The places that don't make you apologize for the kids. Restaurants with crayons that aren't an afterthought, parks with shade and bathrooms, the ice-cream stop with the line on a hot Tuesday.
A state park spanning Burke and McDowell counties, about 50 miles northeast of Asheville — the Paddy's Creek area has a 700-foot swimming beach with seasonal lifeguards (May through September), a bathhouse, and a concession stand, plus canoe and kayak rentals.