The whole clan can enjoy a trip to Greensboro, North Carolina, which combines a small-town feel with big-city attractions. Its historical importance and kid-friendly activities make the city a popular choice for families.
Greensboro is historically significant for African American civil rights. On February 1, 1960, four students staged a lunch counter sit-in, and their efforts are now immortalized by the a statue located on the North Carolina A&T State University campus. Charlotte Hawkins Brown founded a school for African Americans in 1902 that eventually saw more than 1,000 graduates and is now a state historic site and museum.
Other historical places in the area include the Old Mill of Guilford, a fully operational mill founded in 1767 that continues to make (and sell) all-natural, stone ground foods. The Carolina Model Railroaders, with its display of miniature trains navigating detailed scenery, will be of interest to kids of all ages. Youngsters will enjoy going to work in "Our Town," an exhibit at the Greensboro Children's Museum that features a DC-9 jet, police cruiser, and pizza cafe.
Kids can also get involved at ArtQuest, part of the Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art, which provides an interactive studio where creative minds can paint, weave, mold clay, and more. Green Hill also provides five different exhibitions each year featuring North Carolina artists.
Another family favorite is heading to see the game. The Greensboro Grasshoppers, a single A affiliate of the Florida Marlins, has attracted more than one million fans since 2005. The Carolina Dynamo play only 20 minutes away, and are affiliated with Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew.
Flights to Greensboro arrive and depart from Piedmont Triad International Airport, just 20 minutes from downtown.