6 Best Father-Daughter Trip Ideas For Every Kind Of Dad

Jianna chef Michael Kramer in Greenville, SC. Photo: Peter Frank Edwards

Trying to pick the best vacation destinations in the South is like attempting to choose a favorite child: impossible. You can find plenty to do—and love—about the diverse cities and charming small towns in the Southern states. With so many excellent options, it's no wonder that there's something for everyone when it comes to planning a father-daughter trip in the South.

We're firm believers in time well spent with good old dad, and there's nothing like bonding while out on the road. To whittle down your options for a father-daughter vacation, we selected a handful of potential activities based on shared interests, such as food, drink, music, nature, and cars. Read on to discover destinations across the South that are all set for you to share as a road trip or airport adventure. To help make planning a breeze, we’ve rounded up ideas for what to do as well as where to dine and sleep in each dreamy locale.

01 of 06

For Nature Lovers: South Walton, Florida

Grayton Beach State Park — Courtesy Visit South Walton

If water sports are more your style, this Florida panhandle hidden gem might just be your father-daughter dream destination. Situated along the Gulf of Mexico just east of Destin, South Walton offers waves of ways to soak up Mother Nature’s masterpieces along Scenic Highway 30A. In addition to hiking, golfing, and biking in the more mainland areas, the waterways offer opportunities for paddleboarding, fishing, boat tours, and even sandcastle lessons.

Eat: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar, The Daytrader Tiki Bar and Restaurant, Wild Olives, Roux 30A
Stay: The Court Seaside, The Pearl, The Lodge 30A, Camp Creek Inn
See: 30Avenue, Growler Garage, Eden Gardens State Park

Plan Your Trip To 30A

02 of 06

For Cyclists: Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville, SC: Falls Park — Laurey W. Glenn

If you’d like to make cycling a core focus of your father-daughter trip, it’s tough to top Greenville. Promising everything from single-track mountain bike trails (Paris Mountain State Park) to rolling smooth paved routes (Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail) to mountain roads that hosted the USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships from 2006 to 2012 and the National Criterium Championships in 2015 and 2016, this gorgeous part of South Carolina is ideal for exploring on two wheels before and after exploring the growing art and culinary scene.

Eat: Jianna, CAMP, Soby’s, Society Sandwich Bar and Social Club, The Commons
Stay: Hotel Hartness, Grand Bohemian Lodge, Hotel Domestique, The Westin Poinsett
See: See a touring Broadway show at Peace Center, Flying Rabbit Adventures, Unity Park, Vault & Vator, Greenville Center for Creative Arts

Plan Your Trip To Greenville

03 of 06

For Car Fans: Bowling Green, Kentucky

National Corvette Museum — Bowling Green Area CVB

Prefer driving, watching, and perhaps collecting vehicles that have four wheels? Set your navigation system to land in Bowling Green, which is home to the only Corvette manufacturing plant in the entire world. Celebrate the timeless sports car at the National Corvette Museum. For a seriously cool selfie backdrop, drive over to 1921 Standard Oil Station; a beautifully restored relic of gas stations past. If you’re into car racing, you may want to plan your father-daughter vacation around events at Beech Bend Raceway or NCM Motorsports Park. The checkered flag awaits.

Eat: 440 Main, Spencer’s Coffee, The Bistro, Pub by Novo
Stay: East Main, Tru by Hilton, Embassy Suites
See: Civil War Discovery Trail, Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Fountain Square Park, see a show at SKyPAC

Plan Your Trip To Bowling Green

04 of 06

For Wine Aficionados: Charlottesville, Virginia

Pippin Hill Farm: Culinary Vineyard — Gabriela Herman

Beer and bourbon might get more love when it comes to father-daughter trip plans, and there are dozens of worthy spots to sample and learn more about those sips. But when it comes to wine, we’re wild about the idea of taking Dad to Charlottesville, which was selected by one organization as 2024's Wine Region of the Year. The county is home to 40 wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail, which offer a taste of the innovative practices that make this area and its terroir something to savor. We recommend taking a guided tour so you can outsource the driving. End the day at Dairy Market food hall, where you can each choose a dinner that pleases your palate (and where you can play a few rounds of corn hole before or after.

Eat: Broadcloth, Conmole, C&O Restaurant, The Ridley, Smyrna
Stay: The Clifton, Boar’s Head Resort, The Forum Hotel, Keswick Hall
See: Selvedge Brewing, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Downtown Mall, UVA Gardens

Plan Your Visit To Charlottesville

05 of 06

For Music Lovers: Nashville, Tennessee

Dust off your dancing shoes. They have honky-tonks and the entirety of the bustling Broadway Historic District to groove their way through. If you haven’t been, make a pilgrimage to the Grand Ole Opry for a tour, and be sure to swing on over to National Museum of African American Music to learn more about the musical heroes who have shaped so much of blues, jazz, R&B, gospels, and spirituals. Refuel at the iconic Puckett’s Restaurant, which hosts live music nightly. Savor a Tennessee whiskey tasting at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, then walk next door to catch an intimate show at Marathon Music Works.

Eat: The Butter Milk Ranch, Audrey, Tailor, International Market
Stay: W Nashville, The Hermitage Hotel, Noelle, Germantown Inn
See: Marathon Music Works, Ryman Auditorium, The Bluebird Cafe, Pinewood Social

Plan Your Trip To Nashville

06 of 06

For Foodies: St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis used to be known primarily for “toasted ravs” (fried ravioli) and thin-crusted, Provel cheese-topped pizzas. In the past two decades, this Missouri metro area has evolved to become one of the best food destinations in the South—and all of America. In the city and the suburbs, worth-the-trip bites can be found at all price points and feature cuisines around the globe. Between brewery tours, sports games, history tours, or a show, feast your way through the City Foundry food hall, team up to pick fruit at Eckert's, and book a table at the Lou’s loveliest restaurants. Even the soccer stadium, CITYPARK, is overflowing with deliciousness from dozens of local food vendors.