I wouldn't suggest Biltmore with small children - expensive and not age appropriate - at least not the house.

We went to Highlands and loved it. We stayed at this great b&b called the 4 1/2 street inn. We had a great time.

www.4andahalfstinn.com/

BIltmore village is historic????

I would probably opt for a Black Mt./Brunswick Islands (I am of course partial to Holden Beach myself)combo. Charleston (depending on the age of the children) may or may not be a good choice. Try ncbrunswick.com as well.

As many times as I've been to Asheville, I have never stopped in Biltmore Village. It's my understanding that BV was the actual village that sprang up around the manor house during its construction and heydey. But that could just all be talk for the tourists. ;)

From what I recall of the tours of Biltmore the Village was where many of the artisans who worked on the estate were housed and had their shops. It has now evolved into an area of shops, galleries and restaurants - very nice - you can spend a few hrs there but not a whole day.

Noticed your query and while I have only limited knowledge of the western end of your trip, I am very knowledgable about the NC/SC coast, having spent many summer weeks and many long weekends at the various "hotspots" along the coast.

For simple "laid back" sitting on the beach, you can't beat NC's Outer Banks. Emerald Isle, NC has large beachfront and is much less congested than the big name locales but doesn't have much fine dining or outside entertainment. Some nice seafood restaurants along the historic waterfront in Beaufort (check out "Blackbeard" on the internet) and amusement parks/water slides between Morehead City and Swansboro, all within a 30 minute drive from Emerald Isle.

Farther south, you can find Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, which gives the beach and "city" options, but for my money, go on down almost to the SC line to Ocean Isle Beach. This is an island that has limited commercial development and is very "family friendly". Nice beach and safe for the kids to roam around on their own. From OIB, you are only 20 minutes from Myrtle Beach which has EVERY type of entertainment you can imagine. Huge waterpark, major shopping complexes, name brand outlet park, live theater, etc. The restaurants around Ocean Isle offer everything from burgers to surf-n-turf, while the 20 minute drive to MB offers 4 and 5 star fine dining if you like. Many of the rental houses are on man-made canals which allow you to sit on your deck while the kids swim off the boat docks just a few feet away, or you can rent in a cul-de-sac that offers its own private pool while still being only yards from the beach itself. If sandy beaches are your preference, the island is only a few hundred yards across so you are always within walking distance of the beach.

Myrtle Beach itself is very congested. Lots to do but you fight traffic to do anything and the prices are usually higher. Same can be said for Hilton Head and Charleston. Charleston is my favorite adult weekend destination, with its premier historical district and the finest dining in the world, but I'm not sure how the children would take to it. My kids would love the first hour and then be miserable, wanting something more entertaining.

Thoroughly confused now? Don't lose sleep over it because you really can't go wrong. After travelling extensively and with $$ no issue, my in-laws come in every summer from San Fran and Boston because they think the NC/SC beaches are the finest in the country. We usually choose Emerald Isle because our kids run from 5 to 21 and it's hard to dine out with a group of 16 or 17, so we cook a lot at the house, but when I take only my family of four, it's Ocean Isle or Sunset Beach. Hope this helps.
Mike