Exploring the south's back roads, scenery and the Shenandoah Parkway with our 4 and 6-year-olds made a wonderful journey.

We started at Mountain Lake in Virginia, which had nice, small rooms that were good for a two- or three-day visit. The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia (540/332-7850) was worthwhile.

We went farther south to North Carolina and loved the enormous Biltmore estate in Asheville, and the Cherokee Indian Village with its great show for kids. Once again the region's beauty caught our attention: biking and hiking were two great ways to appreciate the waterfalls and natural scenery. 

If you go, don't miss the Natural Bridge and Grandfather's Mountain. At High Hampton (1525 Highway 107 South 28717; 828/743-2411) in Cashiers, North Carolina, they had great activities for the kids, though the food was only average and the rooms were pretty rustic. However, the Grove Park Inn (290 Macon Avenue 28804; 828/253-7053) was very nice.

Family Travel Forum suggests contacting Virginia Tourism (800/VISIT-VA) and North Carolina Tourism (800/VISIT-NC) to help you plan a vacation similar to this reader's trip.