent years. Learn about the most scintillating and intriguing happenings on a tour that tosses a bit of eagerly-accepted gossip into the historical mix.

Listen up for the good parts when you Take a Stroll in Beaufort.

Edisto River kayakers take in the beauty of the ACE basin, a stretch of SC land whose owners seek to honor and maintain it for future generations. Viable and living rather than pristinely preserved, the parcel is a haven for wildlife, nature, and the people of the life-giving coastal region.

See how local folks are demonstrating their Love of the Lowcountry.

Think you know barbecue traditions? Prepare to have them shaken up and given new life, courtesy of these free-thinking eateries. Jazzy ingredients, new philosophies, and rave reviews are all part of the new generation. Open up to the possibilities!

Dig into the succulent goodness at The West's Top 10 Barbecue Joints.

Flagstaff is going upscale, thanks to an influx of good restaurants, an appreciation for the city's vintage architecture, and the worldliness of university students. Happily enough, Native American culture and terrific nearby hiking add a welcome note of rusticity that helps make this Southwestern metro the desirable destination it is.

When the seasons begin to change, come Experience Flagstaff's Fall.

Anyone up for a road trip? Coastal Living takes you all over the nation with options for leisurely drives and astounding views. Whether your choice of terrain is alpine or tropical, there's a route to suit – proof once more of the beauty and diversity of the country we call home.

Check out The 10 Best Road Trips!