Starting December 19 and running through the end of the year, we’re suspending our normal programming so that we may help those of you with kids on winter break find stuff to do. Every day through year’s end we’ll throw out an idea intended to get you and the kids out of the house and have the kids exhausted upon your return. Consider it GetGoingNC.com’s gift to you.

Today: Plan your New Year’s Day Hike

Today’s tip is more about Sunday than today, but today is when you need to figure out which New Year’s Day Hike you plan to attend. A good place to start your planning is at America’s State Parks, where you’ll find a rundown of all First Day Hikes at the nation’s state parks, including 27 in North Carolina. Live in Charlotte? Head to the Boulders Access area of Crowders Mountain State Park at 10 a.m. for a 10-mile hike to King’s Mountain State Park in South Carolina. In the Triad, head to Pilot Mountain State Park at 11 a.m, for a skyline hike on the Jomeokee Trail. In the Triangle, there’s a 10 a.m. hike at Umstead State Park (not to mention the annual Eno River Association New Year’s Day Hike at Eno River State Park).

Find out more about these hikes and others at state parks around the state by going here.

* * *

Previously in our Holiday Escapes series …

Dec. 19: Go paddling
Dec. 20: Hit your neighborhood park
Dec. 21: Climbing the walls
Dec. 22: Take a guided hike
Dec. 23: An educated walk
Monday: Go play in a parking lot
Tuesday: I spy a bufflehead
Wednesday: Explore your neighborhood
Thursday: Explore the winter woods