With its balmy temperatures, natural beauty, gracious spirit and affordable accommodations, the South has long attracted vacationing families. But as popular a destination as the region is, there are still vacation getaways known to none but a lucky few. For the outdoors-oriented family, we've discovered a secret getaway just too good to keep--the Doublehead Resort in Alabama offers lakeside beauty and plenty of activities for the entire family.
ALABAMA
DOUBLEHEAD RESORTDoublehead Resort had a humble start as a quail-hunting retreat in Town Creek, Alabama. Now it's a lakeside cottage resort where families can hike, fish, ride horseback, swim, boat, jet-ski and sprawl in hammocks--then duck into a rustic but well-appointed cottage for a glass of iced tea from the fridge.
Spread over 1,100 secluded acres on Wilson Lake, Doublehead boasts a man-made, white sand beach and cottages with private lakefront piers. The entire place is done up in full-tilt Native American decor: even the swimming pool comes with giant tepees (one's a concession stand, the other a rest room) as well as a cascading stream and a kiddie pool with spraying fountains.
The 35 cedar cottages are shaded by towering cedars, and each offers three bedrooms, two baths, kitchen, washer/dryer, grill, picnic table, a porch with rockers and a hammock. For guests' convenience, there's a game room and a general store on the property. While the facility could keep a family entertained for days, the surrounding country offers a number of hot spots for day-trips.
To spot wildlife beyond your own front porch, drive 45 minutes to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (256-350-6639), where you'll find 34,500 acres and an excellent museum to explore. Another fair-weather destination is Point Mallard waterpark (256-341-4900), 35 minutes away in Decatur. Open summers, it has a wave pool, diving tower, kiddie pool, squirt factory, water slide, picnic ground, playground, beach and miniature golf course.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center (256-837-3400), 45 minutes east in Huntsville, is a must-do. Check out the collection of space gadgetry and huge, outdoor rocket garden and take a bus tour of the Marshall Space Flight Center.
Across the Tennessee River from Florence, Tuscumbia is the birthplace of Helen Keller, whose childhood home (256-383-4066) is open to the public. If your kids enjoy music, don't miss the Alabama Music Hall of Fame (800-239-2643), where your family can see costumes, hear music destined for fame and visit a recording studio where you can make audio or video productions to take home.
THE DETAILS: Rates for cabins that sleep 10 begin at $275 nightly from Memorial Day to Labor Day and $225 during the rest of the year. Boat rentals and horseback riding cost extra. For more information, click here or call 800-685-9267.
Lynn Grisard Fullman is the author of ALABAMA THIS WEEKEND (Crane Hill Publishers).
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated June 2005.
