Hit the Road for Valdosta, Ga.: SouthFlorida.com

It's just north of the Florida/Georgia border, far enough away that you feel you've had a real vacation but close enough to drive. Yet it's so inexpensive you'll think you're in another country. Valdosta, a charming college town in southeastern Georgia, is as welcoming and natural as a cut of buttered cornbread.

What's there for families?

There are no fancy resorts, so check into an affordable, family-friendly (many are also pet-friendly) chain motel with swimming pool along Interstate 75. More than two-dozen of the best-known chains are here, so earn or burn points if you're in a frequent guest program. The city has many smart places to dine, including a whirl of chic sidewalk cafes downtown, but families will appreciate the wide choice of inexpensive chain eateries.

If your kids demand a theme park vacation this year, the best bargain in town is a season pass to Wild Adventures and Wild Adventures Water Park. A season passport at $59 online costs less than half the price of two single days, and it's good at both parks.

Ride thrill rides all morning, have lunch in the park, add then spend all afternoon cooling off in the water park.

Valdosta was a sleepy, Southern town along the Withlacoochee River until Valdosta State University's sports teams started making national headlines. If you follow college sports, check out what's playing, and you're sure to see championship action during your visit. The university also offers summer stock theater performances, music and the arts. For the golfing family, the area has outstanding 18-hole championship courses charging weekday greens fees of only about $45.

The city's regal Carnegie Library was turned into a history museum that attracts an international audience. It's small and stuffy for little ones, but give it a quick look to see displays of historic costumes. Outdoors at the museum, displays are designed for children. Trace local history starting with a replica Native American home site surrounded by native plantings such as sawgrass, cotton and sugarcane. Kids love to run around the grounds, climb on board the bright red caboose and ring an old-fashioned school bell.

The serene, back-country Withlachoochee River is a favorite with anglers and paddlers. You'll also find outdoors pleasures, including camping, picnicking, fishing and nature watching in nearby Stephen C. Foster State Park (not to be confused with Stephen Foster State Park in North Florida). Deep inside Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the park has campsites, cabins, fishing boats and canoes. Because of the unique swamp eco-structure, you'll see knockout wildlife and botanicals. It's a nature lover's paradise but is buggy in summer and is very remote -- not a destination for city slickers.

If You Go

Getting there: Take Interstate 95 north to Interstate 10, then west to Interstate 75. Valdosta is just north of the state line, about 230 miles south of Atlanta and about 400 miles from Miami. Valdosta's airport accommodates private planes and has airline service to and from Atlanta via Atlantic Southeast Airlines.

For more information: 800-569 8687, www.valdostatourism.com

Where to stay: Depending on travel dates, it's typical to find a motel room for two adults and two children younger than 12 for less than $65 including pool, microwave, Internet access and a mini-fridge.

Janet Groene is a professional travel writer who develops healthy snack recipes forwww.CreateAGorp.blogspot.com.